@youronlyone sure thing! for the most part, i think most americans would think of a "motel" as just being a cheaper hotel, there are some brands of them here i think would come to peoples minds most immediately, and thereafter i think things like cheap hotels specifically for sex would come up, but not as immediately as just a cheap hotel.
i think its interesting how as time goes on and a language lives the uses and understandings of words change. fun.
hey nice to post back and forth with you! hope you have a great day. peace, neighbor.