Motels Fighting Back

As an addendum to Jerry Hulse’s excellent examination of those overpriced froufrou bed and breakfast, we wonder if the motels are fighting back.

We stayed recently at the Carpinteria Inn, an otherwise routine Best Western, and found to our suprise, that not only were we invited for wine and cheese in the evening, but a full complimentary breakfast the next morning: coffee and juice, croissants, various fruits, cereals--all for the usual motel price, about half the going B&B; rates. MR. and MRS. C SMITH Palm Desert