Everyone knows the main difference between a hotel and motel: the cost. But more than just the hotel vs. motel rates, apparently, there are more specific things that make one vary from the other.
Location
Hotels are high-rise buildings (and are often seen as landmarks) typically seen in urban areas: cities, financial districts, and places with popular tourist attractions and convention centers. Yet, it is also ideal to find smaller motels sprawling around the nooks and cranny of the city where hotels are also located.
Hotels are more often found in prime locations within the city. Whereas motels, although also found in nearby areas, have a bigger presence in many interstate highways and cross country, sub-urban, and rural areas.
Rooms
Since hotels are larger than motels, each one usually has about a hundred rooms and dozens of floors that can accommodate a traveler intending to stay in a regular room, a suite, or even a villa. Some big hotels can even accommodate hundreds or even thousands of rooms, along with luxury accommodations available for millionaires, high rollers, celebrities, executives, and other VIP guests.
The word “motel” came from the term “motor hotel,” since motels have easier access to anyone needing a room to stay for a day or a couple of hours, while on the way to other places, usually those traveling via land transportation (often driving a car, truck, or SUV). Unlike a hotel which has parking areas located much farther than the actual rooms, a motel provides a parking area that is quite near the motel entrance and the actual rooms. There is also an option for valet parking in hotels. Such type of accommodation also requires passing through long hallways and riding elevators before reaching the room.
A motel is typically a one- to four-storey building with fewer rooms than a hotel. The rooms are usually very near the parking or reception area. In most properties, especially those along interstate highways, motel rooms have exterior room entrances that look more like those in an apartment.
Amenities, Facilities, and Services
A hotel stay offers many amenities, facilities, and services that are often not available in motels. While more expensive than motels, hotel guests can generally expect a more convenient stay with extra luxury features, most of which include: use of pools, Jacuzzis, saunas, gym, and business center. Most hotel guests can also enjoy complimentary food and drinks, bathroom amenities, daily newspaper, in-room safe, TVs with cable, DVD players, daily room services, laundry services, and wireless Internet. Use of computers, telephone, fax, and other business- and leisure-related facilities and services, along with provisions for travel guides and tourist’s brochures, are often offered in hotels as well. Travel assistance, car and limousine rentals, and shuttle services to and from airports and other key destinations, are also offered in many hotel accommodations. Bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, and various types of attractions are usually found both within the hotel premises and nearby areas outside the hotel. Some hotels also offer butler services for VIP guests.
Since a motel is generally a more practical choice for those whose only reason for checking in is to have a place to stay or rest, the lower cost of motels also mean offering limited services and amenities. Generally, motels only offer a descent place to stay. While some provide free local phone calls and internet access, others require additional charges for them.
There are some motels that provide rates on a per hour or per half-day basis, while hotels require a minimum of one-day stay and compliance with the check in (usually after lunch to mid afternoon) and checkout times (usually mid morning to noon).
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“Motel,” Dictionary.com.
“Hotel,” Dictionary.com.
“Difference Between Hotel and Motel,” Buzzle.
“What is the Difference Between a Hotel and a Motel?” Wisegeek.
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