Add your mobile home rental to this collection

Renting a mobile home on a holiday park: a practical guide for families and friends

A mobile home holiday is one of the easiest ways to get away without spending a fortune. You get your own front door, a kitchen, separate bedrooms and a deck to sit on in the evening, and just a short walk away there is a pool, a playground and often a shop selling fresh bread in the morning. Children make friends within an hour and nobody has to pack up a tent in the rain.

Despite the name, a holiday mobile home hardly ever moves. This guide explains what you are renting, how the park shapes your holiday, and the practical details that turn a good week into a great one.

What exactly is a holiday park mobile home?

The same idea goes by different names around the world. In the United Kingdom it is usually called a static caravan or holiday home. In France, Italy and Spain the English words mobile home are widely used on campsites. In North America you will see park model cabins or park model RVs, often placed in RV resorts. In Australia and New Zealand, holiday parks offer cabins and units that work in much the same way. Some parks call their larger, more solid units chalets or lodges.

Whatever the label, the basic unit is a factory-built, single-storey home on a fixed pitch, connected to water, drainage and electricity, and sometimes gas. It is not a motorhome or a camper van you drive, and it is not a tent. Think of it as a compact holiday cottage in a park full of shared facilities.

Inside: bedrooms, layout and the all-important deck

Most holiday mobile homes follow a similar plan: an open living area with a kitchen and dining table in the middle, and bedrooms at either end. Sizes vary a lot, so read the description carefully.

• Two-bedroom units usually have a main bedroom with a double bed and a second room with two single beds. Ideal for a couple with one or two children.
• Three-bedroom units suit larger families or two couples travelling together. Check whether there is a second toilet, which makes mornings far calmer.
• Sofa beds in the living room are often counted in the total number of sleeping places. They are fine for a child, less so for an adult on a long stay.

The deck or terrace is where you will spend most of your time. A covered deck is worth a lot: it gives shade on hot afternoons and shelter during a shower. Look at whether the outdoor furniture is included, whether there is a barbecue, and whether the deck gets morning sun or evening sun, depending on how you like to spend your day.

The park is half the holiday

When you rent a mobile home, you choose both the unit and the park it stands in, and a modest unit on a lively park often beats a luxury one on a park with nothing to do.

Typical facilities include outdoor and sometimes indoor swimming pools, water slides, playgrounds, sports fields, a kids club, evening entertainment, a small supermarket, a snack bar or restaurant and a laundry room. Some parks sit right on a beach or lake, others are in the countryside close to walking and cycling routes. Always check which facilities are open during your dates, because pools, kids clubs and restaurants often run only in the main season.

Choosing your pitch

Where your mobile home stands within the park matters more than many people expect. A unit next to the pool or entertainment area is handy with small children, but it will be noisier in the evening. A pitch on the edge of the park is quieter and often greener, but can mean a longer walk to the facilities. Ask whether the pitch has shade from trees, how close the neighbours are, and whether cars can be parked right beside the unit.

What is included, and what usually is not

Prices and inclusions differ from park to park and from owner to owner, so never assume. Things to look out for:

• Bedding and towels are often not included, or available for an extra fee. Many guests bring their own sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and towels.
• Gas and electricity may be included, charged by use, or capped. Heaters and air conditioning can use a lot.
• Air conditioning is a real question in hot regions. A mobile home in full summer sun can get very warm, so if you are travelling in the hottest months, ask whether it has air conditioning or at least good shade and fans.
• Heating matters in cooler seasons. Mobile homes cool down quickly at night, so check what heating there is if you travel in spring or autumn.
• Final cleaning is sometimes included and sometimes an extra charge or a task left to you.
• Park access such as wristbands, pool entry or entertainment passes can be charged separately, especially when you rent from a private owner rather than the park itself.

Living up close: thin walls, neighbours and park rules

Mobile homes are light buildings, and parks are sociable places. Walls are thin, windows are usually open, and neighbours are often only a few metres away. Voices carry, so a late-night conversation on the deck is heard by the people next door. Most parks have quiet hours at night, and many have rules about music, speeds for cars, barbecues, visitors and the number of guests per unit. Pets are welcome in some parks and units and strictly forbidden in others, so always ask before bringing a dog.

Where and when to go

Holiday parks with mobile homes are found all over the world. The United Kingdom has a long tradition of static caravan parks along its coasts. France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands have large numbers of campsites and holiday parks with rows of rentable mobile homes. In the United States and Canada, park model cabins are common in RV resorts near lakes, national parks and warm winter destinations. Australia and New Zealand are full of holiday parks with cabins near beaches and towns, and South Africa has holiday resorts along its coasts and near game reserves.

Parks are busiest during school holidays, and those fall at different times depending on where you live. Remember that the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere: the main summer season in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa runs around December and January, while in the Northern Hemisphere it is around July and August. Outside peak holidays, parks are calmer and often cheaper, though some facilities may be closed.

Questions to ask before you book

• How many bedrooms are there, and how are the beds divided?
• Are bedding and towels included, or should we bring our own?
• Are gas and electricity included in the price?
• Is there air conditioning or heating, depending on the season?
• Is the deck covered, and is there a barbecue and outdoor furniture?
• Which park facilities will be open during our stay, and are they included?
• Where is the unit located within the park, and is it near the pool or entertainment?
• Are pets allowed, and are there any extra charges or rules?
• What are the arrival and departure times, and is final cleaning included?

Small tips for a smoother stay

Pack light, because storage space is limited. Bring a few basics such as dishwashing liquid, kitchen towels and a sharp knife, as kitchens are sometimes minimal. Arrive with a plan for the first meal, as the park shop may close early. And on warm days, keep curtains closed during the afternoon to keep the inside cooler.

Find your mobile home here

The mobile homes on this page are grouped by continent, country and region. Every link takes you to the owner's own website, where you can view the unit, check availability and book directly. Do you own or rent out a mobile home on a holiday park? Add your link for free with the button above and let holidaymakers find you.