Any writer worth his weight in hardbacks knows that one of the most essential aspects of a story is setting; it sets the scene, provides conflict, controls character interaction and creates a mood. It only makes sense, then, that authors return again and again to hotels, in particular, to fill the backdrop of their stories. Why? Well, hotels are familiar to everyone and conveniently allow for all different types of characters to enter the adventure. They open up a world of dramatic possibility, and, since they are homes away from home, hotels can create both a feeling of comfort and uncertainty -- or outright insanity, depending on the author. (Stephen King's "The Shining" is quite possibly one of the most well-known stories based in a hotel.) Here's a list of real-life hotels that are so inspiring, writers had to pen them forever on the page.