‘I’ll never not love a luxury hotel, but there’s joy to be found in this down-to-earth alternative’: one writer’s honest review of her first Eurocamp experience

Our family settled into a lovely rhythm within our leafy cocoon, starting each day with the ritual (which the kids surprisingly loved) of picking out provisions from the on-site supermarket and bakery. We’d cut up fresh fruit and share pain au chocolat and croissants for breakfast on our shady terrace, before hitting the pools and slides. We’d treat ourselves to lunch or dinner at the bistro-style restaurant or spark up the barbecue at our home-from-home, before checking out the evening’s entertainment at the lively hub.

Although the mobile home is compact and basic, it had all we needed for our crew to be comfortable, and it felt luxurious compared to camping, but with many of the benefits of the great outdoors. There’s a kitchen and bathroom, a living space between tiny bedrooms, and a veranda with a barbecue and dining area. Situated within a cul-de-sac, it felt comforting living amongst other families with the opportunity to make friends, yet still having enough privacy to spend time by ourselves.

Eurocamp was created in the early 1970s with the simple premise of offering families outdoor holidays full of convenience and freedom. Fast forward more than 50 years, and this idea is still bearing fruit. The veteran organisation reported a huge rise in bookings last yea,r with 2024 being its best year in five decades.

But why the revival of this retro style of holidaying? Why are so many parents shunning the luxury of bells-and-whistles hotels for basic accommodation? According to Globetrender, it is our longing for nostalgia. They recently coined the term “New Heydays” to suggest a trend in travellers booking old-style holidays in an effort to return to a simpler time…the “good old days”.

I think the magnetic pull for our family (we’ve just returned from our fifth Eurocamp within the last six years) is this simplicity. Strolling around the sprawling park lined with wooden lodges between soaring trees and clusters of pink oleander, you feel safe yet free. You can splurge on dinner at a restaurant or count the pennies with a takeaway from the pizza shack. You can live it up at the bar, sipping cocktails, listening to live music, or retreat to your terrace with a bottle of local wine and a pack of cards. The kids can join in with party games at the club or make their own fun at the play park. And all the while, breathing in the fresh air.

This lack of pretension allows you to quietly absorb the culture of the destination. We’ve now been to Eurocamps in three different countries – France, Italy and Spain – and I feel like each place has a different vibe, so each holiday feels new. From scoffing waifs of lacy, silky crepes in France to discovering the sweetness of golden-hour with an Aperol Spritz in Italy, and in Spain, it was all about sharing tapas and paella amid the palm trees.

Other special memories come from venturing out and exploring the local area – Eurocamps are typically situated near exciting cities, towns, theme parks and beaches. In France, we were a stroll away from Labenne beach, and in Italy, we explored some of the picturesque towns around Lake Garda and tested our nerves at Gardaland. Our Spanish Eurocamp was sandwiched between Salou and Barcelona, and a 40-minute drive from the thrills of PortAventura. We hired a car, but there are great transport links from the site for you to hop on a bus, and there are often towns or beaches within easy reach on foot.