2017 Swift Whistler lodge review

A brand new concept from Swift for 2017 – a spacious and luxuriously well-appointed lodge

The flagship range in the Swift holiday home collection for 2017 is their all new Whistler lodge –  launched at The Lawns show last September.  This twin unit lodge features an unusual 8ft and 12ft split, offering a fairly spacious two-bedroom layout. Just the one model of the Whistler lodge is available, which sits on a generous 42ft x 20ft footprint.

The Whistler is built to the new BS3632 standard for residential living. Introduced in 2015, these new regulations set a higher standard for thermal efficiency with improvements in roof, wall and floor insulation.

The exterior is clad in a striking ‘Cliffside’ CanExel cladding with anthracite glazing and ‘Acadia Green’ and ‘Mist Grey’ are also available as options.  There are bi-fold doors to both sides and fixed full height windows to the front nearside, which brings the outdoors in.  A decked, angled inset feature is a nice touch to the side entrance door and features inset low energy downlights as well as a separate external light. The roof is clad with coated steel pantiles.

The lodge has excellent thermal performance with a high level of insulation and ‘Thermaglas’ uPVC double glazing to keep running costs down. All windows have push button security locks. The floor is constructed of composite SIP’s (Structural Insulated Panels) with 200mm of insulation in the roof and 95mm in the walls.  All pipes under the floor are, of course, lagged. Gutters and downpipes are in PVC.

The whole caravan sits atop a strong I-beam twin-axle fully galvanised chassis which has a 10-year warranty and the main construction uses bonded sandwich for all exterior walls for greater strength.

The 20ft width allows for spacious rooms. An imaginative layout provides an open plan kitchen, dining and living area.  A contemporary shelving style feature wall adds interest and cloaking to the seating area from the entrance door. As you enter the lodge, the door to your immediate right leads to a very useful utility room housing the gas combi boiler, a sink and washing machine. On your left is a shelving feature screen ‘wall’ which acts as a divider between the hallway and lounge.

The lounge itself benefits from a full height (7ft) ceiling which is planked and gives a very smooth look allowing for just one central seam. The ceiling is studded with low energy LED lights throughout and we noticed there were plenty of double electrical outlet sockets, well placed around the interior. The whole floor area of the lounge is fully carpeted (with hessian backed underlay included).

The interior design features are Swift’s ‘Tisano Oak’ woodgrain and ‘Hampton’ soft furnishings, which feature neutral seating and shades of aubergine, stone and cream with abstract pattern detailing to curtains and cushions.

The lounge has freestanding sofas, a glass top coffee table and a feature wall between the front aspect sliding doors, with a Sony 40” TV and an ‘Opti Myst’ feature flame fire (no heat).  Framed pictures, a standard lamp, dimmable lighting and a mirror add finishing touches. The lodge is heated by various wall-mounted radiators, which get their heat from the 30kW gas combi boiler (also supplying the hot water) and each radiator has a separate thermostat.

Moving on, the modern Cooke and Lewis ‘Raffello’ full gloss designer kitchen comes with handleless, soft close doors and drawers, and features a large central island unit/breakfast bar with three stools and under cupboard and plinth feature lighting.

The 40mm laminate work tops have matching upstands.  All mod cons are fitted including a five-burner gas hob with central wok burner and a nifty CDA lift up extractor fan, integrated fridge-freezer, microwave, dishwasher and a wine cooler – again all as standard fittings. There’s also a glass fronted oven and grill with electronic ignition.

The dining area has feature wallpaper, a glass topped dining table with wooden cross frame legs with a glass top and four dining chairs. There’s a sideboard with a Bose sound system behind the dining table. The floor in the kitchen and dining room is covered with the usual easy-to-clean laminate effect vinyl.

The bedrooms and bathroom are accessed through the usual central door off the kitchen and this leads into a short, straight, corridor.

On your right is the family shower room. This is a fabulous, luxuriously appointed room with a huge walk-in double shower with sliding glass door and thermostatically controlled power shower, a modern wash basin with storage drawers (handy for towels and flannels) below and a dual flush WC with a soft close seat and a concealed cistern.  The room has bags of space and the roof window light allows masses of natural daylight to flood in.  At night there are LED downlights and an illuminated mirror, plus the hand basin features a very attractive stone effect splashback.

Across the corridor is the Whistler’s twin bedroom. There’s no scrimping on space here! The room has two 3ft 6in wide beds, both with Duvalay mattresses and there’s lots of space in between plus a central bedside table and luxurious padded headboards. Soft furnishings and bedding are in a restful blend of burgundies and creams. At the foot of the bed are a large wardrobe and a small vanity unit with shelf and mirror.

The spacious master bedroom has a lift-up king size double bed with luxury Duvalay mattress, padded headboard and illuminated feature panel above.  There’s a large wardrobe with sliding glass robe doors, which also houses an illuminated vanity area with mirror and socket.  Bedside cabinets provide extra storage.  There’s provision for a 32inch flat screen TV, LED lights in the robe and pelmets, plus an LED-lit mirror and decorative wall panels to finish the master suite. Décor is similar to that in the twin bedroom, giving a nice continuity of style.

The en-suite has a walk-in shower cubicle with feature wall panel and a large freestanding bath with feature tap.  The sink is integrated into a vanity unit and there are two chrome finish towel radiators and an illuminated, infra-red sensor and backlit mirror with demisting pad. There’s also a double flush, low profile toilet as well.  The en-suite on the Whistler is very nice indeed and puts a lot of so-called main bathrooms to shame on other lodges we’ve seen. When was the last time you saw a freestanding bath in the en-suite?

Verdict

As soon as you set eyes on Swift’s Whistler lodge and see that split level roof, you know you’re in for something a little special. Inside doesn’t disappoint and the spacious nature of the open-plan rooms, plus the designer touches; the kitchen, utility room and a fantastic en-suite to the master bedroom really make the Whistler stand out from the crowd.

Plus points

• Strikingly good looks to the exterior
• Spacious feel to the interior
• Top quality designer kitchen
• Many appliances are included
• Big twin bedroom
• Fantastic family shower room and en-suite bathroom

Minus Points

No shaver socket in the bathroom (!)

In-a-Nutshell

A striking holiday lodge which, at its price point, offers plenty of bang for your buck.

Factfile

Size: 42ft x 20ft

Build standard: BS3632: 2015.

Berths: 4+2 in two bedrooms (one twin and one double) plus two on a pull-out sofa bed in the lounge

Key optional extras: Mist Grey CanExcel cladding with anthracite glazing; Acadia Green CanExcel cladding with anthracite glazing; sliding door to master bedroom; ‘SwiftShield’ stain resistant fabric; shaving socket in bathroom.

Ex works price: From £114,995 inc VAT*

For more information e-mail: [email protected] 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 location of your chosen park.