Hostelries (4)
I believe the answer is:
inns
'hostelries' is the definition.
('inn' can be a synonym of 'hostelry')
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "More than one pub" , "Country taverns" , "Old-time hostelries" , "Roadhouses or courthouses" , "Public houses" .)