Europewithkids

My family of 5 will be travelling from Paris to Schiphol in late August on the Thalys. We will be going first class. There is something called a "lounge compartment" in the first 1st class car -- it is 6 seats in a separate compartment, facing each other. Has anyone seen these compartments? Do the seats have good leg room? Are there big windows (like the ones found at other seats on the train)? Thanks.

sempronia

It is not an actual compartment - it is part of the car, with a glass wall that separates it from rest of the seats in main cabin. On one side of the corridor is a large table, with two seats on either side of it (four people facing each other); on the other side of the corridor is a smaller table with just one seat on either side (two people facing each other)...While not really separate from rest of the cabin, and without much privacy, the lounge nonetheless has a more "integrated"feeling.

More importantly than the lounge though, if you can manage to reserve seats around those tables - do it!! Other than the ones in the lounge, there are two more in each cabin on either side of the corridor...I say this, because there is more leg room sitting around that table than there is in the standard seat (i.e. airplane-like seat). Also, since they serve food, you get to eat more comfortably at a table, as opposed at one of those pop-ups from seat in front of you..Only disadvantage: with two-and-two seats facing, someone is bound to ride "bacwards" and there are people who do not like that...

Finally, the first class cabin is rarely full and the coveted table-seats are rarely reserved for someone..It is usually first-come-first-serve (inspite of everyone holding a reservation), so if you do not like where you are, it is usually easy to change..

The windows are large and same thoughout.

Europewithkids

Sempronia: Thanks for the input. I am surprised by your statement that the table seats offer more legroom than the airline style seats -- I would have thought the opposite, since seats facing each other mean legs facing each other.

The 6 seat compartment I am referring to has 6 seats facing each other. Your description does not appear to match up. What am I missing?

sempronia

You are missing the interpretation of "facing each other". If you have a preconceived notion of what that might look like, explained earlier by someone who did not take the time to go into details...

Yes - there are 3 seats facing 3 seats, but there is a corridor in between them...To repeat:
to one side of corridor 2 seats and 2 seats facing each other, and on the other side 1 seat and 1 seat facing each other...Sometimes there might, in fact, be no tables, but I have seen this type generally in 2nd class cars..

You might actually be right about the leg room...My husband and I travel alone and scramble for these table-seats because we feel there is more leg room..But, that is probably because we sit adjacently and then no one sits across from us...Hence, we have 2 seat-lengths for the legs...But if someone is sitting across, then you are right- it might be less..

My suggestion would be to get 2 seats at one table, 2 seats at another table, 1 seat elsewhere..Or, 3 seats in compartment, 2 seats at a table..This, if they will let you make a reservation like that...Again, though, it is rarely full, especially if you travel in early afternoon or on weekend...

BTilke

Actually, on *some* Thalys trains, not all, there IS a separate compartment with 6 seats (3 facing 3). We rode in one back in January.
The glass partitioned compartment that sempronia mentioned is usually offered to families and I would recommend taking it if possible. You do have a bit of separation.
I usually travel the Thalys alone and prefer the single seat with the drop down table rather than having a seat facing someone. But when my husband and I travel together, we prefer the side by side seats because they have foot rests, which the facing seats don't. However, even with the facing seats, there is still more leg room than in second class.
One caution: I don't recommend changing seats on your particular route. You might be in someone else's seat and there are plenty of passengers (like me) who don't appreciate seeing someone else in their seat, even if the compartment isn't full...you'd just have to move again. Also, you'll be going from Paris to Schiphol, which means the train makes several stops, so if the seats are vacant from Paris to Brussels, for example, someone might have a reservation for that seat later on the route. I have been on many Thalys trains where first class is more than two thirds full and on more than a few where the compartment is sold out.

Europewithkids

BTike, can you please describe the 3 facing 3 compartment in whatever detail you can?

DonTopaz

The 1st class compartment on the Thalys that is separate from the rest of the car is called the Salon. It is on the end of the car, separated from the rest of the car by a glass door.

I'd imagined that it was designed mostly for business meetings, but it would also be a reasonable choice for a family that included children. You are closed off from the rest of the car, so you can talk among yourselves freely.

The seats in the salon are not as comfortable as the seats in the main part of car. They're not awful, but I would not choose to sit in the salon unless there's a good reason to be there (and having a family of 5 sit together would be such a reason).

derekflint

Here is a diagram for anyone interested:

http://www.thalys.com/guide/diagram_of_the_trains

Europewithkids

Rizzuto: Thanks for the "intelligence." The salon is what I am talking about. Given the almost 4 hour ride, I would rather opt for comfort than togetherness (that wears off pretty fast with kids!). I am wondering if the airline style seats are the most comfortable (most legroom).

BTilke

I can't remember if the seats in the salon reclined, but I'd agree with Rizzuto, they're not quite as comfortable as the regular first class seats, however they're still comfortable enough. I *think* the tables pull up from the side (like on a plane), but we didn't have anything to eat on our particular route (from Germany), so I don't really remember. How old are you kids? With young kids, you might like the privacy of the salon. With older kids, the main compartment would be fine.

Europewithkids

We have 3 boys, ages 15, 12 and 8. I think maximum comfort is what we are looking for. They are pretty self-sufficient so they do not need to be looked after much. Based on this, between the Salon, regular table seats (facing each other) and the airline style seats, which would be the most comfortable (legroom, etc.)? Also, is it the same on the TGV trains between Switzerland (Berne) and Paris? Thanks so much.

BTilke

Having ridden first class on all the high speed trains in Europe (Thalys, Eurostar, TGV and ICE), I would say the Thalys is better than the TGV. The seats are about the same, but as far as I know, you won't get a meal served at your seat in the TGV.
Given that your kids are older, go with 4 seats facing each other in the main compartment and a solo seat across the aisle. Seat room should be fine for your family. Enjoy your trip!