Planning your next trip and feeling torn between a hotel or motel? Let's delve into the distinctions to assist you in selecting the best fit.
Learn from our travel experts as we compare hotels and motels. With Hotels.Com, find accommodations tailored to your needs, maximizing your budget, and making the most of your trip.
Hotel vs. Motel: What’s The Difference
Our travel expert knows there are key differences between staying in a motel and a hotel. Here's what you need to consider before deciding which is best for your next trip:
- Definitions: Hotels offer lodging to travelers and sometimes to permanent residents, often with restaurants, meeting rooms, and stores available to the general public. Motels provide travelers with lodging and free parking facilities, typically located near roadsides or urban areas, offering rooms adjacent to an outside parking area.
- Location and Layout: Hotels are Generally large, enclosed buildings with hundreds of rooms across multiple floors, often found in attractive locales. Motels are typically one or two floors with outdoor room entrances, often conveniently located near highways or urban centers.
- Amenities and Services: When staying in hotels, you get a variety of amenities such as restaurants, swimming pools, fitness centers, and spas, providing guests with a comprehensive experience beyond just lodging. Motels, on the other side, are primarily designed to provide a place to sleep without additional amenities, focusing solely on accommodation.
- Staff and Rates: Hotels typically have a larger staff and offer a wider range of services, leading to higher rates for guests. In the motels you will find they have fewer staff and limited features, resulting in more affordable rates for guests.
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When Should You Book A Motel
When booking a motel, convenience, and affordability take precedence, and typically prioritize simplicity and cost-effectiveness over the amenities available in hotels.
Here are scenarios where choosing a motel might be the better choice:
- Budget: If you're aiming to make the most of your budget and don't require extensive amenities like a fitness center or room service, motels often offer cheaper rates, allowing you to stretch your dollar further.
- Road Trip: For travelers on a road trip, motels serve as convenient stops for a restful night's sleep after a day of driving. They provide an affordable and accessible option along highway routes, ensuring a comfortable break during your journey.
- Location: Motels are strategically situated along highway routes and crossroads, designed to offer basic and self-service accommodations. This makes them ideal when you seek simplicity and need a quick and convenient place to rest before continuing your journey.
When Should You Book A Hotel
Hotels are ideal when you seek comfort and pampering, because they offer facilities like restaurants, room service, and swimming pools.
When Should You Book A Hotel:
- Hotel Facilities: You need amenities like fast WiFi, room service, fitness centers, and spas for a convenience trip.
- First Timer: If you travel to an unfamiliar area, hotels provide helpful staff like receptionists and concierges for planning activities and local pro tips. These can be really useful to make the most of your stay.
- Location: Hotels are conveniently located near popular attractions, making your stay more convenient.
- Business Trip: If you travel for business and attend a conference, you may prefer hotels for amenities like room service and sit-down restaurants. Ensuring you have all you need when your schedule allows free time to catch up on emails or grab a bite or a drink.
Trust our experts to compare hotels and motels to help you find the accommodations that suit your preferences and budget. With Hotels.com you can book the lodging you need and make the most of your next trip.
