Which statement best contrasts inns with hotels?

• A. Early inns offered basic shelter and stables for travellers on trade routes, while modern hotels added private rooms, consistent service, and amenities like running water and food.
• B. Inns provided luxurious accommodations with private baths, while hotels offered only simple shelter.
• C. Hotels existed before inns, providing the first forms of travel lodging.
• D. Inns and hotels offered identical services and amenities across all eras.

Answer: (A)

Think of lodging as evolving from practical stops to standardized hospitality. Inns served travelers on trade routes with basic shelter and a stable for horses, focusing on a place to rest after a day of travel. Modern hotels expand on that foundation by offering private rooms for individuals or groups, consistent, codified service, and built-in amenities like running water and available meals. This contrast highlights the shift from simple, utilitarian lodging to a regulated industry that guarantees comfort and convenience. The other statements aren’t accurate because they reverse the historical order, claim inns were luxurious, or suggest inns and hotels offer identical services across eras.