What is it called when you blend two word together to make one, for example: motel = motor and hotel?

There is a term for this blending of words in English language.

It's called a portmanteau

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portmanteau

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In modern English, combining two words to make one new word is called a Bushism. Examples of Bushisms include : -

speechyfingness

glorficarmageddon

democristan

and so forth. I expect you've got a list of these already.

What about 'Caravan' =carriage van.

Portmanteau or simply blending.

Either is acceptable in exams.

In language, combining two words of different meanings to make an entirely different word with a different meaning results into a coumpound word.

Examples:

ice + cream = ice cream

hot + dog = hotdog

class + room = classroom

I think it's a portmanteau word

that word you seek is:

portmanteau

I call it bastardizing