EQUITY INNS INC
8-K, 1997-12-24
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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<PAGE>


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K



                                 Current Report
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                December 10, 1997
                ------------------------------------------------
                Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)



                                EQUITY INNS, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                        <C>
        Tennessee                       O-23290                  62-1550848
- ----------------------------      ---------------------      -------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction      (Commission File No.)       (I.R.S. Employer
      of Incorporation)                                      Identification No.)
</TABLE>


                                 4735 Spottswood
                                    Suite 102
                            Memphis, Tennessee 38117
               ---------------------------------------------------
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


                                 (901) 761-9651
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)




                                       N/A
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


                                        

<PAGE>




ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

Consummation of AmeriSuites Hotels Acquisition

         On  December   10,   1997,   Equity   Inns   Partnership,   L.P.   (the
"Partnership"),   a  Tennessee  limited  partnership  of  which  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of Equity  Inns,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  serves as the sole general
partner and currently owns an approximate  94.9% general  partnership  interest,
completed  the  acquisition  of ten  AmeriSuite  brand  all-suites  hotels  (the
"AmeriSuite Hotels"), with an aggregate of 1,239 rooms in six states, from Prime
Hospitality Corp., a publicly traded hotel corporation ("Prime").  The aggregate
purchase  price  for the  AmeriSuites  Hotels  was  $86,966,000,  including  the
issuance  of 572,847  units of limited  partnership  interest  ("Units")  in the
Partnership  to Prime,  valued at their  time of  issuance  at  $8,696,000.  The
Company funded the purchase of the  AmeriSuites  Hotels through a combination of
the net proceeds of the Company's  recently  completed fourth follow-on offering
of its Common Stock, the above-mentioned issuance of Units, and borrowings under
the Company's $250 million unsecured line of credit.

         The AmeriSuites  Hotels are located in Flagstaff,  Arizona (118 rooms);
Jacksonville,  Florida (112 rooms);  Miami, Florida (126 rooms);  Tampa, Florida
(126 rooms); Indianapolis (Keystone), Indiana (126 rooms); Kansas City (Overland
Park), Kansas (126 rooms);  Cincinnati (Blue Ash), Ohio (127 rooms);  Cincinnati
(Forest  Park),  Ohio (126 rooms);  Columbus,  Ohio (126 rooms);  and  Richmond,
Virginia  (126 rooms).  The  AmeriSuites  Hotels are leased to Caldwell  Holding
Corp., a subsidiary of Prime,  pursuant to percentage  leases providing for rent
payments  equal to the  greater  of (i) fixed  base rent  ("Base  Rent") or (ii)
percentage rent based in part on the revenues of the Hotels ("Percentage Rent").
Base Rent and the revenue threshold amounts for Percentage Rent generally adjust
annually based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

         The  following  sets forth (i) the annual Base Rent and (ii) the annual
Percentage Rent formula for each AmeriSuites Hotel:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Annual          Annual Percentage
         Hotel                           Base Rent           Rent Formula
         -----                           ---------     -------------------------
         <S>                             <C>           <C>

         Flagstaff, Arizona               $604,797     35.7% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,429,598, plus 71.3%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,429,598

         Jacksonville, Florida            $668,102     38% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,440,612, plus 76% 
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,440,612

         Miami, Florida                 $1,121,317     38% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,541,385, plus 76%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,541,385

         Tampa, Florida                 $1,094,602     38% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,554,487, plus 76.1%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,554,487
</TABLE>

                                        1

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Annual          Annual Percentage
         Hotel                           Base Rent           Rent Formula
         -----                           ---------     -------------------------
         <S>                             <C>           <C> 

         Indianapolis (Keystone),         $772,646     37.6% of room revenue up
           Indiana                                     to $1,569,772, plus 75.1%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,569,772

         Kansas City (Overland            $984,020     37.2% of room revenue up
           Park), Kansas                               to $1,715,252, plus 74.4%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,715,252

         Cincinnati (Blue Ash),           $783,325     36.5% of room revenue up
           Ohio                                        to $1,511,842, plus 72.9%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,511,842

         Cincinnati (Forest Park),        $696,473     35.9% of room revenue up
           Ohio                                        to $1,576,564, plus 71.8%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,576,564

         Columbus, Ohio                   $887,176     37.2% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,762,402, plus 74.4%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,762,402

         Richmond, Virginia             $1,131,097     38% of room revenue up
                                                       to $1,678,389, plus 76.1%
                                                       of room revenue in excess
                                                       of $1,678,389
</TABLE>

         As a part of the Company's  agreement with Prime, Prime has granted the
Company, for each of the three years following the closing of the acquisition of
the AmeriSuites Hotels, (i) a right of first offer to purchase all portfolios of
five or more AmeriSuites  hotels that Prime decides to sell (provided,  however,
that Prime  need not offer more than 20 hotels per each year of such  three-year
period) and (b) a commitment  to offer to sell to the Company not less than five
AmeriSuites hotels during each year of such three-year period.

         Pursuant to Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X, no financial statements are
required to be filed in connection with this Current Report on Form 8-K.



                                        2

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ITEM 7.           EXHIBITS.
<S>  <C> <C>  

     (a) Financial Statements.  No financial statements are required to be filed
         hereto, pursuant to Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X.

     (c) Exhibits. The following exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation
         S-K are listed below:

10.1     Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime
         Hospitality Corp. and Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2,
         1997.

10.2     Second Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.3     Third Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.4     Fourth Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.5     Form of Percentage Lease Agreement between Equity Inns Partnership,
         L.P. as lessor and Caldwell Holding Corp. as Lessee.

</TABLE>








                                        3

<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                         EQUITY INNS, INC.
                                         (Registrant)


Date:  December 19, 1997                 By:   /s/ Howard A. Silver
- ------------------------                 --------------------------
                                         Howard A. Silver, Executive Vice
                                         President, Secretary, Treasurer and
                                         Chief Financial Officer


                                        4

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Item
Number   Description
- ------   -----------
<S>      <C>


10.1     Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime
         Hospitality Corp. and Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2,
         1997.

10.2     Second Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.3     Third Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.4     Fourth Purchase and Sale Agreement between Prime Hospitality Corp. and
         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P. dated December 2, 1997.

10.5     Form of Percentage Lease Agreement between Equity Inns Partnership,
         L.P. as lessor and Caldwell Holding Corp. as Lessee.

</TABLE>















                                        5


<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1



                AMENDED AND RESTATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                            PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.,
                                   as Seller,

                                       and

                         EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,
                                  as Purchaser

                                December 2, 1997












1.   Flagstaff, AZ


2.   Cincinnati,
     OH/ Forest
     Park


3.   Jacksonville,
     FL





<PAGE>






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>
                                                                            Page

SECTION 1.  DEFINITION.........................................................1

   1.2.     Agreement..........................................................2
   1.3.     Allocable Purchase Price...........................................2
   1.4.     Assets.............................................................2
   1.5.     Business Day.......................................................2
   1.6.     Closing............................................................2
   1.7.     Closing Date.......................................................2
   1.8.     Code...............................................................2
   1.9.     Contracts..........................................................2
   1.10.    Counter-Offer......................................................2
   1.11.    Defective Property.................................................2
   1.12.    Deposit............................................................3
   1.13.    Diligence Notice Letter............................................3
   1.14.    Documents..........................................................3
   1.15.    Encumbrance........................................................3
   1.16.    Escrow Agent.......................................................3
   1.17.    Escrow Agreement...................................................3
   1.18.    FF&E...............................................................3
   1.19.    First Offer Hotels.................................................3
   1.20.    First Offer Response Period........................................3
   1.21.    Hotel..............................................................3
   1.22.    Improvements.......................................................3
   1.23.    Intangible Property................................................4
   1.24.    Inventory..........................................................4
   1.25.    Lease..............................................................4
   1.26.    LP Agreement.......................................................4
   1.27.    Option Hotels......................................................4
   1.28.    Option Response Period.............................................4
   1.29.    Notice of Sale.....................................................4
   1.30.    Offer Period.......................................................4
   1.31.    Option Period......................................................4
   1.32.    Permitted Encumbrances.............................................5
   1.33.    Properties.........................................................5
   1.34.    Purchase Price.....................................................5
   1.35.    Purchaser..........................................................5
   1.36.    Real Property......................................................5
   1.37.    REIT...............................................................5
</TABLE>

                                       (i)



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>

                                                                            Page

   1.38.    Review Period......................................................5
   1.39.    Seller.............................................................5
   1.40.    Seller Group.......................................................5
   1.41.    Seller's knowledge.................................................5
   1.42.    Surveys............................................................6
   1.43.    Tenant.............................................................6
   1.44.    Title Commitments..................................................6
   1.45.    Title Company......................................................6

SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.......................................6

   2.1.     Purchase and Sale..................................................6
   2.2.     Deposit............................................................6
   2.3.     Due Diligence......................................................6
   2.4.     Casualty; Condemnation.............................................7
   2.5.     Title Matters......................................................8
   2.6.     Survey Matters.....................................................8

SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE............................................8

   3.1.     Closing............................................................8
   3.2.     Purchase Price.....................................................9

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE......................9

   4.1.     Closing Documents..................................................9
   4.2.     Condition of Properties...........................................11
   4.3.     Title Policies....................................................11
   4.4.     Opinions of Counsel...............................................11
   4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.....................................11
   4.6.     Representations...................................................11

SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE........................11

   5.1.     Purchase Price....................................................12
   5.2.     Closing Documents.................................................12
   5.3.     Opinion of Counsel................................................12
   5.4.     Representations...................................................12
   5.5.     Amendment to LP Agreement.........................................12

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................12

   6.1.     Status and Authority of Seller....................................12
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>
                                                                            Page

   6.2.     Action of Seller..................................................12
   6.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................13
   6.4.     Litigation........................................................13
   6.5.     Existing Leases, Agreements, Etc..................................13
   6.6.     Utilities, Etc....................................................13
   6.7.     Compliance With Law...............................................14
   6.8.     Taxes.............................................................14
   6.9.     Not A Foreign Person..............................................14
   6.10.    Hazardous Substances..............................................14
   6.11.    Insurance.........................................................15
   6.12.    Ownership.........................................................15

SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.......................16

   7.1.     Status and Authority of Purchaser.................................16
   7.2.     Action of Purchaser...............................................16
   7.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................16
   7.4.     Litigation........................................................16
   7.5.     No Conflicts......................................................16
   7.6.     REIT Status, Organization.........................................17
   7.7.     REIT Filings......................................................17

SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.................................17

   8.1.     Covenants of Seller...............................................17
   8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser............................................18

SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.....................................................18

   9.1.     Closing Costs.....................................................18

SECTION 10. DEFAULT...........................................................18

   10.1.    Default by Seller.................................................18
   10.2.    Default by Purchaser..............................................19

SECTION 11. RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL..........................19

   11.1.    Right of First Offer..............................................19
   11.2.    Commitment to Sell................................................21
   11.3.    General Provisions................................................22
</TABLE>

                                      (iii)



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>
                                                                            Page

SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................24

   12.1.    Agreement to Indemnify............................................24
   12.2.    Brokerage Commissions.............................................25
   12.3.    Publicity.........................................................25
   12.4.    Notices...........................................................26
   12.5.    Waivers, Etc......................................................27
   12.6.    Assignment; Successors and Assigns................................27
   12.7.    Severability......................................................28
   12.8.    Counterparts, Etc.................................................28
   12.9.    Governing Law.....................................................28
   12.10.   Performance on Business Days......................................29
   12.11.   Attorneys' Fees...................................................29
   12.12.   Section and Other Headings........................................29
   12.13.   No Oral Modifications.............................................29
   12.14.   Incorporation by Reference........................................29

</TABLE>


Exhibit A  -  The Properties


                                      (iv)



<PAGE>






                AMENDED AND RESTATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT



         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT is made as of the
2nd  day  of  December,  1997,  between  PRIME  HOSPITALITY  CORP.,  a  Delaware
corporation  ("Seller"),  as  seller,  and  Equity  Inns  Partnership,  L.P.,  a
Tennessee limited partnership ("Purchaser"), as purchaser.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  Seller and Purchaser  entered into that certain  Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the  "Original  Agreement"),  dated as of September 22, 1997, as
amended by that certain  Amendment to Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  (the "First
Amendment"), dated as of November 6, 1997, Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale
Agreement  (the  "Second  Amendment"),  dated as of November  10, 1997 and Third
Amendment to Purchase and Sale  Agreement (the "Third  Amendment"),  dated as of
November 19, 1997 (the Original  Agreement,  as amended by the First  Amendment,
the Second Amendment and the Third Amendment,  shall  hereinafter be referred to
as the "Prior Agreement"),  with respect to certain properties more particularly
described therein; and

         WHEREAS,  Seller and  Purchaser  desire to amend and  restate the Prior
Agreement to exclude certain of the properties  which were included  therein and
to make certain other modifications more particularly set forth herein; and

         WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Purchaser,  and Purchaser desires to
purchase  from  Seller,  the  Properties,  subject  to and  upon the  terms  and
conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and other good and  valuable  consideration,  the mutual  receipt and
legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,  Seller and Purchaser hereby
agree that all of the provisions of the Prior Agreement are superseded,  amended
and restated to read as follows:

         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

         Capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the meanings set
forth below or in the Section of this Agreement referred to below:

                                       -1-




<PAGE>






         1.1.  Affiliate:  The term  "Affiliate"  of an entity shall mean (a) an
entity that,  directly or  indirectly,  controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with such entity,  (b) any other entity that owns,  beneficially,
directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital
stock, shares or equity interests of such entity, or (c) any officer,  director,
employee, partner or trustee of such entity or any person or entity controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such entity  (excluding  trustees and
entities  serving in similar  capacities  who are not  otherwise an Affiliate of
such entities).

         1.2. "Agreement" shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement,  together
with  Exhibits A through E attached  hereto,  as it and they may be amended from
time to time as herein provided.

         1.3.  "Allocable Purchase Price" shall mean, with respect to any of the
Properties, the applicable amount set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

         1.4. "Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Hotel, collectively,  all
of the Real Property, the FF&E, the Contracts,  the Documents,  the Improvements
and the Intangible  Property  owned by Seller in connection  with or relating to
such Hotel.

         1.5. "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
any  other  day on  which  banking  institutions  in the  State  of New York are
authorized by law or executive action to close.

         1.6.     "Closing" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.7.     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.8.     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

         1.9. "Contracts" shall mean, with respect to any Property,  all service
contracts,  equipment  leases,  booking  agreements  and other  arrangements  or
agreements  to  which  Seller  is  a  party  affecting  the  ownership,  repair,
maintenance,  management,  leasing or operation of such Property,  to the extent
Seller's interest therein is assignable or transferable.

                                       -2-


<PAGE>






         1.10.       "Counter-Offer" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 11.1.

         1.11.  "Defective  Property" shall mean any Property which (i) has been
condemned in whole or in part,  or (ii) by reason of damage by fire,  vandalism,
acts  of God  or  other  casualty  or  cause,  has  suffered  damage  such  that
expenditures equal to or greater than $500,000 (as such cost is determined by an
architect  or  engineer  selected  by  Seller  and  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Purchaser)   shall  be  required  in  order  to  restore  such   Property   into
substantially the same condition as existing prior to such damage.

         1.12.       "Deposit" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.2.

         1.13.  "Diligence Notice Letter" shall mean that certain letter,  dated
November 6, 1997, from Purchaser to Seller,  delivered  pursuant to Sections 2.5
and 2.6 of the Original Agreement.

         1.14.  "Documents" shall mean, with respect to any Property, all books,
records and files relating to the leasing, maintenance,  management or operation
of such Property.

         1.15.       "Encumbrance" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 11.3.

         1.16.       "Escrow Agent" shall mean the Title Company.

         1.17.  "Escrow  Agreement"  shall mean that certain  Escrow  Agreement,
dated as of September 22, 1997, among Purchaser, Seller and Escrow Agent.

         1.18. "FF&E " shall mean, with respect to any Property, all appliances,
machinery, devices, fixtures,  appurtenances,  equipment, furniture, furnishings
and articles of tangible  personal  property of every kind and nature whatsoever
owned by Seller and located in or at, or used exclusively in connection with the
ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property.

         1.19.       "First Offer Hotels" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 11.1.

         1.20.       "First Offer Response Period" shall have the meaning

                                       -3-


<PAGE>






given such term in Section 11.1.

         1.21.   "Hotel"  shall  mean  each  hotel  located  at  the  properties
identified  on  Exhibit  A, the  legal  descriptions  of which  are set forth on
Exhibits B-1 through B-3.

         1.22.  "Improvements"  shall mean,  with respect to any  Property,  all
buildings,  fixtures,  walls,  fences,  landscaping  and  other  structures  and
improvements  situated on,  affixed or  appurtenant  to the Real  Property  with
respect to such Property.

         1.23.  "Intangible  Property" shall mean, with respect to any Property,
all  transferable or assignable  permits,  certificates of occupancy,  operating
permits, sign permits, development rights and approvals, certificates, licenses,
warranties and guarantees, the Contracts,  telephone exchange numbers identified
with  such  Property  held by  Seller  and  all  other  transferable  intangible
property, miscellaneous rights, benefits and privileges of any kind or character
with respect to such Property  held by Seller,  except (a) to the extent held by
or transferred to the Tenant under the Lease and (b) for all  trademarks,  trade
names,   copyrights,   patents  or  technical  processes,   including,   without
limitation,  any "AmeriSuites"  brand name, logos and designs,  owned or used by
Seller with respect to such Property.

         1.24.  "Inventory  " shall mean all  inventory  located at the  Hotels,
including,  without limitation,  all mattresses,  pillows,  bed linens,  towels,
powder goods,  soaps,  cleaning supplies and such other supplies,  together with
any food inventory such as cereal,  breakfast rolls, coffee, which shall be more
particularly  described in the schedule of Inventory  approved by Purchaser  and
delivered  at  Closing  by  Seller,  and which  shall be at a minimum in amounts
sufficient  to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  applicable   franchise
agreement.

         1.25. "Lease" shall mean, collectively, all of the leases to be entered
into between Purchaser,  as landlord, and the Tenant, as tenant, with respect to
each of the  Properties,  each  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit C.

         1.26.       "LP Agreement" shall mean that certain Third Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P.,
dated as of June 25, 1997.

                                       -4-


<PAGE>






         1.27.       "Option Hotels" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 11.2.

         1.28.       "Option Response Period" shall have the meaning given
such term in Section 11.2.

         1.29.       "Notice of Sale" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 11.2.

         1.30.       "Offer Period" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 11.1.

         1.31.       "Option Period" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 11.3.

         1.32.  "Permitted   Encumbrances"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any
Property, (a) liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges with respect
to  such  Property  not  yet due and  payable  or due  and  payable  but not yet
delinquent  or  as  to  which  adequate  reserves  are  provided  therefor;  (b)
applicable zoning  regulations and ordinances  provided the same do not prohibit
or  impair  in any  material  respect  the use of such  Property  as a hotel  as
currently operated and constructed;  (c) such other nonmonetary  encumbrances as
do not, in  Purchaser's  reasonable  opinion,  impair  marketability  and do not
materially  interfere  with the use of such Property as a  functioning  hotel as
currently operated and constructed; (d) such other nonmonetary encumbrances with
respect to such  Property  which shall not have been  objected  to by  Purchaser
pursuant to the Diligence Notice Letter; and (e) such exceptions or matters,  as
the case may be, otherwise accepted by Purchaser.

         1.33.  "Properties"  shall  mean  all of  the  Assets  relating  to the
properties  identified  on  Exhibit A, the legal  descriptions  of which are set
forth in Exhibits B-1 through B-3.

         1.34.       "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 3.2.

         1.35.       "Purchaser" shall have the meaning given such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.

         1.36.       "Real Property" shall mean the real property described
in the applicable Exhibit B-1 through B-3, together with all

                                       -5-


<PAGE>






easements,  rights of way,  privileges,  licenses and appurtenances which Seller
may now own with respect thereto.

         1.37.       "REIT" shall mean Equity Inns, Inc.

         1.38. "Review Period" shall mean the period which commenced on the date
of the Prior Agreement and expired on November 10, 1997.

         1.39.       "Seller" shall have the meaning given such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.

         1.40.  "Seller Group shall mean Seller and any Affiliate of Seller that
is a parent or direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.41.       "Seller's knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge of
Joseph Bernadino, John M. Elwood, David Simon and Richard
Szymanski.

         1.42.       "Surveys" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.5.

         1.43.       "Tenant" shall mean Caldwell Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.44.       "Title Commitments" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 2.5.

         1.45.  "Title  Company" shall mean Chicago Title  Insurance  Company or
such other title  insurance  company or companies as shall have been  reasonably
approved by Purchaser and Seller.

         SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.

         2.1. Purchase and Sale. In consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained,  Purchaser  hereby agrees to purchase from Seller,  and Seller hereby
agrees to sell to Purchaser, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to
the Properties  for the Purchase  Price,  subject to and in accordance  with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         2.2.        Deposit.  Purchaser has deposited the sum of $1,308,750

                                       -6-


<PAGE>






(the  "Deposit")  with  the  Escrow  Agent.  The  Deposit  shall  be  held in an
interest-bearing  account pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. If this
Agreement  shall  terminate  with respect to all of the  Properties  pursuant to
Section 10.1, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be
returned to Purchaser.  If this Agreement  shall  terminate  pursuant to Section
10.2, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be paid to
Seller.  If the Closing shall occur,  the Deposit  shall be credited  toward the
Purchase Price,  pursuant to Section 3.2, and the interest earned on the Deposit
shall be paid to Purchaser.

         2.3. Due  Diligence.  Any forms of franchise  guidelines  and franchise
agreements  for  "AmeriSuites"  which Seller shall have provided to Purchaser in
connection with Purchaser's due diligence shall be substantially  similar to (i)
the form which Tenant shall enter into in  connection  with the Closing and (ii)
(subject to any changes made by franchisor to such form on a  non-discriminatory
basis) the form to be employed with respect to any First Offer Hotels and Option
Hotels. To the extent that, in connection with its due diligence  investigation,
Purchaser,  its agents,  representatives  or contractors,  shall have damaged or
disturbed  any  of  the  Real  Property  or the  Improvements  located  thereon,
Purchaser  shall  return  the same to  substantially  the same  condition  which
existed  immediately prior to such damage or disturbance.  In the event that the
transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement are not closed and consummated for
any reason,  Purchaser shall, on request by Seller, deliver to Seller all tests,
reports and  inspections  of the Property made and conducted by Purchaser or for
its benefit or any other documents or information  (including title commitments,
UCC  financing  statement  search  reports,  title  documents,  surveys,  zoning
reports,  environmental audits,  structural engineering reports,  appraisals and
the like),  which Purchaser has received  pursuant to this Agreement;  provided,
however, that Seller shall reimburse Purchaser's  out-of-pocket expenses for any
of the  foregoing  materials  (other than  materials  delivered by Seller or its
agents or  representatives  to Purchaser)  which it requests  that  Purchaser so
deliver.  Purchaser  shall  indemnify,  defend and hold harmless Seller from and
against any and all  expense,  loss or damage which Seller may incur as a result
of  any  act  or  omission  of  Purchaser  or  its  representatives,  agents  or
contractors in connection with such examinations and inspections,  other than to
the extent that any expense,  loss or damage arises from any gross negligence or
willful misconduct of Seller. The provisions of this

                                       -7-


<PAGE>






Section 2.3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Closing.

         2.4.  Casualty;  Condemnation.  (a) If, prior to the  Closing,  (i) any
Property  suffers a casualty  or partial  condemnation  which  would  cause such
Property to become a Defective  Property and (ii) such Property is not, prior to
the Closing,  restored to a condition  substantially  the same as the  condition
thereof immediately prior to such casualty or condemnation,  either Purchaser or
Seller may, on notice to the other  given prior to the Closing  Date,  terminate
this Agreement with respect to such Defective Property, in which event Purchaser
shall acquire all of the Properties other than such Defective Property,  and the
Purchase  Price  shall  be  reduced  by the  Allocable  Purchase  Price  of such
Defective  Property.  Promptly upon learning of the same,  Seller  covenants and
agrees to provide  Purchaser  with  prompt  written  notice of any  casualty  or
condemnation affecting any Property.

         (b) If,  prior to the Closing,  any Property  shall be condemned in its
entirety,  this  Agreement  shall  automatically  terminate with respect to such
Defective Property, in which event Purchaser shall acquire all of the Properties
other than such Defective  Property,  and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by
the Allocable Purchase Price of such Defective Property.

         (c) If neither  Purchaser  nor Seller  shall  elect to  terminate  this
Agreement with respect to a Defective Property pursuant to Paragraph (a) of this
Section  2.4,  Seller  agrees (i) in the case of a casualty  loss,  to assign to
Purchaser at Closing its rights to any  insurance  proceeds with respect to such
loss,  pay  over to  Purchaser  any  such  proceeds  already  received  and give
Purchaser a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of any deductible or
uninsured loss, or (ii) in the case of a condemnation, to assign to Purchaser at
Closing its rights to any compensation in connection with such  condemnation and
pay over to Purchaser any such  compensation  already  received,  and, in either
such event, Purchaser shall acquire such Defective Property as provided herein.

         (d) If any Property shall suffer a casualty loss which shall not render
the Property a Defective  Property,  Seller shall assign to Purchaser at Closing
its rights to any  insurance  proceeds  with  respect to such loss,  pay over to
Purchaser any such proceeds already received and give Purchaser a credit against
the Purchase

                                       -8-


<PAGE>






Price in the amount of any  deductible or uninsured  loss,  and Purchaser  shall
acquire such Property as provided herein.

         2.5.  Title  Matters.  Purchaser  has received from the Title Company a
preliminary  title  commitment,  having an effective date after the date of this
Agreement,  for an ALTA (or such other form  reasonably  approved by  Purchaser)
owner's  policy  of title  insurance  with  respect  to each of the  Properties,
together  with  complete and legible  copies of all  instruments  and  documents
referred to as  exceptions  to title  (collectively,  the "Title  Commitments").
Except as set forth on the Diligence Notice Letter,  Purchaser  acknowledges and
agrees that it does not have any objection to any title  exceptions which affect
the Properties.

         2.6.  Survey  Matters.  Purchaser has received a survey with respect to
each  of  the  Properties  (the  "Surveys")  by  a  licensed   surveyor  in  the
jurisdiction  in which each such  Property  is  located,  which (i)  contains an
accurate legal description of the applicable Property,  (ii) shows the location,
dimension and description  (including  applicable recording  information) of all
utilities,  easements,  encroachments  and other physical matters affecting such
Property,  the  number  of  striped  parking  spaces  located  thereon  and  all
applicable building set-back lines, (iii) states whether the applicable Property
is located  within a 100-year flood plain and (iv) is certified to Purchaser and
the Title  Company  and such  other  persons  as shall  have been  requested  by
Purchaser  or  Seller.  Except  as set  forth on the  Diligence  Notice  Letter,
Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees that it does not have any  objection  to any
matter shown on the Surveys.

         SECTION 3.        CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE.

         3.1.  Closing.  The  purchase  and  sale  of the  Properties  shall  be
consummated  at a closing (the  "Closing") to be held at the offices of Hunton &
Williams, 200 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10166-0136, or at such
other  location as Seller and Purchaser may agree,  at 10:00 a.m. local time, on
or about December
10, 1997 (the "Closing Date").

         3.2.        Purchase Price.  (a)  At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay
to Seller for the Properties a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") in the
amount of $18,430,139 (subject to customary prorations and adjustments), except
that Purchaser shall receive a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount
of the Deposit.

                                       -9-


<PAGE>


         (b) The Purchase Price shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately
available  funds on the Closing Date to an account or accounts to be  designated
by Seller prior to the Closing.

         (c)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.3
hereof or this Section 3.2, if either Seller or Purchaser  shall not be ready to
close with respect to one or more Hotels by the Closing Date,  the Closing shall
occur as to such Hotels as to which the  parties  shall  agree,  and the parties
shall  agree as to one or more  additional  closings  of  groups  of one or more
Hotels  until  settlement  has occurred as to all of the Hotels,  provided  that
settlement shall have occured as to all of the Hotels no later than December 22,
1997. In the event of more than one Closing,  this  Agreement  shall be deemed a
separate  agreement as to each Hotel and, except as otherwise  agreed to between
Seller and Purchaser,  (a) the Purchase Price for each individual Hotel shall be
the applicable Allocable Purchase Price, and (b) the Deposit for each individual
Hotel  shall  equal the amount set forth on Exhibit A. In the event of  multiple
Closings,  the place and manner of Closing shall be as reasonably agreed between
Seller and Purchaser.

         (d) The  provisions  of  Sections  3.2(c)  and (e)  shall  survive  the
Closing.

         SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation  of Purchaser to acquire the  Properties on the Closing
Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions precedent
on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Seller  covenants  to use  commercially
reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         4.1. Closing Documents. Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser:

         (a) Good and sufficient special warranty deeds, with legal descriptions
based on the  deeds by  which  Seller  received  title  to the  Properties,  and
quitclaim  deeds with legal  descriptions  based on the Surveys,  if the Surveys
indicate any differing legal descriptions, all in forms as shall be customary in
the various  jurisdictions in which the Properties are located,  with respect to
all of the Properties, in proper statutory form for recording, duly

                                      -10-


<PAGE>






executed  and  acknowledged  by  Seller,  conveying  fee  simple  title  to  the
applicable  Properties,  free  from all liens and  encumbrances  other  than the
Permitted Encumbrances;

         (b) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Purchaser,  duly executed and acknowledged
by Seller,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title and interest in, to and
under the FF&E,  the Documents and the  Intangible  Property with respect to the
Properties;

         (c) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller,  Purchaser  and Tenant,  duly  executed and
acknowledged by Seller, to Tenant,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title
and interest in, to and under the Inventory and the  Contracts,  with respect to
the Properties;

         (d) Duly executed and  acknowledged  memoranda of lease,  setting forth
the material terms of each Lease, in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory
to Seller and Purchaser;

         (e)         Duly executed transfer tax forms, as required by
applicable law;

         (f) Duly executed environmental  disclosure forms, as and to the extent
required by applicable law;

         (g)         To the extent the same are in Seller's possession,
original, fully executed copies of all Contracts pertaining to the
Properties;

         (h) A duly executed copy of the Lease and all other  documents and sums
required to be delivered by Seller and/or the Tenant pursuant thereto;

         (i) A duly executed copy of the franchise  agreement between the Tenant
and the franchisor with respect to each of the Properties;

         (j) Certified  copies of all charter  documents,  applicable  corporate
resolutions  and  certificates  of  incumbency  with  respect  to Seller and the
Tenant;

                                      -11-


<PAGE>






         (k) an affidavit of Seller in accordance  with Section 1445 of the Code
and such  documentation  as shall  be  required  to  comply  with the  reporting
requirements of Section 1099-S of the Code; and

         (l) Such other  conveyance  documents,  certificates,  deeds, and other
instruments  as may be required by this  Agreement  or as Purchaser or the Title
Company may  reasonably  require to  effectuate  the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder.

          4.2.       Condition of Properties.  (a)  All of the Properties
and all Improvements located thereon shall, except as otherwise
provided in Section 2.3, be in substantially the same physical
condition as on September 22, 1997, ordinary wear and tear
excepted;

         (b) No material default or event which with the giving of notice and/or
lapse of time could  constitute a material  default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing under any material  agreement  benefiting or affecting the Properties
in any material respect;

         (c) No action shall be pending or threatened  for the  condemnation  or
taking  by  power  of  eminent  domain  of all or any  material  portion  of the
Properties which would render any Property a Defective Property; and

         (d) All material licenses,  permits and other authorizations  necessary
for the current use,  occupancy and operation of the Properties shall be in full
force and effect in all material respects.

         4.3. Title Policies. The Title Company shall be prepared,  subject only
to payment of the applicable premium,  endorsement and related fees and delivery
of all  conveyance  documents  in  recordable  form,  to issue  title  insurance
policies to  Purchaser,  in  accordance  with  Section 2.5,  together  with such
affirmative  coverages as Purchaser may  reasonably  require and shall have been
determined by the Title Company as available prior to the date hereof.

         4.4.  Opinions  of  Counsel.  Purchaser  shall have  received a written
opinion from counsel to Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser  and Seller's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Seller and Tenant.

                                      -12-


<PAGE>






         4.5.        No PIP Requirement at Closing.  There shall be no PIP
requirement imposed by the franchisor in connection with the
Closing.

