Full review

Words: Clare Kelly  Photography: Bailey of Bristol

The Bailey Alicanto Grande Lisbon

Spring was finally here or so it seemed as I pulled into Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park ready for a first look at Bailey's latest offering ahead of its launch at the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February.

Parking up, I passed through the landscaped grounds – the only sounds were the coo of pigeons and squirrels playing in the trees.

The Bailey Alicanto Grande Lisbon was pitched in a great spot and looked resplendent in the mid-morning sun. My first impressions were that this was a very striking caravan. The profile is gently curved, making it aerodynamic and, while I wouldn't be towing it today, I could imagine it would be a stable and enjoyable journey.

The front infinity window, which is a feature of Bailey's recent models, appeared larger than the previous Alicanto Grande line-up. Closer investigation inside reveals that it is much bigger – a whopping 50% in fact. It is most definitely light, bright and airy, something you'll welcome even on the greyest days. Bailey's Alicanto Grande range was first introduced in 2020 and was very much aimed at those who liked their luxury. For the 2022 model year, there's two models – Lisbon, the one I'm viewing, and the Porto. Both are four-berth, 8ft wide and have the same layout – king-sized rear island bed and washroom amidships. The main difference is that the Lisbon on a single axle and the Porto, a twin axle.

It's the most premium offering from the Bristol-based manufacturer and the Lisbon starts at just under £35,000. So what do you get for your money?                         

The furnishings

This is a caravan with lots of thoughtful touches that make it a little bit 'extra'. It goes without saying that there's comfort in the upholstery (two options, including the standard 'Portobello' in soft grey and coordinating dark grey, and the optional 'Latimer' scheme which is more cream in tone with contrasting piping). The removable headrests are a nice touch and make admiring the view even more pleasant.

In the rear bedroom, I was struck by the curved wardrobes – a clever space-saving trick that looks elegant and provides plenty of storage for hanging clothes.                   

The washroom and kitchen

You'll find the washroom more akin to one you'd find in a hotel. A Belfast-style sink, backlit washroom mirror (casting a flattering light), and, unlike many washrooms I've been in, the window is a great size, making the room feel even bigger. The position of the washroom means it can be an en suite or family washroom depending on your set-up.

Curves are a prominent feature of the Lisbon and you'll notice how they soften the space. This is especially true in the washroom.

Like cooking? The kitchen doesn't disappoint, either, with a Thetford K Series oven/grill and large Dometic 10-series fridge and wine rack for four bottles of wine!                 

What’s included

Premium truly is the name of the game and this caravan really over-delivers when it comes to tech. First up is the factory-fitted mobile WiFi system courtesy of Avtex. With that you'll also get an introductory data and support package. It's ideal if you want to stay connected, whether you want to upload photos to social media or check out the nearest attractions. If you favour smaller sites with no WiFi or mobile signal, it's a bonus.

In addition, there's a wireless charging point with two USB points (four further points are integrated into the spotlights).

Love TV? There's two wall mounts for greater flexibility. You'll find twin speakers in the rear bedroom, allowing music to play throughout the caravan.

My favourite feature, however, is the RGB colour-change 'ambient lighting system', and you can have a lot of fun with this easy-to-use touch panel. Of course, it's not necessary but it's truly a joy to use! And shouldn't joy and caravanning go hand in hand? I think so.

Expert caravan advice to your door!

Caravan magazine has been inspiring caravanners for more than 80 years! We have grown to become a leading authority on caravans, the caravan industry, caravan lifestyle, campsites and caravan travel destinations. We know what our readers want – and that's to make the most of their caravans and their holidays!

Want to know more about Caravan magazine?

About Caravan magazine