Hotel/Motel

Please help me settle a bet.
Aside from the obvious that Hotels are typically nicer than motels, what's the real difference? Does it have to do with ie: occupancy requirements or that hotels are usually high rise with elevators vs. garden style apt. rooms? Is there a legal difference?

A motel is an establishment which provides lodging and parking in which the rooms are usually accessible from an outdoor parking area as opposed to a hotel where the rooms are accessible from within the establishment itself. Motel is a blend of motor and hotel.