Legal Definitions - infra hospitium

Infra hospitium is a legal principle that defines the responsibility of an innkeeper or hotel for the personal property of their guests while those belongings are located within the establishment's premises.

This doctrine generally holds the innkeeper liable for loss or damage to a guest's possessions because the property is considered to be "within the hospitality" or care of the inn. The extent of this liability can vary based on jurisdiction and specific circumstances, often with statutory limitations or exceptions.

• Example 1: Stolen Valuables from a Hotel Room

  A guest checks into a hotel and places their laptop and a valuable watch in their room. While they are out for dinner, an unauthorized person gains access to the room, and the watch is stolen. The guest reports the theft to the hotel management.

  This situation illustrates infra hospitium because the watch was within the hotel's premises (the guest's room) and under the general security and care expected from the innkeeper. The hotel could be held responsible for the loss of the watch, as it was stolen while "within the hospitality" of the establishment.

• Example 2: Damaged Luggage in Hotel Storage

  After checking out, a family leaves their luggage, including a suitcase containing expensive camera equipment, with the hotel's concierge desk for temporary storage while they explore the city before their flight. Due to an accident involving a hotel staff member, the suitcase is dropped and the camera equipment inside is severely damaged.

  Here, the principle of infra hospitium would apply. Even though the guests had checked out, their property was still entrusted to the hotel's care and remained on its premises (the storage area). The hotel would likely be liable for the damage to the camera equipment because it occurred while the luggage was under their custody.

• Example 3: Personal Items Ruined by Facility Malfunction

  A guest hangs a designer suit in the closet of their hotel room. Overnight, a pipe bursts in the ceiling directly above their room, causing water to leak and completely ruin the suit. The guest discovers the damage the next morning.

  This scenario falls under infra hospitium because the suit was located within the hotel's premises and was damaged due to a malfunction of the hotel's facilities. The hotel would typically be held accountable for the damage to the guest's property, as it was "within the inn" when the incident occurred.