Motel Room Types and Facilities

USA and Canada

Types of Rooms and Facilities

According to the Days Inn directory:

"Single" means that a room has one double bed (I said this could be confusing!).

"Double" means that a room has two double beds.

"Queen" means that a room has one Queen size bed.

"King" means that a room has one King size bed.

I think that "twin" means that a room has two single beds.

An "Efficiency" is a room with kitchen facilities (i.e. self catering).

"Suites" and "Lodges" are sets of two or more rooms.

You may come across the expressions "American Plan" and "European Plan" in guide books and brochures. I think that these expressions refer to whether meals are included or not at expensive hotels. These expressions are never used at motels, since no meals are ever included, except possibly a free continental breakfast. Likewise, motels don't have porters, concierges, bell-hops, etc.

Many motels offer non-smoking rooms.

It's always worth asking for a quiet room. Usually it is best to be near the back, as far away as possible from the road, but not always - sometimes there's a railway line or another road at the back. A room on the top floor will avoid the noise of people moving about upstairs. Some Super 8 motels have bottom floors which are built partially below ground level, with small windows. These windows are at exactly the same height as car headlights, which can be disturbing when someone draws in late at night. Many motel chains, including Super 8, use double glazing to reduce the noise levels from outside.

Most motel rooms have air conditioning, except perhaps occasionally in the north. Remember that the air conditioning won't be effective unless you close all the windows. Air conditioners can be extremely noisy. Some Motel 6 locations have a central source of air conditioning, which greatly reduces the noise level.

Most motels have machines which dispense ice cubes, usually free of charge. Most motels have soft drinks vending machines, any many also have snack vending machines, but remember that these items can normally be obtained much more cheaply at supermarkets.

Some chain motels have guest laundries - washing machines and tumble driers for use by guests, for which there is a small charge.

Many motels have swimming pools, almost always outdoors.

Independent motels tend to offer much the same options and facilities. In addition, they may also offer multiple rooms with internal connecting doors and a single outside door.