Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US teen) any situation or place that is considered appalling or unacceptable – a job, a place to stay, a relationship etc.

1980		Motel Hell [film title].
1982–2004		G. Sculatti Catalog of Cool 🌐 Motel Hell (adj.): Characteristic of a bad place to stay, as in a souring love affair or dead-end job. ‘Man, I’m quitting; the gig is Motel Hell.’.