Taking the Eurostar to London: our experience after a great 2-day business city trip!
We recently went on a fantastic 2-day city trip to London with our 12-member management team from Uniglobe Alliance Travel. Thanks in part to our very good relationship with NS International and Eurostar we took the Eurostar to London. The beautiful and special thing about this relationship is that NS International is a supplier to our customers on the one hand, and Uniglobe Alliance Travel is a supplier to NS International on the other. That is to say, that as soon as NS International cannot operate a business trip by train, they book the flights and other travel components with us.
Back to our London trip! For this trip we had been offered a very attractive fare and were also allowed to use the Business Premier class for our Eurostar trip to London. An extra surprise that made the trip even more enjoyable. In this article I, Anita van Maanen - Managing Director Uniglobe Alliance Travel - take you through our (sustainable) travel experience and share tips for a wonderful stay in London based on our itinerary.
Travel green & comfortable!
Uniglobe Alliance Travel strives to optimize all services and activities for the benefit of a better planet, and sustainability is also top of mind with our customers. We practice what we preach, which is why we felt it was important to (re)discover the Eurostar product. In addition, we were curious what traveling by train without changing trains in Brussels would be like.
On the day of departure, we were through the security check at Rotterdam Central Station within 5 minutes. Partly due to the fact that we were traveling with priority, but in the regular line the crowds weren't too bad either. Notice: since the Brexit, it is no longer possible to travel to England with an ID card, a passport is now required.
Photo by: Eurostar.
Getting to London by train from the Netherlands has never been easier!
We have found the Eurostar product to be great: getting to London by train from the Netherlands has never been so easy! A very comfortable train that goes directly to the heart of London - London St Pancras International Station. There are no additional charges for luggage and there is no restriction on liquids. From Amsterdam the train takes about 4 hours and from Rotterdam about 3.5 hours. The return trip from London to the Netherlands is even faster: to Amsterdam Central 3 hours 52 min, to Rotterdam Central only 3 hours and 13 min.
The service and hospitality in the Business Premier class was outstanding. A great crew on both the outward and return flights. What is served is generally well cared for and tasteful. On the way out, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast that included an oven-fresh croissant, choice of hot or cold main course and accompanying drinks. On the way back, dinner was served, which was also tasty. There is also a wide choice of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
A trip to connect!
So our trip was all about (re)discovering the Eurostar product and strengthening our management team. After all, since the acquisition of Uniglobe THL Travel, we have two more offices: Almere and Alkmaar. This also expanded our management team by two members. We currently serve our customers with about 80 passionate employees from five offices with our expertise in business, group and sports travel. The underlying aim was to discuss some business with each other in an informal way, inspect some hotels and activities and of course we also went for a lot of fun together!
The Mandrake Hotel: a truly unforgettable experience to stay!
We visited a number of hotels and personally slept at the extraordinary and beautiful Mandrake Boutique Hotel. Opened just before COVID-19 flattened the world, this hotel is a perfect base near Regent and Oxford Streets, as well as the Soho district. Furthermore, you are within a 30-minute walk (as a delightful alternative to the tube) to the Thames, off the London Eye. So very centrally located and suitable for the business traveler as well as for private trips!
The hotel is unlike anything else and very mysteriously and extraordinarily decorated. The interior of the hotel is full of objects collected by the owner during his travels and, as a result, all have their own story, the General Manager told us during a tour. It's a truly unforgettable experience to stay at this hotel. I won't tell more about it ... Most of all, go and spend the night there and experience it for yourself!
London: day 1
Lunch in a James Bond scene
We had two sunny days with clear blue skies and a very busy schedule, covering all distances on foot. Good for the pedometer and, of course, for the environment! Since we wanted to start the program immediately upon arrival, I had arranged (tip) through the hotel to have our suitcases accepted at the train station so we could start walking directly to our first goal: 'Rules', the oldest restaurant in London. A highly recommended restaurant where you can still have great posh English lunch or dinner. Top for a business lunch or dinner. Fun fact: Part of the James Bond movie "Spectre" was shot in this restaurant. In the back of the restaurants, then, you can see photos from that scene.
Toasting in the London Eye
After lunch, we visited a number of hotels that we regularly use for groups, but also often recommend to our business travelers. Next on the agenda was a ride in the London Eye, a supplier we regularly use for our MICE groups. The London Eye is one of the most popular attractions in Europe, only one attraction is more popular namely Disney. The London icon was built in 1998 for the Milennium celebrations and was officially supposed to disappear after two years, but given the large revenues, the world's largest Ferris wheel is still there. We were offered a private capsule, which immediately provided a great moment for a short, personal speech!
Hidden gem: London's oldest wine bar
Then it was time for drinks at London's oldest wine bar: Gordons. Close to Covent Garden and Theatreland, it is a hidden gem, just minutes from Trafalgar Square between Charing Cross and Embankment stations. Both indoors in the vaulted cellar and on the large terrace are delightful. In addition to its rich wines, the bar is also known for its huge selection of cheeses and even has a cheese menu! As a result, the drinks boards look great.
By now it was almost evening and time to go to the hotel. Everyone was hugely impressed with the beautiful Mandrake hotel, with its great bar and lounge, extremely helpful and friendly staff, and beautiful rooms.
Nice detail: From 9 p.m. - midnight a DJ spins. Unlike many other hotel bars, this gives a busy and cozy atmosphere.
World-Class Chinese dining at Hakkasan
Dinner that evening took place at one of our favorite restaurants and vendors: Hakkasan. A modern Chinese restaurant serving world-class cuisine. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2001 and has more than 10 locations worldwide. We have many restaurants in London that we enjoy doing business with, such as SUSHISAMBA in the Heron Tower, Amazonico or Sexy Fish. The latter two are located in Soho which again is around the corner from the Mandrake hotel. Dinner at Hakkasan was again phenomenal and it was super to finally meet the General Manager again.
London: day 2
Refreshing adrenaline boost across the Thames
The next day, after a delicious á la carte breakfast, it was time to hit the road again. Early on we walked towards the Thames and the management team wondered what would be on the agenda this morning. In fact, this last part we had kept secret for a while and was a unique surprise. A RIB boat was waiting at the quay to take a very refreshing and exciting ride down the Thames.
Surely such a RIB boat experience is one of the most popular (incentive and group) activities in the world's cities, think New York, Rotterdam, Lisbon and so London. You sail at high speed out of the heart of London, through beautiful suburbs (mostly converted industrial sites) and past all the sights. The guide told fun facts which also gives a special and different view on some buildings. The team loved it!
A taste of Italy
After the breezy cruise, we concluded the trip with an early lunch before we would return home on the Eurostar. For lunch location we visited Circolo Popolare, located around the corner from the Mandrake hotel and a hugely popular Italian restaurant. For groups, everything is served to share. First several delicious appetizers and then two pastas and three types of pizza and desserts to share.
This brought the trip almost to an end, but of course we made good use of the train ride back to discuss our daily business with each other at length.
We got a lot of inspiration, learned and laughed, but above all we became an (even) closer team. With great thanks to all our suppliers who helped make this trip possible and especially NS International and Eurostar! We recommend it to anyone traveling to London: Take the Eurostar to London.
Would you like to take NS or Eurostar to London from now on? Our Travel consultants are here for you!
Travel Well!
Anita van Maanen,
Managing Director
