An inn is a small hotel where travelers can pay to sleep and eat, usually found along roads or in towns. For most of human history, before cars and highways existed, travelers moved slowly by foot, horse, or wagon. An inn provided a warm bed, hot food, and a safe place to rest after a long day's journey.

Inns were vital to commerce and communication. A merchant traveling between cities might stop at the same inns regularly, getting to know the innkeeper and other travelers. Many inns had stables for horses and common rooms where guests gathered to share news and stories. Famous inns appear throughout literature: many classic tales feature travelers meeting by chance at cozy inns.

Today, modern hotels have largely replaced traditional inns, though the word inn still appears in the names of hotels trying to evoke a welcoming, old-fashioned atmosphere. Some historic inns still operate in older towns, maintaining their original character. When you see a building called “The Red Lion Inn” or “Wayside Inn,” you're seeing a connection to centuries of travelers who needed the same things you do: a comfortable place to sleep and something good to eat.