Caravan holidays are awful unless it's your own caravan

[landhill]

Not long home from a weekend stay in a caravan owned by an individual but let out as a holiday rental, this is not the first time we've booked one but it will be the last. It was dirty, smelly and gave me the ick just knowing others had stayed in it. Does anyone else struggle staying in places that are well used? I took my own bedding and towels but it still felt yuck.

I didn't feel clean after showering and was sure to have sliders on and not walk on the carpets but honestly it was not enjoyable. The reviews and photos were all positive yet it was old and not that well cleaned. Have we just had bad luck?

We've stayed in cottages too and I've found them just as bad. I do not like staying away from home so maybe it's me that's the issue but I miss my clean home, I miss having all my stuff and just need sleep as well or feel that relaxed when staying elsewhere.

I'm trying to give my children experiences and make memories and they really enjoy it but I just spend the whole time wanting to be back home. Am I a rubbish traveler? Am I doing it wrong?

*by, not but

I can just about cope with a Haven break if we stay in one of the newest, top range caravans. They’re usually very clean and I feel if they’re not you can match straight to reception and ask to move. In the past we’ve rented caravans from private owners and yes it’s cheaper but they’ve always been absolutely grim.

@outdamnedspots might be bad luck. We were in a Haven caravan around Easter(pissing down-Wales)and despite light flooring and cream carpets everywhere there wasn't a speck of dust or dirt when we went in. Everything was clean and immaculate.

Is it a static one? Don't drive and might be nice to have a base..ta

Where pls?

Have you tried camping? You can set it up comfortably after a bit of an investment for equipment. It will always be clean stuff as only you would be using it.

We’ve always loved caravan holidays but now are lucky enough to have our own motorhome. I must admit I really like having all my own stuff, like pillows duvets etc.

We bought our own touring caravan for this reason, everything is ours, there are only two of us though, they can be a bit cramped with a family, it used to be a bit when DS came when he was a teen. We do use the site showers and washing up area but you could do it all in the caravan if you wanted.

We were so tired after travelling for 4 hours with 4 kids one being a baby that we just didn't have the energy to uproot everyone to another van ( if one was even available ) the smell of the bedding only became apparent after we got in bed, the smell of the van we only noticed after we had been out the following day and come home it smelt of cleaning products when we arrived. I found extra bedding and a spare duvet n pillows in the wardrobe that did not smell so changed the bed n flipped the mattress it's disgusting!!

How much was the caravan?

We are just back from a 6 person fully equipped and clean lodge UK resort on the lake and it cost us £250 for 3 nights for all of us (self-catering).

I appreciate this is out of school holidays though.

I’ve found with haven if you ring reception they will send out all “new”. We had a stain on one duvet cover and they came and redid all the beds in the whole van for us as well as bringing out the carpet cleaner to do all the upholstery as we where popping out for a few hours to get everything pristine for us. But it was basically 1k for a Fri-Mon and not school holiday so not cheap by any means 😅

@landhill im the same as you, and we have our own caravan!

We go away regularly to our caravan and hotels, glamping, camping etc- and I’m always ready for home after 2 days max.

Iv found it’s actually much easier for me of we do a little tour- so stay a few days in one place then move on. The change helps me reset my tolerance for being away.

It was £300 for three nights so I would have expected it to be clean and fresh. There was a smell near the fridge that only became apparent when the heating was on. I did take cleaning products but to be honest I wanted to relax and not be cleaning.

A previous caravan we stayed in smelt of wee when the heating went on.

A cottage we stayed in had pubic hair and wee stains round the loo.

We've stayed away three or four times per year and never found somewhere clean, despite the accommodation or cost!

I think the next time we go away we may look at hiring a camper van, that way I can deep clear before we tour.

I find it difficult to relax and enjoy myself when I feel grim from being in a dirty environment. I know I'm extreme but that's how I feel.

I've never stayed at a haven site before and it's a budget van so I wasn't expecting the ritz but I'm shocked at how bad it is. I don't know what kind of animals stayed here before but I think haven think if you book a cheap break you have no standards.

I’d definitely call the cleaner back for stains and stray pubes.

I think to an extent you have been unlucky. I do agree with you about cleanliness. It may be you have to think about hotels in future, which may cost a bit more.

If you avoid cottages or other short-term lets, you are considering local people who may be struggling to afford somewhere to live.

This is one of the reasons we bought a motorhome. It’s so lovely to have a home away from home, knowing everything is clean, or at least it’s only our own dirt!

We’ve been on multiple haven holidays and the caravans have always been clean and well looked after. Sounds like we’ve been lucky!

I’m like this too. No matter how clean it is I never really settle or feel comfortable until I’m home.
I spend ages choosing somewhere, pay above the odds and google all reviews. Still doesn’t guarantee perfection but it does help.
I also take my own pillow, or buy one there. and take antibacterial wipes.give everything a wipe over including handles, light switches and tv remotes, bathroom etc. it doesn’t take long and makes me feel better. I’ve always been like this so just go with it now.

I much prefer staying in hotels and caravans that others have cleaned rather than our own motorhome. I hate cleaning and have fairly low standards, DH wanted the motorhome so he can have the joy of cleaning as I don't have any more cleaning in me. As a result it's not amazing.

Sounds like a combination of you having some pre existing concerns about hygiene and being unlucky. A lot of it is about how how you feel anyway so I think you'll always struggle to be comfortable. Personally I enjoy the odd short break in a caravan, but I'm realistic about hygiene and don't think I'm at risk from less than perfect conditions. Otherwise I'd be anxious everytime I used public transport, went into my office, ate out at a resturant, used a public toilet, touched a hand rail, tried on clothes in a shop etc. Visible dirt is obviously off putting, but I think you can let your imagination run away with you a bit if youre bothered by the thought of other people having used the space.

We've had some great caravan holidays. Tried private rental as well as Haven parks and all have been immaculate and well-equipped. Great for kids as there tends to be loads of other kids around.

(I wouldn't be able to park my own caravan! Would rather turn up and everything is there for you)

It's hotel rooms that give me the most ick - especially the ones with loads of cushions and throws on the bed.

Depends on your idea of cheap ,we had a week away a couple of weeks ago ,it was about £1000,so not that cheap
The caravan was fine imo ,and the weather was glorious .

I've found caravans on small, independent sites to be clean and well-equipped. I don't mind at all if a caravan is old and has wear and tear - in fact, I can relax more than in one that's new and immaculate. They are very quick to clean when you leave because they're so small and contained, so I make sure the owners won't be picking my stray hairs out of the shower.

The cheaper the holiday the higher the risk and it’s the lower end of the market isn’t it.

It doesn’t mean a cheaper caravan or hotel will be grubby but more of a chance.

Out of season holiday cottages were 1k for a week a couple of weeks ago as we were looking. Holidays overall especially in the UK seem far more expensive than before covid.