I Camped in a Mercedes Marco Polo in Wales and Never Missed an Airbnb
A Unique Camping Experience
Camping with a three-year-old, a dog, and the unpredictable Welsh weather can be a real test of patience and relationships. However, when I decided to take the Mercedes Marco Polo for a long weekend in Wales, I was surprised to find that this experience was nothing short of enjoyable.
Smart Packing and Spacious Design
We packed the Marco Polo like a game of real-world Tetris, carefully fitting in clothes, toys, a dog bed, food, and even a Gozney Tread pizza oven. The vehicle handled it all without any issues, thanks to its smart cabin space, which includes cupboards and wardrobes designed with practicality in mind.
Mercedes has clearly thought through what this kind of vehicle needs to offer. It doesn’t feel like a van you’re camping in. Instead, it feels like a luxury car that can transform into a compact hotel room.
Smooth Driving Experience
The drive into Wales was the first surprise. Big campers often feel like you're piloting a fridge, but the Marco Polo is different. It’s relaxed, quiet, and confidence-inspiring, even on narrow, hedge-lined roads where you might expect an oncoming tractor. The driving experience is more like that of a refined MPV rather than a converted workhorse.
Quick Transformation
Once parked, the transformation from a vehicle to a home was quick and painless. The roof was up, seats were swivelled, the table was out, and the air suspension was levelled. Suddenly, we had a home in the woods. My three-year-old immediately claimed the pop-up roof bed like it was a treehouse, and the dog approved too, making life easier.
Perfect Weather Conditions
September turned out to be the perfect time for our trip. We enjoyed warm days and cooler evenings. When the temperature dropped at night, the Marco Polo stayed warm and comfortable without feeling stuffy.
Comfort and Luxury
Comfort is where the Marco Polo quietly outperforms most campers. The beds are genuinely good, not just “fine for a night.” Everyone slept properly, which, with a toddler involved, felt like a minor miracle. Ambient lighting helped create a boutique hideaway atmosphere, especially once the clouds rolled in and the pizza oven came out.
The Marco Polo also feels properly luxurious. Soft materials, a modern widescreen infotainment screen that controls all camping features, and solid build quality where nothing creaks and everything feels well-designed. Even making pizza in a damp woodland felt oddly civilized.
Stress-Free Experience
What really struck me was how normal it all felt. There was no stress, no compromise, and no sense of “making do.” We ate well, slept well, and woke up to misty hills outside the sliding door instead of checkout times and cleaning rules.
Ideal Size and Value
In terms of size, the Marco Polo sits in a sweet spot. It's compact enough to drive every day, low enough for standard car parks, but clever enough to turn a random patch of Wales into a genuinely great weekend away. While it's not cheap, with prices starting at £89,330, it earns its keep by replacing hotels, holiday cottages, and Airbnbs.
Final Thoughts
By the time we packed up to leave, I realized something important. This didn’t feel like a novelty trip. And that’s why I never once wanted to swap it for an Airbnb.
