EXHIBIT 23(A)

The Board of Directors
La Quinta Inns, Inc.

   
    We consent to the use of our audit report, dated January 23, 1995 related to
the  combined balance sheets as  of December 31, 1994  and 1993, and the related
combined statements of operations, shareholders  equity and cash flows for  each
of  the years  in the  three-year period  ended December  31, 1994, incorporated
herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus.
    

    Our audit report refers to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109 in 1993.

                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

   
San Antonio, Texas
September 7, 1995