A motel that has been bought out by people of East Indian descent, especially owned by someone often (but not always) with the surname of Patel, due to most (but not all) Patels being part of the Indian caste for owning land, and also because it rhymes (Jat Motel doesn't have the same ring to it), most often by buying out a defunct motel location "as-is" and making no efforts to improve the property after acquisition.
Normally this should be insignificant, but if you land a cheap motel in a state of disrepair and just barely meeting habitability standards and/or has bad housekeeping, there's a good chance your motel is Indian-owned (but as repeatedly emphasized, not always). "Patel Hotel" can also be used when applicable to a hotel (especially the OYO Hotel franchise).
See also Potel.
Normally this should be insignificant, but if you land a cheap motel in a state of disrepair and just barely meeting habitability standards and/or has bad housekeeping, there's a good chance your motel is Indian-owned (but as repeatedly emphasized, not always). "Patel Hotel" can also be used when applicable to a hotel (especially the OYO Hotel franchise).
See also Potel.
I tried to be open-minded when I saw a statue of Ganesha while checking in, but the towels are brownish gray, the bed has a popped-out spring held in place by duct tape, half of the hallway lights are burnt out, and getting woken up by a cockroach crawling on my face are facts too hard to ignore the fact that I accidentally reserved a Patel Motel.
by edw007 April 14, 2025