The boards of directors of La Quinta unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommended approval by their stockholders. La Quinta Corporation stockholders will be asked to vote on the proposed transaction at a special meeting that will be held on a date to be announced. The completion of the merger agreement is subject to various customary closing conditions. The closing of the merger agreement is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2006. Completion of the merger agreement is not subject to the receipt of financing by Blackstone. 

Francis W. (�Butch�) Cash, chairman and chief executive officer for La Quinta, said, �We are pleased to have signed a merger agreement with one of the world�s preeminent owners of hotels and resorts. Blackstone was attracted by our strong brands, high quality hotels, excellent management team and operating culture that is focused on delivering superior guest satisfaction. We believe this transaction is beneficial to our stockholders and will build on the accomplishments we have achieved over the last five years.� 

Jonathan D. Gray, senior managing director of The Blackstone Group, said, �We are excited to be acquiring La Quinta and look forward to working with its employees and franchise owners to continue the company�s success. We feel particularly fortunate to inherit such a great organization and vibrant franchisee base.� 

Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor to La Quinta. Bear Stearns, Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisors to Blackstone. Acquisition financing is being provided by Bank of America, Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch. Goodwin Procter LLP acted as legal advisor to La Quinta. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acted as legal advisor to Blackstone. 

About La Quinta 
La Quinta Corporation and its controlled subsidiary, La Quinta Properties, Inc. (NYSE: LQI) is one of the largest owner/operators of limited-service hotels in the United States. Based in Dallas, Texas, the Company owns and operates 360 hotels and franchises more than 240 hotels in 39 states under the La Quinta Inns®, La Quinta Inn & Suites®, Baymont Inn & Suites®, Woodfield Suites® and Budgetel® brands. For more information about La Quinta Corporation, please visit www.LQ.com.  

About The Blackstone Group 
The Blackstone Group, a private investment firm with offices in New York, Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, London, Hamburg, Mumbai and Paris, was founded in 1985. Blackstone�s Real Estate Group has raised six funds, representing over $8 billion in total equity and has a long track record of investing in hotels and other commercial properties. In addition to real estate, The Blackstone Group�s core businesses include private equity investing, corporate debt investing, distressed debt securities, marketable alternative asset management, corporate advisory services and restructuring and reorganization advisory. For more information about The Blackstone Group, please visit www.Blackstone.com. 

Certain matters discussed in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as �believes,� �anticipates,� �expects,� �intends,� �estimates,� �projects� and other similar expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends, typically identify forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or the timing of events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.