New for 2018, a static caravan that’s a lodge!
Completely new for 2018 is the Biarritz Lodge holiday home from Swift Group. Swift already produce a range of four static caravans with the Biarritz moniker but the Lodge is a new concept which Swift hope will bring ‘lodge living’ within reach of more people.
It’s been built to the BS3632 (2015) standard for residential living and means you’re able to use the lodge all year round, thus getting the maximum from your initial investment – all in an affordable price bracket.
The Biarritz Lodge features a bonded sandwich construction for the exterior walls, which are built in modules before being bonded together and clad in Canexcel. Our review model was clad in Mist Grey, however there are two other colour options: woodgrain textured Arcadia Green and Sierra Brown (with rustic oak glazing frames) both also in Canexcel, which are available as an optional extra.
The roof is constructed using prefabricated trusses and is clad in the usual black steel pantiles. Distinctive, moulded GRP bargeboards set off the roof and there’s a short overhang at the front and an inset strip of LED downlights have been fitted to light up the front deck at night.
The front elevation features a large, black sliding patio style door with an apex window above and windows either side, allowing the maximum amount of light to enter the caravan. The Biarritz is fitted with anthracite framed uPVC windows with push button security locks and a fully glazed front nearside door. There’s usual array of uPVC gutters and downpipes – in black – plus exterior LED lighting near the side access door.
The lodge is mounted onto a Fusion fully galvanised chassis with a 10-year warranty and is very well insulated. The uPVC doors and windows have Thermaglas and there’s 50mm of insulation to the floor, 200mm in the roof and 95mm in the walls, plus all the pipework below floor level has been fully lagged.
We have to say, that looking at this lodge, you’d be a little hard pressed to distinguish it from a standard static caravan apart from the residential specification. As we’ll see, the interior layout is fairly standard as well…
There’s a front lounge, kitchen in the centre, with sleeping and bathing accommodation to the back – nothing really different in that. Stepping through the side door, to your left is a small cloaks area with an upholstered seat – this is obviously a nod in the direction of lodge living albeit on a small scale!
The lounge itself is airy with a high (7ft) pitched ceiling. Décor is easy on the eye with light grey walls, timber pelmets to the windows and red accents in curtains and scatter cushions. Lighting is discreet with inset spots and half moon uplighters on the walls. There’s also a nice contemporary styled acrylic panel wall feature above the sofa.
You get a fixed, L-shaped sofa with an occasional fold out bed, a freestanding armchair, coffee table and, of course, a fully fitted hessian backed carpet. The main focal point is a combined fireplace-cum-TV unit with a tall cupboard with full length mirror to one side and a set of steel shelves above the electric fire and wood framed mantlepiece. There’s space for a flat panel TV (up to 32inches) and a Sky+ connection with HDMI cable. The unit is also well provided with storage shelves below the TV.
The kitchen and dining area are well appointed and are split across the room. An L-shaped section features a glass fronted oven and grill with a four-burner gas hob above and steel cooker hood and extractor fan. To the sides and above on the walls are a plentiful array of storage cabinets with cup handles in a pistachio and porcelain colour and these are surmounted by a slate grey 40mm worktop. Inset is a stainless steel sink with monobloc mixer tap.
On the opposite side is a large and comprehensive built-in unit of timber fronted shelves and cabinets, which includes an integral microwave oven and wine rack. You also get an integrated fridge/freezer as standard. Swift also produce a Lux-Pack which includes a dish washer, washing machine and a Velux roof light in the kitchen as an optional extra.
Set in the centre of the kitchen is a spacious free standing dining table and four upholstered chairs.
Moving on, the central access corridor leads you off into the two bedrooms and family shower room. This is the first room to your left and comprises a standard shower cubicle with sliding glass door and thermostatically controlled shower. The shower room also has a dual flush toilet and a handbasin above, which is a vanity unit with LED spotlights. A small room, it’s nonetheless efficient and works well.
Incidentally, the Biarritz Lodge comes fitted with a gas combi-boiler which supplies hot water to the bathrooms and also powers the central heating radiators in the lodge. All radiators are fitted with individual thermostats.
The twin bedroom is a pretty, light room with twin beds, a central table and shelf plus a padded headboard that runs across the width of the room. Above, on the wall, is a shelf unit with twin cupboards that have downlights fitted and which act as reading lamps. There’s also a wardrobe with hanging space and a small vanity unit with light and mirror.
The master bedroom features a king sized bed with lift up storage (ideal for bedding) and the mattress is a Duvalay (as are the mattresses in the twin room). Again there’s plenty of overbed storage and here you get two bedside cabinets with proper reading lamps. The overall colour scheme is deep red and light brown which makes for a comforting mix and the room is fully carpeted.
There’s also a vanity unit with shelves, a stool and illuminated mirror and a double wardrobe. A door leads to the en-suite which, like the main shower room, is fitted with a shower, hand basin and toilet.
Verdict
Swift’s Biarritz lodge is, on the face of it, a large, well-appointed static caravan with a few lodge-like bits and pieces bolted on. The residential specification and space, plus the well-appointed kitchen and comfortable rooms, would make it a great proposition for those looking to get into ‘lodge living’ on a budget. At £44k there’s not much to complain about.
Plus Points
Spacious rooms.
Nice, inoffensive décor.
Great kitchen with lots of storage.
Comfortable bedrooms.
Potential to add your own touches.
Minus Points
No shaver socket in bathroom. They’re so cheap – why not?
In-a-Nutshell
With the Biarritz Lodge Swift have managed to open up the zone between static caravan and holiday lodge. It’s certainly something to think about.
FACT FILE
Size: 40ft x 13ft
Build standard: BS3632 (2015) Residential Specification.
Berths: 4+2, in two bedrooms (one twin and one double) plus an extra two on the pull-out lounge sofa.
Other layouts available: n/a
Key optional extras: CanExel exterior in Acadia Green with anthracite glazing; CanExel exterior in Sierra Brown wood finish with rustic oak glazing; TV sockets & Co-Ax to all bedrooms plus booster; ‘SwiftShield’ stain resistant fabric; wireless programmable room thermostat with gas central heating; Lux pack – dishwasher, washing machine, Velux roof window in the kitchen and Bluetooth audio connection to lounge ceiling speakers; shaving socket in bathroom.
Ex works price: £44,000.00 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.
The text states that the ensuite is also fitted with a shower but I can’t see this on the floor plan. Please could you clarify?
Can i remove the window vents re cold air getting in