by Holly Tribe
Luxury. It is perhaps one of the more overused adjectives in a caravan journalist’s vocabulary, and each new season brings with it a new round of ‘exceptional interior appointments’ and ‘luxury finishes’.
Yet, an internet search for the ‘world’s most luxurious caravan’ is, rather disappointingly, a motorhome, not a caravan. So, what truly are the world’s most luxurious touring caravans? We’ve taken a look at what’s on offer both at home and abroad, to come up with our top five tourers for the ultimate ‘vanning experience.
AS Caravan Mayfair from £29,995
Entering the caravan market for the first time last year, Auto-Sleepers have come up trumps with a three model line-up in the AS Caravans series. The range falls in step with the company’s long established range of top quality motorhomes; with the Mayfair sitting at the top of the portfolio. It can be used as a luxury two berth, with its fixed bed and palatial living area; alternatively, the front dinette can be converted into two extra bunks for comfortable family touring. A large rear end washroom features a tiled shower room in its own cubicle. The TV is neatly stored away in an electrically operated self-raising module set into the cabinetry. Although the spec list is impressive, a 3/4 sized fridge freezer and Mammut motor mover are both included in the price, it’s the premium finishes and overall feeling of solidity that really make this caravan stand out as a top quality option.
- MTPLM: 1,670kg
- Axle: Single
- Berth: 4
Vanmaster Occasion TBEW £35,950
Vanmaster caravans have long since been regarded as a benchmark in quality caravan design, and no luxury caravan round up would be complete without one of these models on the list. These prestigious handbuilt ‘vans are held in high regard throughout the industry and are widely thought of as unsurpassed in terms of build quality. Standard features include Alde underfloor heating and solid Ash cabinetry, and we’ve selected the Occasion TBEW as our ultimate Vanmaster choice. A transverse fixed double bed/rear end washroom configuration, gives this layout plenty of space for living, sleeping, washing and relaxing.
- MTPLM: 2,200kg
- Axle: Twin
- Berth: 4
Buccaneer Schooner £25,549
Buccaneer Caravans are the Explorer Groups’ flagship range and feature a long list of high specification finishes to rival niche caravan builders Auto-Sleepers and Vanmaster. Celebrating fourty years in the business, the 2011 range featured a number of updates, making the range a serious contender in the luxury touring bracket. A telemetric Alde heating system can be controlled via text message even when you’re off-site, and a tracking system and roof-mounted satellite dish come included in the price. For a truly premium finish, customers can opt for cream leather upholstery livery for an extra £999.
- MTPLM: 2,000kg
- Axle: Twin
- Berth: 4
Tabbert Paganini 655 DF from 37,000 Euros
This futuristic offering from German caravan manufacturers Tabbert, is our pick of the European bunch. It combines elements of automotive design and traditional caravan styling to achieve a unique, high-end finish. The lighting scheme allows you to set individual lights to a brightness of your choosing and high quality wood, leather and stainless steel materials give a truly opulent finish. It may not come with all the bells and whistles of the Buccaneer Schooner, but no expense has been spared in the fittings and furnishings and the difference is palpable. No flimsy overhead lockers or bubbled floor vinyl here.
- MTPLM: 2,200kg
- Axle: Twin
- Berth: 4
Dutchman Voltage 3900 Toy Hauler from $94,995
Our last contender is the Dutchman Voltage 3900 hailing from the other side of the pond. Although these US-build rigs are far too big to be towed of British roads, it’s a great example of what happens when weight, size, price and arguably, taste, are no issue. This triple axle behemoth is so enormous you need a powerful articulated vehicle to tow it. It’s got a whopping 6,017kg unladen weight and is 4.08 metres tall that’s almost twice the height of the AS Mayfair!
There are two slide out sections; the first houses a large wrap-around settee to make way for an island kitchen 
unit in the middle of the cabinl; while the second makes space for a huge fixed double bed. There’s a 40″ high definition flat screen TV, home theatre surround sound, double door fridge/ freezer, a cedar lined walk-in wardrobe, and, wait for it. a 14 foot garage to the rear which can be accessed by a spring assisted ramp door. Which as the manufacturer helpfully points out is the perfect storage area for a couple of quad bikes!
- Unladen weight: 6,017kg
- Axle: Triple
- Berth: 6
