There's a lot to be said for the cheapo motels (F1 etc). I've used them when the weather has been particularly foul.
On the other hand I like camping holidays on the bike. I used a BMW for about 25yrs then got a Deauville, they're made for it.
The secret to efficient bike camping/touring (getting all serious about it!) is don't take anything you're not going to need, and use equipment which packs small. On the Deau I use a Givi E52 top box and the standard panniers (big lids are available), everything goes in them apart from a folding chair which fits in a purpose made rack across in front of the topbox, the topbox mounts above the pillion seat to get it forward as much as I can. The chair is a luxury but worth it's weight in gold at my age!
Small pack size usually costs unfortunately, but good gear lasts. My last tent did nearly 20yrs, I've had the current one 2 years, it fits inside one pannier along with shoes, washbag, and a towel. A down sleeping bag packs into 5" dia and 9" long. Heavier stuff in the panniers, light stuff in the topbox.
This is the Deau packed for 2 weeks in the Alps.
