If you travel a lot, the things you know that have to do with traveling come as second nature. If you don’t travel a lot, there’s a definite learning curve.
Some other bloggers tend to focus more on info for people who know and understand travel as much as they do, but we try to mix things up a little. So whereas you might see a post from us that reviews a credit card that can get you a bajillion frequent flyer miles in one post, the next post might be about a passenger’s complaint to an airline that went viral. And the one after that might be something especially for newbies, like:
- The basics of how to start earning points and miles balances
- Lounge etiquette for newbies
- Understanding hotel taxes, resort fees & deposits for incidentals
- Traveling? What to bring, what not to bring, and tricks of the trade
This topic – the differences between hotels and motels – might seem more like a “newbie” topic but I suspect there’s some info that even the most seasoned traveler might not have known.
History
People have been paying for places to stay for centuries, with forms of lodging dating back to biblical times. Some of the world’s oldest continuously operating lodging establishments are in Japan and are traditional ryokans, a type of Japanese inn that dates back centuries.
Over time, inns and other forms of paid lodging became more common around the world. Generally family-owned, they gave travelers a place to eat, rest and spend the night.
The word “hotel” dates back to the 17th century and originally comes from a French word: hôtel (yeah, sometimes translation is a no-brainer LOL). Like the English one we’re familiar with today, that word referred to a place that provides lodging, meals, entertainment and other services to travelers.
On the other hand, motels are a much more recent lodging option and are very much a “United States and Canada” entity. The word “motel” dates back to the 1920s and combines the words “motor” and “hotel.” As automobile travel and the country’s highway network expanded, so did motels. They filled the need for convenient roadside lodging for motorists traveling long distances.
How hotels and motels compare today
Although both hotels and motels have the same basic use – to house visitors for X number of nights – there are still lots of differences between the two:
Physical layout
Hotels usually have lobbies and rooms can be accessed via hallways, oftentimes in buildings that are several stories high.
Motels tend to have a check-in building and rooms are usually accessible directly from the parking lot. A motel may be only one story high, although some have two or, occasionally, three stories. Even with two or three stories, however, it may or may not have an elevator.
Amenities
Hotels generally offer more amenities and services than motels. Lounges. A gym and/or spa. A full-service restaurant. Entertainment. Room service. The swimming pool may be indoors. Maybe there’s a free continental breakfast.
Motels are typically used for just a night or two. They usually have a small, basic pool outside and perhaps washing machines to do laundry, but other amenities may be scarce. If they offer free breakfast, it’s usually the bare minimum.
Personnel
Hotels might have doormen, elevator operators, receptionists, concierges, bell services, housekeepers, parking valets, and onsite maintenance workers, along with a full array of restaurant staff. A manager (or more than one of them) might be on duty to supervise employees and help resolve problems.
Motels have many fewer employees – usually receptionists and housekeepers. And for some motels, those two jobs might be done by the same person. Third-party employees might do maintenance.
Location
Hotels are more often found in cities, near tourist destinations, and where many things are happening. Public transportation options might be nearby.
Motels are more often on the side of major roads and highways, sometimes in the middle of not much, but on the way to popular destinations. 
Cost
Because they have more to offer (including the number of employees) and are usually in more urban areas (and therefore pay higher rent), hotels generally cost more than motels.
Which is better?
Like many things, staying at a hotel vs. a motel is very much a Your Mileage May Vary situation.
Hotels generally offer more amenities and services, but you’re also usually going to pay more for them. Motels tend to be more basic, but if all you need is a clean place to sleep for the night before getting back on the road, basic may be perfectly fine.
And sometimes you don’t have much of a choice anyway. You’re not going to find many traditional roadside motels in the middle of Manhattan. Meanwhile, if you’re getting off Interstate 80 in a small Midwestern town, that motel just off the highway may be exactly what you need.
So is one better than the other? Not really. It depends on where you are, what you need, what you’re willing to spend and, of course, as the good blog says…Your Mileage May Vary.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
