What is the difference between a hotel and a motel?

Answer

A motel, first derived most likely as a combination of the words "motor hotel," is best described as a one to three story structure with rooms that open to the exterior of the building, usually surrounded by a common balcony or patio.

A hotel has rooms that open to the interior of the building, along a hallway, and is multi-storied.

Neither of these terms should be confused with a condominium property, which usually has limited, weekly maid service and is a building made up of privately owned units, or with a resort which is a hotel located in a resort area such as a beach. Hotels can be as limited in service as a Fairmont or Quality Inn or as luxurious in service and appointments as a Ritz Carlton. Motels will often be individually owned, or of a chain such as Motel 6.

Usage of he terms "motel" and "hotel" are not mandated by any governing body and are often applied loosely, especially in a situation where a large chain has purchased an older property and renovated it. The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort on Cocoa Beach, FL is a prime example: a Resort on a beach with a restaurant, bars, awesome pool, and rooms with no balconies that open to the exterior of a two-story structure. As always, do your research first. The educated traveller is the happiest traveller. :)

Hope this helps!

Improve Answer Discuss the question "What is the difference between a hotel and a motel?" Watch Question

First answer by Lynuor. Last edit by Lynuor. Contributor trust: 64 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question]

Also see on Answers.com

Research your answer:

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Travel > Hotels and Lodging > What is the difference between a hotel and a motel?

Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from)
If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates.
What is motel?  Hotel vs motel?  Is motel 6 good?  What is a motel?  Classification of motel?  What is meaning of motel?  Where is the famous motel?  What is a hotel or a motel?  Differentiate a hotel and motel?  What are the features of a motel?  Difference between Hotel and Motel?  Motel and hotel what is the meaning?  Difference between motel and a hotel?  Difference between a hotel and motel?  Difference between hotel and a motel?  Hotel-motel operation by william gray?  Does fort fisher NC have a motel on it?  Difference between a motel and a hotel?  The difference between motel and hotel?  Difference between resturant and motel?