Inn

An inn is a lodging establishment that provides accommodation and often meals to travelers. Historically found along trade routes, inns have also served residents and locals as social centers. The term is used in many English-speaking countries, though similar establishments go by different names.

In medieval Europe, inns arose to serve passengers and horses, offering rooms, a common hall, and stabling for horses or carriages. Coaching inns along major routes provided rest stops for stagecoaches and mail coaches, with meals and drink common. Inns also functioned as places for news exchange and commerce.

Today, inns vary in size and scope. Some are small rural establishments offering a limited number of rooms and meals, while others operate as full-service hotels under a single brand. In many regions, inns are family-run or part of a chain, and may provide bed-and-breakfast options. Regulations on licensing, safety, and taxation apply differently by jurisdiction.

Culturally, inns appear in literature and folklore and are often depicted as gathering places for travelers, merchants, and locals. In contemporary usage, the term can refer to historic properties preserved for tourism or to modern lodging facilities that maintain traditional branding and atmosphere.