What's the difference between a hotel and a motel?

One of life's great unanswered questions, enlighten me!What's the difference between a hotel and a motel?
Hotels were around before everyone was driving around in cars so they were often in city centres, near railway stations (hence the world's great railway hotels) and of course because people arrived by train or taxi there was no need for car parks. (In England there was a tradition of ';coaching inns';, which is a different matter). It all changed when people started driving everywhere, in particular long distances. Then ';motor hotels'; sprang up with facilties specifically designed for drivers looking for a bed for one night. There would certainly be parking - often right outside the room - but other facilities would be limited, much like today's budget hotels. These days any hotel has to cater for guests arriving in their own car; at worst in a city centre hotel this might mean cheap rates at a local multi-story. Hence the ';motel'; no longer holds the importance it once did.


So, to answer your question, there is little difference between a hotel and a motel, except that you can be sure of parking your car at a motel, but may not be sure of a good meal.What's the difference between a hotel and a motel?
A motel is related to motoring. They are usually on the side of a freeway, so people can have a place to sleep while they travel long distances. A hotel is usually a place you got to if you're staying in an area for a holiday
A hotel is larger and has restaurants, geared more for longer visits, motels are literally motor hotels, hence the name motels.
Motel's don't usually have a Maitre' D, waiters,chambermaids and fancy restaurants and a Bell boy, even though there are some really nice ones.
You holiday in hotels and stop off to sleep in a motel whilst driving somewhere.
doesnt motel mean mini hotel?