By Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., AAHOA President & CEO
The Curious, Quirky, and Occasionally Hilarious World of Hotel Law
An ancient Roman legal principle states that “ignorance of the law excuses no one.” Which is unfortunate, because some of the laws and legal traditions surrounding hotels are so unusual that even lawyers have to smile.
If you have ever wondered why running a hotel sometimes feels like earning a law degree, the answer is simple: Because it practically is. Hotels occupy a unique place in American law. They are private businesses that serve the public. Every day, hotel owners navigate contracts, employment laws, ADA requirements, health regulations, fire codes, taxes, cybersecurity, privacy rules, and local ordinances. That is enough to make even the most seasoned attorney reach for another cup of coffee.
Then there are the quirky ones.
For centuries, English common law treated innkeepers differently from almost every other business owner. Unlike most merchants, innkeepers generally had a legal duty to provide lodging to travelers who could pay and behaved appropriately. Hundreds of years ago, the next inn might be 50 miles away. Turning away a weary traveler could leave that person stranded in the wilderness.
Hospitality was not simply good business. It was a public necessity.
Even more entertaining, one of the earliest legal definitions of an inn included something that most modern hotels no longer offer: A stable.
Imagine today’s quality assurance (QA) inspection. “Beautiful lobby. Excellent breakfast. Outstanding guest service. Unfortunately, your horse accommodations need improvement.”
Then there is one of my favorite pieces of legal folklore. For years, people have repeated that it was once illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second floor of a Texas hotel. Whether entirely true or simply one of those stories that has grown over time, it does make you wonder… What happened on the first floor?
Modern hotel law may be less colorful, but it is no less fascinating. Take the familiar “Do Not Disturb” sign. Most guests assume it creates an invisible legal force field around their room.
It does not. Hotels generally reserve the right to enter rooms for emergencies, maintenance, guest welfare, or safety concerns. In other words, “Do Not Disturb” often means, “Please knock first.”
Perhaps the funniest legal reality is one every hotel owner hears from a guest almost every day.
“But every other hotel lets me do it.”
No, they do not. Two hotels across the street from one another may have different owners, different insurance requirements, different brand standards, and different operating policies. What is perfectly acceptable at one property may not be permitted at another.
That is not inconsistency. That is the rule of law.
The truth is that behind every regulation is a simple purpose – protecting guests, protecting employees, protecting owners, and creating places where complete strangers can feel safe and welcome.
Hospitality has always been about people. The laws may change. Technology will certainly change. Guest expectations will continue to change. But one thing has remained constant. Great hospitality never goes out of style.
And thankfully, today’s hotels no longer need a stable.
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