hotel v. motel

Motels (a portmanteau of ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) provide basic, inexpensive, short-term lodging to travelers. As such, they are usually located along highways with rooms that open directly onto a parking area. Motels are often privately owned buildings not more than a few stories high or clusters of picturesque cabins.

Hotels feature more amenities than motels, such as room service, restaurants, conference rooms, gyms, and pools. Hotels cater to tourists and business conferences as well as overnight guests. Consequently, hotels are more expensive and larger than motels and can be used for long- or short-term visits. Hotels tend to be built within cities, and have rooms that open onto interior hallways.

wiseGEEK on hotel v. motel

Diffen on hotel v. motel