It's compares to a Holiday Inn or a Comfort Inn. I've never stayed at the hotels you've listed, so can't compare.
It's dated, it's clean (except for some of those bathroom vents!

), my socks DO NOT turn black when walking on the carpet, the beds are comfy, the garden pool is your standard pool but the waterpark is just the best! the services offered are pretty standard for the industry, the grounds are pretty and fairly well maintained (needs a little improvement here) and it's definately classified as a hotel.
BTW, the difference between a hotel and a motel is that hotels have interior corridors/hallways and motels have exterior, meaning you walk right outside when exiting your motel room.

DH does NOT allow us to stay in motels due to the increased security risk, so this "minor" classification makes all the difference, for us at least, when picking a Disney hotel.
I have spent many years in the hotel industry and have worked at Holiday Inn, Comfort Inn, an all suites hotel, and some very upscale hotels...and even I have a hard time putting HoJo's in one of those categories.

It truely is it's own little unique place and honestly, that's why we keep going back.