What Is The Difference Between a Hotel and a Motel

Posted at August 13, 2009

I always wondered what the difference. Why not do a little research on the internet. A motel is a hotel designed for motorist, usually having direct access to an open parking area. A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis.

Entering dictionaries after World War II, the word motel, a portmanteau of motor and hotel or motorists’ hotel, referred initially to a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms whose doors faced a parking lot and, in some circumstances, a common area; or a series of small cabins with common parking.

Motor Courts were typically one story, while motels are considered to be two or 3 stories.

Hotels usually have rooms that open to the interior of the building, along a hallway, and is multi-storied. Larger hotels may provide a number of additional guest facilities such as a restaurant, a swimming pool or childcare, and have conference and social function services.

You can read more about motels here at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motel and hotel here at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel

Now that I have done my research, when some one asks “What is the difference between a hotel and a motel?” I’ll say “About $150 per night”.