V-Flyer

This was an overnight trip to Brussels and the EU booked and paid for Business Premier. Arrived about 45 minutes before the train (corrected from original version which said flight!) and had a brief visit to the Business Premier lounge. This was very busy indeed, with few empty seats and had a selection of crisps/nuts and wine/beer/soft drinks/spirits. Didn't have long till boarding was called - business premier carriages are close to where you enter the platform.

Settled on board carriage was very quiet and managed to move from my single seat to a table for four on my own. The seats and carriages are looking a bit dated now and there is no WiFi on board (this is very annoying) - I understand that they are getting new trains soon and that these may have WiFi.

As soon as we departed on time, drinks were served, including champagne with some nuts. Noticed that the crew badges indicated that they were business premier crew, so presume that they only work in these carriages - they were friendly and attentive throughout. Refills of champagne were then offered as the menus were distributed as below:

Starter
Autumn Salad of organic baked apple, butternut squash, mixed seeds, green leaves and honey balsamic glaze

Mains
Twice cooked pork belly, orange and onion marmalade, sage dauphinoise and steamed broccoli
Four cheese quiche (cheddar, ricotta, stilton, goats cheese), steamed spinach, carrot and potato mash, steamed parsnips

Dessert
Yorkshire and pear and ginger parkin
Cheese (not listed on menu)

Wines
Red
Bordeaux Superieur Chateau Mugron 2009
Victor Bernard Morgon 2010
Medoc Chateau Moulin de Hontemieux 2009

White
Vin de France Chardonnary Grand Sud 2010

Rose
Vin de Pays d'Oc Reserve de la Baume 2010

Champagne
Pannier champagne

The portion sizes were good, and I had the four cheese quiche which was pretty good - wasn't that fussed by either choices on this service. Drinks served with the tray, if required, and further top-ups during the journey. Hot towels were distributed shortly before arrival into Brussels to freshen up. This service stopped at Calais and Lille - there appeared to be lots of armed police on the platform in Calais and there were police walking up and down the train between Calais and Lille - not sure if this is normal or not? Arrived into the centre of Brussels a few minutes late - the slightly annoying thing is that given the set up of the platform, business premier is in the middle and there a numerous standard / standard premier carriages in front, so they all get off and grab the taxis before you do!

Overall impression
Service was good on board and the food was good, although not really my personal choices. The carriage was nice and quiet, which was good for working on the journey. This really is the only way to get from London to Brussels, although I am not sure that the extra money for a Business Premier ticket is really worth it, unless you need complete flexibility for your travel or someone else is paying!

Thanks for the "unique" TR on V-Flyer

The absence of wifi in a premium train cabin will start to put Eurostar behand the game, but those trains have now been around a long time

Thanks

buns

Thank you for the TR.

Thank you for your TR. I use the Eurostar to Paris about once a month and usually buy the lowest ticket on offer so it was interesting to hear a report from the Premium carriage.

Thanks for the TR, recently I have started traveling in standard premier, from business premier, same seat etc as business premier but less of a meal service, I find it wonderful. Nice and quiet, and the food has been very good, though no choice. It does help that I can book the tickets at a flat rate.

Also can still get into the business premier lounges with Amex Plat card, the one at st pancras is quieter in the morning. And when busier, upstairs is a little quieter.

A lot of people don't realise theres an upstairs to the lounge at eurostar either, the stairs at the far end, or a lift at the entrance. Quieter upstairs usually...