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A. Hold on a moment, we don’t just list properties – we select them painstakingly, we visit them in person, and we write a detailed review – including Highs and Lows. For the full lowdown, read this page first and then apply here.
A: Quite simply, no. We don’t sting you with any booking fees, credit card surcharges or membership costs. You pay exactly what the hotel quotes. (In a few cases, the property itself levies a small credit card charge due to higher banking costs, but this applies whether you book through us or directly, and you will be notified in advance).
A: We are PCI (Payment Card Industry) complaint, which means that we don’t store your full card details, we use the safest encryption when sending any sensitive data, and we have a rigorous code (including log tracking, file integrity monitoring and penetration testing) to protect ourselves from cyber-attack. If you have any concerns about our credentials, you are welcome to email or call us directly – or even to visit us in Bristol.
A: In most cases, you commit a small deposit when you confirm your booking, and pay the balance either on arrival or shortly before. In some cases, your credit card details are taken but not actually charged until you stay (or, of course, if you cancel after their cancellation fees kick in). You’ll see which applies when you enquire – look under Payment and Cancellation Policies. You will need a credit card for all bookings.
A: Indeed you can – just specify the number and the ages of your children when booking. Each room or lodging shows the maximum occupancy and the exact bed types available, and the price updates automatically as you select. We have taken great care to get those details right, because we know they’re important (most of us travel with kids too). If the numbers don’t go as far as your group size, that’s because you’ve exceeded the maximum occupancy; don’t ignore that, because one of you may end up in the corridor.
A: From any hotel page or listings page, click Book Now (or Check Availability), then select your dates, preferred room type and occupancy. In most cases you will have to wait a few hours for the hotel to confirm the price and availability; in others, these will show immediately – in which case you can (assuming you’re ready) book instantly.
A: Yes – in most cases you can hold it for 2-5 days, and Essence is one of the few sites to allow this. If you’re juggling several places in one itinerary, or if you’re trying to get a group of travellers together, this can be especially useful.
A: Simple: all participating hotels make a promise to us – which we pass on to you – that you will not get a better price on a like-for-like basis, either through their site or any other publicly accessible site. If by any chance you think you have found a better deal, please email us with details of your i-escape quote and the competing offer and, assuming it meets those criteria, we’ll match it. (Make sure you’ve accounted for taxes, breakfast etc). But we’d be very surprised if you do: we have a team of mystery shoppers combing the internet all the time, so that you don’t have to.
A: Yes – our partner hotels regularly send us exclusive offers which are advertised in our monthly newsletter and on each hotel’s pages. Our system will automatically apply the best deal – or, if they involve different “rate types” (such as Flexible and Non-Refundable), we’ll give you the choice so you can pick what’s best for you. Occasionally, we also run special promotions – such as a free bath- and body hamper worth over £100 – which require a code when booking. To get these codes, be sure to sign up for our newsletter and follow our facebook or twitter feeds.
A: We only feature our very favourite boutique hotels, guesthouses, villa rentals and city apartments. We cover all budgets (from under £50 to over £500/night) and all locations (beach and mountain, city and country, private islands, safari lodges and more). But all have 4 things in common.
1) Small: normally under 20 rooms, occasionally (in larger cities) up to 50 or so
2) Stylish: be it rustic-chic, designer panache or simple good looks, but always very special and impeccably looked after
3) Independent: often owner-run, sometimes with a (hands-on) management team, always friendly and welcoming, never part of a large chain
4) We love it: we’ve stayed there, and we’d go again like a shot. That’s our promise. If it doesn’t make the grade, it’s not on our site