lodges

Lodges are a term with several related meanings. In hospitality, a lodge is a small, often rustic house used for accommodation in rural or wilderness settings. Lodges are common near forests, lakes, and ski areas and may operate as standalone inns or as part of a larger resort or park system. Historically, hunting lodges served as base camps for hunters and explorers, and some remain as vacation properties today. The word derives from Old French loge meaning shelter or booth.

Architecturally, lodges vary but are frequently timber-built with simple forms, pitched roofs, and communal spaces designed to blend with natural surroundings. They emphasize access to outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing, or wildlife viewing, and range from economical cabins to upscale eco-lodges.

In addition to accommodations, lodge also denotes the meeting place of certain fraternal organizations. In Freemasonry and related orders, a lodge is a local assembly with officers, rituals, and governance standards. A grand or supreme lodge may oversee multiple subordinate lodges, and members typically advance through initiations and degrees according to the organization's rules.

Regional usage varies: in North America and parts of Europe, "lodge" commonly refers to a hospitality property or a local chapter of a fraternal order. The term can also describe a small, purpose-built building serving as a public or private retreat.