         4.6.        Representations.  All representations and warranties
made herein by Seller shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation of Seller to convey the  Properties on the Closing Date
to  Purchaser  is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions
precedent  on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Purchaser  covenants  to use
commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         5.1.  Purchase  Price.  Purchaser  shall deliver to Seller the Purchase
Price, pursuant to Section 3.1.

         5.2.        Closing Documents.  Purchaser shall have delivered to
Seller:

         (a)         Duly executed and acknowledged counterparts of the
documents described in Section 4.1, where applicable;

         (b) Certified copies of all charter documents,  partnership agreements,
applicable  resolutions and certificates of incumbency with respect to Purchaser
and its general partner; and

         5.3.  Opinion of Counsel.  Seller shall have received a written opinion
from counsel to Purchaser,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Seller and  Purchaser's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Purchaser and the REIT.

         5.4.        Representations.  All representations and warranties
made herein by Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         5.5.  Amendment to LP Agreement.  Purchaser shall have caused Exhibit A
of the LP  Agreement  to be  amended  so as to add  Seller as a limited  partner
listed thereon.



                                      -13-


<PAGE>






         SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.

         To induce Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller represents and
warrants to Purchaser as follows:

         6.1.  Status and  Authority  of Seller.  Seller is a  corporation  duly
organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing under the laws of its
state of incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority under the laws
of such state and its respective charter documents to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.  Seller has duly qualified to transact  business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business  conducted by it requires  such  qualification,
except  where  failure  to do so could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
material adverse effect.

         6.2.  Action  of Seller . Seller  has  taken  all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of this  Agreement,  and upon
the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by Seller or Tenant
on or prior to the Closing Date,  such document  shall  constitute the valid and
binding  obligation  and  agreement  of  Seller or  Tenant,  as the case may be,
enforceable  against  Seller or Tenant in accordance  with its terms,  except as
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium  or similar  laws of  general  application  affecting  the rights and
remedies of creditors.

         6.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of  this  Agreement  by  Seller  or of the  Lease  by  Tenant,  nor
compliance with the terms and provisions  hereof or thereof,  will result in any
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute
a default  under,  or result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance
upon any  Property  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Seller or Tenant is bound, except pursuant to the Lease or this Agreement.

         6.4.        Litigation.  Neither Seller nor Tenant has received any
written notice of and, to Seller's knowledge, no action or
proceeding is pending or threatened and no investigation looking
toward such an action or proceeding has begun, which (a) questions

                                      -14-


<PAGE>






the  validity of this  Agreement or the Lease or any action taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto, (b) will result in any material adverse change in the business,
operation,  affairs or condition of the Properties,  taken as a whole,  (c) will
result in or subject the  Properties  to a material  liability,  or (d) involves
condemnation or eminent domain  proceedings  against any part of the Properties,
which would render such Property a Defective Property.

         6.5.  Existing  Leases,  Agreements,  Etc.  Other  than any  agreements
provided to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement and listed on the
schedule  attached  hereto as Exhibit E, there are no other material  agreements
affecting the  Properties  which will be binding on Purchaser  subsequent to the
Closing Date, which Purchaser cannot terminate.

         6.6. Utilities,  Etc. To Seller's knowledge, all utilities and services
necessary  for the use  and  operation  of the  Properties  (including,  without
limitation,  road access,  gas, water,  electricity and telephone) are available
thereto,   are  of  sufficient   capacity  to  meet  adequately  all  needs  and
requirements  necessary for the current use and operation of the  Properties and
for  their  respective  intended  purposes.  To  Seller's  knowledge,  no  fact,
condition or proceeding exists which would result in the termination or material
impairment of the furnishing of such utilities to the Properties.

         6.7. Compliance with Law. To Seller's knowledge, except as set forth on
Exhibit D attached hereto,  (i) the Properties and the current use and operation
thereof  do not  violate  any  material  federal,  state,  municipal  and  other
governmental  statutes,  ordinances,  by-laws,  rules,  regulations or any other
legal   requirements,   including,   without   limitation,   those  relating  to
construction,  occupancy,  zoning,  subdivision,  land use, adequacy of parking,
environmental  protection,  occupational  health  and  safety  and  fire  safety
applicable  thereto;  and (ii)  there  are  presently  in  effect  all  material
licenses,  permits  and other  authorizations  necessary  for the  current  use,
occupancy and operation thereof (including liquor license, if required).  Except
as  disclosed  to  Purchaser,  Seller  has not  received  written  notice of any
threatened request,  application,  proceeding, plan, study or effort which would
materially  adversely  affect the current use or zoning of any of the Properties
or which would  materially  adversely  modify or realign any adjacent  street or
highway.

                                      -15-


<PAGE>






         6.8. Taxes. To Seller's knowledge,  other than the amounts disclosed by
tax bills (copies of which have been  delivered by Seller to Purchaser  prior to
the execution of this  Agreement),  no taxes or special  assessments of any kind
(special,  bond or otherwise) are or have been levied with respect to any of the
Properties,  or any portion thereof, which are outstanding or unpaid, other than
amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, not yet delinquent.

         6.9.        Not A Foreign Person.  Seller is not a "foreign person"
within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

         6.10. Hazardous  Substances.  Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached
hereto or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to  Purchaser
(including,  without limitation, the environmental site assessments set forth on
Exhibit  D), to  Seller's  knowledge,  Seller has not stored or  disposed of (or
engaged in the  business of storing or  disposing  of) or has released or caused
the release of any hazardous  waste,  contaminants,  oil,  radioactive  or other
material on any of the Properties,  or any portion thereof, the removal of which
is  required or the  maintenance  of which is  prohibited  or  penalized  by any
applicable  Federal,  state  or  local  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules  or
regulations,  and,  to  Seller's  knowledge,  except as set  forth on  Exhibit D
attached  hereto  or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to
Purchaser (including, without limitation, the environmental site assessments set
forth on Exhibit  D), the  Properties  are free from any such  hazardous  waste,
contaminants,  oil,  radioactive and other materials,  except any such materials
maintained  in the  ordinary  course  of a hotel  business  in  accordance  with
applicable law.

         6.11.  Insurance.  Seller has not received any written  notice from any
insurance  carrier  of defects  or  inadequacies  in the  Properties  which,  if
uncorrected,  would result in a termination of insurance  coverage or a material
increase in the premiums charged therefor.

         6.12. Ownership. All Assets,  Contracts,  FF&E, Intangible Property and
Real Property are owned by Seller and are  assignable and  transferable  without
the  consent of any third  party (or,  if any such  consent  is  required,  such
consent shall be obtained no later than the  Closing),  and there are no capital
leases, except as set forth on Exhibit E.

                                      -16-


<PAGE>






         The  representations  and  warranties  made in this Agreement by Seller
shall be deemed  remade by Seller as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement  or any
documents to be delivered to  Purchaser  at the Closing,  Seller  disclaims  the
making of any representations or warranties,  express or implied,  regarding the
Properties  or matters  affecting  the  Properties,  whether made by Seller,  on
Seller's  behalf or  otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  the  physical
condition of the  Properties,  title to or the  boundaries of the Real Property,
pest control  matters,  soil conditions,  the presence,  existence or absence of
hazardous wastes,  toxic substances or other environmental  matters,  compliance
with building, health, safety, land use and zoning laws, regulations and orders,
structural and other engineering characteristics, traffic patterns, market data,
economic conditions or projections,  and any other information pertaining to the
Properties  or the market and physical  environments  in which they are located.
Without negating the covenants,  representations  and warranties of Seller under
this Agreement,  Purchaser acknowledges (i) that Purchaser has entered into this
Agreement with the intention of making and relying upon its own investigation or
that of third parties with respect to the physical, environmental,  economic and
legal condition of each Property and (ii) that Purchaser is not relying upon any
statements,  representations  or  warranties  of  any  kind,  other  than  those
specifically  set forth in this  Agreement or in any document to be delivered to
Purchaser  at the  Closing  made by  Seller.  Without  negating  the  covenants,
representations and warranties of Seller under this Agreement, Purchaser further
acknowledges  that  it  has  not  received  from  or on  behalf  of  Seller  any
accounting, tax, legal, architectural, engineering, property management or other
advice with respect to this transaction and is relying solely upon the advice of
third  party  accounting,  tax,  legal,  architectural,   engineering,  property
management  and other  advisors.  Subject to the  provisions of this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  purchase  the  Properties  in their "as is"  condition  on the
Closing Date.

         SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.

         To induce Seller to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:

                                      -17-


<PAGE>






         7.1.  Status and  Authority  of  Purchaser.  Purchaser  is a  Tennessee
limited partnership duly organized,  validly existing and in trust good standing
under  the laws of the  State  of  Tennessee  and has all  requisite  power  and
authority under the laws of such state and under its charter  documents to enter
into and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Purchaser has duly qualified and is in good
standing as a foreign  limited  partnership  in each  jurisdiction  in which the
nature of the business conducted by it requires such qualification.

         7.2. Action of Purchaser.  Purchaser has taken all necessary  action to
authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement and the
Lease,  and upon the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by
Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date such  document  shall  constitute  the
valid and binding  obligation  and agreement of Purchaser,  enforceable  against
Purchaser in accordance with its terms,  except as enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.

         7.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of this Agreement nor the Lease by Purchaser,  nor compliance  with
the  terms and  provisions  hereof,  will  result  in any  breach of the  terms,
conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute a default under,  or
result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance  upon any property or
assets of Purchaser  pursuant to the terms of any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Purchaser is bound.

         7.4. Litigation. No investigation, action or proceeding is pending and,
to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  no  action  or  proceeding  is  threatened  and  no
investigation  looking  toward  such an action or  proceeding  has begun,  which
questions  the  validity of this  Agreement  or any action  taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto.

         7.5. No Conflicts.  Neither the execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement or the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby by
Purchaser, will conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under the charter, bylaws, certificate of limited

                                      -18-


<PAGE>






partnership or LP Agreement,  as the case may be, of the REIT or Purchaser;  any
indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement,  note,  lease  or other
agreement  or  instrument  to which the REIT or Purchaser is a party or to which
they,  either of them,  any of their  respective  properties  or other assets is
subject; or any applicable material statute,  judgment,  decree,  order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body applicable to the REIT or
Purchaser.

         7.6.  REIT  Status.  The REIT is a  "qualified  real estate  investment
trust" as defined in Section 856 of the Code.

         7.7.  REIT  Filings.  The private  placement  memorandum  delivered  by
Purchaser  to Seller on  September  18,  1997 with  respect to the REIT does not
include,  as of such date,  any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  or  necessary  to make  the
statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made, not
misleading.

         The  representations and warranties made in this Agreement by Purchaser
shall be deemed  remade by  Purchaser as of the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.

         8.1.     Covenants of Seller.  Seller hereby covenants with
Purchaser between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date
as follows:

         (a) Upon learning of any material  change in any condition with respect
to any of the  Properties  or of any  event  or  circumstance  which  makes  any
representation or warranty of Seller to Purchaser under this Agreement untrue or
misleading  in any  material  respect,  promptly  to  notify  Purchaser  thereof
(Purchaser  agreeing,  on  learning of any such fact or  condition,  promptly to
notify Seller thereof).

         (b) To continue or cause to continue to operate each of the  Properties
as an "AmeriSuites"  hotel, in a good and businesslike  fashion  consistent with
its past  practices and to cause each of the Properties to be maintained in good
working order and condition in a manner consistent with its past practice.

                                      -19-


<PAGE>






         (c) To provide to Purchaser,  promptly upon  reasonable  request,  such
unaudited  financial and other  information  and  certifications  of Seller with
respect to the Properties as Purchaser may from time to time reasonably  request
in order to  comply  with any  applicable  securities  laws  and/or  any  rules,
regulations or  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange  Commission and, if
required or  requested,  to permit  Purchaser to  incorporate  by reference  any
information  included in filings made by Seller with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

         (d) To deliver  to  Purchaser  the items set forth in  Section  4.1 and
Section 4.4.

         8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser.  Purchaser hereby covenants with
Seller on and as of the Closing Date as follows:

         (a)      To deliver to Seller the items set forth in Section 5.2.

         SECTION  9.  CLOSING COSTS.

         9.1.  Closing  Costs.  Each of the  parties  hereto  shall  pay its own
expenses in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, including,  without limitation, any legal and accounting fees, the costs
and expenses of preparing  engineering and environment  reports,  market studies
and appraisals, the cost of the Surveys, Title Commitments,  zoning reports, UCC
financing  statement  search  reports,  environmental  audits,  zoning  reports,
structural  engineering  reports,  appraisals  and the like,  whether or not the
transactions  contemplated hereby are consummated (but subject,  however, to the
provisions  of Section 2.3,  with respect to items which  Purchaser  delivers to
Seller at  Seller's  request).  Seller and  Purchaser  shall each pay 50% of all
state and local sales, transfer, excise, value-added or other similar taxes, and
all  recording  and  filing  fees  that may be  imposed  by  reason of the sale,
transfer,  assignment,  delivery  and  leasing  (other  than any tax  imposed in
connection  with the recording of a memorandum of lease,  which amounts shall be
paid pursuant to the terms of the applicable Lease) of the Properties.

         SECTION 10.  DEFAULT.

         10.1.   Default  by  Seller.   If  (a)  Seller   shall  have  made  any
representation or warranty herein which shall be untrue or

                                      -20-


<PAGE>






misleading in any material  respect,  or (b) Seller shall fail to perform any of
the material covenants and agreements contained herein to be performed by Seller
and such failure  continues  for a period of ten (10) days after notice  thereof
from  Purchaser,  Purchaser may, (i) sue for specific  performance  and damages,
(ii) sue for damages without specific  performance (with or without  terminating
this Agreement and receiving a refund of the Deposit,  and all interest thereon)
or (iii)  exercise  any other  right or remedy  at law or in  equity;  provided,
however,  that  Purchaser  shall in no event be entitled to monetary  damages in
excess of the amount of the Deposit.

         10.2.  Default  by  Purchaser.  If (a)  Purchaser  shall  have made any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b) Purchaser  shall fail to perform any of the covenants
and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by it and such failure  shall
continue for a period of ten (10) days after notice thereof from Seller,  Seller
may,  as its sole and  exclusive  remedy at law and in  equity,  terminate  this
Agreement.  In the event that Seller  shall so  terminate  this  Agreement,  the
Deposit,  together  with all  interest  accrued  thereon,  shall be  retained by
Seller, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty,  whereupon  Purchaser shall,
except as expressly  provided  herein,  have no further  monetary or nonmonetary
obligations  hereunder,  other than with respect to obligations  which expressly
survive  the  termination  hereof  (which  obligations  shall  not  include  the
obligation to purchase the Properties hereunder).

         SECTION 11.       RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL.

         11.1.       Right of First Offer.

         (a) If,  during the  Option  Period,  any  member of the  Seller  Group
desires to sell any five (5) or more "AmeriSuites" hotels as a group (such group
of  hotels  being  hereinafter  collectively  referred  to as the  "First  Offer
Hotels"), then before offering the First Offer Hotels for sale to third parties,
Seller shall (i) deliver to Purchaser a notice (an  "Offer")  setting  forth the
price and all material terms and  conditions  upon which Seller would be willing
to sell the First Offer Hotels,  and (ii) shall provide copies of, or reasonable
access to, all due diligence materials with respect to the First Offer Hotels in
Seller's   possession  or  control  (including   occupancy,   ADR  and  Rev  PAR
information,

                                      -21-


<PAGE>






financial statements,  title policies, title documents,  surveys,  environmental
audits,  zoning reports,  income and expense statements,  appraisals,  operating
agreements, engineering reports, PIPs, Star reports, budgets, litigation reports
and  similar  materials).  Within 30 days  following  receipt of the Offer (such
30-day period, the "First Offer Response Period"),  Purchaser shall by notice to
Seller either (i) accept the Offer,  (ii) deliver to Seller a  counter-offer  (a
"Counter-Offer")  setting  forth  a  price  and all of the  material  terms  and
conditions  upon which  Purchaser  would be willing to purchase  the First Offer
Hotels,  or (iii) elect not to accept the Offer or deliver a  Counter-Offer.  If
Purchaser shall fail to deliver notice of its election pursuant to the foregoing
sentence  during the First  Offer  Response  Period,  Purchaser  shall be deemed
conclusively to have elected not to accept the Offer or deliver a Counter-Offer.

         (b) In the event that  Purchaser  delivers a  Counter-Offer,  within 10
days  thereafter  Seller may elect to accept the  Counter-  Offer by  delivering
notice to Purchaser of such election.

         (c) In the event that Purchaser does not elect to accept Seller's Offer
or  deliver  a  Counter-Offer,  Seller  shall be free to offer to sell the First
Offer  Hotels  during  the  Offer  Period  to any and  all  third  parties  upon
substantially  the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Offer, but at a
price not less than an amount  equal to 95% of the  purchase  price set forth in
the Offer. In the event that Purchaser  delivers a Counter-Offer and Seller does
not accept such  Counter-Offer,  Seller shall be free to offer to sell the First
Offer  Hotels  during  the  Offer  Period  to any and  all  third  parties  upon
substantially  the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Offer, but at a
price not less than an amount equal to 100% of the  purchase  price set forth in
the Offer.  The "Offer Period" shall mean the period of six months following the
earlier of the date of delivery to Seller of a  Counter-Offer  or, if none shall
be delivered, the expiration of the First Offer Response Period.

         (d) In the event  that  Purchaser  accepts  the Offer  within the First
Offer  Response  Period,  or  in  the  event  that  Seller  accepts  Purchaser's
Counter-Offer  within the 10-day  period  referred to in  paragraph  (a) of this
Section 11.1,  then  Purchaser and Seller shall,  within 10 days of  Purchaser's
acceptance of the Offer or Seller's acceptance of the Counter-Offer, as the case
may be,

                                      -22-


<PAGE>






execute and deliver to each other a contract of sale relating to the First Offer
Hotels,  which contract of sale shall,  to the extent  consistent with the terms
and conditions as set forth in the Offer or the  Counter-Offer,  as the case may
be, incorporate the terms of the Original Agreement, but which shall be modified
as necessary to reflect the price and such terms and conditions set forth in the
Offer or the Counter-Offer. Upon execution of a contract of sale pursuant to the
immediately foregoing sentence,  Purchaser shall,  simultaneously therewith, pay
the "Deposit" amount required  thereunder,  which amount shall be held in escrow
pursuant to the terms  thereof.  Seller shall sell and Purchaser  shall purchase
(and, where applicable,  Purchaser shall lease to Seller) the First Offer Hotels
in accordance with said contract of sale.

         (e) If Purchaser  and Seller shall be unable to agree on the terms of a
contract  of sale  pursuant  to,  and  within  the time  periods  set  forth in,
paragraph  (d) of this  Section  11.1,  the parties  shall  submit such issue to
binding  arbitration in accordance with the Commercial  Arbitration Rules of the
American Arbitration Association or any successor organization thereto.

         (f) In the event that a sale of First Offer Hotels is consummated  with
a third party,  provided that Seller shall have  complied with the  requirements
hereof,  then this Agreement  automatically shall terminate and be of no further
force or effect  simultaneously  therewith  with  respect  to such  First  Offer
Hotels.

         (g)  Purchaser's  rights  hereunder  shall not apply to any foreclosure
sale of any First Offer Hotels,  and upon the completion of any such foreclosure
sale, this Agreement automatically shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect simultaneously  therewith with respect to such First Offer Hotels, unless
the  purchaser at such  foreclosure  sale is an Affiliate of Seller.  No further
instrument or confirmation shall be required with respect to such termination.

         (h) Purchaser's rights hereunder shall not apply (i) to any transfer of
Seller's  hotel  properties,  by operation  of law,  deed or  otherwise,  to any
parent, affiliate or wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller or to any entity which is
a  successor   to  Seller  by  way  of  merger,   consolidation   or   corporate
reorganization   or  by  the  purchase  of  substantially  all  of  the  assets,
partnership  interests or shares of stock of Seller, but the obligations of this
Section

                                      -23-


<PAGE>






11 shall apply to any successor and Seller shall cause such  successor to assume
such obligations.

         (i) Seller  shall be  obligated to offer no more than twenty (20) First
Offer  Hotels to  Purchaser  during  each year of the Option  Period;  provided,
however,  that any First Offer  Hotels with  respect to which  Seller shall have
failed to enter into a sales  contract  (with a Person (as defined in the Lease)
other  than  Purchaser)  during  each such  year  shall  not  count  toward  the
aforementioned twenty-hotel minimum.

         (j)  Seller  agrees  that it shall  not  deliberately  and in bad faith
structure sales so as to avoid the  requirements of this Section 11.1 by selling
five or more hotels to the same  purchaser in any one-year  period in quantities
of fewer than five hotels per transaction.

         11.2.       Commitment to Sell.

         (a) During each  successive  12-month  period during the Option Period,
Seller  shall offer to sell to Purchaser  not fewer than five (5)  "AmeriSuites"
hotels, or such lesser number of "AmeriSuites"  hotels as shall then be owned by
Seller (any such hotel or hotels being hereinafter  collectively  referred to as
the "Option Hotels"),  by issuance of a notice of sale to Purchaser (the "Notice
of Sale"),  pursuant to the terms of this Section 11.2.  In connection  with the
issuance of a Notice of Sale,  Seller  shall  provide  copies of, or  reasonable
access to, all due diligence materials with respect to the First Offer Hotels in
Seller's   possession  or  control  (including   occupancy,   ADR  and  Rev  PAR
information,  financial statements,  title policies,  title documents,  surveys,
environmental audits, zoning reports, income and expense statements, appraisals,
operating  agreements,   engineering  reports,  PIPs,  Star  reports,   budgets,
litigation reports and similar materials).

         (b) The Notice of Sale shall set forth the proposed  purchase price and
such other  reasonable  material terms and conditions upon which Seller would be
willing  to sell the  Option  Hotels.  Within 30 days  following  receipt of the
Notice of Sale (such 30-day period,  the "Option  Response  Period"),  Purchaser
shall by  notice to  Seller  either  (i) agree to  purchase  the  Option  Hotels
pursuant to the terms set forth in the Notice of Sale, or (ii)

                                      -24-


<PAGE>






elect not to purchase  the Option  Hotels.  If  Purchaser  shall fail to deliver
notice of its  election  pursuant to the  foregoing  sentence  during the Option
Response Period,  Purchaser shall be deemed  conclusively to have elected not to
purchase the Option Hotels.

         (c) In the event that  Purchaser  elects to purchase the Option  Hotels
pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (b) of this Section 11.2, then Purchaser and
Seller shall,  within 10 days of  Purchaser's  election,  execute and deliver to
each other a contract of sale relating to the Option  Hotels,  which contract of
sale shall, to the extent  consistent with the terms and conditions as set forth
in the Notice of Sale,  incorporate  the terms of the  Original  Agreement,  but
which  shall be modified  as  necessary  to reflect the price and such terms and
conditions set forth in the Notice of Sale. Upon execution of a contract of sale
pursuant to the immediately foregoing sentence,  Purchaser shall, simultaneously
therewith,  pay the "Deposit" amount required thereunder,  which amount shall be
held in escrow  pursuant to the terms  thereof.  Seller shall sell and Purchaser
shall  purchase (and,  where  applicable,  Purchaser  shall lease to Seller) the
Option Hotels in accordance with said contract of sale.

         (d) Seller and Purchaser  shall use  reasonable,  good faith efforts to
agree upon the terms of the contract of sale pursuant to the foregoing paragraph
(c) of this Section 11.2.  If Seller and  Purchaser  shall be unable to agree on
the terms  thereof  within  10 days  after  Purchaser's  election  to  purchase,
Seller's  offer  and  Purchaser's   acceptance   shall  be  deemed  revoked  and
terminated,  and  Seller  shall be  deemed  to have  satisfied  its  obligations
hereunder with respect to such Option Hotels.

         11.3.       General Provisions.

         (a)         Time shall be of the essence as to all periods set
forth in this Section 11.

         (b) Any First  Offer  Hotels  offered  pursuant  to the  provisions  of
Section 11.1 shall also be deemed  Option  Hotels for the purpose of  satisfying
Seller's  obligation to offer hotel properties to Purchaser  pursuant to Section
11.2.

         (c)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained

                                      -25-


<PAGE>






herein, Purchaser's right of first offer and Seller's commitment to sell, as set
forth in Section 11.1(a) and 11.1(b) hereof,  shall only apply during the period
commencing on the Closing Date and terminating on the date immediately preceding
the third anniversary  thereof (the "Option  Period"),  and Seller shall have no
obligation  to deliver  Purchaser an Offer with respect to any hotels other than
during  such  Option  Period,  unless  Seller has failed to offer  Purchaser  an
aggregate  of 15 Option  Hotels,  in which event such  period  shall be extended
until Seller  fulfills such  requirement  (which  extension shall not negate any
other rights and remedies which Purchaser may have).

         (d) None of the rights  created or granted  pursuant to this Section 11
shall  constitute a lien on any  property,  and all such rights are, and will at
all times be,  subject and  subordinate  to the lien of all  mortgages and other
financing  arrangements,  except  where a  member  of the  Seller  Group  is the
lender/creditor (including, without limitation, any deed to secure debt, deed of
trust,  collateral  assignment,  or other similar instrument  creating a lien or
other  encumbrance  as security (an  "Encumbrance"))  which may now or hereafter
encumber or affect  Seller's  interest in any hotels  which it now or  hereafter
owns,  or  any  portion  thereof,  and  to all  advances,  increases,  renewals,
modifications,   consolidations,  extensions,  participations  and  replacements
thereof,  irrespective  of the time of  recording or the priority of the lien of
such  mortgage or other  Encumbrance,  all without the  necessity of any further
instrument of subordination.

         (e) If Purchaser shall at any time breach its agreement to purchase any
First Offer Hotel or Option Hotel or  materially  default  under any contract of
sale entered into with respect  thereto  (subject to any  applicable  notice and
cure period),  Purchaser shall  thenceforward have no further rights to purchase
hotel  properties  pursuant to Sections  11.1 or 11.2,  and Seller shall have no
further  obligations  under said Sections.  The foregoing  provision shall be in
addition to any and all other remedies, including liquidated damages provisions,
that  Seller may have under said  contracts  of sale;  provided,  however,  that
Seller shall have no further remedies, other than as set forth in this Paragraph
(e), with respect to such breach or default.

         (f) Where any offer to sell First Offer Hotels pursuant to Section 11.1
or Option Hotels pursuant to Section 11.2 includes, as

                                      -26-


<PAGE>






a term thereof,  the right of Seller to lease back the applicable hotel property
from  Purchaser,  references  to the sale  thereof  in this  Section 11 shall be
deemed also to include such an agreement to lease.  Unless expressly required in
the  applicable  Offer or Notice of Sale,  Purchaser  shall not be  obligated to
lease back any First Offer  Hotel or Option  Hotel  purchased  by  Purchaser  to
Seller,  Tenant or any other  member of the Seller  Group.  Where a First  Offer
Hotel or Option  Hotel  purchased  by  Purchaser is not leased back to Seller or
such leaseback or a Lease expires or is terminated,  then, so long as Purchaser,
an Affiliate of Purchaser or their purchaser is the owner of such hotel,  Seller
shall  not  unreasonably  withhold,  delay  or  condition  the  issuance  of  an
"AmeriSuites"  franchise  agreement from Purchaser,  Purchaser's tenant or other
operator upon such franchise terms granted Tenant with respect to the Hotels.

         (g) Neither party hereto shall record this  Agreement or any memorandum
thereof without the written consent of the other party.

         (h) The  obligations of Seller under this Section 11 shall apply to any
"AmeriSuites"  hotels  which any  member of the  Seller  Group owns or which any
member has the right to sell,  and Seller shall cause such members of the Seller
Group  desiring to sell any  "AmeriSuites"  or similar hotel to comply with this
Section 11 on the same terms as Seller.  Reference  to "sell" in this Section 11
shall refer to sale of fee simple title,  ground lease, joint venture or similar
arrangements.

         (i)  Use of the  form  of  the  Original  Agreement  in  preparing  any
agreement  of purchase  and sale for a First  Offer Hotel or Option  Hotel shall
include,  without limitation,  the terms regarding (i) the Review Period, (ii) a
two-tiered  Deposit  in the  maximum  amount  of 4.7% of the  purchase  price as
liquidated  damages and (iii) (if applicable) the same form of Lease  (excluding
economic and other material terms contained in the applicable Offer or Notice of
Sale);  provided,  however, that use of the form of the Original Agreement shall
not  include (x) the  provisions  of Section  3.2  thereof  with  respect to the
payment of a portion of the  purchase  price with LP Units (as defined  therein)
(unless  expressly  agreed by the  parties  thereto)  or (y) the  provisions  of
Section 11 hereof.

         (j)         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained

                                      -27-


<PAGE>






herein,  Seller  shall in no event have any  obligation  to purchase  additional
"AmeriSuites" hotels in order to comply with the requirements to offer hotels to
Purchaser pursuant to the provisions of this Section 11.

         (k) The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive the Closing.



         SECTION 12.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         12.1. Agreement to Indemnify.  (a) Subject to any express provisions of
this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  Seller  shall  indemnify  and hold  harmless
Purchaser from and against any and all  obligations,  claims,  losses,  damages,
liabilities, and expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable attorneys'
and  accountants'  fees and  disbursements)  arising  out of (x) any  damage  to
property  of others or injury to or death of any  person or any  claims  for any
debts or obligations occurring on or about or in connection with any Property or
any  portion  thereof  at any  time  or  times  prior  to the  Closing,  (y) any
liabilities  for taxes due from  Seller  which shall have  accrued  prior to the
Closing in connection  with any Property and (z) any failure by Seller to comply
with applicable "bulk sale" laws.

         (b) Whenever  either party shall learn through the filing of a claim or
the  commencement of a proceeding or otherwise of the existence of any liability
for which the other party is or may be  responsible  under this  Agreement,  the
party  learning of such  liability  shall  notify the other party  promptly  and
furnish such copies of documents (and make originals thereof available) and such
other  information  as such  party  may have  that may be used or  useful in the
defense of such claims and shall  afford said other  party full  opportunity  to
defend the same in the name of such  party and shall  generally  cooperate  with
said other party in the defense of any such claim.

         (c) The  provisions  of this Section 12.1 shall survive the Closing and
the termination of this Agreement.

         12.2.       Brokerage Commissions.  Each of the parties hereto
represents to the other parties that it dealt with no broker,

                                      -28-


<PAGE>






finder or like  agent in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  other than  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  Seller  shall be solely
responsible  for  and  shall  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  Purchaser  and its
respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns from and against
any loss, liability or expense,  including,  reasonable attorneys' fees, arising
out of any claim or claims for  commissions or other  compensation  for bringing
about this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby made by Merrill
Lynch & Co. or any other  broker,  finder or like  agent  other  than such loss,
liability or expense  resulting from Purchaser's  breach of its  representations
made in this Section 12.2. The provisions of this Section 12.2 shall survive the
Closing and any termination of this Agreement.

         12.3. Publicity. The parties agree that no party shall, with respect to
this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  contact or conduct
negotiations with public officials, make any public pronouncements,  issue press
releases or  otherwise  furnish  information  regarding  this  Agreement  or the
transactions  contemplated  to any third party  without the consent of the other
parties,  which  consent  shall  not  be  unreasonably   withheld,   delayed  or
conditioned,  except to consultants,  advisors, investors, lenders, underwriters
and other parties reasonably  necessary to consummate the transactions  required
hereby and as  required by law or  contractual  obligations  of such  parties to
third parties.  No party,  or its employees shall trade in the securities of any
parent or affiliate of Seller or of Purchaser until a public announcement of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement has been made. No party shall record
this Agreement or any notice thereof.

         12.4. Notices. (a) Any and all notices, demands,  consents,  approvals,
offers,  elections  and other  communications  required or permitted  under this
Agreement shall be deemed  adequately  given if in writing and the same shall be
delivered either in hand, by telecopier with written  acknowledgment of receipt,
or by mail or Federal Express or similar expedited commercial carrier, addressed
to the recipient of the notice, postpaid and registered or certified with return
receipt  requested  (if by mail),  or with all  freight  charges  prepaid (if by
Federal Express or similar carrier).

         (b) All notices  required or  permitted to be sent  hereunder  shall be
deemed to have been given for all  purposes of this  Agreement  upon the date of
acknowledged receipt, in the case of a

                                      -29-


<PAGE>






notice by  telecopier,  and,  in all other  cases,  upon the date of  receipt or
refusal,  except that whenever under this Agreement a notice is either  received
on a day which is not a Business Day or is required to be delivered on or before
a specific  day which is not a  Business  Day,  the day of  receipt or  required
delivery shall automatically be extended to the next Business Day.

