We'll be traveling (in our B) to an event at the end of this month -- and my brother and his wife will be with us. They have reservations for two nights at an Econo Lodge, where we originally planned to book a room also.Now hubby's on furlough and we're trying to curb expenses -- which has me wondering about sleeping in the B instead of booking a room. After all, it's already there, right? We'd have everything we need and it would save us a tidy sum. My brother and SIL would still sleep in the motel -- and since we're riding together, if needed, our license plate could go on the parking permit. It's in a decent part of town, so I'm not overly concerned about safety.Has anyone slept in their RV in a hotel/motel parking lot before? Anyone do it frequently? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. THANKS!

I kind of think that the motel would frown upon it, if they found out

I think you will be fine, just be discreet, discreet, discreet....

I agree with Genecop.......if you REALLY want to know, call them, do NOT give your name, and tell them the situation........you might mention that if they don't allow it, your SIL/brother's reservations may have to be cancelled.........

Sounds like one of those cases where it might be better to ask for forgiveness than permission! If caught, tell them your SIL was snoring, so you were forced to come out to the B.Only time I parked in a motel lot was in Oregon, but they offered it as a service for a fee of course.

Do you plan to sneak in to breakfast in the morning? How about a pool? Do you plan to use the one room to shower?If you plan to use any of the facilities then reserve 1 room for 4 people. Then you are absolutely entitled to do as you wish.

Spending a night (or two) in a motel parking lot?

25 Replies

AJRV
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
Some Best Western Hotels have RV sites. Some have listing in a magazine that they have RV sites. We found one in OK. I think they had about 15 sites behind the hotel. This is a bit different than just parking overnight, but a nice touch.
AJRV
kmb1966
Explorer
Oct 15, 2013
Most places I have asked have said "SURE NO PROBLEM". But in Galveston, the San Luis hotel said "NO". In fact, they wouldn't let me stay in my Roadtrek even though we had rented a condo room for the weekend. Galveston has a "No sleeping in a vehicle law" and somehow our B-vans are included.
Kimbopolo
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I've done this several times in stealth mode and it works very well. No one is liable to give you a second look because out-of-state license plates are expected.

I'm always careful to park away from the area where guests would be loading and unloading so as not to take up premium space. And I wouldn't consider staying more than one night without permission.
ROADTREKKER2000
Explorer
Oct 08, 2013
Your brother is entitled to a parking permit as part of his reservation. Just display the parking permit in the windshield, close the curtains, don't make too much noise and you will not have any problem.
charles
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
Don't run your generator even if you have permission to park. The paying customers deserve a good night's sleep.

Nick
truepath
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
I have done this a few times and always asked for permission. My experience is similar to other comments here. The only additional comment is that some places that allow it have a rule that you cannot put down any kind of leveling system (even planks), and obviously, no slide outs, tables, grills, etc.
Gene_in_NE
Explorer II
Oct 07, 2013
drsolo wrote:
...Gene in NE? Did you then not rent any room, just asked to stay O/N plugged in for $?
We did not rent a room. The parking lot was only about 1/2 full and it was around 9:00 pm. If the lot was full or earlier in the evening, we might have gotten a different answer.
qhor
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
We stopped at a motel for dinner one evening after a long days drive, and while paying our check, asked if it was ok to park and sleep in the Van on the motel lot.

They thanked us for patronizing their restaurant and welcomed us to sleep in our van on their lot.

Good business's deserve our patronage and usually respond in a good way.

Barry
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
Yes we have in our Class A. We spoke to the front desk and explained that family was booking 2 rooms and we preferred to stay in our RV. They said no problem. They advised the security guard that we were there. Just call them and ask.
drsolo
Nomad
Oct 06, 2013
I think we may be talking about different situations. My RVan only sleeps one. DH brings a tent. But I been wondering about taking a friend along who is NOT a camper. So I too have been wondering about "rent one, plug one" where my friend would rent a room and I could just plug in. Of course I would add that I have dogs and dont want to take them into the room.

Gene in NE? Did you then not rent any room, just asked to stay O/N plugged in for $?