Noun
a hotel for motorists; provides direct access from rooms to parking area
Source: WordNetIn conceiving of a name for his hotel, Heineman abbreviated motor hotel to mo-tel after he could not fit the words "Milestone Motor Hotel" on his rooftop. citation Many other businesses followed in its footsteps and started building their own auto camps. Source: Internet
To capitalize on this nostalgic image many typically lower end and middling modern motor hotel operators seek to distance themselves from similar motels by styling themselves "inns", regardless of services and accommodations provided. Source: Internet