Etchingham Caravan

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Okay, so the Etchingham Caravan isn’t what you’d expect when you first roll up to Belsize Avenue in Jaywick Sands – and honestly, that’s exactly the point. I mean, this place throws the whole traditional hotel playbook out the window, and after staying here, I get why it’s building such a cult following among travelers who are tired of cookie-cutter accommodations.

The thing about Jaywick is that it’s got this raw, seaside character that most of Essex’s coast has lost to development, and the Etchingham fits right into that vibe without trying too hard. You’re literally a stone’s throw from the beach here – like, you can hear the waves from your room on quiet nights, which is something you don’t get at those big chain places in Clacton. The caravan setup might sound cramped, but they’ve actually done something clever with the space. It feels more like staying in a really well-designed tiny home than your typical holiday park accommodation. The interior has this unexpectedly cozy thing going on – lots of warm wood, decent lighting that doesn’t make you look like a zombie, and enough storage that you’re not living out of your suitcase on the floor.

What really won me over was how the owners clearly understand their guests aren’t looking for marble lobbies and concierge services. They’ve focused on the stuff that actually matters when you’re trying to unwind by the sea. The shower pressure is solid (seriously underrated in budget-friendly places), there’s proper heating for those chilly North Sea evenings, and the kitchenette is functional enough that you can make a decent breakfast without wrestling with toy-sized appliances. Parking is right there – no circling the block or feeding meters, which is a godsend during summer when the day-trippers descend on the area. The 7.8 rating makes sense to me because while it’s not luxury, it absolutely delivers on what it promises. You know what surprised me most? How quiet it gets at night, especially considering you’re in what’s technically a holiday park setting. I think it’s because the crowd this place attracts tends to be more about actually relaxing than partying until 3 AM.

If you’re the type who needs room service and a spa, this obviously isn’t your scene. But if you want somewhere genuine to crash while exploring this quirky corner of Essex – maybe hitting up the Martello Tower or just walking the endless beach without bumping into crowds every five minutes – the Etchingham Caravan nails it. It’s got personality without being gimmicky, and frankly, that’s refreshing in a world where every boutique place tries so hard to be Instagram-worthy that they forget about actually being comfortable.