<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-08-20</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000929545</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SUPERTEL HOSPITALITY INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SPPR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001037182</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ELSZTAIN EDUARDO S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BOLIVAR 108</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUENOS AIRES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>C1066AAD</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ARGENTINA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476663</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CONSULTORES ASSETS MANAGEMENT STOCK CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BOLIVAR 108, PISO 2?</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUENOS AIRES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>C1066AAD</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ARGENTINA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476664</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CONSULTORES VENTURE CAPITAL LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUTA 8, KM. 17.500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>EDIFICIO 3, LOCAL 3</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEVIDEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91600</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>URUGUAY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001034957</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CRESUD INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>MORENO 877</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUENOS AIRES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>C1091AAQ</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ARGENTINA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476653</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CONSULTORES VENTURE CAPITAL URUGUAY STOCK CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUTA 8, KM. 17.500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>EDIFICIO 3, LOCAL 3</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEVIDEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91600</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>URUGUAY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476665</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AGROINVESTMENT STOCK CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUTA 8, KM. 17.500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>EDIFICIO 3, LOCAL 3</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEVIDEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91600</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>URUGUAY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001541641</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REAL ESTATE STRATEGIES LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2 CHURCH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HAMILTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>D0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HM CX</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>BERMUDA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000933267</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>IRSA INVESTMENTS &amp; REPRESENTATIONS INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>BOLIVAR 108</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUENOS AIRES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>C1066AAD</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ARGENTINA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001477078</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ifis LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FLORIDA 537, PISO 18?</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BUENOS AIRES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>C1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>C1005AAK</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ARGENTINA</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001476654</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>INVERSIONES FINANCIERAS DEL SUR STOCK CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUTA 8, KM. 17.500</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>EDIFICIO 3, LOCAL 3</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONTEVIDEO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>91600</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>URUGUAY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7763</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.9173</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>35287</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-21</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6800</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.91</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>42087</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Please see Exhibit.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This Form 4 is being filed in two parts due to the ten person reporting limitation of the electronic filing system.  Part 2 is being filed by the following persons: Efanur S.A., Tyrus S.A., Idalgir S.A., and Jiwin S.A.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eduardo S. Elsztain</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Consultores Assets Management S.A. by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Consultores Venture Capital Limited by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Cresud Sociedad Anonima Comercial, Inmobiliaria, Financiera y Agropecuaria by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Consultores Venture Capital Uruguay SA by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Agroinvestment S.A. by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Real Estate Strategies LP by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board of Jiwin S.A., General Partner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones Sociedad Anonima by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ IFIS Limited by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Inversiones Financieras del Sur S.A. by Eduardo S. Elsztain, Chairman of the Board</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
