innkeeper

Meaning

An innkeeper is a person who owns or manages an inn, providing lodging and food for travelers. While a bit traditional or old-fashioned, the term is still widely used today, especially when referring to boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, or historic countryside accommodations. It carries a warm, welcoming, and personal connotation.

Examples

• The innkeeper welcomed us with a warm cup of cider and a map of the local hiking trails.

  The innkeeper welcomed us with a warm cup of cider and a map of the local hiking trails.

• If you need extra pillows, just ask the innkeeper; she is incredibly accommodating.

  If you need extra pillows, just ask the innkeeper; she is incredibly accommodating.

• We had a long chat with the innkeeper about the history of this 18th-century building.

  We had a long chat with the innkeeper about the history of this 18th-century building.

• Many modern travelers prefer the personal touch of a local innkeeper over a sterile hotel chain.

  Many modern travelers prefer the personal touch of a local innkeeper over a sterile hotel chain.

• The innkeeper recommended a fantastic little seafood bistro just down the road.

  The innkeeper recommended a fantastic little seafood bistro just down the road.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We asked the innkeeper of the Hilton for some extra towels.

  ✓ We asked the receptionist of the Hilton for some extra towels.

  'Innkeeper' is only used for small, cozy, historic, or family-run lodgings (inns), not for large, modern, corporate chain hotels.

• ✗ The innkeeper cooked a delicious steak in the restaurant.

  ✓ The chef cooked a delicious steak in the restaurant.

  While an innkeeper manages the property, they are not necessarily the chef or cook, unless it's a very small B&B where they wear multiple hats.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The friendly ___ showed us to our cozy room under the eaves.

  💡 The person who runs a small, traditional lodging.

  Show answer

  innkeeper

• Unlike corporate hotels, a traditional B&B often features an ___ who lives on the property.

  💡 The owner or manager of an inn.

  Show answer

  innkeeper