New for 2017 a striking, modern design with contemporary, open plan living
Completely new for 2017 is the two model Antibes static caravan from Swift Group. With an architectural front design, it has a striking exterior and contemporary design influences found in many modern homes. Here we look at the 38ft x 12ft, two bedroomed model.
The exterior walls of the Swift Antibes feature a bonded sandwich construction, which are built in modules before being bonded together and clad with either aluminium or Canexcel. There are two colour options; woodgrain textured sandy beige and environmental green, which is available as an optional extra.
The roof is built using prefabricated trusses and are clad in black steel pantiles. Distinctive, moulded GRP bargeboards set off the roof and there’s a short overhang at the front with two inset downlights.
The front elevation features a large, black sliding patio style door to the left, with a small return and another tall window allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the caravan. The Antibes is fitted with black framed uPVC windows with push button security locks and a fully glazed front nearside door. The usual array of uPVC gutters and downpipes are fitted plus exterior low energy lighting complete the scene.
The Swift Antibes sits atop a Fusion fully galvanised chassis which has a 10 year warranty and is supplied by Bankside Patterson. The Alsace is also very well insulated. The uPVC doors and windows have Thermaglas and there’s 50mm of insulation to the floor, 90mm in the roof and 30mm in the walls, plus all the pipework below floor level has been fully lagged.
Inside feels spacious with a ceiling height of 7ft (2.13m) and an open plan living area. A contemporary planked ceiling system has been used, which gives a much smoother finish and allows for just one single seam joint.
The TV area has a feature wall with discreet LED lighting – the whole of the Antibes has low energy LED lighting throughout – and handy storage drawers. There’s a bookshelf between the lounge and the dinette, which has bench style seating on one side and two chairs opposite and acts as a partial divider between lounge and kitchen. The side access door is next to the dinette.
‘Emperor’ soft furnishings come with curtains and voiles throughout. With neutral mink-coloured seating, shades of Emperor blue, stone and cream are used throughout with abstract pattern detailing to the curtains and cushions.
The main seating is a huge corner unit which is angled, sensibly, facing the front windows but still with a good view of the TV feature wall, which has space for up to a 40 inch flat panel TV and a Sky+ connection. The seating also has a fold-out bed for occasional use, taking the sleeping accommodation on the Antibes from four to six. Central to the lounge is a low timber coffee table and there are also two upholstered cube stools stored under the coffee table.
The lounge is fully carpeted – with an added thick underlay – and its colour has been chosen to match and compliment the light beige, browns and mink of the soft furnishings. All the timber on cupboards, drawers and shelves is called Tisano Oak and contrasts well with the other surfaces in the room. You also get a framed wall picture and mirror as standard!
Swift, ever-thoughtful of modern living practices, have also provided a double USB socket and plentiful power outlets in this caravan. As an option, a Bluetooth audio connection to the lounge speakers can be specified.
The kitchen has an open plan, L-shaped layout, in a modern design with sleek handleless furniture and all cupboards and drawers have soft close mechanisms, giving an added touch of luxury. There’s a black designer, angled cooker hood, black glass oven splash back, ‘Ocean blue’ acrylic splashback to the sink and a double width window with roller blind.
There’s a glass fronted oven and grill with electric ignition and a four burner hob, also with electric ignition, set into stylish light coloured countertops. The kitchen has plenty of usable workspace and a large, clear floor covered in easy-to-clean vinyl with a laminate effect. There’s a good number of wall mounted cabinets and a built-in microwave oven which comes as standard (hooray!).
Opposite the main L-shaped unit and separated by the central access door to the bedrooms are a built-in fridge freezer and a cupboard containing the gas water heater. One optional extra we think would be well worth having is a gas combi boiler which would also supply a full central heating system. The Antibes does not come with central heating as standard and there’s no fire (either gas or electric) in the lounge, so for people wanting to get the best use from their holiday caravan by perhaps using it in the winter, they’d certainly benefit from a central heating system.
