-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ODbOlI8zg7dH0m7Gd6zRwFvO0MxSKf1lGbu/yrph8BsDhTfJh2xG1zaJb9DHwnaY
 9XPZfl6YUaJYZK8OCWVbXQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001284409-05-000040.txt : 20051202
<SEC-HEADER>0001284409-05-000040.hdr.sgml : 20051202
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051202134250
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001284409-05-000040
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051201
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051202
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOWLEY LEE C JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001046369

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11975
		FILM NUMBER:		051240079

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5005 ROCKSIDE RD
		CITY:			INDEPENDENCE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			44131

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>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-12-01</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001046369</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOWLEY LEE C JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5430 PORTAGE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VERMILLION</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>44089</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>2005-12-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>365.192</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.98</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>365.192</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6868.239</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </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">Distribution of amounts credited to a director under the Deferred Compensation Plan commences (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 following 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>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Andrew C. Alexander, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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