Difference Between Hotels and Motels
Traveling somewhere and searching for accommodations to book can be quite stressful. When you go to online booking sites you see all the hotels and cheap motels to book.
You can find differences in price and other things between a motel and a hotel. Now, Wondering what is the difference between a hotel and a motel?
We are here to tell you just that. Just follow our admonitions on the difference between hotels and motels in different places in the united states and you will easily get an answer with which you should proceed on your next vacation.
What’s The Difference Between Hotels And Motels?
In this difference between hotels and motels, usually hotels are accommodations within the city limits that are open to the customer for a short time. Facilities such as a washstand, bed, cupboard, and table were previously available.
Over time, more luxury items such as restaurants, pools, telephones, and internet are provided to make the guest more comfortable. Recently, hotels have allowed their customers to stay longer.
Motels, on the other hand, offer drivers a place to rest. This word was coined after World War II. Simply put, motel means a hotel where drivers can relax.
These have large parking spaces for vehicles. Here the difference between hotels and motels is, interconnected rooms open up to a shared parking lot or a small room is directly accessible from the parking lot.
The demand for motels has increased after the construction of highways, which has enabled people to make long journeys. There are motels near these highways where drivers can rest.
Comparison Between A Hotel And A Motel
Here below we have declared some major and important topics about the difference between hotels and motels.
Which will help you with some information and details about both places.
Topics | Hotels | Motels |
---|---|---|
Appearance | One-story, multi-story or different; has spaces that open to the interior of the building. | One or two-story building with connected rooms; has open walkways, and outside entrances. |
Amenities | Additional amenities such as 1 or more pools (indoor and/or outdoor), jacuzzi, fitness center, arcade/game room, banquet/meeting facilities, business center, WI-Fi, different room levels (standard, premium, family suites, whirlpool, suites, etc.) below other. | Minimal amenities – usually no pools (outdoor if available), hot tub, business or fitness center, or other amenities listed under hotels. |
Price | Usually more expensive than motels – however, prices vary with star ratings, room types, amenities, location, nicer accommodations/rooms, etc. | Often cheaper than hotels due to a lack of amenities, simple rooms, locations, etc. |
Location | Located anywhere in a city or village. Often near business districts, airports, city centers, attractions, highways, vacation areas, within / near casinos, sports arenas, and other locations. | Usually located on highways but also near the outskirts, in many places where you would find hotels, rural areas, and other places. |
Why You Should Book A Motel?

In considering the difference between hotels and motels, are a number of numbers of situations when a motel makes more sense than a hotel. Here are some of them :
- If you’re looking for the best value for money and aren’t interested in the amenities of your property, motels may be cheaper. They are unlikely to offer services such as room service, laundry, gym, or spa.
- If you’re on the move, motels are a convenient option as they give you a cheap place to turn a blind eye after a long day of driving.
What Are Some Popular Hotel And Motel Brands?
There are several motel chains and as well hotel chains as per accommodations when you are heading for an affordable trip over the place, and the suggestions on the difference between hotels and motels are as follows,
Famous Hotel Chains :
Sl. No. | Hotel Chains | Rating |
---|---|---|
1. | Holiday Inn | 4.5 |
2. | Marriott | 4.6 |
3. | Hampton Inn | 4.4 |
4. | Hilton | 4.5 |
5. | Sheraton | 4.4 |
Famous Motel Chains:
Sl. No. | Motel Chains | Rating |
---|---|---|
1. | Motel 6 | 4.6 |
2. | Super 8 | 4.5 |
3. | Knights Inn | 4.5 |
Difference Type of Construction and Services
The difference between hotels and motels, and regarding to that hotel is a facility that provides lodging, dining, entertainment, and a variety of personal services to the general public.
A motel is a facility that provides lodging and parking, and usually, rooms are accessible via an outdoor parking lot.
1. Interior Design
In the circumstances of the difference between hotels and motels, then Hotels can be as many levels as you can imagine whereas inns and motels are no more than 2 or 3 levels.
Motels and inns have their room exits on the outside and a hotel is more private with rooms that lead inward into a corridor that leads to a lobby and then outside, making it a little safer for guests.
2. Parking and Valet Service
Hotels usually have a seat outside their doors, and some even offer valet parking and concierge services. They have elevators to take you from one floor to the other.
You probably won’t find any of these luxuries in a motel or inn. Basically, these structural things are way ahead if the conditions are different between hotels and motels.
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3. Room Service and Dining Area
Inns and motels are designed for quick and easy overnight stays, and some can even be booked by the hour.
Regarding the difference between hotels and motels, motels offer room service, and motels and inns have a breakfast bar or some sort of dining area. They may only offer certain foods that a hotel is more likely to offer menu service.
4. Amenities
Hotels are usually more exclusive, and motels and inns have offices in many cities. The hotels offer pools, hot tubs, and exercise rooms, as well as other upscale amenities that most inns and motels don’t. Also, hotels offer internet service whereas an inn or motel might not.
