In a sometime frantic and vibrant city like New York, a natural refuge is what locals crave the most. In Midtown West, that famed oasis in the smog comes in the shape of Bryant Park, a delightfully and thoroughly enjoyable reprieve from the big city lights. You too could enjoy the attractions and relaxing atmosphere of Bryant Park if you choose a Midtown West holiday rental apartment on your next NY vacation. After all...there’s only so much shopping, sightseeing and walking one can manage before needing a well-earned break. Found just east of Times Square, Bryant Park may be minute compared to Central (really, which park isn’t?), but it offers quite a lot to both visitors and locals, who flock here every day to enjoy a lunch-break in peace and tranquillity. Merely a storage space and drug trafficking hub a few decades ago, Bryant Park has been recently restored and has swiftly gained popularity with locals. Nowadays it is also known as the home of the New York Fashion Week shows, a feat even Central Park couldn’t pull off! The park’s look has a very European feel, and indeed it was designed with a French provincial garden in mind. The plantings are ...

The NY suburb of Chelsea has certainly come a long way in the last few decades. Once home to a vast array of run-down housing projects (and renowned for a more shady character), it has blossomed into one of New York’s trendiest suburbs. The city’s best art galleries, restaurants and café are found here, as are some of the city’s very best shopping opportunities. Not only is Chelsea the place to go to for international designer stores, but it is also the headquarters of New York’s finest produce market and boasts some unique stores as well. Book Chelsea holiday apartment and follow our guide to this prime suburb’s other shopping gems. You’ll be guaranteed of an unforgettable New York vacation. Chelsea Markets, Old Nabisco Building Regarded as New York’s best food-lover’s destination, Chelsea Markets is the place to visit if organic epicurean treats are what you crave. Located on the whole ground floor of the old Nabisco Building (the birthplace of the Oreo biscuit), this glorious produce market could be reason enough to rent a self-catering apartment in Chelsea! What’s on offer at Chelsea Markets? Everything! From delectable baked goodies to top quality meats, fruit, vegetables and cheeses; the Markets are an epicurean attraction ...

Carnivores of the world unite, for we have discovered steak nirvana! Should you be planning a holiday in New York soon you should note that, while visiting the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Centre are undoubtedly on the top of your ‘to do’ list, there’s something else you must absolutely not miss: the best steaks in the world! Ever heard of the New York Sirloin? Well then read on and salivate! Steak is BIG business in the Big Apple and competition is stiff...just ask Peter Luger! His Brooklyn restaurant, which has been going since the late 1800s, is widely recognized as the cradle of steakhouse history, and was rated the Best in New York for almost a quarter of a century. But times change and nowadays, the best charcoaled beef is to be found in Midtown East. For a truly authentic New York steak, book your New York vacation rental in Midtown East and head to one (or all) of the following restaurants, and taste a little bit of American history. Ben & Jack's Steak House, 219 E 44th St In recent years, Peter Luger has gone through a lot of personnel. We hear he’s an excellent boss actually, but in this case, ...

There are certainly worst things a girl could do, than spend a full day exploring famous Fifth Avenue in New York! There’s shopping to be done, delicious yummies to be tried, more shopping to be done. Oh, and one should probably visit a museum or two. Probably...ok yes, definitely. Must fit in a museum visit. Renowned as one of the most expensive streets in the world, Fifth Avenue is home to prestigious designer brand boutiques. It is often said that being able to open a store on this stretch of pavement is the designer equivalent of winning an Oscar, or perhaps a Nobel Shopper’s Prize. As Ol’ Blue Eyes serenaded, ‘if you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.’ But there’s a whole lot more to Fifth Avenue than just shopping...apparently. This celebrated address is also home to some of the city (if not the country’s) most revered museums. So making it here you must! Rent a holiday apartment around Fifth Avenue in New York, and you’ll be assured of an unforgettable day in the Big Apple. Fifth Avenue Eating We could follow Audrey Hepburn’s steps and start the day by having breakfast at Tiffany’s. You may want to munch on ...

There’s nothing quite like a New York holiday to refresh and revitalize the soul. The ‘city that never sleeps’ has so much to offer the discerning traveller that figuring out where to start is a challenge. You could, however, start by renting a New York apartment on the Upper East Side, as the choice of restaurants and cafés there is endless! To help you better plan your holiday, and get you ready for a full day’s exploration, we’ve scoured the best places to enjoy a full breakfast. So dig in and enjoy New York in all its morning glory, and start your days in culinary bliss. Sarabeth’s Restaurant- C1295 Madison Avenue Located on hip and trendy Madison Avenue, this inviting joint is a world away from the hustle and bustle of New York City streets. With its charming country-style décor, and extensive breakfast menu, this is the one place you may want to return to time and again. The in-house bakery is popular with locals and you’ll be amazed at how many people chose to start their day with some yumminess from Sarabeth’s. As the menu suggests, the omelettes really are ‘extraordinary’ and the range of organic ingredients here is marvellous. The ...

