Houston Apartment Portfolio

Padstow is a small fishing town nestled around a bustling harbour on the North Cornwall coast, just a few miles from Newquay. After a period of decline during the 1960’s, Padstow has emerged as one of the most popular locations on the North Cornwall coast, offering a wide range of attractions, accommodation and stunning coastal and country scenery that make a visit to this part of the south west one to be remembered. But if you’re still unsure, take a quick look at our Padstow Holiday Guide for a little taste of this remarkable village.

Padstow is situated on the west side of the Camel estuary and is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The town itself has an ancient and colourful history, filled with smugglers, saints and pagan rituals. Old crooked streets run down to the harbour, lined with many fine, Medieval buildings, secret passageways and cobbled streets. The town is still a working fishing port, and this accessibility to fresh fish has meant that some of the finest fish restaurants in the country are situated on its quayside streets. The Michelin-starred chef Rick Stein has five restaurants here, and his presence has made Padstow a gourmet’s paradise. Not only are Rick’s restaurants guaranteed to serve you the finest in Cornish cuisine, they offer more exotic dishes such as Mexican fish tacos or stir-fried salt and pepper squid.

Accommodation in Padstow ranges from friendly, family-run bed and breakfast accommodation to luxury apartments overlooking the sea. Across the bay is the town of Rock; a town popular with celebrities and very crowded during the summer months. However, out of season Rock is a peaceful village and accommodation is easily available. It has a long, sandy beach, is accessible from Padstow by ferry and there are additional water taxis that run into the evening between the two villages. Rock also boasts a superb 18-hole golf course at St Enodoc with some of the finest views across the estuary and out to sea.

Padstow enjoys a mild climate, as it is protected from the worst of the Atlantic gales by its position on the west side of the Camel estuary. During the summer this part of Cornwall has some of the highest number of ‘sunshine hours’, making it comparable to any Southern European destination. During the off-season months, the climate is still very clement and it is rare for Padstow to suffer snow or frost during the winter months. The surrounding countryside is perfect for walking and hiking, with the South West Coastal Path giving easy access to some of the best views on the North Cornwall coast.

The ‘Obby ‘Oss festival is probably the best known of Padstow’s annual events. Held on May Day, this is an ancient celebration and one of the oldest May Day traditions in Europe. The celebration starts at midnight with singing around the town and during the day accordions and drums accompany the ‘Old Oss’ and ‘Blue Ribbon’ around the town. The whole event continues until the following midnight and is a truly memorable experience.

Other attractions in the region include the award-winning Eden Project, which is only a short drive from Padstow, and Prideaux Place, a grand manor house surrounded by the oldest deer park in Britain. Along the coast are caves once used by smugglers and further down the coast is the surfing capital of the UK, Newquay’s Fistral Beach.

There is plenty to see and do in this part of the world and a brief Padstow Holiday Guide cannot really do this remarkable location full justice. The best thing is to visit the town and experience it for yourself!

In line with the rest of Europe, it is safe then to assume Amsterdam holiday apartment rental will remain big business for as long as the demand for freedom of space and connection with local communities exists – luxuries rarely afforded by a stay in a hotel. Or is it?

An Amsterdam holiday apartment owner recently passed on advice outlining a government crackdown on the Amsterdam short-term rental industry including Amsterdam apartment rentals for rental periods less than six months. The Amsterdam apartment owner sited illegal hotels operating in Amsterdam and a housing shortage as the reasons behind the Government’s crackdown, and went so far as to remove his short-term holiday let from the market pending the introduction of permits, which, he explained, would allow the rental of Amsterdam holiday apartments to tourists.

The holiday apartment owner in question remains hopeful that permits will materialise in time for the summer crowds, but do his concerns have a basis in reality?

It remains easy to book short rental periods for Amsterdam accommodation including apartments in Amsterdam. The normal required minimum length of stay is three days, but can sometimes be even shorter. And there are plenty of apartment owners and agencies specialising in Amsterdam apartments operating on the Internet. A quick look through google using such popular search phrases as ‘holiday Amsterdam apartment’ or ‘apartment rental Amsterdam’ does little to corroborate our cautious apartment owner’s concerns.

