07/06/2010
Share this story Share on Facebook icon Share on Twitter icon Share on Pinterest icon Share on Linked In icon Share via Email icon

Stellar Sunbeam – A neat start

88ebb548-75a9-4907-981b-5785c08b02ac
WITH a price of just over £16,200, the 28ft x 12ft, two bedroom Stellar Sunbeam can’t really be considered anything but a starter holiday home. Which isn’t to criticise it in any way because, in my opinion, it represents very good value for money.

Externally, it’s basically a standard aluminium-clad body. When I saw it for the first time I was reminded of the acres of similar homes you see at holiday parks around the coast. In other words, it has no special features that lift it above the rest.

Equally, however, there isn’t a lot to go wrong with it – nor is it likely to need a great deal of maintenance.


Kitchen


The entrance is part-way along the front side elevation and immediately on your left as you enter is the kitchen. Essentially, this runs from the door along the front side wall to the lounge and dining area.

Next to the door is a base unit followed by a cooker incorporating a four-burner hob with extractor above, and then the sink unit. Beyond the sink there is space for a small fridge, after which the worktop turns through 90 degrees above another base unit, over which is a glass-doored wall unit supported at its end by a pillar.

On the wall above the worktop are a number of cupboards that, together with the base units, provide plenty of storage. Though the walls have not been tiled, the hinged glass cover to the hob serves as a splashback to protect the wall covering.


Diner


Opposite the kitchen, is a dining area with fixed L-shaped seating and a circular table. I can’t see how this arrangement would work for four people eating together. The seating is more than adequate for four, but I felt a decent sized rectangular table was needed.

The floor covering, as in the kitchen, is plank-style vinyl. Night time illumination to both areas comprises a ceiling bar with four adjustable halogen lights. There is an identical light bar in the lounge.


Lounge


The lounge area is carpeted. The end wall is taken up by a bay window that runs almost the full width of the home. Below it is a long fixed seat and a panel heater.

As in the diner, the seating is L-shaped, turning through 90 degrees to run along the back wall of the home to a display unit separating it from the dining area seating.

In the front left-hand corner as you enter the lounge is a base unit with shelves and a gas fire. Above the shelves is a power point and TV aerial socket, and above them a wall unit with open shelving and a cupboard.

Thanks to the vaulted roof and the number of windows, not to mention the light wood furniture, the kitchen, dining and lounge areas were light and airy – as they should be in a holiday home.


Shower


Turning right from the entrance, the first door is the shower room. Bearing in mind the price of the home, I was impressed by the size, not least of the shower compartment itself, which wouldn’t be out of place in a home costing twice as much. The cubicle takes up the full depth of the room and has a sliding door.

Next to the shower is a pedestal washbasin with a small mirror-doored cupboard on the wall above. Though there wasn’t  much space for toiletries, I felt there was room for either a freestanding cupboard or another wall unit, either of which would increase the amount of storage considerably. There is also an extractor fan in the wall above the obscure glazed window adjacent to the low level toilet suite.


Bedroom two


Opposite the shower room is the second bedroom, fairly small but with enough space for two divan beds with room to walk between them, and for a bedside unit. On the wall at the end of the each bed is a small part-wardrobe. The problem here is that the hanging rail runs from front to back rather than from side to side and is only about 7-8in long so that storage is definitely minimal. But, of course, minimal is better than nothing at all.


Master


At the end of the home is the main bedroom. This is not large and there isn’t much space between the end of the double bed and the wall. Nor is there room for a bedside cabinet, justa single-door wardrobe either side of the bed, each with about 15in of hanging space. However, above the headboard is a shelf between two cupboards.

I particularly liked the fact the wardrobes and cupboards had been taken to ceiling height; this added a touch of quality to the Sunbeam.


OUR VERDICT


Let’s not kid ourselves, the Stellar Sunbeam is a cheap and cheerful starter holiday home. But for all that, I came away thinking it offers very good value for money. If it’s looked after it should give its owners many years of trouble-free holidays.

