What’s the Difference Between a Las Vegas Motel and a Las Vegas Hotel?

If you’re traveling to Las Vegas, is a Las Vegas motel an adequate place to stay?  Just what is the difference between a hotel and a motel?  Does it matter?  

Motels are usually thought of as roadside lodgings that are often found along rural highways, are quaint and privately owned, although motel chain corporations also exist. Motels first popped up along America’s highways soon after Henry Ford started rolling his famous Model T’s off the assembly line between 1908 and 1930. Once Americans were able to buy a car, humble motels began springing up to help the newly-mobile population rest up while they traveled from point A to point B.

A distinguishing feature of a Las Vegas motel is that it is U-shaped or square, with an inner courtyard that serves as the parking lot. Doors face the lot, with ground-level doors opening directly to their own parking spaces a few feet away. This is very convenient for unloading suitcases, and is great for the family with young children. It is also reassuring to have your car parked right outside the door where you can keep an eye on it.

Hotels serve a different purpose than motels. The basic design of a hotel has rooms that face inward with doors opening to an interior hallway. Some people feel that this offers guests added privacy and security.  Hotels commonly offer Jacuzzis, gyms, pools, restaurants, room service, cable television, internet connectivity, and other luxuries. These amenities add onto the price of a room at a hotel.  Hotel parking lots are located away from entrances, and it isn’t as convenient to get your luggage to your room, hence the use of bellboys who expect a tip for their help. Some hotels provide shuttle service or valet service for an added fee.

While the average Las Vegas motel may not have the amenities found at hotels, it offers easy access, reasonable rates, and a less complicated experience. This makes a motel ideal for a night’s sleep and it makes great sense for the Las Vegas visitor who doesn’t spend much time in his room but is in Las Vegas to spend time in the casinos!

Some Vegas travelers actually prefer staying at a motel because they don’t have a casino onsite, so when they are finished gambling they go to their room and don’t have the added temptation of walking downstairs and losing more money. Sometimes small groups of young adults also choose to stay at an inexpensive Las Vegas motel and take turns in shifts between gambling and sleeping.

If you don’t want to spend too much money on a room to sleep and shower in, a Las Vegas motel will satisfy your needs just fine. Motel 6 is located right across the street from the MGM Grand and is an easy walk to dozens of other casinos. The Las Vegas Strip Travelodge is across from Circus Circus and is very family-oriented, being just 3 blocks away from Las Vegas’s famed water park.

We will tell you more about the top Las Vegas motels, Las Vegas strip motels, and the best Las Vegas downtown motels.