An inn, or hotel, is a place of entertainment for travelers. If an innkeeper opens his house for travelers, it is an implied engagement to entertain all persons who travel that way, and upon this universal assumption an action will lie against him for damages if he, without good reason, refuses to admit a traveler.

Innkeepers are responsible for the safe custody of the goods of their guests, and can limit their liability only by an express agreement or special contract with their guests; but if goods are lost through negligence of the owner himself the innkeeper's liability ceases. An innkeeper may retain the goods of his guest until the amount of the guest's bill has been paid.

A boarding-house is not an inn, nor is a coffee-house or eating-room. A boarding-house keeper has no lien on the goods of a boarder except by special agreement, nor is he responsible for their safe custody. He is liable, however, for loss caused by the negligence of his servants. An innkeeper is liable for loss without such negligence.