I'm embarassed that we think motels to be sex havens

If you live in the U.S., motels are known to be inns for travellers who need to spend the night in after a long trip or due to bad weather. I live, however, in a non-US country where the perception of motels or inns is so bad due to the practice by some of using motels for their one-night stand, sexual escapades. In turn, motel owners see this as an opportunity to capitalize on these rendezvous by adorning their establishments with huge signs offering promo, 'early bird' or 'quick time' rates.
Now if I am a traveller with no friends or relatives based here, I would be compelled to be billeted in a hotel which charges high room rates than a motel which is affordable to many.
I'm embarassed and mad at the same time because this seems to be the prevailing perception of motels here in our country. Even my son, every time we pass motels near our home, is always quick to comment that motels are bad because they house bad people. Is there still hope for us? Dear God, help us...