Welcome to the history of hospitality & lodging overview...

The early days of American Hospitality

Based on the early settlers' country-of-birth, accommodations for travelers on the American East Coast were in the form of inns, following the English and Dutch examples.

During the colonial days lodging was available in all seaports. There were the bars which allowed sailors to fasten their hammocks on hooks in the backroom and the more costly accommodations offered bunks. Luxurious inns of those days usually had rooms with a number of beds, big enough that more than one person could sleep in it. 

Newly established inns along the way of settlers pushing West were a combination of trading post, tavern or saloon. There lodging according to the traveler's ability to pay went the whole gamut from with the horses in the stable to full service upstairs which often included more than a hot bath and a bed.

In America the owners of inns were enterprising and willing to try every thing to make their business a success. At the same time, back in Europe innkeepers were very conservative. 

By the time of The American Revolution, inns in America were destined to become a prime example of the finest service available to any traveler able to pay the price. 

CD-ROMs by helmut s.

11/26/2004 07:07:47 AM