Atlas Jasmine – A serious contender

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ATLAS is flying the flag again after going into administration. There is a new logo, but what else is new? On offer is a small selection of holiday homes, ranging from the 28ft by 10ft Orion at £14,362 and the upmarket Jasmine Lodge at £55,425 ex works (£55,579 for the open plan version).

I took a look at this top of the range holiday home and wondered what makes a lodge a lodge? It’s an interesting question, and in the case of the Jasmine I guess it is the PVCu woodgrain effect exterior cladding, combined with the French doors at the front, offset to one side of the home.

The Jasmine is a large single unit, 42ft by 13ft. From the outside it is distinctive in its side profile, where there is a peaked door and window section with single door and beside it a double panelled window. The options available at extra cost are an environmental green cladding or alternatively timber cladding. The one I viewed had the standard sand-coloured PVCu cladding.

Open or closed?

This version was open plan. I reckon people are divided 50/50 as to whether they like that, or part or complete screening. Some can’t bear the cook to be separated from the rest of the party. Others hate to see the kitchen debris when they are relaxing!

You can buy this unit whichever side you are on! In the open plan version there is, of course, a sense of space. Atlas is aiming for sophistication, achieved perhaps by the tongue and groove effect ceiling and domestic-style furniture, including a three-piece suite in light beige. Freestanding corner TV unit and coffee table are in light wood-effect, and there is provision for an LCD TV over the fireplace.

The pebble-effect electric fire has a white surround, carpet is beige and side curtains dark brown, on stainless steel poles. At the front, where there is most glass, there are vertical blinds in cream. The dining furniture stands on vinyl rather than carpet – freestanding dining table in light wood effect, and upholstered chairs.

Strong point

The kitchen is a strong point and comes as standard with integrated 600mm wide oven, large capacity American-style fridge freezer in stainless steel with a drinks dispenser and a dishwasher. An option is a washer/dryer. Again Atlas anticipate the need for choice – some prefer the dishwasher and some the washer-dryer as a priority. Here you can have both!
The hob has five rings including a wok burner. Flooring is smart slate-effect vinyl. This kitchen is large and usable and in the open plan version of the Jasmine is quite prominent in the layout. Overhead is a Velux window with integral concertina blind over the preparation area, a useful source of light in addition to the window by the sink.

Sleep and luxuriate

In both the open-plan and separate-roomed versions of the Jasmine, there is a door to the sleeping/washing area. The twin is not particularly large for a wider and longer ‘lodge’, as this is titled, but storage space is good. Neat lights adorn the walls above the bed in this and the double bedroom.

Superior features are reserved for the master bedroom, where there is a very good range for storage, over the bed and elsewhere, with a dressing table unit and upholstered stool provided, too. Extensive cupboarding includes a mirrored double wardrobe and a cupboard with shelves top to bottom.

The top-notch feature is the full bathroom as an exclusive en suite to the master bedroom. This has modern equipment, including stylish tap. The walls are attractively clad in Aquapanel-type practical and lovely cladding. This complements the tongue and groove effect vaulted ceiling, which has found its way right along the holiday home. There is an over-bath shower if you fancy a change, and also a glass folding screen.

On a par style-wise with this sumptuous bathroom is the shower room accessible from the inner hall. It has the same
flooring and wall cladding, and a very spacious shower.

Who for?

Clean freaks! With two good bath/shower rooms, there is no excuse. This is a home-from-home element of this lodge. I would say that this and the kitchen are the main features, where a lot of money has gone into making them up-to-the-minute. The kitchen has almost everything included as standard, so once you have shelled out for the unit itself, there is little to add. If kitchen and bathrooms are your priorities, you will surely like this one. It is also a model very suitable for a couple who have occasional visits from grandchildren. The best of the facilities are reserved for the couple in the master bedroom.

OUR VERDICT

I struggle to see this as a lodge – it looks more like a high-end holiday home. Clad in timber, however, it could fall into the former category.

Atlas are always at pains to point out that they do not build for residential use, and this is no exception, so you shouldn’t be tempted to live in it, even though it is home-like in many respects.

Regarded as an up-market holiday home, with some expensive features such as the bathroom wall cladding, this could be a serious contender for those who will spend a lot of time in their holiday home.

Compare features and style with other similarly-priced models and you will be able to make an intelligent judgement.

Technical details
• Type: single unit caravan holiday home
• Standard: BS EN1647
• Size: 42ft X 13ft
• Bedrooms: 2

Other versions
• 42ft x 13ft 2 bed with enclosed kitchen

Main features
• Patio doors
• Vaulted ceilings throughout
• Integrated five-burner hob, oven and extractor
• Integrated American style fridge/freezer with drinks dispenser
• Integrated dishwasher
• Velux window to kitchen

Selected options
• Timber cladding
• Leather suite
• Washer/dryer
• Sofa bed

Price
Price as seen £55,579 ex works (inc VAT)

CONTACT

Atlas Leisure Homes, Wiltshire Road, Hull HU4 6PD. Tel: 01482 562101. Website: www.atlasleisurehomes.co.uk

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

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