1644, "public official residence," from Fr. hôtel, from O.Fr. hostel "a lodging," from M.L. hospitale "inn" (see hostel). Modern sense of "an inn of the better sort" is first recorded 1765. Hotelier is a 1905 borrowing of Fr. hôtelier "hotelkeeper."
One can see from the definition above that an hôtel originally meant a big house, often divided up into smaller units or apartments and was not what Hilton or Marriott have in mind. While apartment complexes have been around forever (ancient Rome had its insulae and other civilizations have had communal-yet-separate living quarters), the first official hotel is in Paris, and is pictured here at the Place des Vosges.
End of etymology lesson for the day. You're welcome.
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