In fact the only information in support of a government crackdown is a dubious forum post and subsequent thread that alleges the action against certain types of accommodation in Amsterdam extends to customers: Unfortunate holiday goers have allegedly been evicted from premises up-and-down Amsterdam, and turfed out like yesterday’s newspapers, onto the street. But, if this were true, one might expect a trail of complaints and warnings to other leisure travellers left by unhappy consumers, of which there is none in evidence.

It is possible there is some bureaucratic oddity to circumnavigate when placing an apartment in Amsterdam on the market for holiday rentals. In Catalunya, Spain, for example, a law exists stating that in some areas holiday rentals must be registered with the council. But since Spanish law holds jurisdiction over Catalunyan law, a rental contract between the landlord and guest negates this apparent necessity.

Similar could be so for at least some areas of Amsterdam. The dodgy forum post claims the Dutch government is targeting illegal hotels including short term apartments in the centrum [sic]. Inner city problems could convincingly explain the need for monitoring the use of dwellings, especially in areas of high housing need. But there is a wide gap between monitoring and targeting.

When all is said and done, the likelihood of the authorities kicking you out of your holiday apartment in Amsterdam seem slim at a conservative estimate, and probably fantastical. Nor are there any reliable grounds for concern for owners of holiday apartments. Holiday apartments Amsterdam has mileage in the tourist industry yet.

Dallas is the epicenter for all things hip, modern and cool, and the Dallas apartments for rent here are no exception.

When searching for Dallas apartments for rent, it is not uncommon to see many great options, including fantastic locations, superb amenities, and only the best perks. In other words, you don’t have to purchase in Dallas to have the very best in luxury living! Spectacular, maintenance-free living is alive and well in Dallas, and is clearly evident throughout many of the luxurious apartment buildings found here!

Here are our picks for some of the coolest Dallas apartments for rent:

•          The Element – The striking, contemporary design of the Element pairs well with the beautiful interiors and deluxe amenities found here. Residents of the Element enjoy beautifully appointed interiors, which include open floor plans and gourmet kitchens. All floor plans allow maximum light to flow from room to room, and all boast expansive closets and loads of storage space. There are a number of one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans, some of which feature patios. The penthouse units of the Element boast spacious floor plans and wrap-around terraces with fantastic, sweeping city views.

•          The Marquis on Gaston – An exceptional lifestyle is granted to the residents of the Marquis on Gaston. From exceptional amenities and a sophisticated sense of styling, the Marquis on Gaston offers its residents more than just an apartment home. The ideal location between downtown Dallas and Uptown, the Marquis on Gaston is ideal for city professionals who want a superb, carefree lifestyle. Some of the amenities offered at the Marquis on Gaston include: short-term and corporate leases; a business center; balconies and/or patios; a courtyard; a fireplace;  a fitness center; a fully equipped kitchen; a lap pool and hot tub; and a three-tier parking garage. Some of the apartment amenities include: hardwood flooring; granite countertops; oval garden tubs; and security systems.

•          The Merc – Situated in the heart of Dallas, the Merc consists of beautifully designed apartments in Mercantile Place. This modern apartment building boasts the latest in finishes, fixtures and appliances, and there are two different finish packages from which the residents may choose. There are also over 30 different one-and-two-bedroom floor plan options. From sweeping views of the downtown Dallas skyline to its exclusive amenities, including a 24-hour doorman and resident concierge service, the Merc provides upscale Dallas apartments for rent with the convenience of a premier Dallas location.

•          Third Rail Lofts – The Third Rail Lofts, which consists of three separate, but adjoining, buildings, offers upscale apartment living in the heart of Dallas. The three buildings of Third Rail Lofts include 1415 Main and 1414 Elm, both of which have been extensively and exquisitely renovated, and 1407 Main, a newly constructed apartment community. Each home in the Third Rail Lofts provide only the best interior features and amenities, and the building amenities, which include a wine room, a ninth-floor terrace and a 25-seat theater, certainly set the bar for excellence in Dallas apartments for rent.

Nowadays, nail-bit competitions can be easily felt amongst the hospitality industry and the dynamics have changed a lot in the recent past. Of course, traveling and staying in the hotels can be an expensive affair but certainly it can be minimized by staying in the cheap hotels. Here, one should notice the term Cheap Hotels which don’t mean bad hotels. Basically such hotels can be amongst some of the best hotels at a lower price. If someone is desperate to find best cheap hotels then that one must go for online booking for cheap hotels.