         (c)         All such notices shall be addressed,

         if to Seller to:

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  Mr. David Simon
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]


                     and

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  General Counsel
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]



         with a copy to:

                     Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                     One Citicorp Center
                     153 East 53rd Street
                     New York, New York  10022-4677
                     Attn:  Eugene A. Pinover, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (212) 821-8111]

         if to Purchaser, to:

                     Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                     4735 Spottswood, Suite 102
                     Memphis, Tennessee  38117
                     Attn:  Mr. Phillip H. McNeill, Sr.
                     [Telecopier No. (901) 761-1485]

                                      -30-


<PAGE>






         with a copy to:

                     Hunton & Williams
                     1751 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 1700
                     McLean, VA  22102
                     Attn: Gerald R. Best, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (703) 714-7410]

         By notice  given as  herein  provided,  the  parties  hereto  and their
respective  successors and assigns shall have the right from time to time and at
any time during the term of this Agreement to change their respective  addresses
effective  upon receipt by the other  parties of such notice and each shall have
the right to specify as its address any other  address  within the United States
of America.

         12.5.  Waivers,  Etc.  Any  waiver  of any  term or  condition  of this
Agreement,  or of  the  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation  or  warranty
contained herein,  in any one instance,  shall not operate as or be deemed to be
or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other breach of such term,
condition,  covenant,  representation or warranty or any other term,  condition,
covenant, representation or warranty, nor shall any failure at any time or times
to enforce or require performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of
or affect in any manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require
performance of such provision or any other provision hereof.  This Agreement may
not be amended, nor shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
be effected,  except by an instrument in writing executed by or on behalf of the
party against whom enforcement of any amendment,  waiver, change,  modification,
consent or discharge is sought.

         12.6. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all rights
and  obligations  hereunder  shall not be  assignable  by any party  without the
written consent of the other parties, except that, after the Closing, (i) Seller
may assign its surviving  rights,  if any,  under this Agreement to Tenant or an
Affiliate of Seller, and (ii) Purchaser may assign its right to purchase a First
Offer  Hotel or an Option  Hotel to one or more  Affiliates  of  Purchaser,  and
Purchaser  may assign its rights and  obligations  hereunder  to an Affiliate of
Purchaser,  provided that Purchaser remain liable for its obligations hereunder.
The provisions of this Agreement  shall not merge with delivery of the deeds and
shall

                                      -31-


<PAGE>






survive  Closing.  This  Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective  legal  representatives,
successors and permitted  assigns.  This Agreement is not intended and shall not
be  construed  to create any rights in or to be  enforceable  in any part by any
other persons.

         12.7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
deemed to be, or shall in fact be,  invalid,  inoperative  or  unenforceable  as
applied to any particular case in any jurisdiction or  jurisdictions,  or in all
jurisdictions or in all cases, because of the conflict of any provision with any
constitution  or statute or rule of public policy or for any other reason,  such
circumstance  shall not have the effect of rendering the provision or provisions
in question invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable in any other  jurisdiction or
in any  other  case or  circumstance  or of  rendering  any other  provision  or
provisions herein contained invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable to the extent
that such other  provisions  are not  themselves  actually in conflict with such
constitution,  statute or rule of public  policy,  but this  Agreement  shall be
reformed and  construed  in any such  jurisdiction  or case as if such  invalid,
inoperative or unenforceable  provision had never been contained herein and such
provision  reformed so that it would be valid,  operative and enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction or in such case.

         12.8. Counterparts,  Etc. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same   instrument.   This  Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement  of the parties  hereto  with  respect to the
subject  matter  hereof  and  shall  supersede  and take the  place of any other
instruments  purporting to be an agreement of the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof.

         12.9.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be  interpreted,  construed,
applied  and  enforced  in  accordance  with the  laws of the  State of New York
applicable to contracts  between residents of the State of New York which are to
be performed entirely within the State of New York, regardless of (i) where this
Agreement  is  executed  or  delivered;  or (ii)  where  any  payment  or  other
performance  required by this Agreement is made or required to be made; or (iii)
where any breach of any provision of this Agreement

                                      -32-


<PAGE>






occurs,  or any cause of action otherwise  accrues;  or (iv) where any action or
other proceeding is instituted or pending; or (v) the nationality,  citizenship,
domicile,  principal  place of business,  or  jurisdiction  of  organization  or
domestication  of any party; or (vi) whether the laws of the forum  jurisdiction
otherwise  would  apply the laws of a  jurisdiction  other than the State of New
York; or (vii) any combination of the foregoing.

         To the  maximum  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  any action to
enforce,  arising out of, or relating  in any way to, any of the  provisions  of
this  Agreement may be brought and prosecuted in such court or courts located in
the State of New York as is  provided  by law;  and the  parties  consent to the
jurisdiction  of said  court or courts  located  in the State of New York and to
service of process by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any other
manner provided by law.

         12.10.  Performance  on Business  Days.  In the event the date on which
performance or payment of any obligation of a party required  hereunder is other
than a Business Day, the time for payment or performance shall  automatically be
extended to the first Business Day following such date.

         12.11.  Attorneys'  Fees. If any lawsuit or  arbitration or other legal
proceeding  arises in connection with the  interpretation or enforcement of this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party therein shall be entitled to receive from the
other party the  prevailing  party's  costs and expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred in connection therewith, in preparation therefor and on
appeal therefrom, which amounts shall be included in any judgment therein.

         12.12.  Section and Other  Headings.  The  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         12.13. No Oral  Modifications.  This Agreement may not be amended,  nor
shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge be effected, except
by an instrument  in writing  executed by or on behalf of the party against whom
enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
is sought.


                                      -33-


<PAGE>






         12.14.  Incorporation by Reference. All of the provisions applicable to
the Properties  set forth in Paragraph 7 of the First  Amendment and Paragraph 2
of the Second  Amendment  are hereby  incorporated  by reference as if fully set
forth herein and are ratified and confirmed by Seller and Purchaser.


                                      -34-


<PAGE>








         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed as a sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                                     SELLER:
                                     PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.


                                     By:    /s/ David A. Simon

                                     Its:  President


                                     PURCHASER:
                                     EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                     By:  Equity Inns Trust,
                                          its general partner

                                     By:  /s/ Howard A. Silver
                                     Its:Chief Financial Officer




<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit A

                                 The Properties

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Allocable                                    Deposit
Location                Purchase Price     Radius Restriction        Allocation
- --------                --------------     ------------------        ----------
<S>  <C>                 <C>                <C>                       <C>

1.   Flagstaff, AZ      $ 5,169,458        10 miles                   $436,250

1.   Cincinnati, OH/    $ 6,985,218        8 miles--Restricted        $436,250
     Forest Park                           radius does not
                                           include the Cincinnati
                                           Riverfront sub market

1.   Jacksonville,      $ 6,275,463        6 miles-- Restricted       $436,250
     FL                                    radius does not
                                           include the Deerwood
                                           office and Downtown
                                           sub markets

</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2



                       SECOND PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                            PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.,
                                   as Seller,

                                       and

                         EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,
                                  as Purchaser

                                December 2, 1997












1.       Richmond/
         Innsbrook,
         VA


2.       Tampa, FL





<PAGE>






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>
                                                                            Page

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS........................................................1


   1.2.     Agreement..........................................................2
   1.3.     Allocable Purchase Price...........................................2
   1.4.     Assets.............................................................2
   1.5.     Business Day.......................................................2
   1.6.     Closing............................................................2
   1.7.     Closing Date.......................................................2
   1.8.     Code...............................................................2
   1.9.     Contracts..........................................................2
   1.10.    Defective Property.................................................2
   1.11.    Deposit............................................................2
   1.12.    Diligence Notice Letter............................................3
   1.13.    Documents..........................................................3
   1.14.    Escrow Agent.......................................................3
   1.15.    Escrow Agreement...................................................3
   1.16.    FF&E...............................................................3
   1.17.    Hotel..............................................................3
   1.18.    Improvements.......................................................3
   1.19.    Intangible Property................................................3
   1.20.    Inventory..........................................................3
   1.21.    Lease..............................................................4
   1.22.    LP Agreement.......................................................4
   1.23.    Permitted Encumbrances.............................................4
   1.24.    Properties.........................................................4
   1.25.    Purchase Price.....................................................4
   1.26.    Purchaser..........................................................4
   1.27.    Real Property......................................................4
   1.28.    REIT...............................................................5
   1.29.    Seller.............................................................5
   1.30.    Seller's knowledge.................................................5
   1.31.    Surveys............................................................5
   1.32.    Tenant.............................................................5
   1.33.    Title Commitments..................................................5
   1.34.    Title Company......................................................5

SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.......................................5

   2.1.     Purchase and Sale..................................................5
</TABLE>

                                       (i)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>
                                                                            Page

   2.2.     Deposit............................................................5
   2.3.     Due Diligence......................................................6
   2.4.     Casualty; Condemnation.............................................6
   2.5.     Title Matters......................................................7
   2.6.     Survey Matters.....................................................7
   2.7.     Tax Free Exchange..................................................8

SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE............................................8

   3.1.     Closing............................................................8
   3.2.     Purchase Price.....................................................8

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE......................9

   4.1.     Closing Documents..................................................9
   4.2.     Condition of Properties...........................................10
   4.3.     Title Policies....................................................11
   4.4.     Opinions of Counsel...............................................11
   4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.....................................11
   4.6.     Representations...................................................11

SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE........................11

   5.1.     Purchase Price....................................................11
   5.2.     Closing Documents.................................................11
   5.3.     Opinion of Counsel................................................12
   5.4.     Representations...................................................12
   5.5.     Amendment to LP Agreement.........................................12

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................12

   6.1.     Status and Authority of Seller....................................12
   6.2.     Action of Seller..................................................12
   6.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................12
   6.4.     Litigation........................................................13
   6.5.     Existing Leases, Agreements, Etc..................................13
   6.6.     Utilities, Etc....................................................13
   6.7.     Compliance With Law...............................................13
   6.8.     Taxes.............................................................14
   6.9.     Not A Foreign Person..............................................14
   6.10.    Hazardous Substances..............................................14
   6.11.    Insurance.........................................................14
   6.12.    Ownership.........................................................14
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>
                                                                            Page

SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.......................15

   7.1.     Status and Authority of Purchaser.................................15
   7.2.     Action of Purchaser...............................................16
   7.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................16
   7.4.     Litigation........................................................16
   7.5.     No Conflicts......................................................16
   7.6.     REIT Status, Organization.........................................16
   7.7.     REIT Filings......................................................17

SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.................................17

   8.1.     Covenants of Seller...............................................17
   8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser............................................17

SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.....................................................18

   9.1.     Closing Costs.....................................................18

SECTION 10. DEFAULT...........................................................18

   10.1.    Default by Seller.................................................18
   10.2.    Default by Purchaser..............................................18

SECTION 11. RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL..........................19

SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................19

   12.1.    Agreement to Indemnify............................................19
   12.2.    Brokerage Commissions.............................................19
   12.3.    Publicity.........................................................20
   12.4.    Notices...........................................................20
   12.5.    Waivers, Etc......................................................22
   12.6.    Assignment; Successors and Assigns................................22
   12.7.    Severability......................................................22
   12.8.    Counterparts, Etc.................................................23
   12.9.    Governing Law.....................................................23
   12.10.   Performance on Business Days......................................23
   12.11.   Attorneys' Fees...................................................23
   12.12.   Section and Other Headings........................................24
   12.13.   No Oral Modifications.............................................24
   12.14.   Incorporation by Reference........................................24
</TABLE>


Exhibit A  -  The Properties


                                      (iii)



<PAGE>







                       SECOND PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND  PURCHASE  AND SALE  AGREEMENT is made as of the 2nd day of
December,   1997,  between  PRIME  HOSPITALITY  CORP.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Seller"),  as seller,  and Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership ("Purchaser"), as purchaser.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  Seller and Purchaser  entered into that certain  Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the  "Original  Agreement"),  dated as of September 22, 1997, as
amended by that certain  Amendment to Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  (the "First
Amendment"), dated as of November 6, 1997, Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale
Agreement  (the  "Second  Amendment"),  dated as of November  10, 1997 and Third
Amendment to Purchase and Sale  Agreement (the "Third  Amendment"),  dated as of
November 19, 1997 (the Original  Agreement,  as amended by the First  Amendment,
the Second Amendment and the Third Amendment,  shall  hereinafter be referred to
as the "Prior Agreement"),  with respect to certain properties more particularly
described  therein,  which  Prior  Agreement  was  amended  and  restated in its
entirety  pursuant  to that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Purchase  and Sale
Agreement (the "Amended Agreement") dated of even date herewith; and

         WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Purchaser,  and Purchaser desires to
purchase from Seller,  certain hotel  properties  located in Tampa,  Florida and
Richmond, Virginia, subject to and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and other good and  valuable  consideration,  the mutual  receipt and
legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,  Seller and Purchaser hereby
agree as follows:

         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.

         Capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the meanings set
forth below or in the Section of this Agreement referred to below:

         1.1.     Affiliate:        The term "Affiliate" of an entity shall mean
(a) an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such entity, (b) any

                                       -1-




<PAGE>





other entity that owns,  beneficially,  directly or indirectly,  more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding  capital stock,  shares or equity  interests of
such entity, or (c) any officer, director,  employee, partner or trustee of such
entity or any  person  or  entity  controlling,  controlled  by or under  common
control with such entity  (excluding  trustees  and entities  serving in similar
capacities who are not otherwise an Affiliate of such entities).

         1.2. "Agreement" shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement,  together
with  Exhibits A through E attached  hereto,  as it and they may be amended from
time to time as herein provided.

         1.3.  "Allocable  Purchase Price" shall mean, with respect to either of
the Properties, the applicable amount set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

         1.4. "Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Hotel, collectively,  all
of the Real Property, the FF&E, the Contracts,  the Documents,  the Improvements
and the Intangible  Property  owned by Seller in connection  with or relating to
such Hotel.

         1.5. "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
any  other  day on  which  banking  institutions  in the  State  of New York are
authorized by law or executive action to close.

         1.6.     "Closing" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.7.     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.8.     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

         1.9. "Contracts" shall mean, with respect to any Property,  all service
contracts,  equipment  leases,  booking  agreements  and other  arrangements  or
agreements  to  which  Seller  is  a  party  affecting  the  ownership,  repair,
maintenance,  management,  leasing or operation of such Property,  to the extent
Seller's interest therein is assignable or transferable.

         1.10.  "Defective  Property" shall mean any Property which (i) has been
condemned in whole or in part,  or (ii) by reason of damage by fire,  vandalism,
acts of God or other casualty or cause, has

                                       -2-


<PAGE>





suffered  damage such that  expenditures  equal to or greater than  $500,000 (as
such cost is  determined  by an  architect  or  engineer  selected by Seller and
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser) shall be required in order to restore such
Property into substantially the same condition as existing prior to such damage.

         1.11.       "Deposit" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.2.

         1.12.  "Diligence Notice Letter" shall mean that certain letter,  dated
November 6, 1997, from Purchaser to Seller,  delivered  pursuant to Sections 2.5
and 2.6 of the Original Agreement.

         1.13.  "Documents" shall mean, with respect to any Property, all books,
records and files relating to the leasing, maintenance,  management or operation
of such Property.

         1.14.       "Escrow Agent" shall mean the Title Company.

         1.15.  "Escrow  Agreement"  shall mean that certain  Escrow  Agreement,
dated as of September 22, 1997, among Purchaser, Seller and Escrow Agent.

         1.16. "FF&E " shall mean, with respect to any Property, all appliances,
machinery, devices, fixtures,  appurtenances,  equipment, furniture, furnishings
and articles of tangible  personal  property of every kind and nature whatsoever
owned by Seller and located in or at, or used exclusively in connection with the
ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property.

         1.17.   "Hotel"  shall  mean  each  hotel  located  at  the  properties
identified  on  Exhibit  A, the  legal  descriptions  of which  are set forth on
Exhibits B-1 through B-2.

         1.18.  "Improvements"  shall mean,  with respect to any  Property,  all
buildings,  fixtures,  walls,  fences,  landscaping  and  other  structures  and
improvements  situated on,  affixed or  appurtenant  to the Real  Property  with
respect to such Property.

         1.19.  "Intangible  Property" shall mean, with respect to any Property,
all  transferable or assignable  permits,  certificates of occupancy,  operating
permits, sign permits, development rights and approvals, certificates, licenses,
warranties and guarantees, the Contracts,  telephone exchange numbers identified
with such Property

                                       -3-


<PAGE>





held by Seller and all other  transferable  intangible  property,  miscellaneous
rights,  benefits and  privileges of any kind or character  with respect to such
Property held by Seller,  except (a) to the extent held by or transferred to the
Tenant  under the Lease and (b) for all  trademarks,  trade  names,  copyrights,
patents or technical processes, including, without limitation, any "AmeriSuites"
brand name,  logos and  designs,  owned or used by Seller  with  respect to such
Property.

         1.20.  "Inventory  " shall mean all  inventory  located at the  Hotels,
including,  without limitation,  all mattresses,  pillows,  bed linens,  towels,
powder goods,  soaps,  cleaning supplies and such other supplies,  together with
any food inventory such as cereal,  breakfast rolls, coffee, which shall be more
particularly  described in the schedule of Inventory  approved by Purchaser  and
delivered  at  Closing  by  Seller,  and which  shall be at a minimum in amounts
sufficient  to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  applicable   franchise
agreement.

         1.21. "Lease" shall mean, collectively, all of the leases to be entered
into between Purchaser,  as landlord, and the Tenant, as tenant, with respect to
each of the  Properties,  each  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit C.

         1.22.       "LP Agreement" shall mean that certain Third Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P.,
dated as of June 25, 1997.

         1.23.  "Permitted   Encumbrances"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any
Property, (a) liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges with respect
to  such  Property  not  yet due and  payable  or due  and  payable  but not yet
delinquent  or  as  to  which  adequate  reserves  are  provided  therefor;  (b)
applicable zoning  regulations and ordinances  provided the same do not prohibit
or  impair  in any  material  respect  the use of such  Property  as a hotel  as
currently operated and constructed;  (c) such other nonmonetary  encumbrances as
do not, in  Purchaser's  reasonable  opinion,  impair  marketability  and do not
materially  interfere  with the use of such Property as a  functioning  hotel as
currently operated and constructed; (d) such other nonmonetary encumbrances with
respect to such  Property  which shall not have been  objected  to by  Purchaser
pursuant to the Diligence Notice Letter; and (e) such exceptions or matters,  as
the case may be, otherwise accepted by Purchaser.

                                       -4-


<PAGE>





         1.24.  "Properties"  shall  mean  all of  the  Assets  relating  to the
properties  identified  on  Exhibit A, the legal  descriptions  of which are set
forth in Exhibits B-1 through B-2.

         1.25.       "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 3.2.

         1.26.       "Purchaser" shall have the meaning given such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.

         1.27.  "Real  Property"  shall mean the real property  described in the
applicable Exhibit B-1 through B-2, together with all easements,  rights of way,
privileges,  licenses  and  appurtenances  which Seller may now own with respect
thereto.

         1.28.       "REIT" shall mean Equity Inns, Inc.

         1.29.       "Seller" shall have the meaning given such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.

         1.30.       "Seller's knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge of
Joseph Bernadino, John M. Elwood, David Simon and Richard
Szymanski.

         1.31.       "Surveys" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.5.

         1.32.       "Tenant" shall mean Caldwell Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.33.       "Title Commitments" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 2.5.

         1.34.  "Title  Company" shall mean Chicago Title  Insurance  Company or
such other title  insurance  company or companies as shall have been  reasonably
approved by Purchaser and Seller.

         SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.

         2.1. Purchase and Sale. In consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained,  Purchaser  hereby agrees to purchase from Seller,  and Seller hereby
agrees to sell to Purchaser, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to
the Properties  for the Purchase  Price,  subject to and in accordance  with the
terms and

                                       -5-


<PAGE>





conditions of this Agreement.

         2.2.  Deposit.  Purchaser  has  deposited  the  sum  of  $872,500  (the
"Deposit")   with  the  Escrow   Agent.   The  Deposit   shall  be  held  in  an
interest-bearing  account pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. If this
Agreement  shall  terminate  with respect to all of the  Properties  pursuant to
Section 10.1, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be
returned to Purchaser.  If this Agreement  shall  terminate  pursuant to Section
10.2, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be paid to
Seller.  If the Closing shall occur,  the Deposit  shall be credited  toward the
Purchase Price,  pursuant to Section 3.2, and the interest earned on the Deposit
shall be paid to Purchaser.

         2.3. Due  Diligence.  Any forms of franchise  guidelines  and franchise
agreements  for  "AmeriSuites"  which Seller shall have provided to Purchaser in
connection with Purchaser's due diligence shall be substantially  similar to (i)
the form which Tenant shall enter into in  connection  with the Closing.  To the
extent that, in connection with its due diligence investigation,  Purchaser, its
agents,  representatives or contractors,  shall have damaged or disturbed any of
the Real Property or the Improvements  located  thereon,  Purchaser shall return
the same to substantially the same condition which existed  immediately prior to
such damage or disturbance.  In the event that the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement are not closed and consummated for any reason,  Purchaser  shall,
on request by Seller,  deliver to Seller all tests,  reports and  inspections of
the  Property  made and  conducted  by Purchaser or for its benefit or any other
documents or information  (including title commitments,  UCC financing statement
search reports, title documents, surveys, zoning reports,  environmental audits,
structural  engineering  reports,  appraisals and the like), which Purchaser has
received  pursuant to this  Agreement;  provided,  however,  that  Seller  shall
reimburse Purchaser's  out-of-pocket expenses for any of the foregoing materials
(other than materials  delivered by Seller or its agents or  representatives  to
Purchaser)  which  it  requests  that  Purchaser  so  deliver.  Purchaser  shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller from and against any and all expense,
loss or damage  which  Seller  may incur as a result of any act or  omission  of
Purchaser or its representatives,  agents or contractors in connection with such
examinations and inspections, other than to the extent that any expense, loss or
damage  arises from any gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of Seller.  The
provisions of this Section 2.3 shall survive the termination of

                                       -6-


<PAGE>





this Agreement and the Closing.

         2.4.  Casualty;  Condemnation.  (a) If, prior to the  Closing,  (i) any
Property  suffers a casualty  or partial  condemnation  which  would  cause such
Property to become a Defective  Property and (ii) such Property is not, prior to
the Closing,  restored to a condition  substantially  the same as the  condition
thereof immediately prior to such casualty or condemnation,  either Purchaser or
Seller may, on notice to the other  given prior to the Closing  Date,  terminate
this Agreement with respect to such Defective Property, in which event Purchaser
shall acquire all of the Properties other than such Defective Property,  and the
Purchase  Price  shall  be  reduced  by the  Allocable  Purchase  Price  of such
Defective  Property.  Promptly upon learning of the same,  Seller  covenants and
agrees to provide  Purchaser  with  prompt  written  notice of any  casualty  or
condemnation affecting any Property.

         (b) If,  prior to the Closing,  any Property  shall be condemned in its
entirety,  this  Agreement  shall  automatically  terminate with respect to such
Defective Property, in which event Purchaser shall acquire all of the Properties
other than such Defective  Property,  and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by
the Allocable Purchase Price of such Defective Property.

         (c) If neither  Purchaser  nor Seller  shall  elect to  terminate  this
Agreement with respect to a Defective Property pursuant to Paragraph (a) of this
Section  2.4,  Seller  agrees (i) in the case of a casualty  loss,  to assign to
Purchaser at Closing its rights to any  insurance  proceeds with respect to such
loss,  pay  over to  Purchaser  any  such  proceeds  already  received  and give
Purchaser a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of any deductible or
uninsured loss, or (ii) in the case of a condemnation, to assign to Purchaser at
Closing its rights to any compensation in connection with such  condemnation and
pay over to Purchaser any such  compensation  already  received,  and, in either
such event, Purchaser shall acquire such Defective Property as provided herein.

         (d) If any Property shall suffer a casualty loss which shall not render
the Property a Defective  Property,  Seller shall assign to Purchaser at Closing
its rights to any  insurance  proceeds  with  respect to such loss,  pay over to
Purchaser any such proceeds already received and give Purchaser a credit against
the Purchase Price in the amount of any deductible or uninsured loss, and

                                       -7-


<PAGE>





Purchaser shall acquire such Property as provided herein.

         2.5.  Title  Matters.  Purchaser  has received from the Title Company a
preliminary  title  commitment,  having an effective date after the date of this
Agreement,  for an ALTA (or such other form  reasonably  approved by  Purchaser)
owner's  policy  of title  insurance  with  respect  to each of the  Properties,
together  with  complete and legible  copies of all  instruments  and  documents
referred to as  exceptions  to title  (collectively,  the "Title  Commitments").
Except as set forth in the Diligence Notice Letter,  Purchaser  acknowledges and
agrees that it does not have any objection to any title  exceptions which affect
the Properties.

         2.6.  Survey  Matters.  Purchaser has received a survey with respect to
each  of  the  Properties  (the  "Surveys")  by  a  licensed   surveyor  in  the
jurisdiction  in which each such  Property  is  located,  which (i)  contains an
accurate legal description of the applicable Property,  (ii) shows the location,
dimension and description  (including  applicable recording  information) of all
utilities,  easements,  encroachments  and other physical matters affecting such
Property,  the  number  of  striped  parking  spaces  located  thereon  and  all
applicable building set-back lines, (iii) states whether the applicable Property
is located  within a 100-year flood plain and (iv) is certified to Purchaser and
the Title  Company  and such  other  persons  as shall  have been  requested  by
Purchaser  or  Seller.  Except  as set  forth in the  Diligence  Notice  Letter,
Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees that it does not have any  objection  to any
matter shown on the Surveys.

         2.7. Tax Free Exchange.  (a)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
set forth  herein,  Seller may take such steps as shall be  necessary to qualify
the  sale of the  Properties  or any of them  under  Section  1031 of the  Code,
including the use and assignment of this Agreement to a "qualified intermediary"
within the  meaning of Treas.  Regs.  ss.  1.1031(k)-1(g)(4),  or the use of any
other  multiparty  arrangement  described in Treas.  Regs.  ss.  1.1031(k)-1(g).
Purchaser  shall  use  commercially   reasonable  efforts  to  cooperate  (which
cooperation  shall be at Seller's  expense)  in so  structuring  a Section  1031
exchange,  if so desired by Seller,  provided  that such  structuring  shall not
materially adversely affect Purchaser's rights hereunder.

         (b)         Purchaser shall not be required to incur additional
liability by reason of the provisions of this Section 2.7 (unless

                                       -8-


<PAGE>





Seller shall first agree to indemnify Purchaser with respect thereto).

         (c)  Purchaser  and its  agents  and  attorneys  do not  guarantee  any
specific tax treatment by reason of the provisions of this Section 2.7.

         SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE.

         3.1.  Closing.  The  purchase  and  sale  of the  Properties  shall  be
consummated  at a closing (the  "Closing") to be held at the offices of Hunton &
Williams, 200 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10166-0136, or at such
other  location as Seller and Purchaser may agree,  at 10:00 a.m. local time, on
or about December
3, 1997 (the "Closing Date").

         3.2. Purchase Price. (a) At the Closing,  Purchaser shall pay to Seller
for the  Properties  a purchase  price (the  "Purchase  Price") in the amount of
$24,041,515  (subject to  customary  prorations  and  adjustments),  except that
Purchaser shall receive a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of the
Deposit.

         (b) The Purchase Price shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately
available  funds on the Closing Date to an account or accounts to be  designated
by Seller prior to the Closing.

         (c) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Section
3.2, if either  Seller or Purchaser  shall not be ready to close with respect to
either of the Hotels by the Closing  Date,  the  closing  shall occur as to such
Hotel as to which the parties are ready to close, and the parties shall agree as
to a subsequent closing date for the other Hotel, provided that settlement shall
have  occurred as to both of the Hotels no later than  December 22, 1997. In the
event of more  than one  closing,  this  Agreement  shall be  deemed a  separate
agreement as to each Hotel and, except as otherwise agreed to between Seller and
Purchaser,  (a) the  Purchase  Price  for  each  individual  Hotel  shall be the
applicable  Allocable  Purchase  Price,  and (b) the Deposit for each individual
Hotel  shall  equal the amount set forth on Exhibit A. In the event of  multiple
closings,  the place and manner of closing shall be as reasonably agreed between
Seller and Purchaser.

         (d) The  provisions  of  Sections  3.2(c)  and (e)  shall  survive  the
Closing.

                                       -9-


<PAGE>





         SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation  of Purchaser to acquire the  Properties on the Closing
Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions precedent
on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Seller  covenants  to use  commercially
reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         4.1. Closing Documents. Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser:

         (a) Good and sufficient special warranty deeds, with legal descriptions
based on the  deeds by  which  Seller  received  title  to the  Properties,  and
quitclaim  deeds with legal  descriptions  based on the Surveys,  if the Surveys
indicate any differing legal descriptions, all in forms as shall be customary in
the various  jurisdictions in which the Properties are located,  with respect to
all of the Properties, in proper statutory form for recording, duly executed and
acknowledged by Seller, conveying fee simple title to the applicable Properties,
free from all liens and encumbrances other than the Permitted Encumbrances;

         (b) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Purchaser,  duly executed and acknowledged
by Seller,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title and interest in, to and
under the FF&E,  the Documents and the  Intangible  Property with respect to the
Properties;

         (c) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller,  Purchaser  and Tenant,  duly  executed and
acknowledged by Seller, to Tenant,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title
and interest in, to and under the Inventory and the  Contracts,  with respect to
the Properties;

         (d) Duly executed and  acknowledged  memoranda of lease,  setting forth
the material terms of each Lease, in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory
to Seller and Purchaser;

         (e)         Duly executed transfer tax forms, as required by
applicable law;

         (f) Duly executed environmental  disclosure forms, as and to the extent
required by applicable law;

                                      -10-


<PAGE>





         (g)         To the extent the same are in Seller's possession,
original, fully executed copies of all Contracts pertaining to the
Properties;

         (h) A duly executed copy of the Lease and all other  documents and sums
required to be delivered by Seller and/or the Tenant pursuant thereto;

         (i) A duly executed copy of the franchise  agreement between the Tenant
and the franchisor with respect to each of the Properties;

         (j)         A duly executed copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement;

         (k) Certified  copies of all charter  documents,  applicable  corporate
resolutions  and  certificates  of  incumbency  with  respect  to Seller and the
Tenant;

         (l) an affidavit of Seller in accordance  with Section 1445 of the Code
and such  documentation  as shall  be  required  to  comply  with the  reporting
requirements of Section 1099-S of the Code; and

         (m) Such other  conveyance  documents,  certificates,  deeds, and other
instruments  as may be required by this  Agreement  or as Purchaser or the Title
Company may  reasonably  require to  effectuate  the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder.

         4.2.        Condition of Properties.  (a)  All of the Properties
and all Improvements located thereon shall, except as otherwise
provided in Section 2.3, be in substantially the same physical
condition as on September 22, 1997, ordinary wear and tear
excepted;

         (b) No material default or event which with the giving of notice and/or
lapse of time could  constitute a material  default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing under any material  agreement  benefiting or affecting the Properties
in any material respect;

         (c) No action shall be pending or threatened  for the  condemnation  or
taking  by  power  of  eminent  domain  of all or any  material  portion  of the
Properties which would render any Property a Defective Property; and

                                      -11-


<PAGE>





         (d) All material licenses,  permits and other authorizations  necessary
for the current use,  occupancy and operation of the Properties shall be in full
force and effect in all material respects.

         4.3. Title Policies. The Title Company shall be prepared,  subject only
to payment of the applicable premium,  endorsement and related fees and delivery
of all  conveyance  documents  in  recordable  form,  to issue  title  insurance
policies to  Purchaser,  in  accordance  with  Section 2.5,  together  with such
affirmative  coverages as Purchaser may  reasonably  require and shall have been
determined by the Title Company as available prior to the date hereof.

         4.4.  Opinions  of  Counsel.  Purchaser  shall have  received a written
opinion from counsel to Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser  and Seller's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Seller and Tenant.

         4.5.        No PIP Requirement at Closing.  There shall be no PIP
requirement imposed by the franchisor in connection with the
Closing.

         4.6.        Representations.  All representations and warranties
made herein by Seller shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation of Seller to convey the  Properties on the Closing Date
to  Purchaser  is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions
precedent  on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Purchaser  covenants  to use
commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         5.1.  Purchase  Price.  Purchaser  shall deliver to Seller the Purchase
Price, pursuant to Section 3.1.

