La Quinta Inns, Inc.                                          [LaQuinta logo]
112 E. Pecan Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
P.O. Box 2636
San Antonio, Texas 78299-2636
210-302-6129


                                                              May 18, 1998



Dear Shareholders:

     On January 3, 1998, La Quinta Inns, Inc. ("La Quinta") entered into a
merger agreement with Meditrust Corporation ("Meditrust") and Meditrust
Operating Company pursuant to which La Quinta will merge into Meditrust with
Meditrust being the surviving company. In the merger, La Quinta common stock
will be exchanged for shares of Meditrust common stock and Meditrust Operating
Company common stock (the "Paired Shares") or, at your election, exchanged for
cash. After the merger, holders of Paired Shares will be entitled to receive a
cash earnings and profits distribution from Meditrust. Each share of La Quinta
common stock exchanged for cash will receive $26.00 in cash. However, the total
cash payable in the merger and the portion of the earnings and profits
distribution payable with respect to Paired Shares issued in the merger to La
Quinta shareholders is limited to approximately $521 million in the aggregate.
If the total cash elections in the merger exceed the maximum cash available to
be paid in the merger, the available cash will be prorated among La Quinta
shareholders making cash elections. As a result, if you elect to exchange your
shares for cash in the merger, you will likely instead receive cash for some of
your La Quinta common stock and Paired Shares for the balance of your La Quinta
common stock.

     BankBoston, N.A. has been designated as the exchange agent (the "Exchange
Agent") to exchange certificates representing La Quinta common stock for cash
and/or a certificate representing the appropriate number of Paired Shares to
which you are entitled. If you elect to receive cash for your La Quinta common
stock, you must submit to the Exchange Agent the stock certificate(s)
representing your La Quinta common stock, along with the enclosed Cash Election
Form and any other supporting documentation required by the Exchange Agent.
Please read the Cash Election Form carefully and be sure to follow the
instructions.

     If you elect to receive cash for your La Quinta shares and you wish to
send your certificates and Cash Election Form by mail, we recommend sending
them by registered mail, properly insured. An envelope addressed to the
Exchange Agent is enclosed for your convenience. Your properly completed Cash
Election Form together with your La Quinta common stock certificate(s) and all
other required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent by 5:00 p.m.
Boston time on June 15, 1998.

     If you do not elect to receive cash for your La Quinta common stock, the
Exchange Agent will mail to you, after the merger is consummated, a transmittal
letter with instructions for exchanging your La Quinta common stock for Paired
Shares.

     If you have any questions concerning the surrender of stock certificates,
please contact the Exchange Agent at (800) 730-4001 or the joint proxy
solicitor at (800) 549-6746 for additional information.


                                         Very truly yours,


                                         /s/ Gary L. Mead


                                         Gary L. Mead
                                         President and
                                         Chief Executive Officer