IPA: /ˈmoʊtɛl/
KK: /ˈmoʊtəl/
A place that offers rooms for people to stay, especially for travelers, where the rooms can be accessed directly from a parking area.
We decided to stay at a motel for the night during our road trip.
Motel → It is formed from "motor" (from Latin *motor*, meaning mover or one that moves) and "hotel" (from French *hôtel*, meaning a place of lodging). The word "motel" refers to a place of lodging designed for motorists, combining the concepts of movement and accommodation.
Think of a 'mover' ('motor') needing a place to stay ('hotel') while traveling — that's why a motel is a place for motorists to rest.