Motel 6 used the slogan “We’ll leave the light on for you.” The line was introduced in 1986 and became associated with the budget motel chain’s promise of a welcoming, affordable place to stay.
The wording was created by advertising executive Tom Bodett, who also became the voice of Motel 6 commercials. His conversational delivery helped distinguish the campaign from more polished hotel advertising and made the phrase widely recognizable.
Motel 6 began in 1962 in Santa Barbara, California. Its original room rate was six dollars per night, which explains the number in the company’s name. The chain later expanded throughout the United States and Canada.
The slogan does not refer to a particular hotel building or a literal all-night light at every property. It is a brand promise expressed through advertising. Motel 6 has also used variations of the line in radio, television, and digital campaigns.