Would this accommodation qualify as epic?
“What are you doing?”, my partner asked.
“I’m working on a project with Booking.com and I’m looking for an ‘epic’ accommodation”, I replied without looking up from my laptop screen. A few moments passed and then…
“What’s ‘epic’?”
That simple question stopped me in my tracks. Yes, what is epic? The Oxford Dictionary defines it, amongst others, as something “grand in scale or character“.
But what makes an accommodation epic?
Booking.com has a website called the Booking Truth in which they feature a selection of ‘epic’ accommodations, ones that have received the most outstanding customer reviews. I browsed through the selection and to my surprise found a diverse range of accommodations, from charming B&Bs to self-catering apartments and five-star hotels. Reading what customers found most attractive about these accommodations was an insightful exercise. Mentions were made of superb breakfasts, gorgeous rooms, and my favourite, “the best bathroom you’ll ever have”. Others raved about the exceptional service and excellent locations. It was easy to conclude that these accommodations didn’t necessarily have to be “grand in scale or character” to qualify as epic. I couldn’t help but smile at my little epiphany. At the end of the day, it all boils down to emotions doesn’t it? It’s what our senses pick up and which emotions they trigger. It’s in our nature I suppose.
My luxurious cabin on board the Zambezi Queen
I began to think about the accommodations I’ve stayed at before, the ones which really made a lasting impression on me. They flooded my mind in an instant, like that lodge in the cloud forests of Ecuador, or the castle (pictured above) in Costa Brava, or that funky hotel in Berlin, or that grand hotel with a view in Kuala Lumpur, or that stunning resort in Mauritius, and that luxurious safari cruise on the Zambezi River. I was starting to feel very blessed! These accommodations had the same things in common as the customer reviews: exceptional locations, gorgeous rooms, grand views, fabulous food, superb service and yes… “the best bathroom you’ll ever have”!
Finding my epic accommodation
With these thoughts in mind, I continued with my assignment: to find an accommodation on Booking.com that met my definition of epic – a gargantuan task considering the huge offering of accommodations in the Booking.com stable. I started by choosing one of my favourite countries, found a place there that I’ve always wanted to visit, and selected accommodations with excellent customer ratings. In no time, I had it narrowed down to a handful of accommodations, thanks to their extensive list of filters. I’ve made hotel reservations via Booking.com many times before and I must say, I’m a big fan of their site. Navigation is easy and the filters and maps make it so easy to find what you’re looking for.
So… which epic accommodation did I choose? To find out, go to my post “A Hotel Fit for a King“.
How would you define an epic accommodation? Please let me know in the comments section below.
Note: this post is part of the #BookingEpic campaign, a collaboration between iambassador and Booking.com to initiate discussions on and highlight exceptional accommodations. The views expressed above, including the chosen hotel, are mine and mine only.