Gothic architecture (or pointed architecture) was a popular architectural style in Europe from the late 12th century through the 16th century, spanning the High and Late Middle Ages, with some examples surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries. Buildings in this style are characterized by their tall, narrow windows and high-peaked or gabled roofs with wide eaves and often containing finials or other decorative elements. In English usage, a Gothic hotel is a large hotel with many rooms that uses a lot of space inside its buildings because of all the arches and corridors. The term is usually used to describe large hotels built in the 19th century, but it can also be applied to larger versions of Georgian houses built in the same period. The first Gothic hotels were built in France around 1350. These were private residences with several small rooms for rent. They were very popular among wealthy merchants who could afford to spend their money on rents instead of food or weapons. By the early 15th century, these original French hotels had been extended by their German counterparts and were being offered as exclusive venues for guests to eat, drink, and make merry away from home. It is at this point that the term "Gothic hotel" becomes applicable to these large public establishments.