It's seen as a challenge to drop great relative close to accommodation (8)
I believe the answer is:
gauntlet
'accommodation' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gauntlet that I've seen before include "Throw this glove down as a challenge" , "What might represent a challenge" , "that may be punishing for runner" , "Mexican peninsula" , "Stout glove" .)