[Talk-us] motel vs. hotel

[OSM Volunteer stevea]

As I believe the etymology of the word "motel" (circa 1920s) is a contraction of "motor hotel," I believe it is fair to say that a motel is a hotel which caters to motorists.  That is, patrons who arrive in an automobile and wish for it to be immediately accessible, as in parked directly outside the room in the case of a single story facility, or very nearby for multiple story.

Others say hotels are "closer to an airport or business district" and while this is a more general criterion, (think of resort hotels where you do not arrive in your automobile as an exception, for example), I believe that "caters to motorists" is the defining difference for motels.

SteveA