         5.2.     Closing Documents.  Purchaser shall have delivered to
Seller:

         (a)  Duly  executed  and  acknowledged  counterparts  of the  documents
described in Section 4.1 (including, without limitation, the Registration Rights
Agreement executed by Purchaser, the REIT and the general partner of Purchaser),
where applicable;

                                      -12-


<PAGE>





         (b) Certified copies of all charter documents,  partnership agreements,
applicable  resolutions and certificates of incumbency with respect to Purchaser
and its general partner; and

         5.3.  Opinion of Counsel.  Seller shall have received a written opinion
from counsel to Purchaser,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Seller and  Purchaser's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Purchaser and the REIT.

         5.4.     Representations.  All representations and warranties made
herein by Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         5.5.  Amendment to LP Agreement.  Purchaser shall have caused Exhibit A
of the LP  Agreement  to be  amended  so as to add  Seller as a limited  partner
listed thereon.

         SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.

         To induce Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller represents and
warrants to Purchaser as follows:

         6.1.  Status and  Authority  of Seller.  Seller is a  corporation  duly
organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing under the laws of its
state of incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority under the laws
of such state and its respective charter documents to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.  Seller has duly qualified to transact  business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business  conducted by it requires  such  qualification,
except  where  failure  to do so could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
material adverse effect.

         6.2.  Action  of  Seller.  Seller  has taken  all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of this  Agreement,  and upon
the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by Seller or Tenant
on or prior to the Closing Date,  such document  shall  constitute the valid and
binding  obligation  and  agreement  of  Seller or  Tenant,  as the case may be,
enforceable  against  Seller or Tenant in accordance  with its terms,  except as
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium  or similar  laws of  general  application  affecting  the rights and
remedies of creditors.

                                      -13-


<PAGE>





         6.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of  this  Agreement  by  Seller  or of the  Lease  by  Tenant,  nor
compliance with the terms and provisions  hereof or thereof,  will result in any
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute
a default  under,  or result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance
upon any  Property  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Seller or Tenant is bound, except pursuant to the Lease or this Agreement.

         6.4.  Litigation.  Neither  Seller nor Tenant has  received any written
notice of and,  to Seller's  knowledge,  no action or  proceeding  is pending or
threatened and no investigation  looking toward such an action or proceeding has
begun,  which (a) questions  the validity of this  Agreement or the Lease or any
action  taken or to be taken  pursuant  hereto,  (b) will result in any material
adverse  change  in  the  business,  operation,  affairs  or  condition  of  the
Properties,  taken as a whole, (c) will result in or subject the Properties to a
material liability,  or (d) involves  condemnation or eminent domain proceedings
against any part of the Properties, which would render such Property a Defective
Property.

         6.5.  Existing  Leases,  Agreements,  Etc.  Other  than any  agreements
provided to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement and listed on the
schedule  attached  hereto as Exhibit E, there are no other material  agreements
affecting the  Properties  which will be binding on Purchaser  subsequent to the
Closing Date, which Purchaser cannot terminate.

         6.6. Utilities,  Etc. To Seller's knowledge, all utilities and services
necessary  for the use  and  operation  of the  Properties  (including,  without
limitation,  road access,  gas, water,  electricity and telephone) are available
thereto,   are  of  sufficient   capacity  to  meet  adequately  all  needs  and
requirements  necessary for the current use and operation of the  Properties and
for  their  respective  intended  purposes.  To  Seller's  knowledge,  no  fact,
condition or proceeding exists which would result in the termination or material
impairment of the furnishing of such utilities to the Properties.

         6.7.     Compliance with Law.  To Seller's knowledge, except as
set forth on Exhibit D attached hereto, (i) the Properties and the
current use and operation thereof do not violate any material

                                      -14-


<PAGE>





federal, state, municipal and other governmental statutes, ordinances,  by-laws,
rules,  regulations  or  any  other  legal  requirements,   including,   without
limitation, those relating to construction, occupancy, zoning, subdivision, land
use,  adequacy of parking,  environmental  protection,  occupational  health and
safety and fire  safety  applicable  thereto;  and (ii) there are  presently  in
effect all material licenses, permits and other authorizations necessary for the
current use,  occupancy and operation  thereof  (including  liquor  license,  if
required).  Except as disclosed to  Purchaser,  Seller has not received  written
notice of any threatened request, application, proceeding, plan, study or effort
which would  materially  adversely affect the current use or zoning of either of
the  Properties  or which  would  materially  adversely  modify or  realign  any
adjacent street or highway.

         6.8. Taxes. To Seller's knowledge,  other than the amounts disclosed by
tax bills (copies of which have been  delivered by Seller to Purchaser  prior to
the execution of this  Agreement),  no taxes or special  assessments of any kind
(special,  bond or otherwise)  are or have been levied with respect to either of
the Properties,  or any portion thereof,  which are outstanding or unpaid, other
than amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, not yet delinquent.

         6.9.     Not A Foreign Person.  Seller is not a "foreign person"
within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

         6.10. Hazardous  Substances.  Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached
hereto or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to  Purchaser
(including,  without limitation, the environmental site assessments set forth on
Exhibit  D), to  Seller's  knowledge,  Seller has not stored or  disposed of (or
engaged in the  business of storing or  disposing  of) or has released or caused
the release of any hazardous  waste,  contaminants,  oil,  radioactive  or other
material on either of the  Properties,  or any portion  thereof,  the removal of
which is required or the  maintenance of which is prohibited or penalized by any
applicable  Federal,  state  or  local  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules  or
regulations,  and,  to  Seller's  knowledge,  except as set  forth on  Exhibit D
attached  hereto  or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to
Purchaser (including, without limitation, the environmental site assessments set
forth on Exhibit  D), the  Properties  are free from any such  hazardous  waste,
contaminants,  oil,  radioactive and other materials,  except any such materials
maintained in the ordinary

                                      -15-


<PAGE>





course of a hotel business in accordance with applicable law.

         6.11.  Insurance.  Seller has not received any written  notice from any
insurance  carrier  of defects  or  inadequacies  in the  Properties  which,  if
uncorrected,  would result in a termination of insurance  coverage or a material
increase in the premiums charged therefor.

         6.12. Ownership. All Assets,  Contracts,  FF&E, Intangible Property and
Real Property are owned by Seller and are  assignable and  transferable  without
the  consent of any third  party (or,  if any such  consent  is  required,  such
consent shall be obtained no later than the  Closing),  and there are no capital
leases, except as set forth on Exhibit E.

         The  representations  and  warranties  made in this Agreement by Seller
shall be deemed  remade by Seller as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement  or any
documents to be delivered to  Purchaser  at the Closing,  Seller  disclaims  the
making of any representations or warranties,  express or implied,  regarding the
Properties  or matters  affecting  the  Properties,  whether made by Seller,  on
Seller's  behalf or  otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  the  physical
condition of the  Properties,  title to or the  boundaries of the Real Property,
pest control  matters,  soil conditions,  the presence,  existence or absence of
hazardous wastes,  toxic substances or other environmental  matters,  compliance
with building, health, safety, land use and zoning laws, regulations and orders,
structural and other engineering characteristics, traffic patterns, market data,
economic conditions or projections,  and any other information pertaining to the
Properties  or the market and physical  environments  in which they are located.
Without negating the covenants,  representations  and warranties of Seller under
this Agreement,  Purchaser acknowledges (i) that Purchaser has entered into this
Agreement with the intention of making and relying upon its own investigation or
that of third parties with respect to the physical, environmental,  economic and
legal condition of each Property and (ii) that Purchaser is not relying upon any
statements,  representations  or  warranties  of  any  kind,  other  than  those
specifically  set forth in this  Agreement or in any document to be delivered to
Purchaser  at the  Closing  made by  Seller.  Without  negating  the  covenants,
representations and warranties of Seller under this Agreement, Purchaser further

                                      -16-


<PAGE>





acknowledges that it has not received from or on behalf of Seller any
accounting,  tax,  legal,  architectural, engineering,   property   management
or  other  advice  with  respect  to  this transaction  and is relying  solely
upon the advice of third  party  accounting, tax, legal, architectural,
engineering, property management and other advisors. Subject to the  provisions
of this  Agreement,  Purchaser  shall  purchase  the Properties in their "as is"
condition on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.

         To induce Seller to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:

         7.1.  Status and  Authority  of  Purchaser.  Purchaser  is a  Tennessee
limited partnership duly organized,  validly existing and in trust good standing
under  the laws of the  State  of  Tennessee  and has all  requisite  power  and
authority under the laws of such state and under its charter  documents to enter
into and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Purchaser has duly qualified and is in good
standing as a foreign  limited  partnership  in each  jurisdiction  in which the
nature of the business conducted by it requires such qualification.

         7.2. Action of Purchaser.  Purchaser has taken all necessary  action to
authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement and the
Lease,  and upon the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by
Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date such  document  shall  constitute  the
valid and binding  obligation  and agreement of Purchaser,  enforceable  against
Purchaser in accordance with its terms,  except as enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.

         7.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of this Agreement nor the Lease by Purchaser,  nor compliance  with
the  terms and  provisions  hereof,  will  result  in any  breach of the  terms,
conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute a default under,  or
result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance  upon any property or
assets of Purchaser  pursuant to the terms of any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust, note, evidence of indebtedness or any

                                      -17-


<PAGE>





other agreement or instrument by which Purchaser is bound.

         7.4. Litigation. No investigation, action or proceeding is pending and,
to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  no  action  or  proceeding  is  threatened  and  no
investigation  looking  toward  such an action or  proceeding  has begun,  which
questions  the  validity of this  Agreement  or any action  taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto.

         7.5. No Conflicts.  Neither the execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement or the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby by
Purchaser will conflict with or result in a material  breach or violation of, or
constitute  a  default  under  the  charter,  bylaws,   certificate  of  limited
partnership or LP Agreement,  as the case may be, of the REIT or Purchaser;  any
indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement,  note,  lease  or other
agreement  or  instrument  to which the REIT or Purchaser is a party or to which
they,  either of them,  any of their  respective  properties  or other assets is
subject; or any applicable material statute,  judgment,  decree,  order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body applicable to the REIT or
Purchaser.

         7.6.  REIT  Status.  The REIT is a  "qualified  real estate  investment
trust" as defined in Section 856 of the Code.

         7.7.  REIT  Filings.  The private  placement  memorandum  delivered  by
Purchaser  to Seller on  September  18,  1997 with  respect to the REIT does not
include,  as of such date,  any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  or  necessary  to make  the
statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made, not
misleading.

         The  representations and warranties made in this Agreement by Purchaser
shall be deemed  remade by  Purchaser as of the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.

         8.1.        Covenants of Seller.  Seller hereby covenants with
Purchaser between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date
as follows:

         (a)         Upon learning of any material change in any condition

                                      -18-


<PAGE>





with respect to either of the Properties or of any event or  circumstance  which
makes any representation or warranty of Seller to Purchaser under this Agreement
untrue or  misleading  in any  material  respect,  promptly to notify  Purchaser
thereof (Purchaser agreeing, on learning of any such fact or condition, promptly
to notify Seller thereof).

         (b) To continue or cause to continue to operate each of the  Properties
as an "AmeriSuites"  hotel, in a good and businesslike  fashion  consistent with
its past  practices and to cause each of the Properties to be maintained in good
working order and condition in a manner consistent with its past practice.

         (c) To provide to Purchaser,  promptly upon  reasonable  request,  such
unaudited  financial and other  information  and  certifications  of Seller with
respect to the Properties as Purchaser may from time to time reasonably  request
in order to  comply  with any  applicable  securities  laws  and/or  any  rules,
regulations or  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange  Commission and, if
required or  requested,  to permit  Purchaser to  incorporate  by reference  any
information  included in filings made by Seller with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

         (d) To deliver  to  Purchaser  the items set forth in  Section  4.1 and
Section 4.4.

         8.2.        Covenants of Purchaser.  Purchaser hereby covenants
with Seller on and as of the Closing Date as follows:

         (a)         To deliver to Seller the items set forth in Section
5.2.

         SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.

         9.1.  Closing  Costs.  Each of the  parties  hereto  shall  pay its own
expenses in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, including,  without limitation, any legal and accounting fees, the costs
and expenses of preparing  engineering and environment  reports,  market studies
and appraisals, the cost of the Surveys, Title Commitments,  zoning reports, UCC
financing  statement  search  reports,  environmental  audits,  zoning  reports,
structural  engineering  reports,  appraisals  and the like,  whether or not the
transactions  contemplated hereby are consummated (but subject,  however, to the
provisions of Section 2.3, with

                                      -19-


<PAGE>





respect to items which Purchaser delivers to Seller at Seller's request). Seller
and Purchaser shall each pay 50% of all state and local sales, transfer, excise,
value-added or other similar  taxes,  and all recording and filing fees that may
be imposed by reason of the sale,  transfer,  assignment,  delivery  and leasing
(other than any tax imposed in connection  with the recording of a memorandum of
lease,  which  amounts  shall be paid  pursuant  to the terms of the  applicable
Lease) of the Properties.

         SECTION 10.  DEFAULT.

         10.1.   Default  by  Seller.   If  (a)  Seller   shall  have  made  any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b)  Seller  shall fail to  perform  any of the  material
covenants  and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by Seller and such
failure  continues  for a period  of ten (10) days  after  notice  thereof  from
Purchaser,  or (c)  Seller  shall be in  default  under (x) that  certain  Third
Purchase and Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date herewith,  or (y) that certain
Fourth  Purchase and Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date  herewith each between
Seller and  Purchaser,  Purchaser  may,  (i) sue for  specific  performance  and
damages,  (ii) sue for damages  without  specific  performance  (with or without
terminating  this  Agreement  and  receiving  a refund of the  Deposit,  and all
interest  thereon)  or (iii)  exercise  any  other  right or remedy at law or in
equity;  provided,  however,  that  Purchaser  shall in no event be  entitled to
monetary damages in excess of the amount of the Deposit.

         10.2.  Default  by  Purchaser.  If (a)  Purchaser  shall  have made any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b) Purchaser  shall fail to perform any of the covenants
and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by it and such failure  shall
continue for a period of ten (10) days after notice thereof from Seller,  or (c)
Purchaser  shall be in default  under (x) that certain  Third  Purchase and Sale
Agreement,  dated of even date herewith, or (y) that certain Fourth Purchase and
Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date herewith each between Seller and Purchaser,
Seller may,  as its sole and  exclusive  remedy at law and in equity,  terminate
this Agreement. In the event that Seller shall so terminate this Agreement,  the
Deposit,  together  with all  interest  accrued  thereon,  shall be  retained by
Seller, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty,  whereupon  Purchaser shall,
except as expressly  provided  herein,  have no further  monetary or nonmonetary
obligations hereunder, other than

                                      -20-


<PAGE>





with respect to  obligations  which  expressly  survive the  termination  hereof
(which  obligations  shall not include the obligation to purchase the Properties
hereunder).

         SECTION 11.  RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL.

         11.1.  The Purchase and Sale of the Properties  hereunder  shall not be
deemed a purchase  and sale of a Right of First Offer  Hotel or an Option  Hotel
(as  defined in the  Amended  Agreement)  pursuant  to Section 11 of the Amended
Agreement.

         SECTION 12.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         12.1. Agreement to Indemnify.  (a) Subject to any express provisions of
this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  Seller  shall  indemnify  and hold  harmless
Purchaser from and against any and all  obligations,  claims,  losses,  damages,
liabilities, and expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable attorneys'
and  accountants'  fees and  disbursements)  arising  out of (x) any  damage  to
property  of others or injury to or death of any  person or any  claims  for any
debts or obligations occurring on or about or in connection with any Property or
any  portion  thereof  at any  time  or  times  prior  to the  Closing,  (y) any
liabilities  for taxes due from  Seller  which shall have  accrued  prior to the
Closing in connection  with any Property and (z) any failure by Seller to comply
with applicable "bulk sale" laws.

         (b) Whenever  either party shall learn through the filing of a claim or
the  commencement of a proceeding or otherwise of the existence of any liability
for which the other party is or may be  responsible  under this  Agreement,  the
party  learning of such  liability  shall  notify the other party  promptly  and
furnish such copies of documents (and make originals thereof available) and such
other  information  as such  party  may have  that may be used or  useful in the
defense of such claims and shall  afford said other  party full  opportunity  to
defend the same in the name of such  party and shall  generally  cooperate  with
said other party in the defense of any such claim.

         (c) The  provisions  of this Section 12.1 shall survive the Closing and
the termination of this Agreement.

         12.2.       Brokerage Commissions.  Each of the parties hereto
represents to the other parties that it dealt with no broker,

                                      -21-


<PAGE>





finder or like  agent in  connection  with this  Agreement  or the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  other than  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  Seller  shall be solely
responsible  for  and  shall  indemnify  and  hold  harmless  Purchaser  and its
respective legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns from and against
any loss, liability or expense,  including,  reasonable attorneys' fees, arising
out of any claim or claims for  commissions or other  compensation  for bringing
about this  Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby made by Merrill
Lynch & Co. or any other  broker,  finder or like  agent  other  than such loss,
liability or expense  resulting from Purchaser's  breach of its  representations
made in this Section 12.2. The provisions of this Section 12.2 shall survive the
Closing and any termination of this Agreement.

         12.3. Publicity. The parties agree that no party shall, with respect to
this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  contact or conduct
negotiations with public officials, make any public pronouncements,  issue press
releases or  otherwise  furnish  information  regarding  this  Agreement  or the
transactions  contemplated  to any third party  without the consent of the other
parties,  which  consent  shall  not  be  unreasonably   withheld,   delayed  or
conditioned,  except to consultants,  advisors, investors, lenders, underwriters
and other parties reasonably  necessary to consummate the transactions  required
hereby and as  required by law or  contractual  obligations  of such  parties to
third parties.  No party,  or its employees shall trade in the securities of any
parent or affiliate of Seller or of Purchaser until a public announcement of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement has been made. No party shall record
this Agreement or any notice thereof.

         12.4. Notices. (a) Any and all notices, demands,  consents,  approvals,
offers,  elections  and other  communications  required or permitted  under this
Agreement shall be deemed  adequately  given if in writing and the same shall be
delivered either in hand, by telecopier with written  acknowledgment of receipt,
or by mail or Federal Express or similar expedited commercial carrier, addressed
to the recipient of the notice, postpaid and registered or certified with return
receipt  requested  (if by mail),  or with all  freight  charges  prepaid (if by
Federal Express or similar carrier).

         (b) All notices  required or  permitted to be sent  hereunder  shall be
deemed to have been given for all  purposes of this  Agreement  upon the date of
acknowledged  receipt, in the case of a notice by telecopier,  and, in all other
cases, upon the date of

                                      -22-


<PAGE>





receipt or refusal, except that whenever under this Agreement a notice is either
received on a day which is not a Business  Day or is required to be delivered on
or before a  specific  day which is not a  Business  Day,  the day of receipt or
required delivery shall automatically be extended to the next Business Day.

         (c)         All such notices shall be addressed,

         if to Seller to:

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  Mr. David Simon
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]


                     and

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  General Counsel
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]



         with a copy to:

                     Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                     One Citicorp Center
                     153 East 53rd Street
                     New York, New York  10022-4677
                     Attn:  Eugene A. Pinover, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (212) 821-8111]

         if to Purchaser, to:

                     Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                     4735 Spottswood, Suite 102
                     Memphis, Tennessee  38117
                     Attn:  Mr. Phillip H. McNeill, Sr.
                     [Telecopier No. (901) 761-1485]

                                      -23-


<PAGE>





         with a copy to:

                     Hunton & Williams
                     1751 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 1700
                     McLean, VA  22102
                     Attn: Gerald R. Best, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (703) 714-7410]

         (d) By notice given as herein  provided,  the parties  hereto and their
respective  successors and assigns shall have the right from time to time and at
any time during the term of this Agreement to change their respective  addresses
effective  upon receipt by the other  parties of such notice and each shall have
the right to specify as its address any other  address  within the United States
of America.

         12.5.  Waivers,  Etc.  Any  waiver  of any  term or  condition  of this
Agreement,  or of  the  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation  or  warranty
contained herein,  in any one instance,  shall not operate as or be deemed to be
or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other breach of such term,
condition,  covenant,  representation or warranty or any other term,  condition,
covenant, representation or warranty, nor shall any failure at any time or times
to enforce or require performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of
or affect in any manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require
performance of such provision or any other provision hereof.  This Agreement may
not be amended, nor shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
be effected,  except by an instrument in writing executed by or on behalf of the
party against whom enforcement of any amendment,  waiver, change,  modification,
consent or discharge is sought.

         12.6. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all rights
and  obligations  hereunder  shall not be  assignable  by any party  without the
written consent of the other parties, except that, after the Closing, Seller may
assign  its  surviving  rights,  if any,  under this  Agreement  to Tenant or an
Affiliate  of Seller,  and  Purchaser  may  assign  its  rights and  obligations
hereunder to an Affiliate of Purchaser,  provided that  Purchaser  remain liable
for its obligations hereunder.  The provisions of this Agreement shall not merge
with delivery of the deeds and shall survive  Closing.  This Agreement  shall be
binding  upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of the  parties  hereto and their
respective  legal  representatives,   successors  and  permitted  assigns.  This
Agreement is not intended

                                      -24-


<PAGE>





and shall not be construed to create any rights in or to be
enforceable in any part by any other persons.

         12.7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
deemed to be, or shall in fact be,  invalid,  inoperative  or  unenforceable  as
applied to any particular case in any jurisdiction or  jurisdictions,  or in all
jurisdictions or in all cases, because of the conflict of any provision with any
constitution  or statute or rule of public policy or for any other reason,  such
circumstance  shall not have the effect of rendering the provision or provisions
in question invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable in any other  jurisdiction or
in any  other  case or  circumstance  or of  rendering  any other  provision  or
provisions herein contained invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable to the extent
that such other  provisions  are not  themselves  actually in conflict with such
constitution,  statute or rule of public  policy,  but this  Agreement  shall be
reformed and  construed  in any such  jurisdiction  or case as if such  invalid,
inoperative or unenforceable  provision had never been contained herein and such
provision  reformed so that it would be valid,  operative and enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction or in such case.

         12.8. Counterparts,  Etc. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same   instrument.   This  Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement  of the parties  hereto  with  respect to the
subject  matter  hereof  and  shall  supersede  and take the  place of any other
instruments  purporting to be an agreement of the parties hereto relating to the
subject matter hereof.

         12.9.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be  interpreted,  construed,
applied  and  enforced  in  accordance  with the  laws of the  State of New York
applicable to contracts  between residents of the State of New York which are to
be performed entirely within the State of New York, regardless of (i) where this
Agreement  is  executed  or  delivered;  or (ii)  where  any  payment  or  other
performance  required by this Agreement is made or required to be made; or (iii)
where any breach of any  provision  of this  Agreement  occurs,  or any cause of
action  otherwise  accrues;  or (iv)  where any  action or other  proceeding  is
instituted or pending; or (v) the nationality,  citizenship, domicile, principal
place of business,  or  jurisdiction of  organization  or  domestication  of any
party; or (vi)

                                      -25-


<PAGE>





whether the laws of the forum  jurisdiction  otherwise would apply the laws of a
jurisdiction  other than the State of New York; or (vii) any  combination of the
foregoing.

         To the  maximum  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  any action to
enforce,  arising out of, or relating  in any way to, any of the  provisions  of
this  Agreement may be brought and prosecuted in such court or courts located in
the State of New York as is  provided  by law;  and the  parties  consent to the
jurisdiction  of said  court or courts  located  in the State of New York and to
service of process by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any other
manner provided by law.

         12.10.  Performance  on Business  Days.  In the event the date on which
performance or payment of any obligation of a party required  hereunder is other
than a Business Day, the time for payment or performance shall  automatically be
extended to the first Business Day following such date.

         12.11.  Attorneys'  Fees. If any lawsuit or  arbitration or other legal
proceeding  arises in connection with the  interpretation or enforcement of this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party therein shall be entitled to receive from the
other party the  prevailing  party's  costs and expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred in connection therewith, in preparation therefor and on
appeal therefrom, which amounts shall be included in any judgment therein.

         12.12.  Section and Other  Headings.  The  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         12.13. No Oral  Modifications.  This Agreement may not be amended,  nor
shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge be effected, except
by an instrument  in writing  executed by or on behalf of the party against whom
enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
is sought.

         12.14.  Incorporation by Reference. All of the provisions applicable to
the Properties set forth in Paragraph 7 of the First  Amendment and of Paragraph
2 of the Second  Amendment are hereby  incorporated by reference as if fully set
forth herein and are ratified and confirmed by Seller and Purchaser.

                                      -26-


<PAGE>





         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed as a sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                                       SELLER:
                                       PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.


                                       By:   /s/ David A. Simon

                                       Its:  President


                                       PURCHASER:


                                       EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                       By:  Equity Inns Trust,
                                            its general partner

                                       By:  /s/ Howard A. Silver
                                            Its:Chief Financial Officer







<PAGE>







                                    Exhibit A

                                 The Properties




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                         Allocable                                    Deposit
Location              Purchase Price        Radius Restriction       Allocation
- --------              --------------        ------------------       ----------
<S>  <C>              <C>                   <C>                      <C>


1.   Richmond/         $ 12,332,445         5 miles                   $436,250
     Innsbrook, VA   
1.   Tampa, FL         $ 11,709,070         5 miles--                 $436,250
                                            Restricted radius
                                            does not include
                                            the downtown sub
                                            market


</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3


                        THIRD PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                            PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.,
                                   as Seller,

                                       and

                         EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,
                                  as Purchaser

                                December 2, 1997










1.   Columbus, OH
2.   Miami, FL
3.   Overland Park,
     KS





<PAGE>






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>

                                                                            Page

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS........................................................1

   1.2.     Agreement..........................................................2
   1.3.     Allocable Purchase Price...........................................2
   1.4.     Assets.............................................................2
   1.5.     Business Day.......................................................2
   1.6.     Closing............................................................2
   1.7.     Closing Date.......................................................2
   1.8.     Code...............................................................2
   1.9.     Contracts..........................................................2
   1.10.    Defective Property.................................................2
   1.11.    Deposit............................................................2
   1.12.    Diligence Notice Letter............................................3
   1.13.    Documents..........................................................3
   1.14.    Escrow Agent.......................................................3
   1.15.    Escrow Agreement...................................................3
   1.16.    FF&E...............................................................3
   1.17.    Hotel..............................................................3
   1.18.    Improvements.......................................................3
   1.19.    Intangible Property................................................3
   1.20.    Inventory..........................................................3
   1.21.    Lease..............................................................4
   1.22.    LP Agreement.......................................................4
   1.23.    Miami Property.....................................................4
   1.24.    Permitted Encumbrances.............................................4
   1.25.    Properties.........................................................4
   1.26.    Purchase Price.....................................................4
   1.27.    Purchaser..........................................................4
   1.28.    Real Property......................................................5
   1.29.    REIT...............................................................5
   1.30.    Review Period......................................................5
   1.31.    Seller.............................................................5
   1.32.    Seller's knowledge.................................................5
   1.33.    Surveys............................................................5
</TABLE>

                                       (i)



<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>

                                                                            Page

   1.34.    Tenant.............................................................5
   1.35.    Title Commitments..................................................5
   1.36.    Title Company......................................................5

SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.......................................5

   2.1.     Purchase and Sale..................................................5
   2.2.     Deposit............................................................5
   2.3.     Diligence Inspections..............................................6
   2.4.     Casualty; Condemnation.............................................7
   2.5.     Title Matters......................................................8
   2.6.     Survey Matters.....................................................9
   2.7.     Tax Free Exchange.................................................10

SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE...........................................10

   3.1.     Closing...........................................................10
   3.2.     Purchase Price....................................................10

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.....................11

   4.1.     Closing Documents.................................................11
   4.2.     Condition of Properties...........................................12
   4.3.     Title Policies....................................................13
   4.4.     Opinions of Counsel...............................................13
   4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.....................................13
   4.6.     Representations...................................................13

SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE........................13

   5.1.     Purchase Price....................................................13
   5.2.     Closing Documents.................................................13
   5.3.     Opinion of Counsel................................................14
   5.4.     Representations...................................................14
   5.5.     Amendment to LP Agreement.........................................14

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................14

   6.1.     Status and Authority of Seller....................................14
   6.2.     Action of Seller..................................................14
   6.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................15
   6.4.     Litigation........................................................15
   6.5.     Existing Leases, Agreements, Etc..................................15
   6.6.     Utilities, Etc....................................................15
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>
                                                                            Page

   6.7.     Compliance With Law...............................................15
   6.8.     Taxes.............................................................16
   6.9.     Not A Foreign Person..............................................16
   6.10.    Hazardous Substances..............................................16
   6.11.    Insurance.........................................................16
   6.12.    Ownership.........................................................16

SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.......................17

   7.1.     Status and Authority of Purchaser.................................17
   7.2.     Action of Purchaser...............................................18
   7.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................18
   7.4.     Litigation........................................................18
   7.5.     No Conflicts......................................................18
   7.6.     REIT Status, Organization.........................................19
   7.7.     REIT Filings......................................................19

SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.................................19

   8.1.     Covenants of Seller...............................................19
   8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser............................................19

SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.....................................................20

   9.1.     Closing Costs.....................................................20

SECTION 10. DEFAULT...........................................................20

   10.1.    Default by Seller.................................................20
   10.2.    Default by Purchaser..............................................20

SECTION 11. RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL..........................21


SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................21

   12.1.    Agreement to Indemnify............................................21
   12.2.    Brokerage Commissions.............................................22
   12.3.    Publicity.........................................................22
   12.4.    Notices...........................................................22
   12.5.    Waivers, Etc......................................................24
   12.6.    Assignment; Successors and Assigns................................24
   12.7.    Severability......................................................24
   12.8.    Counterparts, Etc.................................................25
</TABLE>

                                      (iii)



<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>

                                                                            Page

   12.9.    Governing Law.....................................................25
   12.10.   Performance on Business Days......................................25
   12.11.   Attorneys' Fees...................................................25
   12.12.   Section and Other Headings........................................26
   12.13.   No Oral Modifications.............................................26
   12.14.   Incorporation by Reference........................................26

</TABLE>


Exhibit A                      -     The Properties


                                      (iv)



<PAGE>







                        THIRD PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

    THIS  THIRD  PURCHASE  AND  SALE  AGREEMENT  is  made  as of the  2nd day of
December,   1997,  between  PRIME  HOSPITALITY  CORP.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Seller"),  as seller,  and Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership ("Purchaser"), as purchaser.

                                   WITNESSETH:

    WHEREAS,  Seller and Purchaser  entered into that certain  Purchase and Sale
Agreement (the "Original Agreement"), dated as of September 22, 1997, as amended
by  that  certain   Amendment  to  Purchase  and  Sale   Agreement  (the  "First
Amendment"), dated as of November 6, 1997, Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale
Agreement  (the  "Second  Amendment"),  dated as of November  10, 1997 and Third
Amendment to Purchase and Sale  Agreement (the "Third  Amendment"),  dated as of
November 19, 1997 (the Original  Agreement,  as amended by the First  Amendment,
the Second Amendment and the Third Amendment,  shall  hereinafter be referred to
as the "Prior Agreement"),  with respect to certain properties more particularly
described  therein,  which  Prior  Agreement  was  amended  and  restated in its
entirety  pursuant  to that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Purchase  and Sale
Agreement (the "Amended Agreement") dated of even date herewith; and

    WHEREAS,  Seller  desires to sell to  Purchaser,  and  Purchaser  desires to
purchase  from Seller,  certain  hotel  properties  located in  Columbus,  Ohio,
Overland  Park,  Kansas  and Miami,  Florida,  subject to and upon the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.

    NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained
and  other  good and  valuable  consideration,  the  mutual  receipt  and  legal
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,  Seller and Purchaser hereby agree
as follows:

         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.

         Capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the meanings set
forth below or in the Section of this Agreement referred to below:

         1.1.     Affiliate:        The term "Affiliate" of an entity shall
mean (a) an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such entity, (b) any

                                       -1-




<PAGE>





other entity that owns,  beneficially,  directly or indirectly,  more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding  capital stock,  shares or equity  interests of
such entity, or (c) any officer, director,  employee, partner or trustee of such
entity or any  person  or  entity  controlling,  controlled  by or under  common
control with such entity  (excluding  trustees  and entities  serving in similar
capacities who are not otherwise an Affiliate of such entities).

