The all new Chamonix Lodge takes the top spot in Swift Group’s lodge range
The Swift Group entered the lodge market a couple of years ago with an offering that provided outstanding value for all-year-round living. The new Chamonix Lodge continues this ethos and becomes the top of the company’s lodge range with their Moselle Lodge sitting beneath it for the 2016 season.
The new Chamonix Lodge is based on the luxury Chamonix range that has a solid, architectural look, combined with aspirational and contemporary interiors. It’s slightly larger than the standard range at 42ft x 13ft with two bedrooms, a master and a twin, and comes on a fully galvanised I-beam chassis that’s guaranteed for 10 years.
To provide the levels of insulation levels needed for its BS3632 standard the Chamonix comes with Thermaglas uPVC double glazed windows and doors (complete with push button security locks), Composite SIPs (Structural Insulated Panel) floor, 100mm Super Glass insulation in the roof and 75mm Rockwool insulation in the walls to provide outstanding thermal efficiency. The exterior is clad in Mist Grey CanExel cladding with a realistic woodgrain texture. Sierra brown or Acadia green are optional colours. The lodge we reviewed featured the Sierra brown livery.
The outside looks solid, rather than exceptional in its styling, and includes all the usual fixtures and fittings, from downpipes and guttering, to uPVC windows and doors, external light and moulded barge board overhangs to the front and side access door. The roof has steel pantiles which contrast nicely with the cladding colour. All underfloor pipework is, of course, fully lagged.
You can either enter the lodge via the side door or the front sliding doors, which take you from the deck into the lounge.
A 7ft ceiling height enhances the spacious feeling inside and a Velux type roof light gives added natural lighting to the lounge. Contemporary ‘Aralie Sen’ wood grain has an ashen brown hue and furniture is sleek, with handleless doors, except in the kitchen.
‘Zimba’ soft furnishings feature sofa fabric in a matt neutral cream flat weave fabric with a dark brown thread in the cloth that ties through with the dark earthy brown pelmet and the stylised flower in the curtain. Duck egg blue is picked out in the flower pattern on the curtain and accented on the scatter cushions. The duck egg and chocolate theme is continued throughout the fabrics in the bedrooms.
The lounge area is square with plenty of free-standing comfortable seating, a coffee table and a timber effect wall unit that serves as both a fireplace and TV mounting point. It features a flat panel TV (manufacturer can supply) with drawers near the bottom and a contemporary electric fire with surrounding LED lighting.
The kitchen is C-shaped and, although not the largest we’ve seen, is well endowed with storage cupboards at wall height and under the countertop. To the left these cupboards extend right out over the countertop and are supported by a chrome post below the microwave oven. There’s a nice steel sink unit in the centre and a four-burner hob with central wok burner, oven and grill below.
The Novo light cashmere kitchen doors (all with soft close mechanisms) and light work surface keep the whole interior light and bright and the kitchen specification is further enhanced with glazed splashbacks, a hob extractor, vented to the exterior, wine cooler and 12 place dishwasher.
Opposite the kitchen, near the side access door, sits a wooded, free standing dining table with four chairs and cupboards, concealing the fridge freezer and the gas combi-boiler for the central heating and hot water.
A central door takes you through to the main shower room (there’s no bath) to your right.
This is a splendid room with a huge shower cubicle resplendent with thermostatically controlled shower, a double flushing toilet and smart, modern handbasin. A large wall unit features mirrored cabinets and storage for towels and bathroom accessories and has glitzy splashbacks to boot. There’s a chrome heated towel rail and an extractor fan included. The floor is, sensibly, a washable laminate effect vinyl.
The twin bedroom is very smart with large beds and a good space between, a central table-cum-drawer unit and big shelves and storage cupboards on the wall over the bedhead. Bedding and headboards reflect the colour palette of duck egg blue and grey, which contrast with the timber units and wardrobe at the foot of the bed.
The master bedroom is across the rear of the lodge and is very striking with its huge bed and feature panel headboard. There’s a vanity unit with mirror, shelf and stool and double, floor-to-ceiling walk-in wardrobes with enough capacity for a couple’s clothing.
The bed (as well as those in the second bedroom) benefits from quality Duvalay ‘Holiday Home Collection’ Bonnell/Pocket sprung mattress and master bedroom mattresses in the Chamonix Lodge have the added luxury of a quilted memory fibre layer.
The larger layout allows for an en-suite shower room at the back of the master bedroom with a separate shower cubicle, concealed toilet with soft close seat and chrome heated towel rail. Shower cubicles have an enclosed lid with integral lights and vanity splash backs have a feature stone effect in both washrooms.
A word about lighting. In this lodge, LED ceiling lights, feature LED illumination around the fireplace and LED illuminated vanity mirrors, which are not only energy efficient but they let you set the mood. An iPod Bluetooth system allows you to play your favourite tunes. What more could you want?
Verdict
Swift’s Chamonix Lodge, with its contemporary styling and thoughtfully designed interior, makes it an attractive proposition in the mid-range holiday lodge market.
Plus Points
Plenty of standard items fitted
Restful yet contemporary colours and fabrics
Value-for-money price point
Minus Points
No shaver socket in the bathroom.
In-a-Nutshell
Ideal as a family holiday lodge as well as for aspirational young couples.
FACT FILE
Size: 42ft x 13ft
Other layouts available: Standard Chamonix 41ft x 12ft.
Build standard: BS3632 Residential Specification.
Berths: 4, in two bedrooms (one twin and one double).
Key optional extras: Washing machine; Swiftshield lounge seating; woodgrain exterior in Acadia Green CanExcel cladding; shaver socket and bathroom light; wireless central heating control.
Ex works price: From £57,245* inc VAT
For more information email [email protected], phone 01482 847 332 or visit www.swiftgroup.co.uk
*Additional 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 purchase, as prices vary considerably dependent, amongst other factors, on the geographical
