Hotel vs. Motel
I'm not sure who came up with the concept of differentiating temporary overnight housing into hotels and motels. It was probably created when humans were fixated on establishing class systems for everything.
You get the feeling that motels are college students hanging around studying how to become hotels. What does a 'tel' have to do to go from from a 'Mo' to a 'Ho'? Is there a hazing/initiation period where your motel is egged and sprayed with whipped cream? Is there a certification exam, maybe a semantics test of some sort (because that what it's all about anyway) that a motel is required to pass before being accepted as a hotel?
Is it size? I've seen motels that are larger than hotels...with larger lobbies, thank you very much. I mean we're just talking about a room with a bed, bathroom, and cable TV. In both venues, the comforters are tucked so tight you pull a hamstring by the time you wake up. Is it the smell? Ah, I think I've hit on something! Motels have a stronger room cleaning detergent smell than hotels. Hotels have the odor of cooked food since the hallways are lined with finished room service trays. Maybe spraying more cleaning detergent is a way for motel owners to let out their frustration on not receiving hotel status. Something about pressing one's index finger down on a nozzle and seeing foam shoot out, I don't know.
Can you hold weddings in motels? I'm sure there's good food in motel restaurants as well, just not as expensive. Okay so motel pools are outdoors while hotels have indoor ones. Big deal. Cold water is better for circulation. There aren't many hotels offering free continental breakfasts. Hey, hot orange juice and cold bagels never hurt anyone. Yes, hotels have nicer wallpaper than the bare white stucco walls of the motels. Oh yes, motels are the only place you see stucco on the INSIDE of a building. But don't hold that against them.
Well, Mr. Hotel/Motel differentiator person, you've really created a bad inferiority complex this time, haven't you?
Thoughts and comments are welcome!
Read the Novels by Chetan Davé click here
Copyright 2006 by Chetan Davé ©, All Rights Reserved.
You get the feeling that motels are college students hanging around studying how to become hotels. What does a 'tel' have to do to go from from a 'Mo' to a 'Ho'? Is there a hazing/initiation period where your motel is egged and sprayed with whipped cream? Is there a certification exam, maybe a semantics test of some sort (because that what it's all about anyway) that a motel is required to pass before being accepted as a hotel?
Is it size? I've seen motels that are larger than hotels...with larger lobbies, thank you very much. I mean we're just talking about a room with a bed, bathroom, and cable TV. In both venues, the comforters are tucked so tight you pull a hamstring by the time you wake up. Is it the smell? Ah, I think I've hit on something! Motels have a stronger room cleaning detergent smell than hotels. Hotels have the odor of cooked food since the hallways are lined with finished room service trays. Maybe spraying more cleaning detergent is a way for motel owners to let out their frustration on not receiving hotel status. Something about pressing one's index finger down on a nozzle and seeing foam shoot out, I don't know.
Can you hold weddings in motels? I'm sure there's good food in motel restaurants as well, just not as expensive. Okay so motel pools are outdoors while hotels have indoor ones. Big deal. Cold water is better for circulation. There aren't many hotels offering free continental breakfasts. Hey, hot orange juice and cold bagels never hurt anyone. Yes, hotels have nicer wallpaper than the bare white stucco walls of the motels. Oh yes, motels are the only place you see stucco on the INSIDE of a building. But don't hold that against them.
Well, Mr. Hotel/Motel differentiator person, you've really created a bad inferiority complex this time, haven't you?
Thoughts and comments are welcome!
Read the Novels by Chetan Davé click here
Copyright 2006 by Chetan Davé ©, All Rights Reserved.
posted by UltimateWriter at 9:22 AM
6 Comments:
Hmmm, I thought it was really about size too. Or maybe the location like hotels are found in the city and motels in suburbs. But that's not entirely true.
So, yeah it was interesting observation. I guess I'll go to whichever offers cheaper rates, but good service!
Just found your blog, or it found me. Nice stuff..look forward to reading you in the future...
I think it has to do with elevators. Can't remember any motels with more than two floors. There's also the ever-present phone deposit.
Mike
kmm: well in europe many hotels are holes in the wall that dwarf motels here...yes the mantra still holds: the cheaper the better!
casually me: welcome and thanks! stop by anytime
ppd: oops forgot the hostels tx...motel's younger sibling
mr.althouse: good observation on the elevators...the good ol' phone deposit! good one
Here's my take on the traveler's "home away from home":
Hostel = the baby of the bunch. Would be in middle school, using UW's analogy. Very cheap, no frills, and makes you want to guard your backside (or maybe not?) against the (creepy?) guy with the slight body-odor that bunks next to you for pennies on the dollar. A very common venue for young travelers.
Motel = (MOtor hoTEL) Typically reserved for use by amorous couples and/or sex industry professionals and thier clientele (...been there, did that many times myself after a night of clubbing), drunken college parties or young members of the military (avoid blame for wrecking the place), and corporate travelers who do not rate the rights to the 5-star accomdations yet.
Hotels: The Big Daddy of the bunch. Typically with room service, strapping young lads in red suits and red caps to carry your bags, and desk clerks who do not wear "wife beater" shirts and look like they have washed in the past three days. An availability of nearby nightlife. And indoor pools, gyms, and karaoke bars.
Of course, these are not by any means hard and fast rules; I know of some motels with nearly all the amenities of the hotels...
and I know a few shabby "hotels" that made me fear for my life right in our very own Manhattan.
seeker onos: good stuff! yeah there seem to be more shabby hotels in big cities.
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