Hotels and motels are both establishments that provide lodging to travelers, but there are some key differences between the two. Here are some of the main differences:
Hotels:
- Typically located in city centers or near airports
- Often designed to host guests who need to be accommodated for several days or even weeks
- Offer amenities and facilities that make a longer stay more comfortable, such as swimming pools, restaurants, or laundry services
- Usually have many more rooms available than motels
- Often owned by larger corporations
Motels:
- Generally located along major highways
- Originally designed to cater to travelers who were still traveling to their destination or who were headed back home
- Offer few, if any, amenities, such as swimming pools, restaurants, or laundry services
- Typically have one or two floors with outdoor room entrances
- Often have ample parking, making them particularly useful to Americans and Canadians who frequently travel long distances on major highway and interstate systems
In summary, hotels are typically larger, offer more amenities, and are designed for longer stays, while motels are smaller, offer fewer amenities, and are designed for shorter stays.