In the north and south are hotels for lodging (4)
I believe the answer is:
inns
'hotels for lodging' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'in the north and south' is the wordplay.
'the north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'south' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'in'+'n'+'s'='INNS'
'are' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "Drinking places (frequented by barristers?)" , "Country taverns" , "Bars" , "Roadhouses or courthouses" , "Places of rest and sustenance for travellers" .)