Obviously, for this price you’re getting a home in which the walls aren’t as solid as in more expensive homes. Nor is there any tiling to the walls in the shower room or kitchen. It’s also virtually certain that a fridge would be considered as an essential extra by most people.

So, at the end of my visit, I was left with the feeling that the Stellar Sunbeam isn’t perhaps a holiday home for a young family. But for an older couple who don’t want to spend all their savings, but who do want to get away for weekends, short breaks and holidays the Stellar Sunbeam has a lot to offer.

Technical details
• Type: Single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: Although Stellar Statics Ltd is a member of the National Caravan Council, at the time of writing the Sunbeam had not yet been certified to EN1647. However, we were assured by the company that all materials used in its construction complied with NCC standards.
• Size: 28ft x 12ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Room sizes (Please note: all dimensions are approximate only.)
• Lounge/dining area: 14ft x 8ft 3in
• Kitchen area: 9ft 3in x 4ft
• Main bedroom: 8ft 3in x 8ft 9in
• Second bedroom: 6ft 1in x 6ft 7in
• Shower room: 8ft 3in x 3ft 6in

Main features
• Aluminium cladding
• Gas fire
• Large shower

Price
£24,489 ex works (inc VAT)


CONTACT


Stellar Statics, 45B Stockholm Road, Sutton Fields Industrial Estate, Bankside, Hull, East Yorkshire HU7 0XW. Tel: 01482 226282. Email: [email protected].
Website: www.stellar-statics.co.uk

This review was published in the  June 2010 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order your copy please click here

Back to "General" Category

07/06/2010 Share this story   Share on Facebook icon Share on Twitter icon Share on Pinterest icon Share on Linked In icon Share via Email icon

Recent Updates

For your perfect home away from home, take a look at this great selection ...


Park home surveys: all you need to know

For buyers of pre-owned park homes, a survey is vital to make sure the property you're buying is structurally ...


Selling a park home: all you need to know

Selling your park home is rarely an easy decision, so make the process easier with our guide to managing the ...


Park home energy: all you need to know

Make your park home more energy efficient with these tips, helping to save you money and be more ...


Park home refurbishment: all you need to know

Maintaining the condition of your park home, from its bathroom fittings to the condition of its chassis, is ...


Living in a park home: all you need to know

What's it really like to live in a park home? What are the pros and cons, the fees involved and the most ...


Forest retreats: all you need to know

Relax and immerse yourself in nature with a holiday home forest retreat, fusing the community and perks of a ...


Our guide to holiday homes by the sea

If you're interested in buying a holiday home, chances are you're going to look at a coastal holiday park – ...


Holiday homes for all budgets: our guide to mid-level holiday homes

If you are looking for a quality holiday home but don’t want to buy at the top end, the good news is that you ...


Holiday homes for all budgets: our guide to affordable holiday homes

Buying a holiday home on a budget may initially seem a daunting prospect – but there is a lot of choice out ...


Other Articles

Decking is a fantastic addition to your holiday home, helping you to enjoy a more outdoorsy lifestyle throughout the summer months on your holiday ...


Park and holiday home finance: everything you need to know

Looking to buy a park or holiday home on finance? While holiday home mortgages are off the table, you can ...


Park home part exchange: what you need to know

Our essential guide for anyone thinking of buying a residential park home using part exchange, including ...


Solar panels for park homes: our advice

If you're considering installing solar panels on your park home, you're far from alone – this growing trend ...


Buying a park home: 10 things to consider

Buying a home on a residential park is a huge and exciting step. Here is our comprehensive guide to making ...


Park home and holiday home chassis: everything you need to know

The chassis underpins the structural integrity of a park home or holiday home. This guide to the essentials ...


Holiday home and park home insurance: your complete guide

Specialist insurance is key to finding the cover most suitable for both park and holiday homes. Read our ...


Park home maintenance advice

Your park home chassis, roof and guttering need to be kept in top condition and older homes may benefit from ...


Park home construction: everything you need to know

A complete guide to park homes, including how and what they are made of ...


Park home paint: how to keep your park home in pristine condition

Our guide to painting your park home and keeping it looking its best ...