At the time, they were called inns, and provided shelter and food to travelers. Many of these inns were private homes that people opened up to strangers passing through. However, the mid-1700s saw the beginnings of the modern hotel in Europe, while inns remained the standard in America.

The concept of the "hotel" as we know it today began to emerge in the late 1700s, though they were primarily called inns or post houses. During this era, travelers stayed at roadside establishments that provided food, a bed (often shared with strangers), and care for their horses. The term "hotel" gained popularity in France around the mid-1700s (hôtel particulier) to describe grand private residences that eventually offered lodging. The Grand Hotel in Covent Garden, London, opened in 1774, is often cited as one of the first "purpose-built" hotels that offered a more sophisticated experience than a standard inn. These early 18th-century lodgings were the backbone of the "Grand Tour" taken by young aristocrats, laying the groundwork for the luxurious, service-oriented industry that would explode in the following century.