The bottom line difference between hotels and motels is that motels and inns usually have more noticeable advertisements such as neon lights. Hotels do not advertise this way.
5. Comfortability
Guest houses and motels are cheaper and on average don’t charge as much per night as a hotel.
If you want to shower and get some sleep, a motel or inn may be your best bet. If you are looking for accommodation with a little more comfort, choose a hotel.
Hotels have a luxurious feel by offering a higher quality environment such as linens, towels and washcloths, and even the furniture used in the rooms. Motels and inns offer a cheaper version of the same thing.
The bottom line difference between hotels and motels is that motels and inns are cheap versions of a hotel but are designed for the purpose of rest.
Extended Stay Hotels
Long-stay hotels and motels (also known as serviced apartments) are a type of accommodation with features that are not available in standard hotels.
As per the difference between hotels and motels, these features are designed to provide more home comfort.
There are currently 27 extended stay chains in North America with at least 7 hotels representing more than 2,000 hotels.



There is a significant difference between hotels and motels that is long-stay hotels in terms of quality and the facilities available.
Some of the economic chains attract customers who use the hotels as semi-permanent accommodations. Long-stay hotels usually have self-service laundry facilities and offer discounts for long-term stays of 5 or 7 days.
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They also have guest rooms (or “suites”) with kitchens. The kitchens usually include at least a sink, refrigerator (usually full size), microwave, and hob.
Some kitchens also have dishwashers and conventional ovens. Long-stay hotels are aimed at business travelers on long-term assignments, families moving house, and others who require temporary accommodation with differences between hotels and motels.
Month Motels And Hotels Under $300, $500
Monthly lodging hotels near me with weekly rates can serve the adventurous traveler in several ways.
If you’re looking to boil for less than $300 a month motels near me will make you feel at home during your travels. Then make sure the excavation is comfortable and practical.
Along with it, there are more options where the price gets a little bit higher but the quality increases as well at $500 Month Motel deals.
Weekly Motels And Hotels Cheap Near Me
Cheap weekly motels near me can serve the adventurous traveler for a weekly fee in several ways.
If you want to simmer for weeks or months in a nearby location, choose a hotel that costs really less per week and you will feel at home while you travel. You need a place to visit for short-term business or to unpack your transfer process.
Whatever the reason, TrueTravelPlanner can help you find extended-stay weekly motel rates near me that will make you comfortable and happy while traveling.
If you are planning a long stay around the place, consider choosing a cheap motel weekly near me. Stock up on your favorite foods and save money by cooking delicious meals yourself in the included kitchenette.
The extra living space provided by most long-term weekly motels near me rates provides a place for you and your family or travel companions to relax and unwind while traveling.
The Residence Inn Chain
The Residence Inn chain was founded by Jack DeBoer in Wichita, Kansas, in 1975 and was acquired by the Marriott Corporation in 1987. As of April 2005, there were over 450 Residence Inn hotels in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, both owned by the InterContinental Hotels Group, are two examples of hotels for business and long-term travelers. Another long-stay hotel brand is the Homewood Suites, part of Hilton Worldwide.
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In 2005 they acquired the Suburban Extended Stay hotel chain with over 150 hotels open and under development. Intown Suites is a low-budget, extended-stay chain founded in 1988 with 139 locations in 21 states.
Since 1999 the US budget hotel chain Motel 6, which belongs to the Blackstone Group (formerly Accor), operates Studio 6, a chain of hotels for long-term stays with weekly prices. The chain offers a kitchen area in their rooms, allows pets, and operates in 18 US states and Canada.
FAQs About the Difference Between Hotels and Motels
Why is it called a motel ?
The word motel, entered into dictionaries after World War II and was coined as the Portmanteau abbreviation for “Motor Hotel”, comes from the Mon-Tel milestone of San Luis Obispo, California (now the Motel Inn of San Luis Obispo), the was built in 1925.
The term originally referred to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of interconnected rooms, the doors of which face a parking lot and, under certain circumstances, a communal area or a series of small cabins with shared parking spaces. Motels are often privately owned, although there are motel chains.
In the difference between hotels and motels what's better, a hotel or a motel?
As per the difference between hotels and motels, motels are usually cheaper than hotels, so if you want a place t crash for the night then motels are a great option.
If you wanna stay for a while and have a luxury stay then go with hotels cause you have more options on the difference between hotels and motels.
Are Inns and hotels same?
Unlike hotels, inns are smaller and more intimate and do not offer luxurious service. They are intended for short-term living with limited food and drink.
Mostly built in rural areas, the inns are stand-alone buildings with limited rooms and unique in-house restaurants.
Can you live in a motel?
Yes, extended stays at motels are a thing so technically you can. Can you stay in a motel?
“The answer is YES, you definitely can – because you basically have everything you need in your fully furnished room: bed, pillows, and sheets – to sleep on.
Can I live in a hotel for free ?
Contact hostels or private hotels and negotiate a free rental if you work for them part or full-time.
Some larger chains disagree with this arrangement, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Difference Between Hotels And Motels