It’s now seven years since Bailey launched the Alicanto range – 8ft wide models designed to rival the likes of the Coachman Laser.

Since then, like much else within the Bailey stable, it has been upgraded; resulting in the Bailey Alicanto Grande (to emphasise that this is an 8ft wide caravan) Deluxe models. ‘Deluxe’ is a nomenclature that has been added to the Unicorns as well this season, and seems primarily to highlight that these vans now come with a larger solar panel (130W), a SONOS portable speaker, a wireless charging pad, new upholstery and furniture finishes, a slightly redesigned kitchen and more.

We went to Leeds Caravan Centre to take a closer look at the Sintra, a single-axle tourer with an inline island bed, to see what we made of it – should it be on your list if you’re looking for the best 4 berth caravan? Let’s find out.

Pitch and set-up

The Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra comes with Al-Ko’s ATC trailer stability system and its AKS3004 stabiliser and shock absorbers, so even though this particular model is over 7m long, it should be a relatively easy tow.

Don’t forget to add in some good towing equipment, too, to help you take the strain out of your time on the road.

You could always consider some caravan towing courses if you want to improve your confidence on the road. Then, once the van is installed on site you will find a gas BBQ point on the nearside front corner, as well as an external mains socket.

Lounge in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

The front lounge in the Sintra feels partly cut-off by the large L-shape of the kitchen. That does make it feel cosy, and really gives you the impression of the lounge being a separate room. However, a downside of this caravan layout is that the far edge of the table, when it is in position, is quite laborious to reach. If you are large limbed, you really have to squeeze past.

That’s partly because the table is easily large enough for the four people who will be living here. But it’s heavy, too, and is awkward to heave out from under the island bed at the back as, when it’s lifted, the bed doesn’t stay open of its own accord.

The lounge in the Sintra
Central ‘picture’ window is also lit with two LEDs; there are two lockers on either side in the lounge area

You get two spotlights with USBs in them, plus two LEDs in the housing for the huge central window. There’s also a mains socket on the edge of the central chest.

There is a TV bracket with space for the best caravan TV to go amid all the shelves to the right of the door.

Kitchen in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

While the L-shaped kitchen might improve the lounge, it also makes life more sociable for whoever is doing the cooking. Standing up here you almost feel as though you are working at a bar. That means there’s loads of workspace, too, with no need for a fold-out extension taking up valuable lounge space. Everything is also close at hand, with two mains sockets near the large round sink.

The kitchen in the Sintra
A four-burner dual-fuel hob is fitted, and there’s a flatbed microwave, too

An oven with a separate grill sits under the hob, while a microwave is up above the overhead locker.

There is a slimline fridge on the other side, and above the aisle that runs down the middle is a useful Omnivent.

Washroom in the Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

The end washroom entrance has a huge sliding door. In comparison, the entrance to the shower cubicle on its nearside end feels slightly cut-off due to the basin unit. There’s plenty of room once you get inside, but there is only one drainage hole.

The toilet in the washroom
Washroom loo sits under a small window which in the Bailey style is clear

The basin sits in front of a large backlit and lozenge-shaped mirror. There is an Alde heated ladder radiator next to it.

Beds in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

Because this is an 8ft-wide caravan, you can slide the island bed out to its full length and still have loads of room to walk around it. The headboard has a wraparound shape  and comes with two extra cushions for support. There are no wardrobes either side this season – instead you get a wardrobe in the offside rear corner.

The island bed
Thanks to the width there’s plenty of room around the bed

Again because of the width, you do need an infill cushion to make up the double bed in the front, although as the base cushions are quite flat you probably don’t need to turn them over. Those under 5’ 10” could possibly leave the settees as single beds.

The TV bracket in the bedroom
There’s another TV bracket in the bedroom above some shelves and a locker unit

Storage in the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

Once you remove the table, there is a huge amount of clear space under the bed, which will come in handy when packing a caravan. It’s externally accessible, too – which is just as well, given that accessing this area internally involves holding the bed up.

The wardrobe in the corner is a good size, though, although easier to access from the washroom end. The dresser unit includes a shelf that you access by lifting the top, and a small cupboard underneath.

The shelving unit by the door
Useful and stylish shelving unit is next to a tall wardrobe by the door

Up front there is also one overhead locker each side, plus a corner locker, but on our test model the door of the latter rubbed against the ceiling.

In the kitchen two lockers go across the bottom of the base unit, while there are two big drawers next to the oven. Up top there is a double cupboard, half of which is shelved, next to the microwave.

Alternatives to consider

One model you could consider is the Coachman Laser 845 Xtra, which comes well-equipped and provides a good kitchen, storage and front lounge.

You could take a look at the Swift Conqueror 580, which has returned with a great refresh, a good bedroom, and a sophisticated lighting system.

Technical specification of the Bailey Alicanto Grande Deluxe Sintra

  • Price: £38,699
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1564kg
  • Payload: 154kg
  • MTPLM: 1700kg
  • Interior length: 6.07m
  • Shipping length: 7.33m
  • Overall width: 2.45m
  • Contact: baileyofbristol.co.uk

Spec list

  • Al-Ko galvanised chassis
  • ATC
  • AKS3004 stabiliser and shock absorbers
  • Chassis-mounted spare wheel
  • Al-Ko wheel lock
  • 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels
  • 130W solar panel
  • External mains socket and gas BBQ point
  • Alde heating
  • 40-litre onboard water tank
  • SONOS portable speaker
  • 137-litre fridge
  • Flatbed microwave
  • Tracker system
  • Beds: Front double: 2.16 x 1.28m
  • Or two singles: 1.78 x 0.63m
  • Rear double: 1.9 x 1.5m

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