While both a hotel and a motel provide accommodations to travelers who need places to stay, a hotel generally costs more than a motel. Reaching a hotel room requires passing through long hallways and riding elevators; while reaching a motel room is more readily accessible from the motel's entrance and parking area.
Compared to motels, hotels are typically larger buildings with more rooms. Larger hotels can accommodate hundreds of rooms, along with suites and even villas. A motel, derived from the term "motor hotel," is usually a small building or an apartment-like business structure with fewer rooms than a hotel. These are usually one- to three-story buildings.
Hotels are generally situated in tourist-driven cities, financial districts and other commercial areas. Although motels can also be found near these areas to offer more practical choices for travelers in tighter budgets, many motels are found in cross country, suburban and rural areas, most of which are near interstate highways.
Hotels offer a wide array of amenities and services for guests like pools, gyms, business centers and other facilities that make their stay more convenient and even lavish, especially when staying in high-end suites. The more luxurious hotels also provide butlers and other VIP services and premier relaxation facilities.
Staying in a motel is a more cost-effective type of accommodation. To compare with a hotel, it offers limited services and amenities. However, it provides more affordable rates.
