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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-013912.txt : 20030702
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-013912.hdr.sgml : 20030702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702164716
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-013912
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030702

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MERRILL STEPHEN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001216780

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08131
		FILM NUMBER:		03772515

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		LA QUINTA CORP
		STREET 2:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE STE 600
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2144926720

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LA QUINTA PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000314661
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				953520818
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE SUITE 600
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7814336000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		909 HIDDEN RIDGE SUITE 600
		CITY:			IRVING
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75038

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MEDITRUST CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971114

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SANTA ANITA REALTY ENTERPRISES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>j2334_4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-07-01</periodOfReport>
  <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000314661</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LA QUINTA PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LQI</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001216780</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MERRILL STEPHEN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <nonDerivativeSecurity>
    <securityTitle>
      <value>Paired Shares</value>
      <footnoteId id="F1"/>
    </securityTitle>
    <transactionDate>
      <value>2003-07-01</value>
    </transactionDate>
    <transactionCoding>
      <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
      <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
      <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
    </transactionCoding>
    <transactionTimeliness>
      <value/>
    </transactionTimeliness>
    <transactionAmounts>
      <transactionShares>
        <value>2652</value>
      </transactionShares>
      <transactionValue>
        <value>4.43</value>
        <footnoteId id="F2"/>
      </transactionValue>
      <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        <value>A</value>
      </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
    </transactionAmounts>
    <postTransactionAmounts>
      <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        <value>60089</value>
      </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
    </postTransactionAmounts>
    <ownershipNature>
      <directOrIndirectOwnership>
        <value>D</value>
      </directOrIndirectOwnership>
    </ownershipNature>
  </nonDerivativeSecurity>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">Paired Shares consist of one share of common stock of La Quinta Corporation and one share of Class B common stock of La Quinta Properties, Inc., which are paired and traded as a single unit.</footnote>
    <footnote id="F2">Paired Shares issued in lieu of Director's Fee.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>/s/ Stephen E. Merrill</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-07-01</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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