Segments - Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Company to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) attributable to La Quinta Holdings’ stockholders	$ 121,175	$ 12,415	$ 16,786	$ 1,589	$ (28)	$ 22,666	$ 14,849	$ (38,775)	$ 151,965	$ (1,288)	$ 26,365
Interest expense									82,608	81,666	86,614
Income tax (benefit) expense									(111,556)	493	22,487
Depreciation and amortization									149,951	147,996	167,920
Noncontrolling interests									162	185	347
EBITDA									273,130	229,052	303,733
Impairment loss									1,178	104,258	50,121
(Gain) loss on sales									(3,665)	(4,908)	4,088
Loss on retirement of assets									2,485		445
Loss related to casualty disasters									1,557	3,051	1,824
Equity-based compensation									13,338	14,153	18,814
Amortization of software service agreements									9,514	9,050	8,343
Severance charges											11,021
Retention plan									(11,384)
Reorganization costs									(15,209)
Other losses (gains), net									2,742	5,722	(4,347)
Adjusted EBITDA									$ 326,872	$ 360,378	$ 394,042