A hotel is a form of accommodation, it is generally a building with many rooms and you can hire that night or a week or more.
Hotel will usually have a lobby and hallways off to the different rooms. A motel however you will generally park close to your room and have a door leading straight into your room. Hotels are usually found more in city areas whereas motels are generally found in more country areas.
You can book a hotel by calling them directly, by booking online or by turning up at the hotel and asking for their best best price.
Some of the larger hotel groups in Australia are Adina Apartment Hotels, Crown, Federal Group, Ibis, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Metro Hotels, Mecure, Novotel, Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites, Rydges Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton, Travelodge.