Difference between Hotel and Motel

Key difference: Motels are generally aimed at families that are on road trips and for motorists who long for a comfortable bed to sleep in for the night. Hotels, on the other hand, are much more high-end, aimed at boosting tourism.

There are distinct differences between hotels and motels. Motels are generally aimed at families that are on road trips and for motorists who long for a comfortable bed to sleep in for the night. Motels are a type of hotels. Hotels, on the other hand, are much more high-end, aimed at boosting tourism, with stays ranging from a few days to weeks, or longer.

Motels are much more minimalist than hotels, and thus are priced that way, offering mainly just a place to sleep and shower. They are generally located on the side of highways and provide the basic amenities. Motels usually have a u-shaped building and a huge parking lot, with the cars parked right outside the door.

Hotels mainly are sort of a package deal, an experience of sorts with more facilities available. They may even be specialty hotels, or resorts, with fun activities for the whole family. They usually offer many luxuries such as gym, Jacuzzi, restaurant, room services and cable television. A detailed comparison follows:

	Hotel	Motel
Alternate names/Types	Conference and resort hotels, historic inns and boutique hotels, specialty hotels, unique hotels, select service, limited service, extended stay, timeshare, and club.	Motor hotel, motor inn, motor court, motor lodge, tourist lodge, cottage court, auto camps, tourist home, tourist cabins, auto cabins, cabin camps, cabin court, or auto court
Description	Provides lodging paid on a short-term basis.	A type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms whose doors face a parking lot and, in some circumstances, a common area; or a series of small cabins with common parking. Usually used for overnight stay.
Location	Usually located in cities to promote tourism.	Often located on the highways and interstates, for one night stays and breaks from traveling.
Features	Rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning or climate control. Additional common features include a telephone, an alarm clock, a television, internet, a safe, a mini-bar with snack foods and drinks, and facilities for making tea and coffee. Provide room service.	Rooms located in one or two-story buildings, where one can drive up the door, to carry luggage in. Have basic amenities, bed and bathroom.
Luxury features	Bathrobes and slippers, a pillow menu, twin-sink vanities, and Jacuzzi bathtubs. Larger hotels may have guest facilities such as a swimming pool, fitness center, business center, childcare, conference facilities and social function services. Some hotels may also offer meals as part of the room booking.	May include telephone, an alarm clock, a television, refrigerator, microwave and facilities for making tea and coffee, a safe, a swimming pool.
Cost	Hotels can range from affordable for the general public to pricy for specialty/luxury hotels.	Motels are much cheaper aimed at motorist just traveling by.