         1.2. "Agreement" shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement,  together
with  Exhibits A through E attached  hereto,  as it and they may be amended from
time to time as herein provided.

         1.3.  "Allocable Purchase Price" shall mean, with respect to any of the
Properties, the applicable amount set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

         1.4. "Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Hotel, collectively,  all
of the Real Property, the FF&E, the Contracts,  the Documents,  the Improvements
and the Intangible  Property  owned by Seller in connection  with or relating to
such Hotel.

         1.5. "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
any  other  day on  which  banking  institutions  in the  State  of New York are
authorized by law or executive action to close.

         1.6.     "Closing" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.7.     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning given such term

in Section 3.1.

         1.8.     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

         1.9. "Contracts" shall mean, with respect to any Property,  all service
contracts,  equipment  leases,  booking  agreements  and other  arrangements  or
agreements  to  which  Seller  is  a  party  affecting  the  ownership,  repair,
maintenance,  management,  leasing or operation of such Property,  to the extent
Seller's interest therein is assignable or transferable.

         1.10.       "Defective Property" shall mean any Property which (i)
has been condemned in whole or in part, or (ii) by reason of damage

                                       -2-


<PAGE>





by fire, vandalism,  acts of God or other casualty or cause, has suffered damage
such  that  expenditures  equal to or  greater  than  $500,000  (as such cost is
determined  by an  architect  or  engineer  selected  by Seller  and  reasonably
satisfactory  to Purchaser)  shall be required in order to restore such Property
into substantially the same condition as existing prior to such damage.

         1.11.       "Deposit" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.2.

         1.12.  "Diligence Notice Letter" shall mean that certain letter,  dated
November 6, 1997, from Purchaser to Seller,  delivered  pursuant to Sections 2.5
and 2.6 of the Original Agreement.

         1.13.  "Documents" shall mean, with respect to any Property, all books,
records and files relating to the leasing, maintenance,  management or operation
of such Property.

         1.14.       "Escrow Agent" shall mean the Title Company.

         1.15.  "Escrow  Agreement"  shall mean that certain  Escrow  Agreement,
dated as of September 22, 1997, among Purchaser, Seller and Escrow Agent.

         1.16. "FF&E " shall mean, with respect to any Property, all appliances,
machinery, devices, fixtures,  appurtenances,  equipment, furniture, furnishings
and articles of tangible  personal  property of every kind and nature whatsoever
owned by Seller and located in or at, or used exclusively in connection with the
ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property.

         1.17.   "Hotel"  shall  mean  each  hotel  located  at  the  properties
identified  on  Exhibit  A, the  legal  descriptions  of which  are set forth on
Exhibits B-1 through B-3.

         1.18.  "Improvements"  shall mean,  with respect to any  Property,  all
buildings,  fixtures,  walls,  fences,  landscaping  and  other  structures  and
improvements  situated on,  affixed or  appurtenant  to the Real  Property  with
respect to such Property.

         1.19.  "Intangible  Property" shall mean, with respect to any Property,
all  transferable or assignable  permits,  certificates of occupancy,  operating
permits, sign permits, development rights and approvals, certificates, licenses,
warranties and guarantees, the

                                       -3-


<PAGE>





Contracts,  telephone  exchange  numbers  identified  with such Property held by
Seller and all other transferable  intangible  property,  miscellaneous  rights,
benefits and  privileges of any kind or character  with respect to such Property
held by Seller,  except (a) to the extent held by or  transferred  to the Tenant
under the Lease and (b) for all trademarks, trade names, copyrights,  patents or
technical  processes,  including,  without  limitation,  any "AmeriSuites" brand
name, logos and designs, owned or used by Seller with respect to such Property.

         1.20.  "Inventory  " shall mean all  inventory  located at the  Hotels,
including,  without limitation,  all mattresses,  pillows,  bed linens,  towels,
powder goods,  soaps,  cleaning supplies and such other supplies,  together with
any food inventory such as cereal,  breakfast rolls, coffee, which shall be more
particularly  described in the schedule of Inventory  approved by Purchaser  and
delivered  at  Closing  by  Seller,  and which  shall be at a minimum in amounts
sufficient  to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  applicable   franchise
agreement.

         1.21. "Lease" shall mean, collectively, all of the leases to be entered
into between Purchaser,  as landlord, and the Tenant, as tenant, with respect to
each of the  Properties,  each  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit C.

         1.22.       "LP Agreement" shall mean that certain Third Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P.,
dated as of June 25, 1997.

         1.23.       "Miami Property" shall mean the Property located in
Miami, Florida.

         1.24.  "Permitted   Encumbrances"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any
Property, (a) liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges with respect
to  such  Property  not  yet due and  payable  or due  and  payable  but not yet
delinquent  or  as  to  which  adequate  reserves  are  provided  therefor;  (b)
applicable zoning  regulations and ordinances  provided the same do not prohibit
or  impair  in any  material  respect  the use of such  Property  as a hotel  as
currently operated and constructed;  (c) such other nonmonetary  encumbrances as
do not, in  Purchaser's  reasonable  opinion,  impair  marketability  and do not
materially  interfere  with the use of such Property as a  functioning  hotel as
currently operated and constructed; (d) such other nonmonetary encumbrances with
respect to such Property which

                                       -4-


<PAGE>





shall not have been objected to by Purchaser  pursuant to the  Diligence  Notice
Letter (or,  with  respect to the Miami  Property,  which are not objected to by
Purchaser  in  accordance  with  Sections  2.5 and  2.6  hereof);  and (e)  such
exceptions or matters, as the case may be, otherwise accepted by Purchaser.

         1.25.  "Properties"  shall  mean  all of  the  Assets  relating  to the
properties  identified  on  Exhibit A, the legal  descriptions  of which are set
forth in Exhibits B-1 through B-3.

         1.26.       "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 3.2.

         1.27.       "Purchaser" shall have the meaning given such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.

         1.28.  "Real  Property"  shall mean the real property  described in the
applicable Exhibit B-1 through B-3, together with all easements,  rights of way,
privileges,  licenses  and  appurtenances  which Seller may now own with respect
thereto.

         1.29.       "REIT" shall mean Equity Inns, Inc.

         1.30. "Review Period" shall mean the period which commenced on November
10, 1997 and will expire on the date one day prior to the Closing Date.

         1.31.       "Seller" shall have the meaning given such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.

         1.32.       "Seller's knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge of
Joseph Bernadino, John M. Elwood, David Simon and Richard
Szymanski.

         1.33.       "Surveys" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.5.

         1.34.       "Tenant" shall mean Caldwell Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.35.       "Title Commitments" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 2.5.

         1.36.       "Title Company" shall mean Chicago Title Insurance

                                       -5-


<PAGE>





Company or such other title  insurance  company or  companies as shall have been
reasonably approved by Purchaser and Seller.

         SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.

         2.1. Purchase and Sale. In consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained,  Purchaser  hereby agrees to purchase from Seller,  and Seller hereby
agrees to sell to Purchaser, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to
the Properties  for the Purchase  Price,  subject to and in accordance  with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         2.2.  Deposit.  Purchaser  has  deposited  the sum of  $1,406,327  (the
"Deposit")   with  the  Escrow   Agent.   The  Deposit   shall  be  held  in  an
interest-bearing  account pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. If this
Agreement  shall  terminate  with respect to all of the  Properties  pursuant to
Section 10.1, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be
returned to Purchaser.  If this Agreement  shall  terminate  pursuant to Section
10.2, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be paid to
Seller.  If the Closing shall occur,  the Deposit  shall be credited  toward the
Purchase Price,  pursuant to Section 3.2, and the interest earned on the Deposit
shall be paid to Purchaser.

         2.3. Diligence Inspections.  (a) During the Review Period, Seller shall
permit Purchaser and its  representatives  to inspect the Miami Property and the
Improvements  thereon  (including,  without  limitation,  all  roofs,  electric,
mechanical and structural  elements,  and HVAC systems therein),  to perform due
diligence, soil analysis and environmental investigations,  to examine the books
of account and records of Seller with respect to the Miami Property,  including,
without limitation,  all leases and agreements affecting the Miami Property, and
make  copies   thereof,   at  such   reasonable   times  as   Purchaser  or  its
representatives  may request by notice to Seller.  Seller  shall,  in connection
with  Purchaser's due diligence,  provide  Purchaser with copies,  to the extent
available,  of the form of franchise  guidelines  and  franchise  agreement  for
"AmeriSuites," which form of franchise agreement shall be substantially  similar
to the form which Tenant shall enter into in connection with the Closing. To the
extent that,  in connection  with its  investigation  of any of the  Properties,
Purchaser, its agents,  representatives or contractors,  damages or disturbs any
of the Real Property or the Improvements located thereon, Purchaser shall return
the same to substantially the same condition which

                                       -6-


<PAGE>





existed  immediately prior to such damage or disturbance.  Neither Purchaser nor
any  of  its  agents,  representatives  or  contractors  shall  have  any  right
whatsoever to alter the condition of the Property or any portion thereof without
the prior  written  consent of  Seller.  In no event  shall any such  inspection
include any drilling into or under the surface of the Property,  soil  sampling,
water sampling or similar activities commonly known as a "Phase II environmental
study"  without  the prior  written  consent of Seller (but shall  include  such
inspections  customarily  performed during a "Phase I environmental  study"). In
the event that the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement are not closed
and consummated for any reason,  Purchaser shall, on request by Seller,  deliver
to Seller all tests,  reports and inspections of the Property made and conducted
by Purchaser or for its benefit or any other documents or information (including
title  commitments,  UCC financing  statement  search reports,  title documents,
surveys, zoning reports,  environmental audits,  structural engineering reports,
appraisals  and  the  like),  which  Purchaser  has  received  pursuant  to this
Agreement;   provided,   however,   that  Seller  shall  reimburse   Purchaser's
out-of-pocket  expenses for any of the foregoing materials (other than materials
delivered  by Seller or its agents or  representatives  to  Purchaser)  which it
requests that Purchaser so deliver.  Purchaser shall indemnify,  defend and hold
harmless  Seller  from and  against any and all  expense,  loss or damage  which
Seller  may  incur  as a  result  of any act or  omission  of  Purchaser  or its
representatives,  agents or contractors in connection with such examinations and
inspections,  other than to the extent that any expense,  loss or damage  arises
from any gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of Seller.  The  provisions of
this  Section  2.3 shall  survive  the  termination  of this  Agreement  and the
Closing.

                  (b) If  Purchaser  notifies  Seller  in  writing  prior to the
expiration  of the  Review  Period  that  Purchaser  elects  to  terminate  this
Agreement with respect to the Miami Property (for any reason or for no reason in
the sole  discretion of  Purchaser),  then this  Agreement  shall  automatically
terminate with respect to the Miami Property only, in which event this Agreement
shall  remain in full force and  effect  with  respect to all of the  Properties
other than the Miami  Property,  and the Purchase  Price shall be reduced by the
Allocable Purchase Price of the Miami Property.

         2.4.     Casualty; Condemnation.  (a)  If, prior to the Closing,
(i) any Property suffers a casualty or partial condemnation which
would cause such Property to become a Defective Property and (ii)

                                       -7-


<PAGE>





such  Property  is  not,   prior  to  the  Closing,   restored  to  a  condition
substantially  the  same as the  condition  thereof  immediately  prior  to such
casualty or condemnation, either Purchaser or Seller may, on notice to the other
given prior to the Closing Date,  terminate  this Agreement with respect to such
Defective Property, in which event Purchaser shall acquire all of the Properties
other than such Defective  Property,  and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by
the Allocable Purchase Price of such Defective Property.  Promptly upon learning
of the same,  Seller  covenants  and agrees to  provide  Purchaser  with  prompt
written notice of any casualty or condemnation affecting any Property.

                  (b) If, prior to the Closing,  any Property shall be condemned
in its entirety,  this Agreement shall  automatically  terminate with respect to
such  Defective  Property,  in which event  Purchaser  shall  acquire all of the
Properties other than such Defective  Property,  and the Purchase Price shall be
reduced by the Allocable Purchase Price of such Defective Property.

                  (c) If neither  Purchaser  nor Seller shall elect to terminate
this Agreement with respect to a Defective Property pursuant to Paragraph (a) of
this Section 2.4, Seller agrees (i) in the case of a casualty loss, to assign to
Purchaser at Closing its rights to any  insurance  proceeds with respect to such
loss,  pay  over to  Purchaser  any  such  proceeds  already  received  and give
Purchaser a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of any deductible or
uninsured loss, or (ii) in the case of a condemnation, to assign to Purchaser at
Closing its rights to any compensation in connection with such  condemnation and
pay over to Purchaser any such  compensation  already  received,  and, in either
such event, Purchaser shall acquire such Defective Property as provided herein.

                  (d) If any Property  shall suffer a casualty  loss which shall
not render the Property a Defective  Property,  Seller shall assign to Purchaser
at Closing its rights to any insurance  proceeds with respect to such loss,  pay
over to Purchaser any such proceeds already received and give Purchaser a credit
against the Purchase  Price in the amount of any  deductible or uninsured  loss,
and Purchaser shall acquire such Property as provided herein.

         2.5.     Title Matters.  (a)  Purchaser has received from the
Title Company a preliminary title commitment, having an effective
date after the date of this Agreement, for an ALTA (or such other

                                       -8-


<PAGE>





form  reasonably  approved by Purchaser)  owner's policy of title insurance with
respect to each of the Properties,  together with complete and legible copies of
all instruments and documents referred to as exceptions to title  (collectively,
the "Title  Commitments").  Except as set forth in the Diligence  Notice Letter,
Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees that it does not have any  objection  to any
title  exceptions  which  affect  any of the  Properties  other  than the  Miami
Property.

                  (b) As soon as reasonably  practicable,  but in no event later
than the expiration of the Review Period,  Purchaser shall give Seller notice of
any title exceptions (other than Permitted  Encumbrances) which adversely affect
the present use or operation of the Miami  Property in any material  respect and
as to which Purchaser reasonably objects.  If, for any reason,  Seller is unable
or unwilling to take such actions as may be required to cause such exceptions to
be  removed  from the Title  Commitments  (provided,  however,  that (i) if such
exceptions to title consist of mortgages,  deeds of trust, mechanics' liens, tax
liens,  other liens or charges which are capable of  computation as a fixed sum,
Seller shall pay and discharge  such  exceptions at or prior to Closing from the
cash proceeds of sale, or otherwise, or, with respect to tax liens, contest such
liens  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of the  Lease,  and  (ii)  if such
exceptions  to title may be removed at a cost to Seller of not more than $25,000
in the aggregate  with respect to any single  Property,  and such removal may be
reasonably  effectuated  by Seller no later than the Closing Date,  Seller shall
cause  such  exceptions  to be  removed),  Seller  shall give  Purchaser  notice
thereof; it being understood and agreed that, provided that Purchaser shall have
timely  given notice of such  objection to title,  the failure of Seller to give
such notice as to its  inability  or  unwillingness  to cause the removal of any
exceptions  shall be deemed an  election by Seller to remedy  such  matters.  If
Seller  shall be unable or  unwilling  to remove  any such  title  defects  with
respect  to the Miami  Property  to which  Purchaser  has  reasonably  objected,
Purchaser may elect (i) to terminate  this  Agreement  with respect to the Miami
Property,  in which event the Purchase  Price shall be reduced by the  Allocable
Purchase Price of the Miami  Property and this Agreement  shall be of no further
force and effect with respect to the Miami  Property or (ii) to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated hereby, notwithstanding such title defect, without any
abatement or reduction in the Purchase Price on account thereof. Purchaser shall
make any such election by written notice to Seller given promptly after Seller's
notice of its

                                       -9-


<PAGE>





unwillingness  or inability to cure such defect (but, in no event later than the
Closing  Date),  and time shall be of the essence  with respect to the giving of
such notice by  Purchaser.  Failure of  Purchaser  to give such notice  shall be
deemed an election by Purchaser to proceed in accordance with clause (ii) above,
and such exception shall be a Permitted Encumbrance.

         2.6. Survey  Matters.  (a) Purchaser has received a survey with respect
to  each  of the  Properties  (the  "Surveys")  by a  licensed  surveyor  in the
jurisdiction  in which each such  Property  is  located,  which (i)  contains an
accurate legal description of the applicable Property,  (ii) shows the location,
dimension and description  (including  applicable recording  information) of all
utilities,  easements,  encroachments  and other physical matters affecting such
Property,  the  number  of  striped  parking  spaces  located  thereon  and  all
applicable building set-back lines, (iii) states whether the applicable Property
is located  within a 100-year flood plain and (iv) is certified to Purchaser and
the Title  Company  and such  other  persons  as shall  have been  requested  by
Purchaser  or  Seller.  Except  as set  forth on the  Diligence  Notice  Letter,
Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees that it does not have any  objection  to any
matter shown on the Surveys (other than the Survey for the Miami Property).

                  (b) As soon as reasonably  practicable,  but in no event later
than the expiration of the Review Period,  Purchaser shall give Seller notice of
any matters  shown on the Survey for the Miami  Property  (other than  Permitted
Encumbrances)  which adversely affect the Miami Property in any material respect
and as to which  Purchaser  reasonably  objects.  If, for any reason,  Seller is
unwilling  or unable to take  such  actions  as may be  required  to remedy  the
objectionable  matters,  Seller shall give Purchaser  prompt notice thereof.  If
Seller shall be  unwilling  or unable to remove any such survey  defect to which
Purchaser has  reasonably  objected,  Purchaser may elect (i) to terminate  this
Agreement with respect to the Miami Property, in which event, the Purchase Price
shall be reduced by the Allocable Purchase Price of the Miami Property, and this
Agreement  shall  terminate and be of no further force or effect with respect to
the Miami Property or (ii) to consummate the transactions  contemplated  hereby,
notwithstanding such defect,  without any abatement or reduction in the Purchase
Price on account  thereof.  Purchaser  shall make any such  election  by written
notice to Seller given promptly  after Seller's  notice of its inability to cure
such defect (but, in no event later than the

                                      -10-


<PAGE>





Closing  Date),  and time shall be of the essence  with respect to the giving of
such notice by  Purchaser.  Failure of  Purchaser  to give such notice  shall be
deemed an election by Purchaser to proceed in accordance  with clause (ii) above
and such matter shall be a Permitted Encumbrance.

         2.7. Tax Free Exchange.  (a)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
set forth  herein,  Seller may take such steps as shall be  necessary to qualify
the  sale of the  Properties  or any of them  under  Section  1031 of the  Code,
including the use and assignment of this Agreement to a "qualified intermediary"
within the  meaning of Treas.  Regs.  ss.  1.1031(k)-1(g)(4),  or the use of any
other  multiparty  arrangement  described in Treas.  Regs.  ss.  1.1031(k)-1(g).
Purchaser  shall  use  commercially   reasonable  efforts  to  cooperate  (which
cooperation  shall be at Seller's  expense)  in so  structuring  a Section  1031
exchange,  if so desired by Seller,  provided  that such  structuring  shall not
materially adversely affect Purchaser's rights hereunder.

                  (b)  Purchaser  shall  not be  required  to  incur  additional
liability by reason of the  provisions of this Section 2.7 (unless  Seller shall
first agree to indemnify Purchaser with respect thereto).

                  (c)  Purchaser  and its agents and  attorneys do not guarantee
any specific tax treatment by reason of the provisions of this Section 2.7.

         SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE.

         3.1.  Closing.  The  purchase  and  sale  of the  Properties  shall  be
consummated  at a closing (the  "Closing") to be held at the offices of Hunton &
Williams, 200 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10166-0136, or at such
other  location as Seller and Purchaser may agree,  at 10:00 a.m. local time, on
or about December
3, 1997 (the "Closing Date").

         3.2. Purchase Price. (a) At the Closing,  Purchaser shall pay to Seller
for the  Properties  a purchase  price (the  "Purchase  Price") in the amount of
$29,549,175  (subject to  customary  prorations  and  adjustments),  except that
Purchaser shall receive a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of the
Deposit.

                  (b)      The Purchase Price shall be payable by wire transfer

                                      -11-


<PAGE>





of immediately  available funds on the Closing Date to an account or accounts to
be designated by Seller prior to the Closing.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section  3.2,  if either  Seller or  Purchaser  shall not be ready to close with
respect to either of the Hotels by the Closing Date,  the closing shall occur as
to such Hotel as to which the parties are ready to close,  and the parties shall
agree as to a subsequent  closing date or dates for the other  Hotels,  provided
that  settlement  shall  have  occured  as to all of the  Hotels  no later  than
December 22, 1997. In the event of more than one Closing,  this Agreement  shall
be deemed a separate  agreement as to each Hotel and, except as otherwise agreed
to between  Seller and  Purchaser,  (a) the Purchase  Price for each  individual
Hotel shall be the applicable  Allocable Purchase Price, and (b) the Deposit for
each  individual  Hotel  shall  equal the  amount set forth on Exhibit A. In the
event of  multiple  closings,  the  place  and  manner  of  closing  shall be as
reasonably agreed between Seller and Purchaser.

                  (d) The  provisions  of Sections  3.2(c) and (e) shall survive
the Closing.

         SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation  of Purchaser to acquire the  Properties on the Closing
Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions precedent
on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Seller  covenants  to use  commercially
reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         4.1. Closing Documents. Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser:

                  (a) Good and sufficient  special  warranty  deeds,  with legal
descriptions  based  on  the  deeds  by  which  Seller  received  title  to  the
Properties, and quitclaim deeds with legal descriptions based on the Surveys, if
the Surveys indicate any differing legal descriptions,  all in forms as shall be
customary in the various jurisdictions in which the Properties are located, with
respect to all of the Properties,  in proper statutory form for recording,  duly
executed  and  acknowledged  by  Seller,  conveying  fee  simple  title  to  the
applicable  Properties,  free  from all liens and  encumbrances  other  than the
Permitted Encumbrances;

                  (b)      A bill of sale and assignment agreement, in form and

                                      -12-


<PAGE>





substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller and Purchaser,  duly executed and
acknowledged  by  Seller,  with  respect  to all of  Seller's  right,  title and
interest in, to and under the FF&E,  the Documents and the  Intangible  Property
with respect to the Properties;

                  (c) A bill of  sale  and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Seller, Purchaser and Tenant, duly executed
and  acknowledged by Seller,  to Tenant,  with respect to all of Seller's right,
title  and  interest  in, to and under the  Inventory  and the  Contracts,  with
respect to the Properties;

                  (d) Duly executed and acknowledged memoranda of lease, setting
forth  the  material  terms  of each  Lease,  in form and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory to Seller and Purchaser;

                  (e)      Duly executed transfer tax forms, as required by
applicable law;

                  (f) Duly executed  environmental  disclosure  forms, as and to
the extent required by applicable law;

                  (g)      To the extent the same are in Seller's possession,
original, fully executed copies of all Contracts pertaining to the
Properties;

                  (h) A duly executed copy of the Lease and all other  documents
and sums required to be delivered by Seller and/or the Tenant pursuant thereto;

                  (i) A duly executed copy of the  franchise  agreement  between
the Tenant and the franchisor with respect to each of the Properties;

                  (j)      A duly executed copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement;

                  (k)  Certified  copies of all  charter  documents,  applicable
corporate  resolutions and certificates of incumbency with respect to Seller and
the Tenant;

                  (l) An affidavit of Seller in accordance  with Section 1445 of
the  Code and  such  documentation  as shall  be  required  to  comply  with the
reporting requirements of Section 1099-S of the Code; and

                                      -13-


<PAGE>






                  (m) Such other conveyance documents,  certificates, deeds, and
other  instruments  as may be required by this  Agreement or as Purchaser or the
Title Company may reasonably require to effectuate the transactions contemplated
hereunder.

         4.2.  Condition  of  Properties.  (a)  All of the  Properties  and  all
Improvements located thereon shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.3,
be in  substantially  the same physical  condition as on September 22, 1997 (or,
with respect to the Miami Property,  November 10, 1997),  ordinary wear and tear
excepted;

                  (b) No  material  default  or event  which  with the giving of
notice  and/or  lapse of time could  constitute  a material  default  shall have
occurred and be continuing under any material agreement  benefiting or affecting
the Properties in any material respect;

                  (c)  No  action  shall  be  pending  or  threatened   for  the
condemnation or taking by power of eminent domain of all or any material portion
of the Properties which would render any Property a Defective Property; and

                  (d) All material  licenses,  permits and other  authorizations
necessary for the current use,  occupancy and operation of the Properties  shall
be in full force and effect in all material respects.

         4.3. Title Policies. The Title Company shall be prepared,  subject only
to payment of the applicable premium,  endorsement and related fees and delivery
of all  conveyance  documents  in  recordable  form,  to issue  title  insurance
policies to  Purchaser,  in  accordance  with  Section 2.5,  together  with such
affirmative  coverages as Purchaser may  reasonably  require and shall have been
determined by the Title Company as available prior to the date hereof.

         4.4.  Opinions  of  Counsel.  Purchaser  shall have  received a written
opinion from counsel to Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser  and Seller's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Seller and Tenant.

         4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.  There shall be no PIP
requirement imposed by the franchisor in connection with the Closing.


                                      -14-


<PAGE>





         4.6.     Representations.  All representations and warranties made
herein by Seller shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation of Seller to convey the  Properties on the Closing Date
to  Purchaser  is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions
precedent  on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Purchaser  covenants  to use
commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         5.1.  Purchase  Price.  Purchaser  shall deliver to Seller the Purchase
Price, pursuant to Section 3.1.

         5.2.     Closing Documents.  Purchaser shall have delivered to
Seller:

                  (a)  Duly  executed  and  acknowledged   counterparts  of  the
documents  described  in  Section  4.1  (including,   without  limitation,   the
Registration  Rights Agreement  executed by Purchaser,  the REIT and the general
partner of Purchaser), where applicable;

                  (b)  Certified  copies of all charter  documents,  partnership
agreements,  applicable  resolutions and certificates of incumbency with respect
to Purchaser and its general partner; and

         5.3.  Opinion of Counsel.  Seller shall have received a written opinion
from counsel to Purchaser,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Seller and  Purchaser's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Purchaser and the REIT.

         5.4.     Representations.  All representations and warranties made
herein by Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         5.5.  Amendment to LP Agreement.  Purchaser shall have caused Exhibit A
of the LP  Agreement  to be  amended  so as to add  Seller as a limited  partner
listed thereon.

         SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.

         To induce Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller represents and
warrants to Purchaser as follows:

                                      -15-


<PAGE>





         6.1.  Status and  Authority  of Seller.  Seller is a  corporation  duly
organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing under the laws of its
state of incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority under the laws
of such state and its respective charter documents to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.  Seller has duly qualified to transact  business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business  conducted by it requires  such  qualification,
except  where  failure  to do so could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
material adverse effect.

         6.2.  Action  of  Seller.  Seller  has taken  all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of this  Agreement,  and upon
the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by Seller or Tenant
on or prior to the Closing Date,  such document  shall  constitute the valid and
binding  obligation  and  agreement  of  Seller or  Tenant,  as the case may be,
enforceable  against  Seller or Tenant in accordance  with its terms,  except as
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium  or similar  laws of  general  application  affecting  the rights and
remedies of creditors.

         6.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of  this  Agreement  by  Seller  or of the  Lease  by  Tenant,  nor
compliance with the terms and provisions  hereof or thereof,  will result in any
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute
a default  under,  or result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance
upon any  Property  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Seller or Tenant is bound, except pursuant to the Lease or this Agreement.

         6.4.  Litigation.  Neither  Seller nor Tenant has  received any written
notice of and,  to Seller's  knowledge,  no action or  proceeding  is pending or
threatened and no investigation  looking toward such an action or proceeding has
begun,  which (a) questions  the validity of this  Agreement or the Lease or any
action  taken or to be taken  pursuant  hereto,  (b) will result in any material
adverse  change  in  the  business,  operation,  affairs  or  condition  of  the
Properties,  taken as a whole, (c) will result in or subject the Properties to a
material liability,  or (d) involves  condemnation or eminent domain proceedings
against any part of the Properties, which would render such Property a Defective
Property.

                                      -16-


<PAGE>





         6.5.  Existing  Leases,  Agreements,  Etc.  Other  than any  agreements
provided to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement and listed on the
schedule  attached  hereto as Exhibit E, there are no other material  agreements
affecting the  Properties  which will be binding on Purchaser  subsequent to the
Closing Date, which Purchaser cannot terminate.

         6.6. Utilities,  Etc. To Seller's knowledge, all utilities and services
necessary  for the use  and  operation  of the  Properties  (including,  without
limitation,  road access,  gas, water,  electricity and telephone) are available
thereto,   are  of  sufficient   capacity  to  meet  adequately  all  needs  and
requirements  necessary for the current use and operation of the  Properties and
for  their  respective  intended  purposes.  To  Seller's  knowledge,  no  fact,
condition or proceeding exists which would result in the termination or material
impairment of the furnishing of such utilities to the Properties.

         6.7. Compliance with Law. To Seller's knowledge, except as set forth on
Exhibit D attached hereto,  (i) the Properties and the current use and operation
thereof  do not  violate  any  material  federal,  state,  municipal  and  other
governmental  statutes,  ordinances,  by-laws,  rules,  regulations or any other
legal   requirements,   including,   without   limitation,   those  relating  to
construction,  occupancy,  zoning,  subdivision,  land use, adequacy of parking,
environmental  protection,  occupational  health  and  safety  and  fire  safety
applicable  thereto;  and (ii)  there  are  presently  in  effect  all  material
licenses,  permits  and other  authorizations  necessary  for the  current  use,
occupancy and operation thereof (including liquor license, if required).  Except
as  disclosed  to  Purchaser,  Seller  has not  received  written  notice of any
threatened request,  application,  proceeding, plan, study or effort which would
materially  adversely  affect the current use or zoning of any of the Properties
or which would  materially  adversely  modify or realign any adjacent  street or
highway.

         6.8. Taxes. To Seller's knowledge,  other than the amounts disclosed by
tax bills (copies of which have been  delivered by Seller to Purchaser  prior to
the execution of this  Agreement),  no taxes or special  assessments of any kind
(special,  bond or otherwise) are or have been levied with respect to any of the
Properties,  or any portion thereof, which are outstanding or unpaid, other than
amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, not yet delinquent.

                                      -17-


<PAGE>





         6.9.     Not A Foreign Person.  Seller is not a "foreign person"
within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

         6.10. Hazardous  Substances.  Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached
hereto or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to  Purchaser
(including,  without limitation, the environmental site assessments set forth on
Exhibit  D), to  Seller's  knowledge,  Seller has not stored or  disposed of (or
engaged in the  business of storing or  disposing  of) or has released or caused
the release of any hazardous  waste,  contaminants,  oil,  radioactive  or other
material on any of the Properties,  or any portion thereof, the removal of which
is  required or the  maintenance  of which is  prohibited  or  penalized  by any
applicable  Federal,  state  or  local  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules  or
regulations,  and,  to  Seller's  knowledge,  except as set  forth on  Exhibit D
attached  hereto  or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to
Purchaser (including, without limitation, the environmental site assessments set
forth on Exhibit  D), the  Properties  are free from any such  hazardous  waste,
contaminants,  oil,  radioactive and other materials,  except any such materials
maintained  in the  ordinary  course  of a hotel  business  in  accordance  with
applicable law.

         6.11.  Insurance.  Seller has not received any written  notice from any
insurance  carrier  of defects  or  inadequacies  in the  Properties  which,  if
uncorrected,  would result in a termination of insurance  coverage or a material
increase in the premiums charged therefor.

         6.12. Ownership. All Assets,  Contracts,  FF&E, Intangible Property and
Real Property are owned by Seller and are  assignable and  transferable  without
the  consent of any third  party (or,  if any such  consent  is  required,  such
consent shall be obtained no later than the  Closing),  and there are no capital
leases, except as set forth on Exhibit E.

