WHAT puts the ‘DeLuxe’ into the Continental? I had a close look at the original model last year, and was interested to know what difference there would be. The DeLuxe surely refers to the size, as this model is 16ft wide as opposed to the 14ft of the first Continental. Were there any other plusses, I wondered.

From the exterior, the Continental DeLuxe is only a distant relation of its sibling. There is, of course, a similar construction. Arcabo couldn’t do it any other way, with Canexel cladding standard on a solid build.

A notable feature at the end of the home is a coloured stone panel in the middle.

Both doors to this unit are at the side, the patio sliding door near the front, and a second door with glass panel either side a bit further along. Actually, it is not strictly true that there is no front door, as it is perfectly possible to step out of either of the two full-length windows, which are more or less the width of a door.
However, they do not have a handle on the outside, so no-one can step in, unless they are already open.

Sense of space

I went in through the single door, which is adjacent to the kitchen. This is a glass door and, along with the two large windows, helps create a very light breakfast and kitchen area. To the left is the lounge, and the seemingly cavernous amount of room is to some extent created by the lack of formal dining facility. You could put in a table and chairs if you need it, but you may decide you prefer the sense of space.

A light beige carpet runs from the breakfast area into the lounge, so there is a flow throughout. The lounge can be furnished how you like, remember, but the show model had a super black leather chair with footstool and a corner black leather sofa. Glass occasional tables complete the feel, and a large LCD TV on a black and glass stand. Other features are a chrome standard lamp, the ceiling vaulted in stages and an attractive tweed-effect wall covering.

Drinks anyone?

A modern take on the old-style serving hatch is in the form of a wide and shallow windowless gap between lounge and kitchen. Very handy for the one lounging. Bold curtains in black, beige and bright blue cover all windows when required. Even the finials are designer-ish. The deep breakfast bar can be used for drinks or meals, and black stools were used for display.

The kitchen is not huge, but well-designed and useful. Understated in white gloss with inset metal handles, the emphasis is on practicality. You can be sure that nothing is cheap – there’s a smart Zanussi oven with four-burner gas hob and concealed extractor over. A Velux-type window is strategically placed to maximise the natural light for cooking.

Speccy bits

Beauty is always more than skin deep with an Arcabo. Floor and ceiling insulation is 100mm, and 90mmm to the walls. Arcabo are just doing what they have always done – ie provide a good level of insulation. It should be noted that a number of other manufacturers have now caught up and, in some cases, surpassed this level, even on some of their holiday homes.

Underfloor heating warms the plush carpet and the colder floors, too. The size of the show model was 12m by 4.9m, that’s about 40ft by 16ft in old money. There are other sizes available too.

White wash

The same chunky style present in the kitchen and living spaces persists through into the shower room, where white prevails, with large corner shower and big basin. Over the basin is a large mirror and appropriate lighting. The heated towel rail is tall – nothing is skimped in an Arcabo holiday home. Both bedrooms are well-proportioned and pleasant, with blue and beige curtains. There is adequate storage space.

The bathroom has a full-sized bath with shower over, another tall heated towel rail and a basin with two drawers and a large mirror over. It is this full bathroom which is en suite to the ‘parent’ bedroom’, as it says on the brochure. The second bathroom is the shower room and available to all. Both bathrooms are fully tiled, an expensive feature.

Who for?

Arcabo don’t make any pretensions to be cheap – in fact, ‘cheap’ would be an unsavoury word! Instead they rely on the quality of the home and the status of their linked parks to sell the lodges and holiday homes they supply. What can seem like a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude is simply leaving the consumer to look and take in what he or she sees, to weigh it up and decide if it is for them.

OUR VERDICT

I like that approach – if the product is good it will be obvious in the viewing. And it is.

So, it will be for those who want quality rather than gimmicks, who are thinking long term in their purchase and want the pounds to go into construction.

Less spectacular than some of Arcabo’s previous show offerings, the Continental DeLuxe nonetheless offers the same build quality and style as those that made a big impact in earlier years.

The DeLuxe is not just a bigger version of the Continental, it is quite different. Style-wise it is more sophisticated, perhaps, and with a sense of unostentatious luxury. I always appreciate the doors and ironmongery, which may be commonplace in Holland where these are made, but make a change from the standard domestic ones here.

These and other features combine to make the Continental DeLuxe a bit different and with definite appeal to those looking for robust quality married to good design.















Technical details
• Type: Single unit leisure lodge
• Standard: BS3632
• Size: 40ft x 16ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Other versions
• Other sizes available on request

Main features
• Stone effect feature to front end elevation
• Patio doors to side
• Two fully opening full-height windows
• Partially open plan lounge/kitchen/diner
• Integrated four-burner gas hob and electric oven
• Integrated fridge/freezer
• En suite bathroom to master bedroom
• Separate shower room

Price
Around £125,000 sited at Ribby Hall

CONTACT

Arcabo Stacaravans BV, Badger Close, Castle Crescent, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7AN. Tel: 01539 725073. Mobile: 07887 897606. Email: [email protected]


This review was published in the December 2008 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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