Sometimes we stay only for eight hours in a day i.e. only in the night and then it doesn’t make a sense to book an expensive hotel there. Thus it can be counted as another good reason to choose cheap hotels online. However, even if you want to stay in luxurious deluxe suite, then also it is advisable to make an off season trip to your destination. At this time you may find that the lodging would be cheaper in comparison to the normal price.

The best way to look for a cheap online hotel is prominent online hotel booking websites which have now become an effective medium to help you in this regard. Apart from this, the various travel agencies can also help you to find out the cheap hotels for your trip.

Almost all sorts of good quality hotels have collaboration with the online travel agencies and they provide them the clients through the online method. Sometime, customers may avail significant discount by booking online reservation as the promotional tactics or off season package of these hotels. Sometimes, people who need hotels at the eleventh hour always go for online booking and the hotels also may facilitate them proper accommodation with a discount at this time.

Though, there is a tough competition in the hospitality industry and it has changed a lot in the past few years. Usually, traveling is an expensive affair but one can minimize it by opting wise decisions like advance planning and look for cheap hotels especially through online hotel booking websites. If someone is planning for a vacation or a business trip, then that one can prefer to save as much money as he or she can in the entire trip. After all, it’s a matter of the most precious terms i.e. money. There is one thing which always must be in our mind that we should never compromise on the quality of the hotels and cheap hotels don’t mean the bad hotels, but it means hotel which comes in the lower price range.

If there’s one thing most Canadians can agree on, it’s that our winters can get pretty cold. While we put on a cheerful face by playing hockey and having snowball fights, at the end of the day, we’re all dependent on our furnaces and heating systems to get us through those dark, cold months.

However, winter is only as cold as you want it to be – with a few easy-to-implement winter apartment heating tips, you’ll be able to keep warm and toasty when the temperature drops below the freezing mark.

Close Your Windows – And Keep Them Closed

The biggest single source of radiant heat loss in your apartment is most likely your windows (especially if they are old, single-pane windows). It may seem like a “no-brainer”, but check all of the windows in your apartment to make sure they are closed and locked during the winter. As well, try to avoid opening the windows at all, if possible.

Even if you keep your windows closed, however, warm air can still escape:

·        Between the window frame and the wall;

·        Around the edges of a loose pane or through cracks in the glass.

To prevent warm air from escaping through the window frame, you can install durable metal or plastic weather-stripping between the window sash and frame. Typically, these types of weather-stripping will last for several years and do not interfere with the regular use of the window.

Cover Any “Leaky” Windows

To prevent air from escaping around the edges of a loose pane, caulk or tape around the edge of the loose pane where it meets the framework of the sash. Alternatively, you can cover “leaky” windows with a thin sheet of plastic to try to keep the warm air in and the cool air out. These simple “window kits” can make a big difference in reducing any drafts throughout your apartment.

Always get permission from your landlord before installing anything or modifying your apartment windows. Your landlord might even pay for and make the installations for you, depending on the situation.

Draft-Proof Your Doors

Just like your windows, keeping your apartment door closed as much as possible during the winter will help keep the heat where it belongs – in your apartment instead of in the hallway.

You can also draft-proof your doors with weather-stripping and caulking. Warm air can easily escape between the doorframe and the wall – if this is the case in your apartment, caulk between the frame and the wall. In most apartments, the vast majority of warm air is lost under the bottom of the door. Installing a door sweep or a draft-stopper to prevent air from moving under the door can prevent this loss and keep your apartment warm. These supplies can be found inexpensively at any hardware store.

In addition to keeping your apartment comfortable, weatherproofing your doors and windows will also save a lot of energy as you won’t be using as much heat to keep your apartment warm.

Don’t Block Your Radiators

Finally, if your apartment has radiators, they should always be kept clean – any amount of dirt and dust sitting on top of them will absorb some of the heat that is being produced. You should also remove any radiator covers when the heat is on, as covers can block the airflow through the radiator in addition to absorbing heat.

Be sure to also move your furniture so that all chairs, couches, bookcases, entertainment units, desks, beds, etc. aren’t too close to your radiators or heating convectors. Don’t let your drapes or curtains cover them either, as they will divert heat to the windows (and therefore out of your apartment if they aren’t properly sealed) instead of into the rest of the room.

While you can’t avoid the cold entirely, following these easy tips should keep you a little bit warmer this winter and give you a nice, cozy apartment to come home to after a fun snowball fight or game of hockey outside with your friends.