Hey there! As a home improvement expert who also happens to love traveling, I‘ve stayed at my fair share of La Quinta hotels over the years. But I‘ll admit, I never really thought twice about the name and where it came from—I just knew La Quinta as a trusted, affordable hotel brand. However, when a reader recently asked me about the meaning and origins behind the La Quinta name, I realized there‘s actually a fascinating story behind it!
So I decided to do some digging into the history books and real estate records to find out. As it turns out, La Quinta has Spanish roots and connections to architecture that have shaped the brand we know today. Read on for a deep dive into all things La Quinta!
La Quinta Means “The Fifth” in Spanish
The term “La Quinta” translates simply to “the fifth” or “the fifth one” in Spanish. It stems from the language‘s practice of adding the definite article “la” to ordinal numbers. Some examples of how “la quinta” is used include:
- The fifth house on a street
- The fifth property in an area
- The fifth child in a family
- The fifth installment in a series
So right off the bat, the name evokes a sense of sequence and succession—it‘s naming something as number five in line!
The Story Behind the Hotel Chain‘s Name
La Quinta first started as a single hotel built in 1968 in San Antonio, Texas. The founders, brothers Phil and Sam Barshop, were looking for a name for their new property.
As legend has it, they happened to spot a sign for a nearby Fifth Street (Calle Quinta in Spanish). They liked the sound of “La Quinta” and thought it had a nice ring to it.
Naming it after this local street turned out to be an excellent branding move. With La Quinta positioned primarily in the Southwest region, the Spanish-influenced name helped evoke a sense of the local culture.
And as the company grew, the name took on deeper meaning in relation to the architectural style of the hotels.
La Quinta Architecture Connects to “Quinta” Estates
While “la quinta” specifically translates to “the fifth” in Spanish, the word “quinta” on its own refers to a beautiful, ornate country estate or plantation home.
Some key features of a traditional Spanish Colonial “quinta” include:
- Sprawling floorplans, often one-story
- Decorative ironwork
- Terracotta roof tiles
- Arched windows and doorways
- Interior courtyards with fountains
- Lush gardens with palm trees
You’ll notice many La Quinta hotels reflect this architectural heritage in their design:
- Arched porticos and entryways
- Patterned floor tiles
- Wrought iron finishes
- Central courtyard and pool areas that resemble Spanish patios
So the name ties back to the visual aesthetic of a grand Spanish estate!
Fun Fact: There are also towns named La Quinta in California and Florida known for their splendid golf resorts and Spanish-style architecture!
How to Pronounce “La Quinta”
Since La Quinta comes from Spanish, it‘s pronounced as it would be in Spanish:
- Lah KEEN-tah
The emphasis goes on the “LAH” syllable and the “I” makes the long "EE" sound.
It‘s definitely not pronounced "la KWIN-ta" or "la KWAN-ta" like some people guess. Stick with “LAH-keen-tah” to get it just right!
What Does “Quinta” Mean on Its Own?
While “la quinta” means “the fifth” specifically, the standalone word “quinta” has some extended meanings:
- A country house or estate
- A plantation
- A farm or agricultural property
- A vacation home
- A guest house
So in real estate contexts, “quinta” refers to beautiful, grand residential properties or manors, usually in rural countryside settings.
Fun Fact: There‘s a La Quinta, California!
Did you know there’s actually a city called La Quinta in California? It’s located right next to Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley.
The name originated in the 1920s when a land development company was dividing up the town’s layout. The legend goes they named one area “La Quinta” because it was the fifth development zone they created!
Today, the town of La Quinta is known for its golf resorts and Spanish-style architecture. So the shared name and architectural vibe are a fitting coincidence between the California town and the hotel chain!
La Quinta Through the Years
La Quinta has come a long way from its first motor hotel back in 1968. Here‘s a quick look at the growth of the brand over the decades:
1968 – The first La Quinta motor hotel opens in San Antonio, TX. The Spanish-themed architectural style is established.
1970s – La Quinta begins franchising and expands to ~100 properties across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
1980s – The company grows to over 200 hotels nationwide. La Quinta goes public in 1984.
1990s – Chain continues expanding across the Southwest, Midwest, and Southeast. La Quinta opens its 500th hotel in 1999.
2000s – La Quinta launches its rewards program and adds luxury amenities like chic décor and Pillowtop beds.
2010s – The brand reaches 800+ properties. La Quinta merges with Wyndham Rewards in 2017.
Today – La Quinta operates over 925 hotels with its signature Spanish architecture and value-driven rates!
La Quinta Joins the Wyndham Hotel Group Portfolio
In 2018, La Quinta was acquired by the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts group, adding it to their expansive hotel portfolio. Wyndham’s rewards program folded La Quinta Returns into the Wyndham Rewards brand the following year.
Under the Wyndham umbrella, La Quinta joined other prominent hotel chains like Days Inn, Super 8, Howard Johnson, and Ramada. With Wyndham’s backing, La Quinta continues to grow its brand footprint across North America.
By the Numbers: La Quinta‘s Impressive Stats
Since its founding in 1968, La Quinta has grown into one of the largest hotel chains in the industry. Here‘s a snapshot of where the brand stands today:
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925+ hotels across the US, Canada, Mexico and Honduras
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Properties in 48 out of 50 US states
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Over 75,000 rooms company-wide
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210 franchised hotels and 715 corporate owned
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Estimated 30+ million guests annually
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Employs over 15,000 team members
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Ranked in the Top 10 US hotel franchises
With nearly 1,000 properties and growing, La Quinta shows no signs of slowing down! The brand continues leveraging its signature name and Spanish-inspired architecture while providing quality lodging at affordable rates.
Fun Fact: What Do the Colors Represent?
Ever notice the signature dark red and gold color scheme used across La Quinta hotels? As it turns out, even the brand‘s colors represent deeper meaning:
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Red – Embodies passion, vibrancy, and energy
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Gold – Evokes luxury, sophistication, and hospitality
Together, they make for a warm, inviting palette that complements the Spanish architectural details perfectly. The colors also stand out distinctly in the hotel landscape.
Next time you pull into a La Quinta out on the road, take note of how those dark red and golden signage and accents catch your eye amidst the sea of other hotel brands.
Why the Name Endures After 50+ Years
Even after a half century in business, La Quinta still proudly bears its signature Spanish name. There are likely several reasons why the “quinta” branding continues to endure:
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It’s unique – The name stands out from typical hotel names and has built strong brand recognition.
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It reflects roots – The name honors the company’s Texas origins and Southwest expansion.
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It evokes an identity – The Spanish style conveys a specific ambiance and regional flavor.
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Changing risks diluting brand equity – Altering an established name can cause you to lose brand awareness and loyal customers.
The name La Quinta has become an integral part of the brand’s identity. While the company has evolved over the decades, keeping those two special words tied back to its beginnings!
La Quinta: A Name with Rich History and Meaning
Who knew such a common hotel name had such an interesting backstory? I was excited to discover the deeper origins and significance behind La Quinta.
Learning about its Spanish roots, architectural connections, and brand heritage gave me a newfound appreciation for a hotel company I‘ve been patronizing for years. It makes you look at those signature red and gold signs a little differently now.
So next time you‘re road tripping down south and pull up to a La Quinta Inn, you can impress your traveling companions with all this fascinating knowledge about one of the largest hotel chains around! From its start as the “fifth” property in San Antonio to its thousands of locations today, La Quinta has certainly come a long way while keeping its storied name.
