Motels offer people easy, accessible and reasonably priced accommodation. You find them around almost every corner—along major highways and in small towns. You need to choose a motel that offers safety, quality services and a variety of room features at a great price. The following information can help you choose a good motel to stay at.

The Parking Lot

The parking lot can tell you a lot about the motel. It can tell you a lot about the number of guests that stay in the hotel. If it is after 8pm, and the parking lot is almost empty, it means that the hotel does not have many guests, and this could be due to underlying issues. Having at least up to seventy-five percent full parking shows that the hotel is quite popular and offers equally great services. Vehicles with both out of state and local number plates mean the motel services a wide variety of clients, which could be due to its widely known reputation. If the parking lot is too full, then you know things might get a little rowdy.

The Condition of the Motel

Many people arrive at motels late in the evening or at night for a night's rest before they can continue with their trip. It is very difficult to tell the condition of the motel from the outside at night. Look out for motels with great outdoor lighting so that you can see if the exterior is well maintained. A well-maintained exterior tells a lot about the inside of the motel.

The Hotel Room

Most of the time, the receptionist will allow you to see the room before you have to pay for it, especially if you request them to. This gives you a chance to check on the level of hygiene, the features available in the room and even the security of the room. Immediate signs to leave are usually dirty pillows, a musky, smoky smell or even no air conditioning.

Security

Security is an important aspect when you are staying anywhere other than your home environment.  You can gauge the security of a motel (such as Welcome Inn 277) by being very observant. The following are some important security features to look out for:

• Deadbolt locks and peepholes allow you to screen your visitors before allowing them in the room
• Electronic room locks that tracks how many entries and exits are made in the room
• Telephones with emergency call buttons
• 24-hour concierge security
• Limited entry and exit options.