-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 OniNB4/pjhGXhI0A1sVsNrJFxtygVxRmIcSdUx0vXEPQukVdp/O4k/fnjwSywVeO
 C0gf4lQ+eDz+jNcf/xDI+w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001268678-04-000005.txt : 20040428
<SEC-HEADER>0001268678-04-000005.hdr.sgml : 20040428
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040428154903
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001268678-04-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040427
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040428

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000080293
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				222640625
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 RTE 46 E
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9738821010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 RTE 46 EAST
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PRIME MOTOR INNS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920609

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PRIME EQUITIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19731120

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SELTZER STEPHEN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001288370

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06869
		FILM NUMBER:		04760582

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP
		STREET 2:		700 ROUTE 46 E.
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9788821010X6457

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP
		STREET 2:		700 ROUTE 46 E.
		CITY:			FAIRFIELD
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07004
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000080293</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>pdq</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001288370</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SELTZER STEPHEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>700 ROUTE 46 E.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FAIRFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07004</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock par value $.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Stephen Seltzer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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