Both the main, family bathroom and the en-suite to the master bedroom, continue the designer scheme in the Antibes. There’s an ‘Ocean drive’ feature panel over the vanity, with LED lighting and new white towel rails in shower rooms and an en-suite shower in the 38 ft x 12ft 2 bed model.
The main bathroom has a shower cubicle with thermostatically controlled shower, a topper and LED downlight. There’s a dual flush, low profile toilet, with soft close seat and an extractor fan is fitted as standard, plus white towel rails.
The twin bedroom is across the corridor from the bathroom. A warm, comfortable room, the two beds are nicely separated with space to walk in between and there’s a central table and drawer and plenty of storage space on the over-bed shelf and cupboards. Furnishings are easy on the eye and are browns, light beiges with accent colours of blue in the bedding. A nice touch is a feature panel behind the bed heads. A small, floor to ceiling wardrobe sits in one corner.
The main bedroom also boasts a feature panel above the headboard with discreet LED lighting. There’s a large king-sized double bed with storage underneath and a sumptuous Duvalay mattress. As well as the lighting panel, the bed has a padded headboard and reading lights. There’s ample storage in the two bedside tables and over-bed lockers with yet more LED feature lighting.
A vanity unit sits next to the wardrobe and has an illuminated mirror and power socket. In the corner, a door takes you into a small but neatly designed en-suite with shower, hand basin and toilet – all of a similar specification to those fitted in the main bathroom.
Verdict
The Swift Antibes is a well thought out and nicely designed, mid-priced holiday caravan, which would appeal to young families. It’s got a nice sized lounge and a well appointed kitchen.
The only slight gripe would be the lack of any form of heating (apart from water) although this can of course be remedied by having the optional central heating installed at a cost of £1470.
Plus points
Clean, contemporary styling throughout.
Practical kitchen and spacious dinette.
Stylish bathrooms.
Good storage in master bedroom.
Value for money.
Minus points
No fire or central heating fitted as standard.
No shaver socket in the bathroom.
In-a-nutshell
The Swift Antibes is a practical holiday caravan with plenty of scope to upgrade the specification as and when your budget allows
Factfile
Size: 39ft x 12ft
Build standard: BS EN1647.
Berths: 4+2, in two bedrooms (one twin and one double) plus an extra two on the pull-out lounge sofa.
Other layouts available: 40ft x 12ft, 3 bedrooms, (two twin and one double).
Key optional extras: Thermaglas uPVC double glazing; sliding ‘aspect’ front patio doors and eave downlights; environmental exterior; gas combi boiler central heating and hot water system; radiator thermostats; rlectric plinth heaters and towel rails; wireless programmable room thermoststs with gas central heating; 15 inch flat screen TV positions in all bedrooms; shaving socket in bathroom; integrated dishwasher or washing machine; Bluetooth audio connection to lounge ceiling speakers.
Ex works price: From £36,390 inc VAT*
For more information e-mail [email protected] or visit www.swiftgroup.co.uk
*Extra charges will be made by park operators, and/or distributors for transport, siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy, as prices vary considerably dependent, amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park.
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Hi, would you send me some more info please maybe brochure catalogue in the post many thanks mr Payne
Hi Mr Payne, I’ve emailed you a copy of Swift’s holiday home brochure and have passed on your request to Swift.
A 38’ Antibes has recently been sited on our park. I haven’t been able to access the inside but have had the opportunity of looking through the lounge window. Straight away my wife and I both commented on how small the lounge was. There’s only an L shaped sofa only comfortable, I would say, for 3 people. If you have friends over or if you have a family of 4, how do you sit comfortably.
“Central heating and a fire don’t come as standard” …… what a joke!! There seems to be more emphasis put on LED lighting!!
“The Antibes is well thought out” / “The only slight gripe is the lack of heating”. I think your reviewer needs to take off those rose tinted spectacles. Even without having been inside …. we’re not impressed.