         The  representations  and  warranties  made in this Agreement by Seller
shall be deemed  remade by Seller as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement  or any
documents to be delivered to  Purchaser  at the Closing,  Seller  disclaims  the
making of any representations or warranties,  express or implied,  regarding the
Properties  or matters  affecting  the  Properties,  whether made by Seller,  on
Seller's behalf or

                                      -18-


<PAGE>





otherwise,   including,  without  limitation,  the  physical  condition  of  the
Properties,  title to or the  boundaries  of the  Real  Property,  pest  control
matters,  soil  conditions,  the  presence,  existence  or absence of  hazardous
wastes,  toxic  substances  or  other  environmental  matters,  compliance  with
building,  health,  safety,  land use and zoning laws,  regulations  and orders,
structural and other engineering characteristics, traffic patterns, market data,
economic conditions or projections,  and any other information pertaining to the
Properties  or the market and physical  environments  in which they are located.
Without negating the covenants,  representations  and warranties of Seller under
this Agreement,  Purchaser acknowledges (i) that Purchaser has entered into this
Agreement with the intention of making and relying upon its own investigation or
that of third parties with respect to the physical, environmental,  economic and
legal condition of each Property and (ii) that Purchaser is not relying upon any
statements,  representations  or  warranties  of  any  kind,  other  than  those
specifically  set forth in this  Agreement or in any document to be delivered to
Purchaser  at the  Closing  made by  Seller.  Without  negating  the  covenants,
representations and warranties of Seller under this Agreement, Purchaser further
acknowledges  that  it  has  not  received  from  or on  behalf  of  Seller  any
accounting, tax, legal, architectural, engineering, property management or other
advice with respect to this transaction and is relying solely upon the advice of
third  party  accounting,  tax,  legal,  architectural,   engineering,  property
management  and other  advisors.  Subject to the  provisions of this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  purchase  the  Properties  in their "as is"  condition  on the
Closing Date.

         SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.

         To induce Seller to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:

         7.1.  Status and  Authority  of  Purchaser.  Purchaser  is a  Tennessee
limited partnership duly organized,  validly existing and in trust good standing
under  the laws of the  State  of  Tennessee  and has all  requisite  power  and
authority under the laws of such state and under its charter  documents to enter
into and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Purchaser has duly qualified and is in good
standing as a foreign  limited  partnership  in each  jurisdiction  in which the
nature of the business conducted by it requires such qualification.

                                      -19-


<PAGE>





         7.2. Action of Purchaser.  Purchaser has taken all necessary  action to
authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement and the
Lease,  and upon the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by
Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date such  document  shall  constitute  the
valid and binding  obligation  and agreement of Purchaser,  enforceable  against
Purchaser in accordance with its terms,  except as enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.

         7.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of this Agreement nor the Lease by Purchaser,  nor compliance  with
the  terms and  provisions  hereof,  will  result  in any  breach of the  terms,
conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute a default under,  or
result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance  upon any property or
assets of Purchaser  pursuant to the terms of any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Purchaser is bound.

         7.4. Litigation. No investigation, action or proceeding is pending and,
to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  no  action  or  proceeding  is  threatened  and  no
investigation  looking  toward  such an action or  proceeding  has begun,  which
questions  the  validity of this  Agreement  or any action  taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto.

         7.5. No Conflicts.  Neither the execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement or the  consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby by
Purchaser will conflict with or result in a material  breach or violation of, or
constitute  a  default  under  the  charter,  bylaws,   certificate  of  limited
partnership or LP Agreement,  as the case may be, of the REIT or Purchaser;  any
indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement,  note,  lease  or other
agreement  or  instrument  to which the REIT or Purchaser is a party or to which
they,  either of them,  any of their  respective  properties  or other assets is
subject; or any applicable material statute,  judgment,  decree,  order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body applicable to the REIT or
Purchaser.

         7.6.  REIT  Status.  The REIT is a  "qualified  real estate  investment
trust" as defined in Section 856 of the Code.

                                      -20-


<PAGE>





         7.7.  REIT  Filings.  The private  placement  memorandum  delivered  by
Purchaser  to Seller on  September  18,  1997 with  respect to the REIT does not
include,  as of such date,  any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  or  necessary  to make  the
statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made, not
misleading.

         The  representations and warranties made in this Agreement by Purchaser
shall be deemed  remade by  Purchaser as of the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.

         8.1.        Covenants of Seller.  Seller hereby covenants with
Purchaser between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date
as follows:

         (a) Upon learning of any material  change in any condition with respect
to any of the  Properties  or of any  event  or  circumstance  which  makes  any
representation or warranty of Seller to Purchaser under this Agreement untrue or
misleading  in any  material  respect,  promptly  to  notify  Purchaser  thereof
(Purchaser  agreeing,  on  learning of any such fact or  condition,  promptly to
notify Seller thereof).

         (b) To continue or cause to continue to operate each of the  Properties
as an "AmeriSuites"  hotel, in a good and businesslike  fashion  consistent with
its past  practices and to cause each of the Properties to be maintained in good
working order and condition in a manner consistent with its past practice.

         (c) To provide to Purchaser,  promptly upon  reasonable  request,  such
unaudited  financial and other  information  and  certifications  of Seller with
respect to the Properties as Purchaser may from time to time reasonably  request
in order to  comply  with any  applicable  securities  laws  and/or  any  rules,
regulations or  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange  Commission and, if
required or  requested,  to permit  Purchaser to  incorporate  by reference  any
information  included in filings made by Seller with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

         (d) To deliver  to  Purchaser  the items set forth in  Section  4.1 and
Section 4.4.

                                      -21-


<PAGE>





         8.2.        Covenants of Purchaser.  Purchaser hereby covenants
with Seller on and as of the Closing Date as follows:

         (a)         To deliver to Seller the items set forth in Section
5.2.

         SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.

         9.1.  Closing  Costs.  Each of the  parties  hereto  shall  pay its own
expenses in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, including,  without limitation, any legal and accounting fees, the costs
and expenses of preparing  engineering and environment  reports,  market studies
and appraisals, the cost of the Surveys, Title Commitments,  zoning reports, UCC
financing  statement  search  reports,  environmental  audits,  zoning  reports,
structural  engineering  reports,  appraisals  and the like,  whether or not the
transactions  contemplated hereby are consummated (but subject,  however, to the
provisions  of Section 2.3,  with respect to items which  Purchaser  delivers to
Seller at  Seller's  request).  Seller and  Purchaser  shall each pay 50% of all
state and local sales, transfer, excise, value-added or other similar taxes, and
all  recording  and  filing  fees  that may be  imposed  by  reason of the sale,
transfer,  assignment,  delivery  and  leasing  (other  than any tax  imposed in
connection  with the recording of a memorandum of lease,  which amounts shall be
paid pursuant to the terms of the applicable Lease) of the Properties.

         SECTION 10.  DEFAULT.

         10.1.   Default  by  Seller.   If  (a)  Seller   shall  have  made  any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b)  Seller  shall fail to  perform  any of the  material
covenants  and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by Seller and such
failure  continues  for a period  of ten (10) days  after  notice  thereof  from
Purchaser,  or (c) Seller  shall be in  default  under (x) that  certain  Second
Purchase and Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date herewith,  or (y) that certain
Fourth  Purchase and Sale Agreement,  dated of even date herewith,  each between
Seller and  Purchaser,  Purchaser  may,  (i) sue for  specific  performance  and
damages,  (ii) sue for damages  without  specific  performance  (with or without
terminating  this  Agreement  and  receiving  a refund of the  Deposit,  and all
interest  thereon)  or (iii)  exercise  any  other  right or remedy at law or in
equity; provided, however, that Purchaser shall in no event be entitled to

                                      -22-


<PAGE>





monetary damages in excess of the amount of the Deposit.

         10.2.  Default  by  Purchaser.  If (a)  Purchaser  shall  have made any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b) Purchaser  shall fail to perform any of the covenants
and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by it and such failure  shall
continue for a period of ten (10) days after notice thereof from Seller,  or (c)
Purchaser  shall be in default under (x) that certain  Second  Purchase and Sale
Agreement,  dated of even date herewith, or (y) that certain Fourth Purchase and
Sale Agreement,  dated of even date herewith, each between Seller and Purchaser,
Seller may,  as its sole and  exclusive  remedy at law and in equity,  terminate
this Agreement. In the event that Seller shall so terminate this Agreement,  the
Deposit,  together  with all  interest  accrued  thereon,  shall be  retained by
Seller, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty,  whereupon  Purchaser shall,
except as expressly  provided  herein,  have no further  monetary or nonmonetary
obligations  hereunder,  other than with respect to obligations  which expressly
survive  the  termination  hereof  (which  obligations  shall  not  include  the
obligation to purchase the Properties hereunder).

         SECTION 11.  RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL.

         11.1.  The Purchase and Sale of the Properties  hereunder  shall not be
deemed a purchase  and sale of a Right of First Offer  Hotel or an Option  Hotel
(as  defined in the  Amended  Agreement)  pursuant  to Section 11 of the Amended
Agreement.

         SECTION 12.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         12.1. Agreement to Indemnify.  (a) Subject to any express provisions of
this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  Seller  shall  indemnify  and hold  harmless
Purchaser from and against any and all  obligations,  claims,  losses,  damages,
liabilities, and expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable attorneys'
and  accountants'  fees and  disbursements)  arising  out of (x) any  damage  to
property  of others or injury to or death of any  person or any  claims  for any
debts or obligations occurring on or about or in connection with any Property or
any  portion  thereof  at any  time  or  times  prior  to the  Closing,  (y) any
liabilities  for taxes due from  Seller  which shall have  accrued  prior to the
Closing in connection  with any Property and (z) any failure by Seller to comply
with applicable "bulk sale" laws.

                                      -23-


<PAGE>





         (b) Whenever  either party shall learn through the filing of a claim or
the  commencement of a proceeding or otherwise of the existence of any liability
for which the other party is or may be  responsible  under this  Agreement,  the
party  learning of such  liability  shall  notify the other party  promptly  and
furnish such copies of documents (and make originals thereof available) and such
other  information  as such  party  may have  that may be used or  useful in the
defense of such claims and shall  afford said other  party full  opportunity  to
defend the same in the name of such  party and shall  generally  cooperate  with
said other party in the defense of any such claim.

         (c) The  provisions  of this Section 12.1 shall survive the Closing and
the termination of this Agreement.

         12.2. Brokerage  Commissions.  Each of the parties hereto represents to
the  other  parties  that it  dealt  with no  broker,  finder  or like  agent in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  other
than  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  Seller  shall be  solely  responsible  for and shall
indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser and its respective legal  representatives,
heirs,  successors and assigns from and against any loss,  liability or expense,
including,  reasonable  attorneys' fees,  arising out of any claim or claims for
commissions  or other  compensation  for  bringing  about this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  made by  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  or any  other
broker,  finder  or like  agent  other  than such  loss,  liability  or  expense
resulting from Purchaser's  breach of its  representations  made in this Section
12.2.  The  provisions  of this Section  12.2 shall  survive the Closing and any
termination of this Agreement.

         12.3. Publicity. The parties agree that no party shall, with respect to
this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  contact or conduct
negotiations with public officials, make any public pronouncements,  issue press
releases or  otherwise  furnish  information  regarding  this  Agreement  or the
transactions  contemplated  to any third party  without the consent of the other
parties,  which  consent  shall  not  be  unreasonably   withheld,   delayed  or
conditioned,  except to consultants,  advisors, investors, lenders, underwriters
and other parties reasonably  necessary to consummate the transactions  required
hereby and as  required by law or  contractual  obligations  of such  parties to
third parties.  No party,  or its employees shall trade in the securities of any
parent or affiliate of Seller or of Purchaser until a public announcement

                                      -24-


<PAGE>





of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement has been made. No party shall
record this Agreement or any notice thereof.

         12.4. Notices. (a) Any and all notices, demands,  consents,  approvals,
offers,  elections  and other  communications  required or permitted  under this
Agreement shall be deemed  adequately  given if in writing and the same shall be
delivered either in hand, by telecopier with written  acknowledgment of receipt,
or by mail or Federal Express or similar expedited commercial carrier, addressed
to the recipient of the notice, postpaid and registered or certified with return
receipt  requested  (if by mail),  or with all  freight  charges  prepaid (if by
Federal Express or similar carrier).

         (b) All notices  required or  permitted to be sent  hereunder  shall be
deemed to have been given for all  purposes of this  Agreement  upon the date of
acknowledged  receipt, in the case of a notice by telecopier,  and, in all other
cases,  upon the date of receipt or  refusal,  except that  whenever  under this
Agreement a notice is either received on a day which is not a Business Day or is
required  to be  delivered  on or before a specific  day which is not a Business
Day, the day of receipt or required delivery shall  automatically be extended to
the next Business Day.

         (c)         All such notices shall be addressed,
         if to Seller to:

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  Mr. David Simon
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]


                     and

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  General Counsel
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]



                                      -25-


<PAGE>





         with a copy to:

                     Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                     One Citicorp Center
                     153 East 53rd Street
                     New York, New York  10022-4677
                     Attn:  Eugene A. Pinover, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (212) 821-8111]

         if to Purchaser, to:

                     Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                     4735 Spottswood, Suite 102
                     Memphis, Tennessee  38117
                     Attn:  Mr. Phillip H. McNeill, Sr.
                     [Telecopier No. (901) 761-1485]

         with a copy to:

                     Hunton & Williams
                     1751 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 1700
                     McLean, VA  22102
                     Attn: Gerald R. Best, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (703) 714-7410]

         (d) By notice given as herein  provided,  the parties  hereto and their
respective  successors and assigns shall have the right from time to time and at
any time during the term of this Agreement to change their respective  addresses
effective  upon receipt by the other  parties of such notice and each shall have
the right to specify as its address any other  address  within the United States
of America.

         12.5.  Waivers,  Etc.  Any  waiver  of any  term or  condition  of this
Agreement,  or of  the  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation  or  warranty
contained herein,  in any one instance,  shall not operate as or be deemed to be
or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other breach of such term,
condition,  covenant,  representation or warranty or any other term,  condition,
covenant, representation or warranty, nor shall any failure at any time or times
to enforce or require performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of
or affect in any manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require
performance of such provision or any other provision hereof.  This Agreement may
not be amended, nor shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
be

                                      -26-


<PAGE>





effected,  except by an  instrument  in writing  executed by or on behalf of the
party against whom enforcement of any amendment,  waiver, change,  modification,
consent or discharge is sought.

         12.6. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all rights
and  obligations  hereunder  shall not be  assignable  by any party  without the
written consent of the other parties, except that, after the Closing, (i) Seller
may assign its surviving  rights,  if any,  under this Agreement to Tenant or an
Affiliate  of Seller,  and  Purchaser  may  assign  its  rights and  obligations
hereunder to an Affiliate of Purchaser,  provided that  Purchaser  remain liable
for its obligations hereunder.  The provisions of this Agreement shall not merge
with delivery of the deeds and shall survive  Closing.  This Agreement  shall be
binding  upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of the  parties  hereto and their
respective  legal  representatives,   successors  and  permitted  assigns.  This
Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to create any rights in or
to be enforceable in any part by any other persons.

         12.7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
deemed to be, or shall in fact be,  invalid,  inoperative  or  unenforceable  as
applied to any particular case in any jurisdiction or  jurisdictions,  or in all
jurisdictions or in all cases, because of the conflict of any provision with any
constitution  or statute or rule of public policy or for any other reason,  such
circumstance  shall not have the effect of rendering the provision or provisions
in question invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable in any other  jurisdiction or
in any  other  case or  circumstance  or of  rendering  any other  provision  or
provisions herein contained invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable to the extent
that such other  provisions  are not  themselves  actually in conflict with such
constitution,  statute or rule of public  policy,  but this  Agreement  shall be
reformed and  construed  in any such  jurisdiction  or case as if such  invalid,
inoperative or unenforceable  provision had never been contained herein and such
provision  reformed so that it would be valid,  operative and enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction or in such case.

         12.8. Counterparts,  Etc. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together  shall  constitute  one  and  the  same   instrument.   This  Agreement
constitutes  the entire  agreement  of the parties  hereto  with  respect to the
subject matter hereof and

                                      -27-


<PAGE>





shall supersede and take the place of any other instruments  purporting to be an
agreement of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.

         12.9.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be  interpreted,  construed,
applied  and  enforced  in  accordance  with the  laws of the  State of New York
applicable to contracts  between residents of the State of New York which are to
be performed entirely within the State of New York, regardless of (i) where this
Agreement  is  executed  or  delivered;  or (ii)  where  any  payment  or  other
performance  required by this Agreement is made or required to be made; or (iii)
where any breach of any  provision  of this  Agreement  occurs,  or any cause of
action  otherwise  accrues;  or (iv)  where any  action or other  proceeding  is
instituted or pending; or (v) the nationality,  citizenship, domicile, principal
place of business,  or  jurisdiction of  organization  or  domestication  of any
party; or (vi) whether the laws of the forum jurisdiction  otherwise would apply
the laws of a  jurisdiction  other  than the  State of New  York;  or (vii)  any
combination of the foregoing.

         To the  maximum  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  any action to
enforce,  arising out of, or relating  in any way to, any of the  provisions  of
this  Agreement may be brought and prosecuted in such court or courts located in
the State of New York as is  provided  by law;  and the  parties  consent to the
jurisdiction  of said  court or courts  located  in the State of New York and to
service of process by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any other
manner provided by law.

         12.10.  Performance  on Business  Days.  In the event the date on which
performance or payment of any obligation of a party required  hereunder is other
than a Business Day, the time for payment or performance shall  automatically be
extended to the first Business Day following such date.

         12.11.  Attorneys'  Fees. If any lawsuit or  arbitration or other legal
proceeding  arises in connection with the  interpretation or enforcement of this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party therein shall be entitled to receive from the
other party the  prevailing  party's  costs and expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred in connection therewith, in preparation therefor and on
appeal therefrom, which amounts shall be included in any judgment therein.


                                      -28-


<PAGE>





         12.12.  Section and Other  Headings.  The  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         12.13. No Oral  Modifications.  This Agreement may not be amended,  nor
shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge be effected, except
by an instrument  in writing  executed by or on behalf of the party against whom
enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
is sought.

         12.14.  Incorporation by Reference. All of the provisions applicable to
the Properties set forth in Paragraph 7 of the First  Amendment,  Paragraph 2 of
the  Second  Amendment  and  Paragraph  5 of  the  Third  Amendment  are  hereby
incorporated  by  reference  as if fully set forth  herein and are  ratified and
confirmed by Seller and Purchaser.


                                      -29-


<PAGE>





         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed as a sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                                          SELLER:
                                          PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.


                                          By:  /s/ David A. Simon

                                          Its: President


                                          PURCHASER:

                                          EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                          By:  Equity Inns Trust,
                                          its general partner


                                          By:  /s/ Howard A. Silver
                                          Its:Chief Financial Officer







<PAGE>







                                    Exhibit A

                                 The Properties





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                    Allocable                                   Deposit
Location          Purchase Price    Radius Restriction         Allocation    
- --------          --------------    ------------------         ----------    
<S>   <C>          <C>              <C>                        <C>

13.  Columbus,     $ 8,532,055      8 miles--Restricted         $436,250
     OH                             radius does not
                                    include the Tuttle
                                    Crossing and
                                    Downtown sub
                                    markets

14.  Miami, FL     $11,786,674                                  $533,827
                                       
                                       
15.  Overland      $ 9,230,446      6 miles--Restricted         $436,250   
     Park, KS                       radius does not 
                                    include the Lenexa
                                    and Country Club
                                    Plaza sub markets
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4




                       FOURTH PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                            PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.,
                                   as Seller,

                                       and

                         EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.,
                                  as Purchaser

                                December 2, 1997












1.   Cincinnati,
     OH/ Blue Ash


2.   Indianapolis,
     IN/ Keystone







<PAGE>






                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>
                                                                            Page


SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS........................................................1

   1.2.     Agreement..........................................................2
   1.3.     Allocable Purchase Price...........................................2
   1.4.     Assets.............................................................2
   1.5.     Business Day.......................................................2
   1.6.     Closing............................................................2
   1.7.     Closing Date.......................................................2
   1.8.     Code...............................................................2
   1.9.     Contracts..........................................................2
   1.10.    Defective Property.................................................2
   1.11.    Deposit............................................................2
   1.12.    Diligence Notice Letter............................................3
   1.13.    Documents..........................................................3
   1.14.    Escrow Agent.......................................................3
   1.15.    Escrow Agreement...................................................3
   1.16.    FF&E...............................................................3
   1.17.    Hotel..............................................................3
   1.18.    Improvements.......................................................3
   1.19.    Intangible Property................................................3
   1.20.    Inventory..........................................................3
   1.21.    Lease..............................................................4
   1.22.    LP Agreement.......................................................4
   1.23.    LP Units...........................................................4
   1.24.    Permitted Encumbrances.............................................4
   1.25.    Properties.........................................................4
   1.26.    Purchase Price.....................................................4
   1.27.    Purchaser..........................................................4
   1.28.    Real Property......................................................4
   1.29.    Registration Rights Agreement......................................5
   1.30.    REIT...............................................................5
   1.31.    Review Period......................................................5
   1.32.    Seller.............................................................5
   1.33.    Seller Group.......................................................5
   1.34.    Seller's knowledge.................................................5
   1.35.    Surveys............................................................5
   1.36.    Tenant.............................................................5
   1.37.    Title Commitments..................................................5
   1.38.    Title Company......................................................5
</TABLE>

                                       (i)



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S> <C>     <C>                                                             <C>
                                                                            Page

SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.......................................5

   2.1.     Purchase and Sale..................................................5
   2.2.     Deposit............................................................6
   2.3.     Due Diligence......................................................6
   2.4.     Casualty; Condemnation.............................................6
   2.5.     Title Matters......................................................7
   2.6.     Survey Matters.....................................................8

SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE............................................8

   3.1.     Closing............................................................8
   3.2.     Purchase Price.....................................................8

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.....................10

   4.1.     Closing Documents.................................................10
   4.2.     Condition of Properties...........................................11
   4.3.     Title Policies....................................................12
   4.4.     Opinions of Counsel...............................................12
   4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.....................................12
   4.6.     Representations...................................................12

SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE........................12

   5.1.     Purchase Price....................................................12
   5.2.     Closing Documents.................................................12
   5.3.     Opinion of Counsel................................................13
   5.4.     Representations...................................................13
   5.5.     Amendment to LP Agreement.........................................13

SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER..........................13

   6.1.     Status and Authority of Seller....................................13
   6.2.     Action of Seller..................................................13
   6.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................14
   6.4.     Litigation........................................................14
   6.5.     Existing Leases, Agreements, Etc..................................14
   6.6.     Utilities, Etc....................................................14
   6.7.     Compliance With Law...............................................14
   6.8.     Taxes.............................................................15
   6.9.     Not A Foreign Person..............................................15
   6.10.    Hazardous Substances..............................................15
   6.11.    Insurance.........................................................15
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)



<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S> <C>      <C>                                                            <C>
                                                                            Page

   6.12.    Ownership.........................................................16

SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.......................17

   7.1.     Status and Authority of Purchaser.................................17
   7.2.     Action of Purchaser...............................................17
   7.3.     No Violations of Agreements.......................................17
   7.4.     Litigation........................................................17
   7.5.     No Conflicts......................................................17
   7.6.     REIT Status, Organization.........................................18
   7.7.     REIT Filings......................................................18

SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.................................18

   8.1.     Covenants of Seller...............................................18
   8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser............................................19

SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.....................................................19

   9.1.     Closing Costs.....................................................19

SECTION 10. DEFAULT...........................................................19

   10.1.    Default by Seller.................................................19
   10.2.    Default by Purchaser..............................................20

SECTION 11. RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL..........................20

SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................20

   12.1.    Agreement to Indemnify............................................20
   12.2.    Brokerage Commissions.............................................21
   12.3.    Publicity.........................................................21
   12.4.    Notices...........................................................21
   12.5.    Waivers, Etc......................................................23
   12.6.    Assignment; Successors and Assigns................................23
   12.7.    Severability......................................................23
   12.8.    Counterparts, Etc.................................................24
   12.9.    Governing Law.....................................................24
   12.10.   Performance on Business Days......................................25
   12.11.   Attorneys' Fees...................................................25
   12.12.   Section and Other Headings........................................25
   12.13.   No Oral Modifications.............................................25
   12.14.   Incorporation by Reference........................................25

</TABLE>


Exhibit A  -  The Properties



                                      (iii)



<PAGE>







                       FOURTH PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

         THIS FOURTH  PURCHASE  AND SALE  AGREEMENT is made as of the 2nd day of
December,   1997,  between  PRIME  HOSPITALITY  CORP.,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Seller"),  as seller,  and Equity Inns Partnership,  L.P., a Tennessee limited
partnership ("Purchaser"), as purchaser.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS,  Seller and Purchaser  entered into that certain  Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the  "Original  Agreement"),  dated as of September 22, 1997, as
amended by that certain  Amendment to Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  (the "First
Amendment"), dated as of November 6, 1997, Second Amendment to Purchase and Sale
Agreement  (the  "Second  Amendment"),  dated as of November  10, 1997 and Third
Amendment to Purchase and Sale  Agreement (the "Third  Amendment"),  dated as of
November 19, 1997 (the Original  Agreement,  as amended by the First  Amendment,
the Second Amendment and the Third Amendment,  shall  hereinafter be referred to
as the "Prior Agreement"),  with respect to certain properties more particularly
described  therein,  which  Prior  Agreement  was  amended  and  restated in its
entirety  pursuant  to that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Purchase  and Sale
Agreement (the "Amended Agreement") dated of even date herewith; and

         WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell to Purchaser,  and Purchaser desires to
purchase from Seller, certain hotel properties located in Cincinnati (Blue Ash),
Ohio and  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  subject to and upon the terms and  conditions
hereinafter set forth.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants  herein
contained  and other good and  valuable  consideration,  the mutual  receipt and
legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,  Seller and Purchaser hereby
agree as follows:

         SECTION 1.   DEFINITIONS.

         Capitalized  terms used in this  Agreement  shall have the meanings set
forth below or in the Section of this Agreement referred to below:

         1.1.     Affiliate:  The term "Affiliate" of an entity shall mean
(a) an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such entity, (b) any

                                       -1-




<PAGE>





other entity that owns,  beneficially,  directly or indirectly,  more than fifty
percent (50%) of the outstanding  capital stock,  shares or equity  interests of
such entity, or (c) any officer, director,  employee, partner or trustee of such
entity or any  person  or  entity  controlling,  controlled  by or under  common
control with such entity  (excluding  trustees  and entities  serving in similar
capacities who are not otherwise an Affiliate of such entities).

         1.2. "Agreement" shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement,  together
with  Exhibits A through F attached  hereto,  as it and they may be amended from
time to time as herein provided.

         1.3.  "Allocable  Purchase Price" shall mean, with respect to either of
the Properties, the applicable amount set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

         1.4. "Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Hotel, collectively,  all
of the Real Property, the FF&E, the Contracts,  the Documents,  the Improvements
and the Intangible  Property  owned by Seller in connection  with or relating to
such Hotel.

         1.5. "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
any  other  day on  which  banking  institutions  in the  State  of New York are
authorized by law or executive action to close.

         1.6.     "Closing" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.7.     "Closing Date" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.1.

         1.8.     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

         1.9. "Contracts" shall mean, with respect to any Property,  all service
contracts,  equipment  leases,  booking  agreements  and other  arrangements  or
agreements  to  which  Seller  is  a  party  affecting  the  ownership,  repair,
maintenance,  management,  leasing or operation of such Property,  to the extent
Seller's interest therein is assignable or transferable.

         1.10.  "Defective  Property" shall mean any Property which (i) has been
condemned in whole or in part,  or (ii) by reason of damage by fire,  vandalism,
acts of God or other casualty or cause, has

                                       -2-


<PAGE>





suffered  damage such that  expenditures  equal to or greater than  $500,000 (as
such cost is  determined  by an  architect  or  engineer  selected by Seller and
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser) shall be required in order to restore such
Property into substantially the same condition as existing prior to such damage.

         1.11.       "Deposit" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.2.

         1.12.  "Diligence Notice Letter" shall mean that certain letter,  dated
November 6, 1997, from Purchaser to Seller,  delivered  pursuant to Sections 2.5
and 2.6 of the Original Agreement.

         1.13.  "Documents" shall mean, with respect to any Property, all books,
records and files relating to the leasing, maintenance,  management or operation
of such Property.

         1.14.       "Escrow Agent" shall mean the Title Company.

         1.15.  "Escrow  Agreement"  shall mean that certain  Escrow  Agreement,
dated as of September 22, 1997, among Purchaser, Seller and Escrow Agent.

         1.16. "FF&E " shall mean, with respect to any Property, all appliances,
machinery, devices, fixtures,  appurtenances,  equipment, furniture, furnishings
and articles of tangible  personal  property of every kind and nature whatsoever
owned by Seller and located in or at, or used exclusively in connection with the
ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property.

         1.17.   "Hotel"  shall  mean  each  hotel  located  at  the  properties
identified  on  Exhibit  A, the  legal  descriptions  of which  are set forth on
Exhibits B-1 through B-2.

         1.18.  "Improvements"  shall mean,  with respect to any  Property,  all
buildings,  fixtures,  walls,  fences,  landscaping  and  other  structures  and
improvements  situated on,  affixed or  appurtenant  to the Real  Property  with
respect to such Property.

         1.19.  "Intangible  Property" shall mean, with respect to any Property,
all  transferable or assignable  permits,  certificates of occupancy,  operating
permits, sign permits, development rights and approvals, certificates, licenses,
warranties and guarantees, the Contracts,  telephone exchange numbers identified
with such Property

                                       -3-


<PAGE>





held by Seller and all other  transferable  intangible  property,  miscellaneous
rights,  benefits and  privileges of any kind or character  with respect to such
Property held by Seller,  except (a) to the extent held by or transferred to the
Tenant  under the Lease and (b) for all  trademarks,  trade  names,  copyrights,
patents or technical processes, including, without limitation, any "AmeriSuites"
brand name,  logos and  designs,  owned or used by Seller  with  respect to such
Property.

         1.20.  "Inventory  " shall mean all  inventory  located at the  Hotels,
including,  without limitation,  all mattresses,  pillows,  bed linens,  towels,
powder goods,  soaps,  cleaning supplies and such other supplies,  together with
any food inventory such as cereal,  breakfast rolls, coffee, which shall be more
particularly  described in the schedule of Inventory  approved by Purchaser  and
delivered  at  Closing  by  Seller,  and which  shall be at a minimum in amounts
sufficient  to  comply  with  the  requirements  of  the  applicable   franchise
agreement.

         1.21. "Lease" shall mean, collectively, all of the leases to be entered
into between Purchaser,  as landlord, and the Tenant, as tenant, with respect to
each of the  Properties,  each  substantially  in the form  attached  hereto  as
Exhibit C.

         1.22.       "LP Agreement" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 3.2.

         1.23.       "LP Units" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.2.

         1.24.  "Permitted   Encumbrances"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any
Property, (a) liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges with respect
to  such  Property  not  yet due and  payable  or due  and  payable  but not yet
delinquent  or  as  to  which  adequate  reserves  are  provided  therefor;  (b)
applicable zoning  regulations and ordinances  provided the same do not prohibit
or  impair  in any  material  respect  the use of such  Property  as a hotel  as
currently operated and constructed;  (c) such other nonmonetary  encumbrances as
do not, in  Purchaser's  reasonable  opinion,  impair  marketability  and do not
materially  interfere  with the use of such Property as a  functioning  hotel as
currently operated and constructed; (d) such other nonmonetary encumbrances with
respect to such  Property  which shall not have been  objected  to by  Purchaser
pursuant to the Diligence Notice Letter; and (e) such exceptions or matters,  as
the

                                       -4-


<PAGE>





case may be, otherwise accepted by Purchaser.

         1.25.  "Properties"  shall  mean  all of  the  Assets  relating  to the
properties  identified  on  Exhibit A, the legal  descriptions  of which are set
forth in Exhibits B-1 through B-2.

         1.26.       "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 3.2.

         1.27.       "Purchaser" shall have the meaning given such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.

         1.28.  "Real  Property"  shall mean the real property  described in the
applicable Exhibit B-1 through B-2, together with all easements,  rights of way,
privileges,  licenses  and  appurtenances  which Seller may now own with respect
thereto.

         1.29.   "Registration   Rights   Agreement"  shall  mean  that  certain
Redemption  and  Registration  Rights  Agreement,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit F, to be entered into by  Purchaser,  the REIT,  the general  partner of
Purchaser and Seller, as of the Closing Date.

         1.30.       "REIT" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.2.

         1.31. "Review Period" shall mean the period which commenced on the date
of the Prior Agreement and expired on November 10, 1997.

         1.32.       "Seller" shall have the meaning given such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.

         1.33. "Seller Group" shall mean Seller and any Affiliate of Seller that
is a parent or direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.34.       "Seller's knowledge" shall mean the actual knowledge of
Joseph Bernadino, John M. Elwood, David Simon and Richard
Szymanski.

         1.35.       "Surveys" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 2.5.

