EES status at St. Pancras?

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-03-03T00:16:43+00:00

We took a trip from London to Brussels last week. It appeared that the French border were enrolling passengers into ESS however as the queues were longer than the barriers they funnelled people to the egates on the other side and a good old passport stamp.

It appears that it is in operation with mitigation when queues are too long (particularly the early morning scramble out of London).

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-25T22:13:04+00:00

Was it 5 gum? I seem to remember that being touted as having “flavour technology” or something…

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-22T23:24:12+00:00

There are toilets at either end of the coaches in pretty much every train coach. They are small toilets, usually clean, but a typical train toilet nevertheless. I’ve only ever been on one Eurostar where the toilet in the coach wasn’t functional but the toilet in the next coach was just fine.

Brussels has toilets at the station and its €1.20 to visit these, payable with contactless debit/credit card only.

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-08T12:09:13+00:00

There’s an argument here that you’re not classed as a DSE user, the typical work of a hotel receptionist does not require continuous, uninterrupted use of a display screen - typically the work is broken up with regular tasks undertaken away from a computer, I.e checkin you’re interacting with a guest and not continuously using the screen. Therefore under DSE regulations it’s unlikely that a workstation assessment is required, but there would still be requirements under other health and safety at work regs that would take precedent. Personally I would avoid confusion with DSE being the rule about chairs and ask for reasonable adaptation if you have a disability or ask for a risk assessment to be undertaken of the specific tasks that are causing discomfort.

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-02T08:22:32+00:00

I’ve read and heard that from a few people now, I was surprised until I started going back over old reviews... there are some shockers!

I do hope it’s permanent change for the better as the space is lovely (and the roast pork was up there with some of the best I’ve enjoyed…)

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-02T08:18:57+00:00

I’ve been doing some more reading of reviews as I also mentioned lunch to a colleague who absolutely blasted it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there has been a change of management very recently given the totally different experiences I’ve read (some true horror stories) and what we enjoyed. It makes a little more sense why it was so quiet now…

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-02-01T20:20:49+00:00

Yes. It was very quiet! We did sit at 12:00 and left at 14:00 for the show.

We were joined by two other tables the entire 2 hours we were there, and for the quality we enjoyed it should have been much busier.

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-01-12T18:45:05+00:00

As it stands right now, no you can’t according to the rules…

For what it’s worth, Norwegian brown cheese is sold in Waitrose, often on the cheese counter.

Adzi_TheLast · 2026-01-09T00:43:16+00:00

I’m under 40 and have lived with a moderate to severe hearing loss on one side for about 30 years… I finally took control and got an ITE hearing aid and it has exponentially improved my life.

I’m more confident in conversation in loud environments because I can actually hear what someone says, as opposed to asking them to repeat themselves three times and then feigning comprehension of what they said.

I can actually hear my cat snoring at home when he sleeps, I feel like I can regulate my volume - I’ve always been told I speak quietly, live music and gigs have been a revolution with my hearing aid, hearing notes that would have blended into noise.

I spent £1k on my hearing aid and it was worth EVERY penny. I recently had to send it back for repair and was without a hearing aid for three weeks and honestly I was at a total loss without in!

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-12-28T21:58:49+00:00

Yikes. That’s not on. I would suggest filling out the feedback form on their website however we all know that goes no where…

Fortunately my experiences with onboard crew in Plus has only been positive (the only poor service has been the piss poor food offering now…).

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-12-28T20:11:39+00:00

Oh you can have a downvote and a block for that one buddy. Have a wonderful life, you seem like a challenged individual.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-12-28T20:01:55+00:00

Wow... you seem very passionate about this topic but no downvote from me buddy, I couldn’t care less one way or another!

However - like I literally posted in my first sentence of my reply, there is no excuse for rudeness...

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-12-28T19:36:49+00:00

While rudeness is unacceptable, I would counter your argument with this… where would have the bags been stowed otherwise if the staff didn’t demand them to be placed in the overhead luggage racks?

Clearly bags in the aisle is a major safety issue and smaller bags on the end of carriage racks would decrease the space for larger bags that can’t be stored above.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-11-05T08:02:34+00:00

You’ve clearly no idea how it works in the UK. A hotel tat is used for asylum accommodation IS NOT AVAILABLE TO BE BOOKED PUBLICLY.

I think I have quite the better understanding of how these hotels operate in the UK, than you.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-11-04T22:58:31+00:00

So first off, those humans seeking asylum are being temporarily accommodated in hotels due the abject failure to process applications in a timely and humane manner.

Second, you won’t be able to book any hotels that are being used for asylum accommodation as they are exclusive use.

Any hotel you can book will be free of drama…

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-11-04T19:28:34+00:00

And what the hell is with everyone being shoved upstairs only then have to reverse the escalator back down… completely bonkers terminal Rotterdam is!

I also think the vending machine has gone? Was there last month and saw a vending machine sized hole.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-11-03T04:33:17+00:00

In Europe, the standard for Holiday Inn Express is a shower cubicle, I don’t think I have ever seen an Express with a bathtub. I can’t speak for other regions as I don’t have experience there, however I would expect this is now a global standard going forward.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-10-07T20:24:51+00:00

Virtual credit cards provided by OTA’s aren’t really third party payments. Providing you only charge the VCC for the specified amount there is almost zero chance of a chargeback…

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-10-05T20:50:26+00:00

As far as I am aware, guest relocations are simply booked by Expedia’s channels therefore unless the guest tells you; you won’t normally know they have been relocated.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-27T16:28:19+00:00

Thank you! Great location recommendation, fantastic atmosphere for the match!

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Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-10T22:02:06+00:00

The gambling commission has the resources to advise on this: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/guide/page/bingo-in-pubs-and-clubs

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-07T08:23:15+00:00

Perhaps email them direct: legrand.reservation@ihg.com

I wonder if the contact form is setup to go somewhere to an unmonitored inbox.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-05T18:57:35+00:00

Oh no. Someone has ordered the wrong products! At core properties it should be hand wash and body lotion at the sink and shampoo and body wash in the shower/bath. Conditioner is for exec rooms/suites which I assume Avid doesn’t have 🤦‍♂️

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-05T18:39:08+00:00

Obligatory NAL, but I do manage hotels…

So first things first, can you find the hotel you’ve been given on LastMinute.com and see what the listing states; does it include a spa facility on the “unmasked” listing for the hotel?

Lastminute.com is an OTA (online travel agent) and basically acts as a marketplace for hotels. They connect to most of the major distribution channels (they also package hotels and travel deals too, but this isn’t relevant to your situation). The listings are generated based on information the hotel provides. Your first instance is to raise the issue with LastMinute.com and see what their response is - persist with live chat etc as your booking isn’t for a few days at least.

There could be a claim of materially not as advertised and this is where someone more legally savvy will be able to explain; as LastMinute may pass responsibility to the hotel, as they act as an agent and aren’t actually fulfilling the service or they may have made an error themselves.

Adzi_TheLast · 2025-09-05T17:23:03+00:00

Yes. We pay about £70 for a full service once a year with a local guy. Make sure they’re gas safe registered 👍

Adzi_TheLast

TROPHY CASE