Inn's stolen Ethel's case (5)
I believe the answer is:
hotel
'inn's' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'stolen ethel's case' is the wordplay.
'stolen' becomes 'hot' (I've seen this before).
'case' suggests removing the centre.
'ethel' with its middle taken out is 'el'.
'hot'+'el'='HOTEL'
(Other definitions for hotel that I've seen before include "posada, perhaps" , "Oh, let it take guests" , "Building for travellers" , "It provides accommodation" , "Somewhere to stay" .)