Our Caravan: The Bijou Barcelona

Val Chapman, Caravan Magazine's test editor, continues her long-term-test update on the latest Bailey Unicorn Barcelona.

As we spend more quality time in our long-term-test Bailey Unicorn Barcelona, some specific attributes increasingly stand out.

They remind us of the reasons why this caravan gained its high marks to win Caravan magazine's title Best Luxury Fixed-bed Caravan for Couples.

Transverse Beds

The Bailey Unicorn Barcelona is now the only twin-axle caravan with a double bed aligned parallel to the side of the caravan, now out there on its own; the trend for transverse beds has chipped away at side-bed choice, leaving the Barcelona alone.

Nothing wrong with transverse beds, you understand, just that there is a lot to like about beds on one side. Especially the length of the bed, at just over two metres.

The Barcelona's unique-design dressing table, stretching along the whole length of the bed on the offside, is a joy – cabinets, shelves, a mirror, two points – it's all here… Preening luxury which I appreciate more and more while the Barcelona becomes home-from-home.

High-end Style

For 2018, Bailey introduced shower cubicle lining that mimics stone. It's attractive high-end domestic in styling – and in use we now realise there's something else to like about it; shampoos and shower gels don't adhere to the matt surface, so keeping it clean is 100% easier than white shiny wall-boarding.

We love the domestic-style metal basket for shampoo containers, too (it hooks onto the lower segment of the riser bar); so much so that I've brought an identical one for our shower at home.

Home from Home

The more time we spend in the Barcelona the more it feels like home-from-home; minor things as well as major attributes come in for praise as we 'live' (and work) the Barcelona lifestyle.

We love the sink-into comfort that the settee backrests provide; instead of being one long section of upholstery these backrests are three sections; another feature that's domestic in styling.

This new model is a fine example of caravanning coming ever closer to hotel-apartment-house styling and comfort; the fashion word is of course bijou and the Barcelona amply falls into that category.

It's a frosty, spectacular pink February dawn as I write these words; the Barcelona is my work-related accommodation this week and, before I head out to start the day, the noticeably earlier dawn prompt thoughts of rising spring and summer holidays and the plans we have for the Barcelona in this year's summer sun.

Time in the Barcelona

With all that to look forward to, right now, it's the efficiency of Alde heating that dominates thoughts as my coffee machine whirs into action and I flick through the diary for the coming few days.

Scotland (sadly work commitments there don't allow the Barcelona to come along too). Then the NEC show (again the Barcelona isn't making that trip with me either). After that? Some bijou Barcelona time to look forward to…

Read the first part of the Val's views on living in a Bailey Unicron Barcelona here