         1.36.       "Tenant" shall mean Caldwell Holding Corp., a Delaware

                                       -5-


<PAGE>





corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.

         1.37.       "Title Commitments" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 2.5.

         1.38.  "Title  Company" shall mean Chicago Title  Insurance  Company or
such other title  insurance  company or companies as shall have been  reasonably
approved by Purchaser and Seller.

         SECTION 2.  PURCHASE AND SALE; DILIGENCE.

         2.1. Purchase and Sale. In consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained,  Purchaser  hereby agrees to purchase from Seller,  and Seller hereby
agrees to sell to Purchaser, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to
the Properties  for the Purchase  Price,  subject to and in accordance  with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         2.2.  Deposit.  Purchaser  has  deposited  the  sum  of  $436,250  (the
"Deposit")   with  the  Escrow   Agent.   The  Deposit   shall  be  held  in  an
interest-bearing  account pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. If this
Agreement  shall  terminate  with respect to all of the  Properties  pursuant to
Section 10.1, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be
returned to Purchaser.  If this Agreement  shall  terminate  pursuant to Section
10.2, the Deposit,  together with all interest accrued thereon, shall be paid to
Seller.  If the Closing shall occur,  the Deposit  shall be credited  toward the
Purchase Price,  pursuant to Section 3.2, and the interest earned on the Deposit
shall be paid to Purchaser.

         2.3. Due  Diligence.  Any forms of franchise  guidelines  and franchise
agreements  for  "AmeriSuites"  which Seller shall have provided to Purchaser in
connection with Purchaser's due diligence shall be substantially  similar to (i)
the form which Tenant shall enter into in  connection  with the Closing and (ii)
(subject to any changes made by franchisor to such form on a  non-discriminatory
basis) the form to be employed with respect to any First Offer Hotels and Option
Hotels. To the extent that, in connection with its due diligence  investigation,
Purchaser,  its agents,  representatives  or contractors,  shall have damaged or
disturbed  any  of  the  Real  Property  or the  Improvements  located  thereon,
Purchaser  shall  return  the same to  substantially  the same  condition  which
existed  immediately prior to such damage or disturbance.  In the event that the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not

                                       -6-


<PAGE>





closed and  consummated for any reason,  Purchaser  shall, on request by Seller,
deliver to Seller all tests,  reports and  inspections  of the Property made and
conducted by Purchaser or for its benefit or any other  documents or information
(including title  commitments,  UCC financing  statement  search reports,  title
documents, surveys, zoning reports, environmental audits, structural engineering
reports, appraisals and the like), which Purchaser has received pursuant to this
Agreement;   provided,   however,   that  Seller  shall  reimburse   Purchaser's
out-of-pocket  expenses for any of the foregoing materials (other than materials
delivered  by Seller or its agents or  representatives  to  Purchaser)  which it
requests that Purchaser so deliver.  Purchaser shall indemnify,  defend and hold
harmless  Seller  from and  against any and all  expense,  loss or damage  which
Seller  may  incur  as a  result  of any act or  omission  of  Purchaser  or its
representatives,  agents or contractors in connection with such examinations and
inspections,  other than to the extent that any expense,  loss or damage  arises
from any gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of Seller.  The  provisions of
this  Section  2.3 shall  survive  the  termination  of this  Agreement  and the
Closing.

         2.4.  Casualty;  Condemnation.  (a) If, prior to the  Closing,  (i) any
Property  suffers a casualty  or partial  condemnation  which  would  cause such
Property to become a Defective  Property and (ii) such Property is not, prior to
the Closing,  restored to a condition  substantially  the same as the  condition
thereof immediately prior to such casualty or condemnation,  either Purchaser or
Seller may, on notice to the other  given prior to the Closing  Date,  terminate
this Agreement with respect to such Defective Property, in which event Purchaser
shall acquire all of the Properties other than such Defective Property,  and the
Purchase  Price  shall  be  reduced  by the  Allocable  Purchase  Price  of such
Defective  Property.  Promptly upon learning of the same,  Seller  covenants and
agrees to provide  Purchaser  with  prompt  written  notice of any  casualty  or
condemnation affecting any Property.

         (b) If,  prior to the Closing,  any Property  shall be condemned in its
entirety,  this  Agreement  shall  automatically  terminate with respect to such
Defective Property, in which event Purchaser shall acquire all of the Properties
other than such Defective  Property,  and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by
the Allocable Purchase Price of such Defective Property.

         (c)         If neither Purchaser nor Seller shall elect to

                                       -7-


<PAGE>





terminate  this  Agreement  with  respect to a  Defective  Property  pursuant to
Paragraph  (a) of this Section 2.4,  Seller agrees (i) in the case of a casualty
loss,  to assign to  Purchaser at Closing its rights to any  insurance  proceeds
with  respect to such loss,  pay over to  Purchaser  any such  proceeds  already
received and give Purchaser a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of
any  deductible  or uninsured  loss, or (ii) in the case of a  condemnation,  to
assign to Purchaser at Closing its rights to any compensation in connection with
such  condemnation  and pay  over to  Purchaser  any such  compensation  already
received,  and, in either such event,  Purchaser  shall  acquire such  Defective
Property as provided herein.

         (d) If any Property shall suffer a casualty loss which shall not render
the Property a Defective  Property,  Seller shall assign to Purchaser at Closing
its rights to any  insurance  proceeds  with  respect to such loss,  pay over to
Purchaser any such proceeds already received and give Purchaser a credit against
the  Purchase  Price in the amount of any  deductible  or  uninsured  loss,  and
Purchaser shall acquire such Property as provided herein.

         2.5.  Title  Matters.  Purchaser  has received from the Title Company a
preliminary  title  commitment,  having an effective date after the date of this
Agreement,  for an ALTA (or such other form  reasonably  approved by  Purchaser)
owner's  policy  of title  insurance  with  respect  to each of the  Properties,
together  with  complete and legible  copies of all  instruments  and  documents
referred to as  exceptions  to title  (collectively,  the "Title  Commitments").
Except as set forth on the Diligence Notice Letter,  Purchaser  acknowledges and
agrees that it does not have any objection to any title  exceptions which affect
the Properties.

         2.6.  Survey  Matters.  Purchaser has received a survey with respect to
each  of  the  Properties  (the  "Surveys")  by  a  licensed   surveyor  in  the
jurisdiction  in which each such  Property  is  located,  which (i)  contains an
accurate legal description of the applicable Property,  (ii) shows the location,
dimension and description  (including  applicable recording  information) of all
utilities,  easements,  encroachments  and other physical matters affecting such
Property,  the  number  of  striped  parking  spaces  located  thereon  and  all
applicable building set-back lines, (iii) states whether the applicable Property
is located  within a 100-year flood plain and (iv) is certified to Purchaser and
the Title Company and such other persons as shall have been requested by

                                       -8-


<PAGE>





Purchaser  or  Seller.  Except  as set  forth on the  Diligence  Notice  Letter,
Purchaser  acknowledges  and agrees that it does not have any  objection  to any
matter shown on the Surveys.

         SECTION 3.  CLOSING; PURCHASE PRICE.

         3.1.  Closing.  The  purchase  and  sale  of the  Properties  shall  be
consummated  at a closing (the  "Closing") to be held at the offices of Hunton &
Williams, 200 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10166-0136, or at such
other  location as Seller and Purchaser may agree,  at 10:00 a.m. local time, on
or about December 10, 1997 (the "Closing Date").

         3.2. Purchase Price. (a) At the Closing,  Purchaser shall pay to Seller
for the  Properties  a purchase  price (the  "Purchase  Price") in the amount of
$14,945,448  (subject to  customary  prorations  and  adjustments),  except that
Purchaser shall receive a credit against the Purchase Price in the amount of the
Deposit.

         (b) The Purchase Price shall be payable by wire transfer of immediately
available  funds on the Closing Date to an account or accounts to be  designated
by Seller  prior to the Closing,  subject to the terms of paragraph  (c) of this
Section 3.2.

         (c) Purchaser shall pay to Seller a portion of the Purchase Price equal
to $8,696,626 in the form of 572,847  units of limited  partnership  interest in
Purchaser  (the  "LP  Units")  at a value  of  $15.1814  per LP  Unit.  The cash
equivalent of an LP Unit, for which Purchaser shall receive a credit against the
Purchase  Price, is equal to the average of the last reported sale prices of the
common stock of Equity Inns,  Inc. (the  "REIT"),  the sole  shareholder  of the
general partner of the Purchaser,  as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
the  ten  (10)  Business  Days  immediately  preceding  the  date  of the  Prior
Agreement. Seller may not distribute or otherwise assign, transfer or convey any
LP Unit to any  person or entity  except  in  accordance  with the terms of that
certain Third Amended and Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership  of Equity
Inns Partnership, L.P., dated as of June 25, 1997 (the "LP Agreement"),  without
the prior written  consent of the general  partner of  Purchaser.  Any purported
attempt to  transfer,  assign or convey the LP Units,  other than in  accordance
with the  preceding  sentence,  shall be null  and  void  and of no  effect.  To
effectuate this section, Seller and any proposed transferee of the LP Units will
execute and deliver to Purchaser (i) promptly upon request by

                                       -9-


<PAGE>





Purchaser,  such investor  response forms  contained with any private  placement
memorandum  delivered to Seller on behalf of  Purchaser,  (ii) at the closing of
such  proposed  transfer,  an  executed  counterpart  of  the LP  Agreement  and
Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) any other document reasonably  requested
by Purchaser in connection  therewith.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Seller
shall have the right to redeem the LP Units for common  stock of the REIT and to
sell or otherwise transfer such common stock in accordance with the terms of the
LP Agreement and the Registration  Rights  Agreement.  Any purported  attempt to
sell, transfer, assign or convey such common stock other than in accordance with
the preceding shall be null and void and of no effect.

         (d) Seller shall allocate the portion of the Purchase Price which is to
be paid in LP Units such that LP Units valued at  $7,607,493  shall be allocated
to the  Property  located in Blue Ash,  Ohio and LP Units  valued at  $1,089,133
shall  be  allocated  to  the  Property   located  in   Indianapolis,   Indiana.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  in the event that,  prior to the Closing,  this
Agreement shall be terminated with respect to a Defective  Property  pursuant to
Section 2.4,  Seller and  Purchaser  shall use good faith  efforts to agree to a
reasonable  reallocation of the LP Units allocated to such Defective Property to
the other Property and among  properties  being  conveyed  pursuant to the other
purchase and sale agreements between Seller and Purchaser executed in connection
herewith.  If Seller and  Purchaser  shall  fail to agree on such  reallocation,
Purchaser shall have the right to terminate this  Agreement,  in which event the
Deposit (and all interest  thereon)  shall be returned to  Purchaser,  and, upon
return of the Deposit (and all  interest  thereon),  Purchaser  and Seller shall
have no further rights,  liabilities or obligations hereunder (except those that
expressly survive a termination of this Agreement).

         (e) Without  limiting the  fiduciary  duties of the general  partner of
Purchaser to the limited partners of Purchaser  pursuant to the LP Agreement and
under  applicable law, the general  partner of Purchaser shall not,  without the
prior  written  consent of Seller,  permit any amendment to the LP Agreement set
forth in Sections  11(a)  through (d) thereof  that would  discriminate  against
Seller relative to the rights of the other holders of LP Units.

         (f)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.3
hereof or this Section 3.2, if either Seller or Purchaser  shall not be ready to
close with respect to one or more

                                      -10-


<PAGE>





Hotels by the  Closing  Date,  the  Closing  shall occur as to such Hotels as to
which the parties  shall  agree,  and the parties  shall agree as to one or more
additional  closings  of  groups  of one or more  Hotels  until  settlement  has
occurred as to all of the Hotels, provided that settlement shall have occured as
to all of the Hotels no later than  December 22, 1997. In the event of more than
one  Closing,  this  Agreement  shall be deemed a separate  agreement as to each
Hotel and, except as otherwise  agreed to between Seller and Purchaser,  (a) the
Purchase  Price for each  individual  Hotel  shall be the  applicable  Allocable
Purchase Price, (b) the Deposit for each individual Hotel shall equal the amount
set forth on Exhibit A and (c) the LP Units shall be  allocated to the Hotels in
accordance with Section 3.2(d) hereof.  In the event of multiple  Closings,  the
place and manner of Closing shall be as  reasonably  agreed  between  Seller and
Purchaser.

         (g) The  provisions  of  Sections  3.2(c)  and (e)  shall  survive  the
Closing.

         SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation  of Purchaser to acquire the  Properties on the Closing
Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following  conditions precedent
on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Seller  covenants  to use  commercially
reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         4.1. Closing Documents. Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser:

         (a) Good and sufficient special warranty deeds, with legal descriptions
based on the  deeds by  which  Seller  received  title  to the  Properties,  and
quitclaim  deeds with legal  descriptions  based on the Surveys,  if the Surveys
indicate any differing legal descriptions, all in forms as shall be customary in
the various  jurisdictions in which the Properties are located,  with respect to
all of the Properties, in proper statutory form for recording, duly executed and
acknowledged by Seller, conveying fee simple title to the applicable Properties,
free from all liens and encumbrances other than the Permitted Encumbrances;

         (b) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably satisfactory to Seller and Purchaser,  duly executed and acknowledged
by Seller,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title and interest in, to and
under the FF&E, the

                                      -11-


<PAGE>





Documents and the Intangible Property with respect to the Properties;

         (c) A bill of sale and  assignment  agreement,  in form  and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to Seller,  Purchaser  and Tenant,  duly  executed and
acknowledged by Seller, to Tenant,  with respect to all of Seller's right, title
and interest in, to and under the Inventory and the  Contracts,  with respect to
the Properties;

         (d) Duly executed and  acknowledged  memoranda of lease,  setting forth
the material terms of each Lease, in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory
to Seller and Purchaser;

         (e)      Duly executed transfer tax forms, as required by
applicable law;

         (f) Duly executed environmental  disclosure forms, as and to the extent
required by applicable law;

         (g)      To the extent the same are in Seller's possession,
original, fully executed copies of all Contracts pertaining to the
Properties;

         (h) A duly executed copy of the Lease and all other  documents and sums
required to be delivered by Seller and/or the Tenant pursuant thereto;

         (i) A duly executed copy of the franchise  agreement between the Tenant
and the franchisor with respect to each of the Properties;

         (j)      A duly executed copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement;

         (k) Certified  copies of all charter  documents,  applicable  corporate
resolutions  and  certificates  of  incumbency  with  respect  to Seller and the
Tenant;

         (l) An affidavit of Seller in accordance  with Section 1445 of the Code
and such  documentation  as shall  be  required  to  comply  with the  reporting
requirements of Section 1099-S of the Code; and

         (m) Such other  conveyance  documents,  certificates,  deeds, and other
instruments as may be required by this Agreement or as

                                      -12-


<PAGE>





Purchaser  or the  Title  Company  may  reasonably  require  to  effectuate  the
transactions contemplated hereunder.

         4.2.     Condition of Properties.  (a)  All of the Properties and
all Improvements located thereon shall, except as otherwise
provided in Section 2.3, be in substantially the same physical
condition as on September 22, 1997, ordinary wear and tear
excepted;

         (b) No material default or event which with the giving of notice and/or
lapse of time could  constitute a material  default  shall have  occurred and be
continuing under any material  agreement  benefiting or affecting the Properties
in any material respect;

         (c) No action shall be pending or threatened  for the  condemnation  or
taking  by  power  of  eminent  domain  of all or any  material  portion  of the
Properties which would render any Property a Defective Property; and

         (d) All material licenses,  permits and other authorizations  necessary
for the current use,  occupancy and operation of the Properties shall be in full
force and effect in all material respects.

         4.3. Title Policies. The Title Company shall be prepared,  subject only
to payment of the applicable premium,  endorsement and related fees and delivery
of all  conveyance  documents  in  recordable  form,  to issue  title  insurance
policies to  Purchaser,  in  accordance  with  Section 2.5,  together  with such
affirmative  coverages as Purchaser may  reasonably  require and shall have been
determined by the Title Company as available prior to the date hereof.

         4.4.  Opinions  of  Counsel.  Purchaser  shall have  received a written
opinion from counsel to Seller, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser  and Seller's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Seller and Tenant.

         4.5.     No PIP Requirement at Closing.  There shall be no PIP
requirement imposed by the franchisor in connection with the
Closing.

         4.6.     Representations.  All representations and warranties made
herein by Seller shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

                                      -13-


<PAGE>





         SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS TO SELLER'S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.

         The  obligation of Seller to convey the  Properties on the Closing Date
to  Purchaser  is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the  following  conditions
precedent  on and as of the  Closing  Date,  which  Purchaser  covenants  to use
commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill:

         5.1.  Purchase  Price.  Purchaser  shall deliver to Seller the Purchase
Price, pursuant to Section 3.1.

         5.2.     Closing Documents.  Purchaser shall have delivered to
Seller:

         (a)  Duly  executed  and  acknowledged  counterparts  of the  documents
described in Section 4.1 (including, without limitation, the Registration Rights
Agreement executed by Purchaser, the REIT and the general partner of Purchaser),
where applicable;

         (b) Certified copies of all charter documents,  partnership agreements,
applicable  resolutions and certificates of incumbency with respect to Purchaser
and its general partner; and

         (c) Duly executed certificates of limited partnership  representing the
LP Units.

         5.3.  Opinion of Counsel.  Seller shall have received a written opinion
from counsel to Purchaser,  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
Seller and  Purchaser's  counsel,  regarding the  organization  and authority of
Purchaser and the REIT.

         5.4.     Representations.  All representations and warranties made
herein by Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material
respects.

         5.5.  Amendment to LP Agreement.  Purchaser shall have caused Exhibit A
of the LP  Agreement  to be  amended  so as to add  Seller as a limited  partner
listed thereon.

         SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.

         To induce Purchaser to enter into this Agreement, Seller represents and
warrants to Purchaser as follows:

                                      -14-


<PAGE>





         6.1.  Status and  Authority  of Seller.  Seller is a  corporation  duly
organized, validly existing and in corporate good standing under the laws of its
state of incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority under the laws
of such state and its respective charter documents to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.  Seller has duly qualified to transact  business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business  conducted by it requires  such  qualification,
except  where  failure  to do so could  not  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
material adverse effect.

         6.2.  Action  of  Seller.  Seller  has taken  all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution,  delivery and performance of this  Agreement,  and upon
the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by Seller or Tenant
on or prior to the Closing Date,  such document  shall  constitute the valid and
binding  obligation  and  agreement  of  Seller or  Tenant,  as the case may be,
enforceable  against  Seller or Tenant in accordance  with its terms,  except as
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
moratorium  or similar  laws of  general  application  affecting  the rights and
remedies of creditors.

         6.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of  this  Agreement  by  Seller  or of the  Lease  by  Tenant,  nor
compliance with the terms and provisions  hereof or thereof,  will result in any
breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute
a default  under,  or result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance
upon any  Property  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Seller or Tenant is bound, except pursuant to the Lease or this Agreement.

         6.4.  Litigation.  Neither  Seller nor Tenant has  received any written
notice of and,  to Seller's  knowledge,  no action or  proceeding  is pending or
threatened and no investigation  looking toward such an action or proceeding has
begun,  which (a) questions  the validity of this  Agreement or the Lease or any
action  taken or to be taken  pursuant  hereto,  (b) will result in any material
adverse  change  in  the  business,  operation,  affairs  or  condition  of  the
Properties,  taken as a whole, (c) will result in or subject the Properties to a
material liability,  or (d) involves  condemnation or eminent domain proceedings
against any part of the Properties, which would render such Property a Defective
Property.

                                      -15-


<PAGE>





         6.5.  Existing  Leases,  Agreements,  Etc.  Other  than any  agreements
provided to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement and listed on the
schedule  attached  hereto as Exhibit E, there are no other material  agreements
affecting the  Properties  which will be binding on Purchaser  subsequent to the
Closing Date, which Purchaser cannot terminate.

         6.6. Utilities,  Etc. To Seller's knowledge, all utilities and services
necessary  for the use  and  operation  of the  Properties  (including,  without
limitation,  road access,  gas, water,  electricity and telephone) are available
thereto,   are  of  sufficient   capacity  to  meet  adequately  all  needs  and
requirements  necessary for the current use and operation of the  Properties and
for  their  respective  intended  purposes.  To  Seller's  knowledge,  no  fact,
condition or proceeding exists which would result in the termination or material
impairment of the furnishing of such utilities to the Properties.

         6.7. Compliance with Law. To Seller's knowledge, except as set forth on
Exhibit D attached hereto,  (i) the Properties and the current use and operation
thereof  do not  violate  any  material  federal,  state,  municipal  and  other
governmental  statutes,  ordinances,  by-laws,  rules,  regulations or any other
legal   requirements,   including,   without   limitation,   those  relating  to
construction,  occupancy,  zoning,  subdivision,  land use, adequacy of parking,
environmental  protection,  occupational  health  and  safety  and  fire  safety
applicable  thereto;  and (ii)  there  are  presently  in  effect  all  material
licenses,  permits  and other  authorizations  necessary  for the  current  use,
occupancy and operation thereof (including liquor license, if required).  Except
as  disclosed  to  Purchaser,  Seller  has not  received  written  notice of any
threatened request,  application,  proceeding, plan, study or effort which would
materially  adversely  affect  the  current  use  or  zoning  of  either  of the
Properties or which would  materially  adversely  modify or realign any adjacent
street or highway.

         6.8. Taxes. To Seller's knowledge,  other than the amounts disclosed by
tax bills (copies of which have been  delivered by Seller to Purchaser  prior to
the execution of this  Agreement),  no taxes or special  assessments of any kind
(special,  bond or otherwise)  are or have been levied with respect to either of
the Properties,  or any portion thereof,  which are outstanding or unpaid, other
than amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, not yet delinquent.

                                      -16-


<PAGE>





         6.9.     Not A Foreign Person.  Seller is not a "foreign person"
within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.

         6.10. Hazardous  Substances.  Except as set forth on Exhibit D attached
hereto or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to  Purchaser
(including,  without limitation, the environmental site assessments set forth on
Exhibit  D), to  Seller's  knowledge,  Seller has not stored or  disposed of (or
engaged in the  business of storing or  disposing  of) or has released or caused
the release of any hazardous  waste,  contaminants,  oil,  radioactive  or other
material on either of the  Properties,  or any portion  thereof,  the removal of
which is required or the  maintenance of which is prohibited or penalized by any
applicable  Federal,  state  or  local  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules  or
regulations,  and,  to  Seller's  knowledge,  except as set  forth on  Exhibit D
attached  hereto  or as  described  in any  environmental  report  delivered  to
Purchaser (including, without limitation, the environmental site assessments set
forth on Exhibit  D), the  Properties  are free from any such  hazardous  waste,
contaminants,  oil,  radioactive and other materials,  except any such materials
maintained  in the  ordinary  course  of a hotel  business  in  accordance  with
applicable law.

         6.11.  Insurance.  Seller has not received any written  notice from any
insurance  carrier  of defects  or  inadequacies  in the  Properties  which,  if
uncorrected,  would result in a termination of insurance  coverage or a material
increase in the premiums charged therefor.

         6.12. Ownership. All Assets,  Contracts,  FF&E, Intangible Property and
Real Property are owned by Seller and are  assignable and  transferable  without
the  consent of any third  party (or,  if any such  consent  is  required,  such
consent shall be obtained no later than the  Closing),  and there are no capital
leases, except as set forth on Exhibit E.

         The  representations  and  warranties  made in this Agreement by Seller
shall be deemed  remade by Seller as of the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement  or any
documents to be delivered to  Purchaser  at the Closing,  Seller  disclaims  the
making of any representations or warranties,  express or implied,  regarding the
Properties  or matters  affecting  the  Properties,  whether made by Seller,  on
Seller's behalf or

                                      -17-


<PAGE>





otherwise,   including,  without  limitation,  the  physical  condition  of  the
Properties,  title to or the  boundaries  of the  Real  Property,  pest  control
matters,  soil  conditions,  the  presence,  existence  or absence of  hazardous
wastes,  toxic  substances  or  other  environmental  matters,  compliance  with
building,  health,  safety,  land use and zoning laws,  regulations  and orders,
structural and other engineering characteristics, traffic patterns, market data,
economic conditions or projections,  and any other information pertaining to the
Properties  or the market and physical  environments  in which they are located.
Without negating the covenants,  representations  and warranties of Seller under
this Agreement,  Purchaser acknowledges (i) that Purchaser has entered into this
Agreement with the intention of making and relying upon its own investigation or
that of third parties with respect to the physical, environmental,  economic and
legal condition of each Property and (ii) that Purchaser is not relying upon any
statements,  representations  or  warranties  of  any  kind,  other  than  those
specifically  set forth in this  Agreement or in any document to be delivered to
Purchaser  at the  Closing  made by  Seller.  Without  negating  the  covenants,
representations and warranties of Seller under this Agreement, Purchaser further
acknowledges  that  it  has  not  received  from  or on  behalf  of  Seller  any
accounting, tax, legal, architectural, engineering, property management or other
advice with respect to this transaction and is relying solely upon the advice of
third  party  accounting,  tax,  legal,  architectural,   engineering,  property
management  and other  advisors.  Subject to the  provisions of this  Agreement,
Purchaser  shall  purchase  the  Properties  in their "as is"  condition  on the
Closing Date.

         SECTION 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.

         To induce Seller to enter into this Agreement, Purchaser represents and
warrants to Seller as follows:

         7.1.  Status and  Authority  of  Purchaser.  Purchaser  is a  Tennessee
limited partnership duly organized,  validly existing and in trust good standing
under  the laws of the  State  of  Tennessee  and has all  requisite  power  and
authority under the laws of such state and under its charter  documents to enter
into and perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement and to  consummate  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Purchaser has duly qualified and is in good
standing as a foreign  limited  partnership  in each  jurisdiction  in which the
nature of the business conducted by it requires such qualification.

                                      -18-


<PAGE>





         7.2. Action of Purchaser.  Purchaser has taken all necessary  action to
authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement and the
Lease,  and upon the  execution  and delivery of any document to be delivered by
Purchaser on or prior to the Closing Date such  document  shall  constitute  the
valid and binding  obligation  and agreement of Purchaser,  enforceable  against
Purchaser in accordance with its terms,  except as enforceability may be limited
by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general
application affecting the rights and remedies of creditors.

         7.3. No Violations of Agreements.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or
performance  of this Agreement nor the Lease by Purchaser,  nor compliance  with
the  terms and  provisions  hereof,  will  result  in any  breach of the  terms,
conditions or provisions of, or conflict with or constitute a default under,  or
result in the creation of any lien,  charge or encumbrance  upon any property or
assets of Purchaser  pursuant to the terms of any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
trust,  note,  evidence of  indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument by
which Purchaser is bound.

         7.4. Litigation. No investigation, action or proceeding is pending and,
to  Purchaser's  knowledge,  no  action  or  proceeding  is  threatened  and  no
investigation  looking  toward  such an action or  proceeding  has begun,  which
questions  the  validity of this  Agreement  or any action  taken or to be taken
pursuant hereto.

         7.5. No Conflicts. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery by Purchaser
of the LP Units,  the execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby by Purchaser,  nor the
redemption of LP Units for Redemption Shares (as defined in the LP Agreement) by
Seller will  conflict  with or result in a material  breach or violation  of, or
constitute  a  default  under  the  charter,  bylaws,   certificate  of  limited
partnership or LP Agreement,  as the case may be, of the REIT or Purchaser;  any
indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement,  note,  lease  or other
agreement  or  instrument  to which the REIT or Purchaser is a party or to which
they,  either of them,  any of their  respective  properties  or other assets is
subject; or any applicable material statute,  judgment,  decree,  order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body applicable to the REIT or
Purchaser.

         7.6.        REIT Status.  The REIT is a "qualified real estate

                                      -19-


<PAGE>





investment trust" as defined in Section 856 of the Code.

         7.7.  REIT  Filings.  The private  placement  memorandum  delivered  by
Purchaser  to Seller on  September  18,  1997 with  respect to the REIT does not
include,  as of such date,  any untrue  statement of a material  fact or omit to
state  any  material  fact  required  to be  stated  or  necessary  to make  the
statements made, in light of the  circumstances  under which they were made, not
misleading.

         The  representations and warranties made in this Agreement by Purchaser
shall be deemed  remade by  Purchaser as of the Closing Date with the same force
and effect as if made on, and as of, such date.

         SECTION 8.  COVENANTS OF SELLER AND PURCHASER.

         8.1.     Covenants of Seller.  Seller hereby covenants with
Purchaser between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date
as follows:

         (a) Upon learning of any material  change in any condition with respect
to either of the  Properties  or of any event or  circumstance  which  makes any
representation or warranty of Seller to Purchaser under this Agreement untrue or
misleading  in any  material  respect,  promptly  to  notify  Purchaser  thereof
(Purchaser  agreeing,  on  learning of any such fact or  condition,  promptly to
notify Seller thereof).

         (b) To continue or cause to continue to operate each of the  Properties
as an "AmeriSuites"  hotel, in a good and businesslike  fashion  consistent with
its past  practices and to cause each of the Properties to be maintained in good
working order and condition in a manner consistent with its past practice.

         (c) To provide to Purchaser,  promptly upon  reasonable  request,  such
unaudited  financial and other  information  and  certifications  of Seller with
respect to the Properties as Purchaser may from time to time reasonably  request
in order to  comply  with any  applicable  securities  laws  and/or  any  rules,
regulations or  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange  Commission and, if
required or  requested,  to permit  Purchaser to  incorporate  by reference  any
information  included in filings made by Seller with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                      -20-


<PAGE>





         (d) To deliver  to  Purchaser  the items set forth in  Section  4.1 and
Section 4.4.

         8.2.     Covenants of Purchaser.  Purchaser hereby covenants with
Seller on and as of the Closing Date as follows:

         (a)      To deliver to Seller the items set forth in Section 5.2.

         SECTION 9.  CLOSING COSTS.

         9.1.  Closing  Costs.  Each of the  parties  hereto  shall  pay its own
expenses in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby, including,  without limitation, any legal and accounting fees, the costs
and expenses of preparing  engineering and environment  reports,  market studies
and appraisals, the cost of the Surveys, Title Commitments,  zoning reports, UCC
financing  statement  search  reports,  environmental  audits,  zoning  reports,
structural  engineering  reports,  appraisals  and the like,  whether or not the
transactions  contemplated hereby are consummated (but subject,  however, to the
provisions  of Section 2.3,  with respect to items which  Purchaser  delivers to
Seller at  Seller's  request).  Seller and  Purchaser  shall each pay 50% of all
state and local sales, transfer, excise, value-added or other similar taxes, and
all  recording  and  filing  fees  that may be  imposed  by  reason of the sale,
transfer,  assignment,  delivery  and  leasing  (other  than any tax  imposed in
connection  with the recording of a memorandum of lease,  which amounts shall be
paid pursuant to the terms of the applicable Lease) of the Properties.

         SECTION 10.  DEFAULT.

         10.1.   Default  by  Seller.   If  (a)  Seller   shall  have  made  any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b)  Seller  shall fail to  perform  any of the  material
covenants  and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by Seller and such
failure  continues  for a period  of ten (10) days  after  notice  thereof  from
Purchaser,  or (c) Seller  shall be in  default  under (x) that  certain  Second
Purchase and Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date herewith,  or (y) that certain
Third Purchase and Sale  Agreement,  dated of even date  herewith,  each between
Seller and  Purchaser,  Purchaser  may,  (i) sue for  specific  performance  and
damages,  (ii) sue for damages  without  specific  performance  (with or without
terminating  this  Agreement  and  receiving  a refund of the  Deposit,  and all
interest thereon) or

                                      -21-


<PAGE>





(iii) exercise any other right or remedy at law or in equity; provided, however,
that  Purchaser  shall in no event be entitled to monetary  damages in excess of
the amount of the Deposit.

         10.2.  Default  by  Purchaser.  If (a)  Purchaser  shall  have made any
representation  or warranty  herein which shall be untrue or  misleading  in any
material  respect,  or (b) Purchaser  shall fail to perform any of the covenants
and  agreements  contained  herein to be performed by it and such failure  shall
continue for a period of ten (10) days after notice thereof from Seller,  or (c)
Purchaser  shall be in default under (x) that certain  Second  Purchase and Sale
Agreement,  dated of even date herewith,  or (y) that certain Third Purchase and
Sale Agreement,  dated of even date herewith, each between Seller and Purchaser,
Seller may,  as its sole and  exclusive  remedy at law and in equity,  terminate
this Agreement. In the event that Seller shall so terminate this Agreement,  the
Deposit,  together  with all  interest  accrued  thereon,  shall be  retained by
Seller, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty,  whereupon  Purchaser shall,
except as expressly  provided  herein,  have no further  monetary or nonmonetary
obligations  hereunder,  other than with respect to obligations  which expressly
survive  the  termination  hereof  (which  obligations  shall  not  include  the
obligation to purchase the Properties hereunder).

