Is inn a place or a thing?
An inn, as a word, is a proper noun (which is a word that
represents a person, place or thing). You can walk into an inn ...
sit down at a table there ... eat a meal. Therefore, it must be a
place. You can paint an inn ... strip off the roof ... put on new
siding. Therefore, it must be a thing. The only thing or place it
can't be is a person.