Here we’ll go over the differences between a hotel versus a motel and explore the history that gave us these two travel-lodging terms. However, many motels offer free "continental" breakfasts — that is, a light morning meal of cereal, breakfast breads, fruits, juices, coffees, and teas. • Hotel-stay is a bit expensive whereas motels allow easy access and are less expensive. Another main difference between a hotel and a motel is that a hotel is situated normally well within the town or the city. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Well we'd love it if you left us a review. In motels, room service may or may not be available. This was a term used to indicate when a hotel provided ample parking, a feature that is particularly useful to Americans and Canadians who frequently travel long distances on major highway and interstate systems. The staff in a motel is limited to a receptionist and a few housekeepers who take care of maintenance. Motels are very simple in the way they are built and offer basic amenities. Motels almost by definition included a parking lot, while older hotels were not built with automobile parking in mind. Due to its “emergency-meeting” vibe, motels are usually found along highways, town outskirts, and rural areas in general. This word made its way into the dictionaries after the Second World War. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. First and foremost, there are many similarities between hotels and motels. There’s just something about a reserved stay that can be somehow exciting no matter what you’re doing. According to the Oxford dictionary, a motel is a roadside hotel designed primarily for motorists, typically having the rooms arranged in low blocks with parking directly outside. Minimal amenities- usually no pools (outdoor if there is one), jacuzzi, business or fitness centers, or any other amenities listed under hotels. Thanks Murali. Motels differ from hotels in their emphasis on largely anonymous interactions between owners and occupants, their location along highways (as opposed to urban cores), and their usual orientation to the outside (in contrast to hotels whose doors typically face an interior hallway). By being clear on a hotel vs. motel, you can ensure you make the right choice for your unique budget, needs, and preferences. Whether you’re traveling on business or simply on vacation, a hotel/motel stay is bound to come your way. Today, this may or may not be the case, as some motels now have inward-facing doors that connect to common areas. Situated anywhere within a city or village. A motel is targeted toward those travelling on the highway who want a break from their journey. Hopefully, you won’t get confused the next time you’ll decide a hotel or motel! Before you book accommodations for your trip, it’s essential to understand the difference between a hotel and motel. While the basic difference in a hotel and motel is mentioned above, today, the words mean different things in different countries. Hotel is a building providing accommodation on rent usually for shorter duration; Motel is also a setup of building to provide accommodation for longer-term; Hotel can be single or multi-storey building; Motel is limited to maximum double-storey building; Hotel is usually expensive; room in Motel can be enjoyed for cheap rent While Motels can either be short term accommodation or long term accommodation motels. Hotels can contain multiple floors, ranging from tens to hundreds, with internal corridors leading to individual rooms.