Hotel vs. Inn — What's the Difference?

A commercial establishment providing lodging, meals, and other guest services.

Some inns may offer thematic rooms or unique decor.

In broader terms, any building that offers lodging might be referred to as a hotel.

Historically, inns served as a place for travelers to rest and for horses to be stabled.

Historically, some hospitals were called hotels in the names of their institutions.

Many inns include a restaurant that may also serve the general public.

Luxury hotels can include additional amenities such as spas, high-end restaurants, and private concierge services.

A small hotel, usually in a rural or historic setting, offering lodging, food, and often a pub or drinks.

Hotels often cater to specific needs such as conferences and may offer all-inclusive packages.

Inns often emphasize historical charm and personalized service.

A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a refrigerator and other kitchen facilities, upholstered chairs, a flat screen television, and en-suite bathrooms.

Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommodation for horses.

An establishment that provides lodging and usually meals and other services for travelers and other paying guests.

A public lodging house serving food and drink to travelers; a hotel.

A large town house or mansion; a grand private residence, especially in France.

A tavern or restaurant.

An establishment that provides accommodation and other services for paying guests; normally larger than a guesthouse, and often one of a chain.

Chiefly British Formerly, a residence hall for students, especially law students, in London.

(South Asia) A restaurant; any dining establishment.

Any establishment where travellers can procure lodging, food, and drink.

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A tavern.

The larger red property in the game of Monopoly, in contradistinction to houses. Category:en:Monopoly

One of the colleges (societies or buildings) in London, for students of the law barristers.

The guest accommodation and dining section of a cruise ship.

The town residence of a nobleman or distinguished person.

(Australia) A pub

(obsolete) A place of shelter; hence, dwelling; habitation; residence; abode.

A house for entertaining strangers or travelers; an inn or public house, of the better class.

To house; to lodge.

In France, the mansion or town residence of a person of rank or wealth.

To take lodging; to lodge.

A building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services

A place of shelter; hence, dwelling; habitation; residence; abode.

A house for the lodging and entertainment of travelers or wayfarers; a tavern; a public house; a hotel.

The town residence of a nobleman or distinguished person; as, Leicester Inn.

One of the colleges (societies or buildings) in London, for students of the law barristers; as, the Inns of Court; the Inns of Chancery; Serjeants' Inns.

To take lodging; to lodge.

To house; to lodge.

A hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

Hotels are larger and offer more services, while inns provide a more personalized and often historic lodging experience.

Generally, inns are more focused on leisure travel and may not have the facilities for business meetings that hotels offer.

Yes, but hotels often have multiple dining options and room service, whereas inns typically have a single dining area that offers meals.

Hotels are more commonly part of larger chains, whereas inns are usually independently owned.

Inns promote a cozy, homelike atmosphere that often includes common areas for guests to socialize.

Hotels can range from budget to luxury, while inns typically offer mid-range pricing with fewer upscale amenities.

Inns often provide more personalized customer service due to their smaller size and fewer guests.

Staying in an inn can offer a more local and intimate experience, particularly in historic or rural settings.

While less common than in rural areas, some inns can be found in cities, especially in historic districts.

Hotels typically offer a variety of dining options and styles, from casual to fine dining, whereas inns often focus on local cuisine with a more personal touch.

Hotels typically offer more extensive amenities, such as fitness centers and pools, compared to the more limited and quaint facilities at inns.

Many inns are pet-friendly, catering to guests who prefer to travel with their pets, although it’s always best to check policies in advance.

Consider what type of experience you want, the amenities you need, and the kind of atmosphere you prefer.

Hotels generally have more formal security measures due to their size and the volume of guests they handle.

For longer stays, hotels might offer more amenities and services that can be convenient, but inns can provide a homier feel.