Motels in the USA
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
The name MOTEL is composed of the combined abbreviations of: MOTOR and HOTEL, meaning a roadside hotel designed to serve people on road trips. If you do not have a car, you will be forced to stay in hotels in city centers, where hotel prices are much more expensive (double or more), but if you have rented a car, it is highly recommended to stay in the periphery, a few miles from the city center, where accommodation prices drop significantly (without a change in the level of services). Motels are mostly long buildings with 2-3 floors, where guests arrive in their cars almost to the door of the room. Usually, there is a central building with a reception, a restaurant, and additional services. In every motel, there is a machine for producing ice cubes, a machine for selling soft drinks, and in most of them, coin-operated washing machines and dryers and a swimming pool. In some motels, there is also a gym and a jacuzzi.
The rooms in most motels look quite similar: a large and spacious room, much more so than the European standard, containing two double beds or one extra-large bed: KING SIZE. For families, it is advisable to ask for a room with two double beds (Queen Size or Full Size). Additionally, the room has an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub (rarely a shower), a television, a small table, chairs, and dressers. In some motels, there is a refrigerator, a coffee machine, or a microwave. When arriving from the highways, it is very easy to find and identify the motels because each has a tall sign visible from afar. Sometimes you will also come across the name "Motor-Lodge," the meaning is identical. Usually, the room price includes lodging only, although in recent years there has been a trend of adding free breakfast (mostly continental). In most motels, children stay free in the parents' room, although the age defining a child varies from motel to motel. In some, the maximum age is 12 years and in some 18. Ask if the stay includes a meal, because even if it does, Americans will not rush to report it to you.
An important rule: Americans, despite their great courtesy, do not provide information without being asked about it. Therefore, do not be ashamed to ask: Is there a discounted weekly rate? Is there a discount for members of various clubs? Are there rooms with a refrigerator? For traveling families, this is the most convenient residential method. The price is relatively cheap, the parking is close to the room, and there is no need to carry luggage a long distance or need Bell Boy services (there is no such person in motels). You can quickly and cheaply wash your dirty clothes and refresh yourself in the pool. The restaurants attached to the motel are usually family-oriented and not expensive, with nice and cheap children's meals. In most cases, several motels are located adjacent to each other and near them are many fast-food restaurants such as: Burger King, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut.
There are many motel chains spread across the USA and Canada. A list of the largest and most recommended ones is detailed below with their internet addresses and their 1-800 numbers. You can find information on the internet about the location of each motel in every chain and what services and facilities are in it, and after entering the dates you intend to stay in it, you will be updated if there is room and receive an exact price (which does not include local tax). It is possible (and very easy) to also book a room directly through the internet. You will need to provide your credit card number to save you the room even for a late arrival (after 4 PM). Anyone who does not want to book through the internet can book a room by phone (just remember that 1-800 numbers are not free from abroad but cost like a regular call to the USA) or by fax. Of course, travel agents can book you rooms in all motel chains but in some cases at a higher price; it is highly recommended to compare prices because the gaps can be large. If you are booking on your own, remember to ask if you are eligible for any discount (membership in AAA, Entertainment, retirees, etc.). Additionally, ask if they have any special offer (Deal, Promotion).
Hotel? Search on Booking:
Booking accommodation from one of the chains:
Below is the list of internet addresses and hallmarks of the major motel chains in the USA. Most of them have branches in Canada as well; from here you can book accommodation:
Hotel Choice - Choice Hotels Network
The network includes the following hotel chains:
Best Western - Best Western One of the most recommended and largest chains
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Express, belongs to the IHG hotel network
Days Inn Days Inn - a large, pleasant chain with definitely reasonable prices.
Howard Johnson®: Howard Johnson
Super 8 Hotels! Super 8