Motel vs. Inn — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A motel is a roadside hotel designed for motorists, with parking outside each room, while an inn is a small establishment offering lodging, often with food and drink.
Difference Between Motel and Inn
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A motel, originating from the term "motorist's hotel," is designed primarily for travelers with vehicles. The design often allows direct access to individual rooms from the car park. Conversely, an inn is a more traditional establishment that can be found in cities, towns, or countryside locations, offering a more intimate and sometimes historic ambiance.
Motels are typically single or double-story structures. Their primary feature is convenience for motorists, as they can park their vehicle right outside their room. Inns, on the other hand, can be multi-storied and might have been functioning for several years or even centuries, adding a touch of nostalgia and charm to a traveler's experience.
Functionality is at the core of a motel's design. It caters to guests who might be staying for a night while on a road trip. An inn, while still offering accommodation, might also be a focal point for a community, serving as a local tavern or restaurant, often offering meals to both guests and locals.
The amenities at motels are often basic, tailored to the needs of a traveler on the move. They might have a small pool or a breakfast area but rarely boast extensive facilities. Inns, meanwhile, might offer a wider range of amenities, including full-service restaurants, bars, and sometimes even event spaces.
While both motels and inns serve the purpose of providing accommodation, their target audiences might differ. Motels cater to those on the road, looking for a quick stopover. Inns target those seeking a more relaxed or unique lodging experience, often in picturesque or historically significant settings.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Derived from "motorist's hotel."
Traditional establishment for lodging.
Design
Rooms accessible directly from the parking lot.
Centralized building, often multi-storied.
Location
Typically found alongside highways and roads.
Can be found in cities, towns, or the countryside.
Amenities
Basic amenities for travelers on the go.
Might offer full-service restaurants, bars, and event spaces.
Primary Audience
Motorists looking for a convenient stopover.
Travelers seeking a more relaxed, intimate, or unique experience.
Compare with Definitions
Motel
An establishment with direct-access parking.
It was convenient to park right outside our motel room.
Inn
A small establishment offering lodging and sometimes food.
The inn had a cozy fireplace in the lobby.
Motel
A lodging option for travelers with vehicles.
The motel was perfect for our RV.
Inn
Often found in historic or picturesque settings.
The centuries-old inn had tales of its own.
Motel
A roadside hotel designed for motorists.
We booked a motel just off the highway.
Inn
Offers a more intimate lodging experience.
We chose the inn for its charming atmosphere.
Motel
Typically offers basic amenities.
The motel had free Wi-Fi and breakfast.
Inn
A place of rest for travelers, sometimes with a communal feel.
The inn's communal dinners brought all guests together.
Motel
Accommodations often used for short stays.
We needed a motel for our overnight road trip.
Inn
Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommodation for horses.
Motel
A motel, also known as motor hotel or motor lodge, is a hotel designed for motorists, usually having each room entered directly from the parking area for motor vehicles rather than through a central lobby. Entering dictionaries after World War II, the word motel, coined as a contraction of "motor hotel", originates from the Milestone Mo-Tel of San Luis Obispo, California (now called the Motel Inn of San Luis Obispo), which was built in 1925.
Inn
A public lodging house serving food and drink to travelers; a hotel.
Motel
An establishment that provides lodging for motorists in rooms usually having direct access to an open parking area. Also called motor lodge.
Inn
A tavern or restaurant.
Motel
A type of hotel or lodging establishment, often located near a major highway, which typically features a series of rooms the entrances of which are immediately adjacent to a parking lot to facilitate convenient access to automobiles parked there.
Inn
Chiefly British Formerly, a residence hall for students, especially law students, in London.
Motel
A low-cost short-stay hotel, often with hourly rates rather than daily rates, and notorious for permitting illicit sexual activities; love hotel.
Inn
Any establishment where travellers can procure lodging, food, and drink.
Motel
To stay in a motel or motels.
Inn
A tavern.
Motel
A motor hotel
Inn
One of the colleges (societies or buildings) in London, for students of the law barristers.
The Inns of Court
The Inns of Chancery
Serjeants’ Inns
Inn
The town residence of a nobleman or distinguished person.
Leicester Inn
Inn
(obsolete) A place of shelter; hence, dwelling; habitation; residence; abode.
Inn
To house; to lodge.
Inn
To take lodging; to lodge.
Inn
A place of shelter; hence, dwelling; habitation; residence; abode.
Therefore with me ye may take up your innFor this same night.
Inn
A house for the lodging and entertainment of travelers or wayfarers; a tavern; a public house; a hotel.
The miserable fare and miserable lodgment of a provincial inn.
Inn
The town residence of a nobleman or distinguished person; as, Leicester Inn.
Inn
One of the colleges (societies or buildings) in London, for students of the law barristers; as, the Inns of Court; the Inns of Chancery; Serjeants' Inns.
Inn
To take lodging; to lodge.
Inn
To house; to lodge.
When he had brought them into his cityAnd inned them, everich at his degree.
Inn
A hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
Inn
Can serve as a local tavern or restaurant.
The inn's restaurant was popular among locals.
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of a motel?
A motel's primary purpose is to offer convenient lodging for motorists, typically for short stays.
Are inns always old or historic?
No, while many inns are historic, there are modern inns as well. The key feature is their intimate and cozy ambiance.
Do all motels have parking outside each room?
While most motels offer parking outside rooms for convenience, some might have a centralized parking area.
Can inns be found in cities?
Yes, inns can be found in cities, towns, and even rural areas.
Are motels cheaper than inns?
Motels are often more affordable due to their basic amenities, but prices can vary based on location and quality.
What's the origin of the term "motel"?
The term "motel" originated from "motorist's hotel," emphasizing its design for those with vehicles.
What kind of ambiance can one expect at an inn?
Inns often offer a cozy, intimate, and sometimes historic ambiance.
Are inns family-friendly?
Many inns are family-friendly, but it's always good to check in advance.
Do inns typically have restaurants?
Many inns have restaurants or taverns, serving both guests and sometimes locals.
Do motels offer long-term stays?
While motels are designed for short stays, some might offer extended stay rates.
Can an inn be a bed and breakfast?
Yes, some inns operate similarly to bed and breakfasts, offering lodging and meals.
Are motels primarily for those on road trips?
While motels are popular among road trippers, anyone seeking convenient, short-term lodging might opt for a motel.
How did motels become popular?
Motels gained popularity with the rise of car travel, offering convenient stopovers for motorists.
Do all inns offer food and drink?
While many inns offer food and drink, it's not a guaranteed feature. It's best to check the services offered when booking.
Is safety a concern at motels?
Like any accommodation, the safety of motels varies. It's essential to check reviews and choose reputable establishments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
