-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 ErIUwqmXweNBZoIu+iYP3g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001244944-05-000004.txt : 20050104
<SEC-HEADER>0001244944-05-000004.hdr.sgml : 20050104
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050104175024
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001244944-05-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050101
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050104
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050104

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Nasca Mark Joseph
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001291822

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11975
		FILM NUMBER:		05509165

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		440-893-9000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		JDI REALTY, LLC
		STREET 2:		4 NORTH MAIN MEZZANINE LEVEL
		CITY:			CHAGRIN FALLS
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44022

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOYKIN LODGING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001015859
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				341824586
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GUILDHALL BLDG 45 W PROSPECT AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2164301200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		GUILDHALL BLDG 45 W PROSPECT AVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			CLEVELAND
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44115

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BOYKIN LODGING TRUST INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960604
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001015859</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOYKIN LODGING CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BOY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001291822</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Nasca Mark Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>JDI REALTY, LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>4 NORTH MAIN MEZZANINE LEVEL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHAGRIN FALLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Deferred Compensation Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1094.691</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.135</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1094.691</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2123.712</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each unit is the equivalent of one Common Share.  The value of amounts credited to a director under the Deferred Compensation Plan is payable in cash and increases or decreases based on the market value of the Company's Common Shares plus the value of dividends or other distributions on the Company's Common Shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Distributions of amounts credited to a director under the Deferred Compensation Plan commence (i) on a date elected by the director provided that the date is not earlier than January 1 following the year in which the director attains age 55, and not later than January 1 follwoing the year in which the director attains age 72, or (ii) within 90 days after the date of the director's death or disability.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert M. Loesch, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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