Selected Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Revenues	$ 228,877	$ 279,103	$ 273,888	$ 248,106	$ 228,222	$ 271,118	$ 260,289	$ 217,309	$ 1,029,974	$ 976,938	$ 873,893
Operating income	27,241	52,740	15,177	32,913	22,156	54,319	25,452	34,742	128,071	136,669	156,181
NET INCOME (LOSS)	7,882	17,083	(4,567)	6,314	(4,117)	12,867	(338,635)	(3,522)	26,712	(333,407)	2,521
Net income (loss) attributable to La Quinta Holdings’ stockholders	$ 7,828	$ 17,058	$ (4,663)	$ 6,142	$ (4,193)	$ 12,817	$ (338,578)	$ (7,343)	$ 26,365	$ (337,297)	$ 3,976
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.06	$ 0.13	$ (0.04)	$ 0.05					$ 0.21	$ (2.67)	$ 0.03
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.06	$ 0.13	$ (0.04)	$ 0.05					$ 0.20	(2.67)	$ 0.03
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share					$ (0.03)	$ 0.10	$ (2.67)	$ (0.06)		$ (2.67)