How the best caravan makes your holiday more enjoyable
But which is the best caravan? It’s different for each family, couple and individual, and that’s why there are so many different models to choose from. Caravanning really has something for everyone, and this is one of the reasons why the Caravan and Motorhome Club run their annual Caravan and Motorhome Club Design Awards.
Due to the pandemic in 2020, things have had to be done a little differently this year, and so for 2021, the Caravan and Motorhome Club have released the 2021 Caravan Design Awards Buyers Guide.
Rather than seeing the eligible caravans in person and presenting their top rated van awards for the best in each class, The Caravan and Motorhome Club have this year given all the caravans entered for each category a star rating, with 5 stars being the highest.
At Bailey, we are proud to have received a 5 star rating for 4 of our 2021 models and 4.5 stars for a further 6. Read on to find out more about these models in our 2021 ranges.
Phoenix+ 420 – Any Small Caravan (750kg – 1150kg MTPLM) – 5 stars
First up is our lightweight 5 star touring caravan, the Phoenix+ 420.
Striking the perfect balance between space, comfort and affordability, the Phoenix+ 420 is a lightweight 2 berth caravan suitable for solo caravanners or couples, and can be towed by a wide variety of cars.
The large front lounge features two bench seats that can be used as single beds as they are each 6ft 2” long. You can also make them up into a generous double for even more room. The bathroom features a large square shower, large wardrobe and a mirror that runs the full width of the back wall of the caravan. The lounge table is also stored in the bathroom – in its own dedicated cupboard.
You won’t need to worry about being without your devices either. There are four 240v sockets as well as two USB sockets in the spotlights at the front of the caravan.
Also awarded in this category:
- Bailey Discovery D4-2 (4.5 stars)
- Bailey Discovery D4-3 (4.5 stars)
Unicorn Black Edition Merida – Any Two Berth Caravan – 5 stars
The Unicorn Black Merida is our 5 star caravan in the Any Two Berth Caravan category.
Unicorn Black Edition has all of your holidaying needs covered, combining practicality with subtle design touches like the Graphite-coloured alloy wheels and circular sink.
The Merida is the most compact of the range – a 2 berth caravan perfect for couples or solo travellers. Like the Phoenix+ 420, the Merida has an airy and light front lounge with benches that can be used as two single beds or made up into a double. There are two upholstery options to choose from and the interior features other luxurious touches such as the Italian design overhead lockers in the ‘Cream’ gloss finish with a contrasting textured ‘Canvas’ stripe.
The washroom again runs the full width of the caravan and this time includes a full width backlit mirror, shower with an Ecocamel shower head, and a pedestal washroom hand basin.
You’ll also find luxury in the kitchen of the Merida with everything you need to cook a relaxing evening meal. The Thetford hob comes with an electric hotplate and 3 gas burners and it’s possible to cook your Sunday roast in the oven. Along with a tower refrigerator and freezer and a built-in wine storage cabinet, you have everything you need to entertain in style (how many hotel rooms can say that?)
Alicanto Grande Estoril – Family Caravans – 5 stars
From our flagship Alicanto Grande range, the Estoril is a 4 berth caravan packed to the rooflights with features. The 8ft wide caravans in this range combine comfort, style and practicality to take luxury to a whole new level.
The Alicante Grande Estoril is a single axle caravan with a comfortable front lounge, L-shaped kitchen design for extra worktop and cupboard space, two single beds and a full width washroom behind the bedroom. All Alicanto Grande caravans have 10% more floor space allowing for enhanced seating and larger beds – one of the benefits of choosing from the 8ft wide caravan layouts in this range.
You’ll find little touches of luxury throughout – the mirrored front corner locker sections, branded Perspex kitchen splash-back with chrome detailing, the curved corner back rests with removable head rests and the universal handed door mechanism on the fridge freezer.
Add in the latest appliances, technology and safety features and there is almost too much to talk about here. Head over to the Alicanto Grande Estoril to find out more.
Alicanto Grande Faro – Any Caravan 8ft or more wide – 5 stars
The Alicanto Grande range has a second 5 star model – the twin axle Alicanto Grande Faro.
The Faro layout has a centre bathroom that cleverly allows you to position the bathroom door to create either an ensuite within the bedroom, or a separate bathroom, depending on your needs. The bathroom itself, as with all the models in the Alicanto Grande range, comes with a ‘Slate Grey’ marble finish worktop laminate, a ‘Granite Stone’ fully lined shower cubicle, Thetford toilet and a full width backlit washroom mirror.
The Faro bedroom has a fixed island bed with a full width padded headboard, and a spacious dressing area with an illuminated vanity mirror.
At the front of the caravan sits the L-Shaped kitchen – all the models in this range also have up to 25% more worktop surface and 30% more storage – and the spacious lounge area with the signature Bailey large front window and a skylight roof light.
Our 4.5 star caravans in other categories
Up to Four Berth caravans
Up to Six Berth Caravans
Large Family Caravans
Any Caravan with Dedicated Bed(s)
That’s our roundup of our 5 and 4.5 star caravans in The Caravan and Motorhome Club 2021 Caravan Design Awards Buyers Guide.
When looking for the perfect caravan for you and your family, a great place to start is your local Bailey Retailer to have a good look at the Bailey caravan you’ve got your eye on (COVID restrictions allowing of course). But if you just can’t wait or can’t get to a retailer as soon as you’d like, you can also take a virtual tour in the comfort of your own home of all our 2021 season caravans by using our Caravan and Motorhome Virtual Showrooms.
So whether you dream of settling down with the family at a favourite site with your new 8ft wide caravan, or spending the summer solo in a lightweight 2 berth, travelling far and wide; caravan holidays with the best Bailey van for you could be the perfect way to get away.
