hotels vs motels

[felipamora]

does anyone think there is much of a difference between a hotel and a motel. I always though of motels as dingy places where people bring street girls, though I guess the same could be said for a hotel..anyway what are the main differences?

[kollghu]

I agree that motels don't have a very good reputation but that's how many of them are portrayed in movies. The good thing about most motels is that you often can park right outside your room where most hotels dont even provide a parking.

Interesting enough, many motels do have lobbies and restaurants like a hotel would...even room service and pools which is standard feature. I don't think most hotels can say they boast a pool.

Overall, I think it all depends on the location...Im pretty sure motels or hotels by the roadside in the middle of no where would attract the dodgy clientele you're referring.

[flybeon23]

There are big differences between a hotel and a motel such as a motel is normally located on highways and are designed for mostly for truckers and people who driving on long journeys throughout the night. In a way, a motel is like Holiday Inn. In england, we dont have motels but Holiday Inns and travel lodges which serve the same purpose as motels..cheap and cheerful!:)

[villassun]

hotels and motels serve the same purpose in my opinion. Motels are basically roadside hotels for motorists looking to spend the night, while are meant for travelers looking for a longer stay.

Hotels not only provide accommodation, but also meals, and other services for travelers and tourists such as spa treatments and casinos.

Of course, you could stay in a motel for a longer period than just one night, but it wouldn't be practical since motels don't offer restaurants, bars, swimming pools, or gyms.

[ori6n3]

I agree that motels have a dingy rep, but I guess that depends where it is located. As far as I know, there is technically no difference between a hotel and motel.

However, some people would say that the difference between a hotel and motel is simply that a traveler can enter the room of a motel from the parking lot whereas a guest of a hotel must enter the room from an indoor corridor.

[stevenyoung]

Hotels generally have restaurants and room sevice for food. In motels, room service may or may not be there. Sometimes, Kitchens may be offered to prepare food in motels.

[feron4]

Motels are cheap and cheerful and don't have all the amenities found at a hotel, though for a night of passion or a night on the road, you will find that a motel will give you easy access, reasonable rates, and a less complicated experience than in a hotel.

I love motels for a night’s sleep as I travel through the country’s less traveled roads so stopping at a motel is the way to go for me.

[lovacK]

dont know why people find it hard to distinguish between a hotel and motel, and saying there are the same...they are NOT the same people! I cant stand people referring to hotels as motels. The big difference is that you can rent the rooms in a motel by the hour... that's the reason motels have such a bad reputation because who rents a room by the hour? hint;)hint

Originally Posted by felipamora

does anyone think there is much of a difference between a hotel and a motel. I always though of motels as dingy places where people bring street girls, though I guess the same could be said for a hotel..anyway what are the main differences?

[samantha83]

I have actually never thought much of this question, and well I decided to Google it. I have always assumed that motels or the word motels was a word that was used a long time ago, and has therefore change from motels to hotels. So apparently there is no difference, the term motel was derived from the term motor hotel which meant the hotel provided parked (in the 1950’s). But if you use this term in today’s context you will find it is used for a hotel that has limited service whereby it is a hotel that provides limited facilities and does not provide food services.

[mitraveler]

I agree with Samantha. This reminds me of another time...when motor hotels were found by the highway and had good parking. But today, everything is close to a highway and has parking. I don't think the distinction matters one bit anymore.