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, 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
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Revenues	$ 214,279	$ 268,642	$ 263,437	$ 234,272	$ 222,616	$ 272,312	$ 269,555	$ 241,771	$ 980,630	$ 1,006,254	$ 1,029,974
Operating (loss) income	4,890	42,132	49,778	23,972	22,214	61,285	40,485	(45,520)	120,772	78,464	128,071
Net (loss) income	121,218	12,408	16,823	1,678	19	22,684	14,918	(38,724)	152,127	(1,103)	26,712
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
Basic (loss) earnings per share	$ 1.04	$ 0.11	$ 0.14	$ 0.01		$ 0.20	$ 0.13	$ (0.31)	$ 1.31	$ (0.01)	$ 0.21
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	$ 1.03	$ 0.11	$ 0.14	$ 0.01		$ 0.20	$ 0.13	$ (0.31)	$ 1.30	$ (0.01)	$ 0.20