Crossword Genius

Hotels lie in opposite directions (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inns

'hotels' is the definition.
(inn is a kind of hotel)

'in opposite directions' is the wordplay.
'opposite directions' becomes 'ns' (opposite compass points).
'in'+'ns'='INNS'

'lie' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "Bars" , "Drink here and learn about the King's law" , "Old-time hostelries" , "Country taverns" , "King's ..., for the legal eagles" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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