Brooklyn, New York's most famous borough is an eclectic mix of cultures and traditions, and is by far the most multicultural area of New York. Home to some of the most fascinating museums in the whole country, Brooklyn is the perfect destination for lovers of art and culture. Should you be lucky enough to be booking a Brooklyn holiday apartment, then make sure you include one (or all) of the following museums to your to-see list...you won't regret it! The Brooklyn Museum New York's famous Brooklyn Museum is BIG. Not only is it the second-largest in the city, but it's also one of the largest in the entire country. The eclectic mix of Victorian and contemporary architecture makes the building a tourist attraction in its own right. However, it is the gems hidden inside which make the Brooklyn Museum a must-visit during your Brooklyn holiday. The most visited area would have to be the Mummy Chamber, a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts acquired over many decades. Information boards are scattered throughout explaining not only the origins and meanings of each piece, but also how the museum came to acquire them. Of particular interest is also the American art collection housed on the fifth ...

Visiting a spa in Brooklyn, New York, is kind of an inception experience...you know...a holiday within a holiday! Spend a few hours (or an entire day) in one of the many luxurious beauty havens in Brooklyn and you’ll be rejuvenated to within an inch of your life. Soak, scrub, wrap and massage your way to a whole new you and make your New York vacation one you’ll never forget. Don’t know where to go? Well here’s the good news! We’ve scoured Brooklyn and tested the best spas in the area (tough gig, we know). Here’s a list of our top 3 spas for your indulging pleasures. Body By Brooklyn Spa and Lounge, Clinton Hill Adored by its long established clientele, the Body by Brooklyn Spa and Lounge is preceded by its impeccable reputation. Hailed as a feast for all the senses, the spa covers an area of over 900 square meters! This much luxuriating space tends to have a rather euphoric effect on people.Unsurprisingly, the list of treatments offered here is quite extensive. When you consider one can include 10 different treatment rooms, various spa baths, saunas, soaking pools and even a Turkish Hammam in the complex (not to mention an in-house bar ...

Renowned as the amusement centre of the early to mid 1900s, New York's Coney Island has recently undergone a facelift of colossal proportions. The marriage of new and old is visible in every nook and cranny; a visit to New York's most famous playground is both a step back in time and a glimpse of an enticing future. Amidst the adrenalin filled rides, food stalls and innumerable attractions lies a colourful history just itching to be discovered. Choose your New York apartment in Brooklyn to be in easy reach of wonderful Coney Island! To help you better plan your day trip, we've devised an easy to follow itinerary; a simple guide on how to take in the best Coney Island has to offer in just one single day. Follow our lead and have yourself and funtastic day out! Take a ride on the wild side... To wet your appetite, and as a way to pay homage to Coney Island's illustrious past, we highly recommend starting your day by challenging your nerves on some of the craziest rides in the country. The Cyclone, a famous New York landmark, is still going strong after almost 90 years in operation; the wooden roller coaster has been ...

When it comes to jazz, there's no place on earth like New York City. Long renowned as the most exciting live music capital in the world, the jazz scene here is second to none. Midtown is where it all began, and where the most exciting clubs (old and new), showcase some of the most talented performers you'll ever have the pleasure of seeing. The jazz scene in Midtown has been thriving since the mid 1920s, and there's never been a better time to explore, enjoy and marvel at the amazing brilliance of today's jazz extraordinaires. For your listening pleasures we've compiled a guide to the three best jazz clubs in Midtown. Book your New York accommodation in Midtown today and have yourself a jazzy vacation. Tutuma Social Club- 164 East 56th St A relatively recent addition to the jazz scene in Midtown NY is Tutuma Social Club, a fantastic venue which fuses Latin-American food with Latin-American jazz…a truly winning combination for a great night out. Home to some astonishing talent, Tutuma has live jazz bands on week-ends and has no cover charge. Special guests appear on week-ends and we highly recommend booking a table if you want to visit on a Saturday ...

If you’re planning to rent a New York apartment on your next vacation, we’ll trust that you’ll be requiring some seriously delicious ingredients to make self-catering even more enjoyable. While New York is renowned as the restaurant capital of the world, there’s no need to shy away from those kitchen burners! With the vast array of gourmet stores, you could be creating some gastronomic works of art all by yourself. The Upper West Side, and particularly Broadway, is home to some of the best grocery stores in the entire country. Food shopping here is anything but a chore! Only be ware...going out for milk and bread will likely take up a few hours, so make time to visit these culinary outlets and shop to your heart’s content. Citarella – 2135 Broadway You have to hand it to the guys at Gourmet Market Citarella, they’ve been in business for a century and they’ve managed to build a reputation for being the epitome supplier of epicurean treats. What started as a small food stall has evolved into a sophisticated and avant-garde establishment, offering world-class seafood, cured meats and an extensive range of home-made meals and groceries. If mouth-watering lobster, abalone and Spanish mackerel are what you’re ...