Both motels and hotels offer overnight rooms, but they differ mainly in how you enter the room and what else the property offers. A motel (a blend of motor and hotel) typically has exterior doors that open from the parking lot or outside walkway, and motels tend to be smaller, roadside properties built for short stays by drivers.
A hotel usually has rooms reached from interior hallways via a lobby. Hotels are often larger, multi-story buildings and more often include amenities such as a restaurant, room service, or a gift shop.
In short: motels emphasize drive-up exterior access and basic overnight lodging; hotels emphasize interior access and a fuller set of on-site services.
Source: What is the difference between a motel and a hotel? — Merriam-Webster