Brussels: Eurostar Comfort, Chocolate and Grand Squares
Eurostar’s Stephen and Cara were brilliant and very understanding as I postponed the trip several times during the pandemic. Eventually, I settled on travelling over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, departing on 2 June 2022 for three nights with my wife. With Paris and Amsterdam already familiar favourites, we decided to make the most of the extended bank holiday and use our free tickets to visit Brussels instead.
I booked the 09.01 Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels. The station was extremely busy, as you would expect on a bank holiday, and it felt like everyone had the same idea of escaping for a few days. We had already heard media reports warning of long delays at the Eurostar terminal, so we arrived prepared. In the end, the only delay to our departure was due to a tragic incident in France, which was completely beyond Eurostar’s control. I have to say, I was very impressed by how well Eurostar handled the situation and by the regular, clear announcements. We left London just 15 minutes late and still arrived in Brussels on time.
Travelling in Business Class made the journey feel extra special. We were served a hot cooked breakfast at our seats, with orange juice, tea or coffee, water and croissants. The service was relaxed and friendly, and the journey passed incredibly quickly. It is hard to believe you can be in Brussels in under two hours. Eurostar offers three levels of service: Standard (with a buffet car for food and drinks), Standard Premier and Business, where meals are included and served at your seat, with a choice of dishes including a vegetarian option.
On arrival in Brussels we decided to walk to our hotel, which was a pleasant stroll in the warm weather, even if we did get a little lost after the Grand Place thanks to my slightly vague directions. Eventually we reached the four‑star Hotel Marivaux, where I had booked us in for three nights. Our room was ready on arrival and we were delighted to receive a complimentary upgrade. There is a small city tax to pay on check‑in.
Our room, 5601, was lovely and spacious, with a good‑sized bathroom. The hotel is in a great location, with shops and restaurants close by. The Grand Place is around a 15‑minute walk away and the nearest metro station is roughly 5–10 minutes on foot. Breakfast was a hot and cold buffet with a good selection; I was particularly fond of the chocolate croissants, although the breakfast room itself is not huge and can get busy at peak times.
I have visited Brussels a few times before, but this trip I wanted to do something different. On our first full day my wife and I walked from the hotel to the European Parliament. It was a bit of a walk, but it gave us a wonderful chance to see more of the city on foot, including some impressive buildings such as the Royal Palace. The European Parliament was a real highlight and, best of all, the tour was free. The visitor centre offered a very informative and interactive experience, covering the history of the European project and its future. I came away feeling that what I had seen of the European Parliament was positive and forward‑looking. I would definitely recommend setting aside a few hours to visit.
On our second day we focused on some of Brussels’ classic sights. We wandered around the Grand Place, which is as beautiful as ever, then went to see Manneken Pis, the small 55.5 cm bronze fountain statue of a little boy relieving himself into the basin. It is quirky, crowded and somehow an essential part of any Brussels visit.
We treated ourselves to Belgian fries and waffles, both delicious, and sampled some of the local beers, including fruity varieties that Belgium is famous for. We also visited the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, a striking building with impressive architecture. I always find churches very peaceful places to pause and reflect.
Brussels has so much to see and do. Every time I go back I discover something new, and this visit was no exception. The weather was excellent, if anything a little too hot at times, and we found the city very walkable. For longer distances, the public transport system is affordable and easy to use. With plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants scattered throughout the city, you are never far from a good meal or a refreshing drink.
Our final day arrived all too soon. We walked back to the station, managing not to get lost this time, and enjoyed passing through a lively Sunday street market just outside, selling everything from food to clothes. Our train back to London was the 12.56 service in Business Class.
In Brussels we were able to use the Business lounges, which offer drinks and snacks and a calm place to wait before boarding. There is also a Business lounge at London St Pancras. On the return journey we were served lunch at our seats, with a vegetarian option available and a choice of wine or soft drinks. The train was busy in both directions, but the service remained smooth and efficient.
One of the things I really appreciate about Eurostar is how simple it makes short breaks to Europe: no airport transfers, quick city‑centre to city‑centre journeys and comfortable trains. This was my first international train journey since Covid, and it was a very positive experience, with no forms to complete or vaccination checks at that time. Border controls are still carried out before boarding, by French immigration in London and UK immigration in Brussels, but the process was well organised.
We arrived back in London feeling relaxed and already thinking about our next Eurostar adventure. I will definitely be travelling with them again.
A special thank you to Cara, Stephen and Nigel from Eurostar for arranging this wonderful trip for me and my wife.