         SECTION 11.  RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER; COMMITMENT TO SELL.

         11.1.  The Purchase and Sale of the Properties  hereunder  shall not be
deemed a purchase  and sale of a Right of First Offer  Hotel or an Option  Hotel
(as  defined in the  Amended  Agreement)  pursuant  to Section 11 of the Amended
Agreement.

         SECTION 12.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         12.1. Agreement to Indemnify.  (a) Subject to any express provisions of
this  Agreement  to the  contrary,  Seller  shall  indemnify  and hold  harmless
Purchaser from and against any and all  obligations,  claims,  losses,  damages,
liabilities, and expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable attorneys'
and  accountants'  fees and  disbursements)  arising  out of (x) any  damage  to
property  of others or injury to or death of any  person or any  claims  for any
debts or obligations occurring on or about or in connection with any Property or
any  portion  thereof  at any  time  or  times  prior  to the  Closing,  (y) any
liabilities  for taxes due from  Seller  which shall have  accrued  prior to the
Closing in connection

                                      -22-


<PAGE>





with any Property and (z) any failure by Seller to comply with applicable  "bulk
sale" laws.

         (b) Whenever  either party shall learn through the filing of a claim or
the  commencement of a proceeding or otherwise of the existence of any liability
for which the other party is or may be  responsible  under this  Agreement,  the
party  learning of such  liability  shall  notify the other party  promptly  and
furnish such copies of documents (and make originals thereof available) and such
other  information  as such  party  may have  that may be used or  useful in the
defense of such claims and shall  afford said other  party full  opportunity  to
defend the same in the name of such  party and shall  generally  cooperate  with
said other party in the defense of any such claim.

         (c) The  provisions  of this Section 12.1 shall survive the Closing and
the termination of this Agreement.

         12.2. Brokerage  Commissions.  Each of the parties hereto represents to
the  other  parties  that it  dealt  with no  broker,  finder  or like  agent in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  other
than  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  Seller  shall be  solely  responsible  for and shall
indemnify and hold harmless Purchaser and its respective legal  representatives,
heirs,  successors and assigns from and against any loss,  liability or expense,
including,  reasonable  attorneys' fees,  arising out of any claim or claims for
commissions  or other  compensation  for  bringing  about this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  made by  Merrill  Lynch & Co.  or any  other
broker,  finder  or like  agent  other  than such  loss,  liability  or  expense
resulting from Purchaser's  breach of its  representations  made in this Section
12.2.  The  provisions  of this Section  12.2 shall  survive the Closing and any
termination of this Agreement.

         12.3. Publicity. The parties agree that no party shall, with respect to
this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  contact or conduct
negotiations with public officials, make any public pronouncements,  issue press
releases or  otherwise  furnish  information  regarding  this  Agreement  or the
transactions  contemplated  to any third party  without the consent of the other
parties,  which  consent  shall  not  be  unreasonably   withheld,   delayed  or
conditioned,  except to consultants,  advisors, investors, lenders, underwriters
and other parties reasonably  necessary to consummate the transactions  required
hereby and as required by law

                                      -23-


<PAGE>





or contractual  obligations of such parties to third parties.  No party,  or its
employees  shall trade in the securities of any parent or affiliate of Seller or
of Purchaser  until a public  announcement of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement has been made. No party shall record this Agreement or any notice
thereof.

         12.4. Notices. (a) Any and all notices, demands,  consents,  approvals,
offers,  elections  and other  communications  required or permitted  under this
Agreement shall be deemed  adequately  given if in writing and the same shall be
delivered either in hand, by telecopier with written  acknowledgment of receipt,
or by mail or Federal Express or similar expedited commercial carrier, addressed
to the recipient of the notice, postpaid and registered or certified with return
receipt  requested  (if by mail),  or with all  freight  charges  prepaid (if by
Federal Express or similar carrier).

         (b) All notices  required or  permitted to be sent  hereunder  shall be
deemed to have been given for all  purposes of this  Agreement  upon the date of
acknowledged  receipt, in the case of a notice by telecopier,  and, in all other
cases,  upon the date of receipt or  refusal,  except that  whenever  under this
Agreement a notice is either received on a day which is not a Business Day or is
required  to be  delivered  on or before a specific  day which is not a Business
Day, the day of receipt or required delivery shall  automatically be extended to
the next Business Day.

                     All such notices shall be addressed,

         if to Seller to:

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  Mr. David Simon
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]


                     and

                     Prime Hospitality Corp.
                     700 Route 46 East
                     Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                     Attn:  General Counsel
                     [Telecopier No. (201) 882-8577]

                                      -24-


<PAGE>







         with a copy to:

                     Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                     One Citicorp Center
                     153 East 53rd Street
                     New York, New York  10022-4677
                     Attn:  Eugene A. Pinover, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (212) 821-8111]

         if to Purchaser, to:

                     Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                     4735 Spottswood, Suite 102
                     Memphis, Tennessee  38117
                     Attn:  Mr. Phillip H. McNeill, Sr.
                     [Telecopier No. (901) 761-1485]

         with a copy to:

                     Hunton & Williams
                     1751 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 1700
                     McLean, VA  22102
                     Attn: Gerald R. Best, Esq.
                     [Telecopier No. (703) 714-7410]

         By notice  given as  herein  provided,  the  parties  hereto  and their
respective  successors and assigns shall have the right from time to time and at
any time during the term of this Agreement to change their respective  addresses
effective  upon receipt by the other  parties of such notice and each shall have
the right to specify as its address any other  address  within the United States
of America.

         12.5.  Waivers,  Etc.  Any  waiver  of any  term or  condition  of this
Agreement,  or of  the  breach  of  any  covenant,  representation  or  warranty
contained herein,  in any one instance,  shall not operate as or be deemed to be
or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any other breach of such term,
condition,  covenant,  representation or warranty or any other term,  condition,
covenant, representation or warranty, nor shall any failure at any time or times
to enforce or require performance of any provision hereof operate as a waiver of
or affect in any manner such party's right at a later time to enforce or require
performance of such provision

                                      -25-


<PAGE>





or any other provision hereof. This Agreement may not be amended,  nor shall any
waiver,  change,  modification,  consent or discharge be effected,  except by an
instrument  in  writing  executed  by or on  behalf of the  party  against  whom
enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
is sought.

         12.6. Assignment; Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and all rights
and  obligations  hereunder  shall not be  assignable  by any party  without the
written consent of the other parties, except that, after the Closing, (i) Seller
may assign its surviving  rights,  if any,  under this Agreement to Tenant or an
Affiliate  of Seller,  and  Purchaser  may  assign  its  rights and  obligations
hereunder to an Affiliate of Purchaser,  provided that  Purchaser  remain liable
for its obligations hereunder.  The provisions of this Agreement shall not merge
with delivery of the deeds and shall survive  Closing.  This Agreement  shall be
binding  upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of the  parties  hereto and their
respective  legal  representatives,   successors  and  permitted  assigns.  This
Agreement  is not intended and shall not be construed to create any rights in or
to be enforceable in any part by any other persons.

         12.7. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
deemed to be, or shall in fact be,  invalid,  inoperative  or  unenforceable  as
applied to any particular case in any jurisdiction or  jurisdictions,  or in all
jurisdictions or in all cases, because of the conflict of any provision with any
constitution  or statute or rule of public policy or for any other reason,  such
circumstance  shall not have the effect of rendering the provision or provisions
in question invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable in any other  jurisdiction or
in any  other  case or  circumstance  or of  rendering  any other  provision  or
provisions herein contained invalid,  inoperative or unenforceable to the extent
that such other  provisions  are not  themselves  actually in conflict with such
constitution,  statute or rule of public  policy,  but this  Agreement  shall be
reformed and  construed  in any such  jurisdiction  or case as if such  invalid,
inoperative or unenforceable  provision had never been contained herein and such
provision  reformed so that it would be valid,  operative and enforceable to the
maximum extent permitted in such jurisdiction or in such case.

         12.8.       Counterparts, Etc.  This Agreement may be executed in
two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the

                                      -26-


<PAGE>





same instrument.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
hereto with respect to the subject  matter  hereof and shall  supersede and take
the place of any other instruments  purporting to be an agreement of the parties
hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.

         12.9.  Governing Law. This Agreement shall be  interpreted,  construed,
applied  and  enforced  in  accordance  with the  laws of the  State of New York
applicable to contracts  between residents of the State of New York which are to
be performed entirely within the State of New York, regardless of (i) where this
Agreement  is  executed  or  delivered;  or (ii)  where  any  payment  or  other
performance  required by this Agreement is made or required to be made; or (iii)
where any breach of any  provision  of this  Agreement  occurs,  or any cause of
action  otherwise  accrues;  or (iv)  where any  action or other  proceeding  is
instituted or pending; or (v) the nationality,  citizenship, domicile, principal
place of business,  or  jurisdiction of  organization  or  domestication  of any
party; or (vi) whether the laws of the forum jurisdiction  otherwise would apply
the laws of a  jurisdiction  other  than the  State of New  York;  or (vii)  any
combination of the foregoing.

         To the  maximum  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  any action to
enforce,  arising out of, or relating  in any way to, any of the  provisions  of
this  Agreement may be brought and prosecuted in such court or courts located in
the State of New York as is  provided  by law;  and the  parties  consent to the
jurisdiction  of said  court or courts  located  in the State of New York and to
service of process by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any other
manner provided by law.

         12.10.  Performance  on Business  Days.  In the event the date on which
performance or payment of any obligation of a party required  hereunder is other
than a Business Day, the time for payment or performance shall  automatically be
extended to the first Business Day following such date.

         12.11.  Attorneys'  Fees. If any lawsuit or  arbitration or other legal
proceeding  arises in connection with the  interpretation or enforcement of this
Agreement,  the  prevailing  party therein shall be entitled to receive from the
other party the  prevailing  party's  costs and expenses,  including  reasonable
attorneys' fees incurred in connection therewith, in preparation therefor and on
appeal therefrom, which amounts shall be included in any judgment therein.

                                      -27-


<PAGE>





         12.12.  Section and Other  Headings.  The  headings  contained  in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not in any way affect the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         12.13. No Oral  Modifications.  This Agreement may not be amended,  nor
shall any waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge be effected, except
by an instrument  in writing  executed by or on behalf of the party against whom
enforcement of any amendment, waiver, change, modification, consent or discharge
is sought.

         12.14.  Incorporation by Reference. All of the provisions applicable to
the Properties set forth in Paragraph 7 of the First  Amendment,  Paragraph 2 of
the  Second  Amendment,  and  Paragraph  6 of the Third  Amendment,  are  hereby
incorporated  by  reference  as if fully set forth  herein and are  ratified and
confirmed by Seller and Purchaser.



                                      -28-


<PAGE>





         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  have caused  this  Agreement  to be
executed as a sealed instrument as of the date first above written.

                                             SELLER:

                                             PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.

                                             By:  /s/ David A. Simon

                                             Its: President


                                             PURCHASER:

                                             EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                             By:  Equity Inns Trust,
                                             its general partner


                                              By: /s/ Howard A. Silver
                                              Its:Chief Financial Officer


The undersigned  hereby  acknowledges its agreement to the provisions of Section
3.2(e) hereof.

EQUITY INNS TRUST


 By:  /s/ Howard A. Silver
    Its:  Chief Financial Officer




<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit A

                                 The Properties

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                           Allocable                                  Deposit
Location                Purchase Price    Radius Restriction        Allocation
- --------                --------------    ------------------        ----------
<S>    <C>              <C>               <C>                       <C>

1.1.1  Cincinnati,        $7,607,493      5 miles--Restricted        $      0
       OH/Blue Ash                        radius does not
                                          include the Fields
                                          Ertl sub market

1.1.2  Indianapolis,      $ 7,337,955     5 miles--Restricted        $436,250
       IN/Keystone                        radius does not
                                          include the Meridian
                                          sub market but does
                                          include the Castleton
                                          sub market

</TABLE>





<PAGE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER __, 1997

                                     BETWEEN

                          EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P.

                                    AS LESSOR

                                       AND

                             CALDWELL HOLDING CORP.

                                    AS LESSEE









                                AMERISUITES HOTEL
                        CITY/COUNTY OF ________________,
                             STATE OF ______________



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                    ARTICLE 1

1.1.      Leased Property......................................................1
1.2.      Term.................................................................2
1.3.      Lease Restatement\Multi-Property Loan Transaction....................2

                                    ARTICLE 2

2.1.      Definitions..........................................................3

                                    ARTICLE 3

3.1.      Rent................................................................15
3.2.      Confirmation of Percentage Rent.....................................18
3.3.      Additional Charges..................................................19
3.4.      Rent Payable Without Deduction......................................19
3.5.      Conversion of Property..............................................19
3.6.      Budgets.............................................................19
3.7.      Approval of Annual Budget...........................................21
3.8.      Capital Improvements................................................21
3.9.      Books and Records...................................................22

                                    ARTICLE 4

4.1.      Payment of Impositions..............................................22
4.2.      Notice of Impositions...............................................23
4.3.      Adjustment of Impositions...........................................23
4.4.      Utility Charges.....................................................24
4.5.      Insurance Premiums..................................................24
4.6.      Ground Rent.........................................................24
4.7.      Franchise Fees......................................................24

                                    ARTICLE 5

5.1.      No Termination, Abatement, etc......................................24
5.2.      Abatement Procedures................................................25

                                    ARTICLE 6

6.1.      Ownership of the Leased Property....................................25
6.2.      Inventory and FF&E..................................................25

                                        i

<PAGE>



6.3.      Lessor's Representations............................................25
6.4.      Lessee's Representations............................................25
6.5.      Lessor's Lien.......................................................26

                                    ARTICLE 7

7.1.      Condition of the Leased Property....................................26
7.2.      Use of the Leased Property..........................................26
7.3.      Lessor to Grant Easements, etc......................................28

                                    ARTICLE 8

8.1.      Compliance with Legal and Insurance Requirements, etc...............28
8.2.      Legal Requirement Covenants.........................................28
8.3.      Environmental Covenants.............................................29

                                    ARTICLE 9

9.1.      Maintenance and Repair..............................................31
9.2.      Encroachments, Restrictions, etc....................................33

                                   ARTICLE 10

10.1.     Alterations.........................................................33
10.2.     Salvage.............................................................34
10.3.     Joint Use Agreements................................................34

                                   ARTICLE 11

11.1.     Liens...............................................................34

                                   ARTICLE 12

12.1.     Permitted Contests..................................................34

                                   ARTICLE 13

13.1.     General Insurance Requirements......................................35
13.2.     Responsibility for Premiums.........................................37
13.3.     Replacement Cost....................................................37
13.4.     Workers' Compensation...............................................37
13.5.     Waiver of Subrogation...............................................37
13.6.     Form Satisfactory, etc..............................................37
13.7.     Increase in Limits..................................................38



                                       ii

<PAGE>



         
13.8.     Blanket Policy......................................................38
13.9.     Separate Insurance..................................................38
13.10.    Reports on Insurance Claims.........................................38

                                   ARTICLE 14

14.1.     Insurance Proceeds..................................................38
14.2.     Reconstruction in the Event of Damage or Destruction Covered by
            Insurance.........................................................39
14.3.     Reconstruction in the Event of Damage or Destruction not Covered
            by Insurance......................................................40
14.4.     Inventory...........................................................40
14.5.     Abatement of Rent...................................................40
14.6.     Damage Near End of Term.............................................40
14.7.     Waiver..............................................................41

                                   ARTICLE 15

15.1.     Definitions.........................................................41
15.2.     Parties' Rights and Obligations.....................................41
15.3.     Total Taking........................................................41
15.4.     Allocation of Award.................................................41
15.5.     Partial Taking......................................................42
15.6.     Temporary Taking....................................................42

                                   ARTICLE 16

16.1.     Events of Default...................................................43
16.2.     Surrender...........................................................46
16.3.     Damages.............................................................46
16.4.     Waiver..............................................................47
16.5.     Application of Funds................................................47

                                   ARTICLE 17

17.1.     Lessor's Right to Cure Lessee's Default.............................47

                                   ARTICLE 18

18.1.     Provisions Relating to Purchase of the Leased Property..............48

                                  ARTICLE 19

19.1.     Personal Property Limitation........................................48


                                       iii

<PAGE>



19.2.     Sublease Rent Limitation............................................49
19.3.     Sublease Tenant Limitation..........................................49
19.4.     Lessee Ownership Limitation.........................................49
19.5.     Lessee Officer and Employee Limitations.............................49
19.6.     Payments to Affiliates of Lessee and Use of Complimentary Rooms.....49
19.7.     Management Agreement................................................50

                                   ARTICLE 20

20.1.     Holding Over........................................................50

                                   ARTICLE 21

21.1.     Risk of Loss........................................................51

                                   ARTICLE 22

22.1.     Indemnification.....................................................51

                                   ARTICLE 23

23.1.     Subletting and Assignment...........................................52
23.2.     Attornment..........................................................53

                                   ARTICLE 24

24.1.     Officer's Certificates; Financial Statements; Lessor's Estoppel
            Certificates and Covenants........................................53

                                   ARTICLE 25

25.1.     Lessor's Right to Inspect...........................................54

                                   ARTICLE 26

26.1.     No Waiver...........................................................54

                                   ARTICLE 27

27.1.     Remedies Cumulative.................................................54

                                   ARTICLE 28

28.1.     Acceptance of Surrender.............................................55


                                       iv

<PAGE>



       
                                   ARTICLE 29

29.1.     No Merger of Title..................................................55

                                   ARTICLE 30

30.1.     Conveyance by Lessor................................................55
30.2.     Mortgage Subordination, Attornment and Nondisturbance...............55

                                   ARTICLE 31

31.1.     Quiet Enjoyment.....................................................56

                                   ARTICLE 32

32.1.     Notices.............................................................56

                                   ARTICLE 33

33.1.     Appraisers..........................................................57

                                   ARTICLE 34

34.1.     Lessor May Grant Mortgages..........................................58
34.2.     Lessee's Right to Cure..............................................58
34.3.     Grant of Easements or Imposition of Restrictions....................58

                                   ARTICLE 35

35.1.     Miscellaneous.......................................................59
35.2.     Transition Procedures...............................................59
35.3.     Waiver of Presentment, etc..........................................60

                                   ARTICLE 36

36.1.     Memorandum of Lease.................................................60

                                   ARTICLE 37

37.1.     Transfer of Assets of Lessee........................................60

                                   ARTICLE 38

38.1.     Compliance With Franchise Agreement.................................60


                                        v

<PAGE>



  
                                   ARTICLE 39

39.1.     Capital Expenditures and Reserves...................................61

                                   ARTICLE 40

40.1.     Definitions.........................................................62
40.2.     Performance Standard................................................62

                                   ARTICLE 41
41.1.     Arbitration.........................................................63

                                   ARTICLE 42

42.1.     Right of First Offer................................................63
42.2.     Sale of Leased Property by Lessor...................................63
42.3.     Termination of Lease................................................64
42.4.     Substitute Franchisee...............................................64
42.5.     Limitation of Terminations..........................................65


                                   ARTICLE 43

43.1.     Change in REIT Status or REIT Regulations...........................65

                                   ARTICLE 44

44.1.     Lease Renewal.......................................................65


                                       vi

<PAGE>



                                 LEASE AGREEMENT

         THIS  LEASE  AGREEMENT  (as  may  be  modified,  amended  or  restated,
hereinafter called "Lease"), made as of the ______ day of _______, 1997, between
EQUITY INNS  PARTNERSHIP,  L.P., a Tennessee  limited  partnership  (hereinafter
called   "Lessor"),   and  CALDWELL   HOLDING  CORP.,  a  Delaware   corporation
(hereinafter called "Lessee"), provides as follows:

         Intending to be legally bound,  Lessor and Lessee agree that Lessor, in
consideration  of the  payment of rent by Lessee to Lessor,  the  covenants  and
agreements  to be  performed  by  Lessee,  and upon  the  terms  and  conditions
hereinafter  stated,  does  hereby rent and lease unto  Lessee,  and Lessee does
hereby rent and lease from Lessor, the Leased Property.

                                    ARTICLE 1

         1.1.   Leased Property.  The "Leased Property" is comprised of Lessor's
interest in the following:

                   (a)  the  parcel  of  land  or  ground  leasehold   interests
described on Exhibit A attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein (the
"Land");

                   (b) all  buildings,  structures  and other  improvements  and
structures  of  every  kind  including,  but  not  limited  to,  walls,  fences,
landscaping,   alleyways  and  connecting  tunnels,  sidewalks,  utility  pipes,
conduits and lines (on-site and offsite), parking areas and roadways appurtenant
to such buildings and structures presently situated upon affixed or appurtenance
the Land (collectively, the "Leased Improvements");

                   (c) all easements,  rights-of-way,  privileges,  licenses and
appurtenances relating to the Land and the Leased Improvements;

                   (d)   all   appliances,    machinery,    devices,   fixtures,
appurtenances,  equipment,  furniture,  furnishings  and  articles  of  tangible
personal property of every kind and nature whatsoever  (excluding Inventory) and
located  in or at,  or  used  exclusively  in  connection  with  the  ownership,
operation or maintenance of the Land and the Leased Improvement (the "FF&E");

                   (e)  all  service  contracts,   equipment  leases  and  other
arrangements  or  agreements  affecting  the  ownership,   repair,  maintenance,
management, leasing or operation of the Hotel;

                   (f) all transferable or assignable  permits,  certificates of
occupancy,  operating permits,  sign permits,  development rights and approvals,
certificates,  licenses,  warranties and  guarantees,  the contracts,  telephone
exchange  numbers  identified  with  the  Hotel  held by  Lessor  and all  other
transferable intangible property,  miscellaneous rights, benefits and privileges
of any kind or character  with respect to such property  held by Seller,  except
for all trademarks,  trade names,  copyrights,  patents or technical  processes,
including,  without limitation, any brand name, logos and designs, owned or used
by Seller with respect to such property; and


                                        1

<PAGE>



                   (g) all books,  records and files  relating  to the  leasing,
maintenance, management or operation of the Hotel.

THE LEASED PROPERTY IS DEMISED IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION  WITHOUT  REPRESENTATION
OR  WARRANTY  (EXPRESSED  OR  IMPLIED)  BY LESSOR  AND  SUBJECT TO THE RIGHTS OF
PARTIES  IN  POSSESSION,  AND TO THE  EXISTING  STATE  OF  TITLE  INCLUDING  ALL
COVENANTS,  CONDITIONS,  RESTRICTIONS,  EASEMENTS  AND OTHER  MATTERS  OF RECORD
INCLUDING ALL APPLICABLE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS,  FINANCING INSTRUMENTS,  MORTGAGES,
DEEDS OF TRUST AND SECURITY  DEEDS,  AND INCLUDING  OTHER MATTERS WHICH WOULD BE
DISCLOSED  BY AN  INSPECTION  OF THE LEASED  PROPERTY OR BY AN  ACCURATE  SURVEY
THEREOF.

         1.2.  Term.  The term of the Lease (the "Term")  shall  commence on the
date  hereof  (the  "Commencement  Date")  and  shall  end on the  tenth  (10th)
anniversary of the last day of the month in which the Commencement  Date occurs,
unless sooner  terminated  or later renewed and extended in accordance  with the
provisions hereof.

         1.3. Lease Restatement\Multi-Property Loan Transaction. At the Lessor's
request,  the Lessee shall reasonably cooperate with the Lessor in any effort by
Lessor to finance  the  Leased  Property  in any  multi-property  mortgage  loan
transaction  (including,  without limitation,  a rated  collateralized  mortgage
backed  securities  transaction),   which  cooperation  shall  include,  without
limitation:

         (1)      Amending  and  restating  this  Lease  (and any  Other  Leases
                  specified  by Lessor) with a new special  purpose,  bankruptcy
                  remote  Affiliate of Lessor,  as  landlord,  and a new special
                  purpose,  bankruptcy remote Affiliate of Lessee, as tenant, on
                  the same  economic  terms as this  Lease,  in the form of this
                  Lease (with any reasonable changes required by the lender that
                  do not materially or adversely affect the lessee).

         (2)      Any such  amendment  and  restatement  of this Lease  shall be
                  removed  from its  previous  Cross  Default  Pool and shall be
                  cross-defaulted with all of the Other Leases in the collateral
                  pool for such loan (the  "Collateralized  Cross Default Pool")
                  up to a  maximum  of  twenty  Affiliated  Leases  within  each
                  Collateralized Cross Default Pool.

         (3)      The Lessor shall pay the reasonable out of pocket  expenses of
                  the Lessee (including reasonable attorneys' fees) with respect
                  to such cooperation under this section.

                                    ARTICLE 2

         2.1.  Definitions.  For all purposes of this Lease, except as otherwise
expressly  provided  or unless the  context  otherwise  requires,  (a) the terms
defined in this Article  have the meanings  assigned to them in this Article and
include the plural as well as the singular, (b) all accounting terms

                                        2

<PAGE>



not otherwise  defined  herein have the meanings  assigned to them in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles as are at the time applicable, (c)
all  references in this Lease to  designated  "Articles,"  "Sections"  and other
subdivisions are to the designated Articles,  Sections and other subdivisions of
this Lease and (d) the words "herein,"  "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
of  similar  import  refer to this  Lease as a whole  and not to any  particular
Article,  Section or other subdivision.  In addition, as used in this Lease, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

         Additional Charges:  As defined in Section 3.3 below.

         Affiliate:  The term  "Affiliate" of a Person shall mean (a) any Person
that,  directly or  indirectly,  Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with such Person, (b) any other Person that owns, beneficially, directly
or indirectly,  more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding  capital stock,
shares  or  equity  interests  of such  Person,  or (c) any  officer,  director,
employee,  partner  or  trustee  of  such  Person  or  any  Person  controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such Person  (excluding  trustees and
Persons serving in similar capacities who are not otherwise an Affiliate of such
Person).

         Affiliated Leases:  This Lease and the Other Leases, collectively.

         Annual Budgets:  The Operating Budget and Capital Budget prepared, 
delivered and approved in accordance with Section 3.6 below.

         Annual Revenue Computation:  As defined in Exhibit C attached hereto.

         Average Consumer Price Index:  As defined in Section 3.1 below.

         Award:  As defined in Section 15.1(c) below.

         Base Rate: The rate of interest announced  publicly by Citibank,  N.A.,
in New York, New York,  from time to time, as such bank's prime rate. If no such
rate is  announced or becomes  discontinued,  then such other prime rate of such
other  commercial or savings bank which is a Lending  Institution  as Lessor may
reasonably designate.

         Base Rent:  As defined in Article 3 below.

         Beverage Sales:  Gross revenue from (i) the sale of wine, beer,  liquor
or other alcoholic beverages,  whether sold in the bar or lounge, delivered to a
guest room,  sold at meetings or banquets or at any other location at the Leased
Property or from (ii)  non-alcoholic  beverages sold in the bar or lounge.  Such
revenues shall not include the following:

                  (a) Any gratuity or service charge added to a customer's  bill
or statement in lieu of a gratuity which is paid to an employee;

                                        3

<PAGE>



                  (b) Any revenues that are  subsequently  credited,  rebated or
refunded in the ordinary course of business; and

                  (c) Sales taxes or taxes of any other kind imposed on the sale
of alcoholic or other beverages.

         Business Day: Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that
is not a day on which  national  banks in the City of New York,  New York, or in
the municipality wherein the Leased Property is located are closed.

         Capital Budget:  As defined in Section 3.6(b) below.

         Capital Expenditure Reserve Account:  As defined in Section 39.1 below.

         Capital Expenditures:  Amounts advanced to pay the costs of Capital
Improvements.

         Capital Improvements:  Capital improvements to the Facility, determined
in  accordance  with GAAP, to (A) the external  walls and internal  load-bearing
walls (other than windows and plate glass) of the Facility;  (B) the roof of the
Facility;  (C) private roadways,  parking areas, sidewalks and curbs appurtenant
thereto (other than cleaning, patching and striping); (D) mechanical, electrical
and plumbing systems that service common areas,  entire wings of the Facility or
the entire Facility,  including conduit and ductware connected thereto;  and (E)
items of the types  described on Exhibit B attached hereto as "Capital Items" of
the Facility.

         CERCLA:  The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

         Claims:  As defined in Section 12.1 below.

         Code:  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         Commencement Date:  As defined in Section 1.2 above.

         Condemnation, Condemnor:  As defined in Section 15.1 below.

         Consumer Price Index:  The "Consumer Price Index" published by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, U.S. City
Average, All Items for Urban Consumers (1982-1984 = 100) (CPI-U).

         Control:  (Including the correlative  meanings of the terms "controlled
by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person,  shall
mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management  and policies of such Person,  through the ownership
of voting securities, partnership interests or other equity interests.

                                        4

<PAGE>




         Cross Default Pool:  Pools of Affiliated Leases that are cross
defaulted under Section 16.1(a) of this Lease.

         Collateralized Cross Default Pool:  Pools of Affiliated Leases that are
cross defaulted under Section 1.3.

         Date of Taking:  As defined in Section 15.1(b) below.

         EBITDA:  As defined in Section 42.3 below.

         Environmental Authority:  Any department, agency or other body or
component of any Government that exercises any form of jurisdiction or authority
under any Environmental Law.

         Environmental  Authorization:  Any license,  permit,  order,  approval,
consent,   notice,   registration,   filing  or  other  form  of  permission  or
authorization required under any Environmental Law.

         Environmental Laws: All existing and future applicable federal,  state,
local and foreign laws and regulations  relating to pollution of the environment
(including without  limitation,  ambient air, surface water,  ground water, land
surface or subsurface strata), including without limitation laws and regulations
relating to emissions,  discharges, Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous
Materials or otherwise  relating to the manufacture,  processing,  distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials.
Environmental Laws include but are not limited to CERCLA,  FIFRA, RCRA, SARA and
TSCA.

         Environmental Liabilities: Any and all obligations to pay the amount of
any judgment or settlement, the cost of complying with any settlement,  judgment
or order for  injunctive or other  equitable  relief,  the cost of compliance or
corrective  action  in  response  to any  notice,  demand  or  request  from  an
Environmental  Authority,  the amount of any civil penalty or criminal fine, and
any court costs and reasonable  amounts for attorney's  fees, fees for witnesses
and experts, and costs of investigation and preparation for defense of any claim
or any  Proceeding,  regardless  of whether such  Proceeding  is  threatened  in
writing, pending or completed,  that is asserted against or imposed upon Lessor,
Lessee, any Predecessor or the Leased Property and arising out of:

                  (a) Failure of Lessee, Lessor, any Predecessor or the Leased
Property to comply at any time with all Environmental Laws;

                  (b) Presence of any Hazardous Materials on, in, under, at or
in any way affecting the Leased Property in violation of Environmental Laws;

                  (c) A Release at any time of any Hazardous Materials on, in,
at, under or in any way affecting the Leased Property;

                                        5

<PAGE>



                  (d)  Identification of Lessee,  Lessor or any Predecessor as a
potentially  responsible  party  under  CERCLA  or under any  Environmental  Law
similar to CERCLA; or

                  (e) Any and all  claims  for  injury or damage to  Persons  or
property arising out of exposure to Hazardous  Materials  originating or located
at the Leased Property, or resulting from operation thereof.

         Equity Inns:  Equity Inns, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and its
successors and assigns.

         Event of Default:  As defined in Section 16.1 below.

         Excess Personal Property:  As defined in Section 19.1 below.

         Facility:  The hotel and/or other facility offering lodging and other
services or amenities being operated or proposed to be operated on the Leased
Property.

         Fair Market Rental: The fair market rental of the Leased Property means
the  rental  which a willing  tenant not  compelled  to rent would pay a willing
landlord  not  compelled  to  lease  for the use and  occupancy  of such  Leased
Property  pursuant  to the Lease for the term in  question,  (a)  assuming  that
Lessee is not in default  thereunder and (b)  determined in accordance  with the
appraisal procedures set forth in Article 33 or in such other manner as shall be
mutually acceptable to Lessor and Lessee.

         Fair Market Value:  The fair market value of the Leased  Property means
an amount equal to the price that a willing buyer not compelled to buy would pay
a willing  seller not compelled to sell for such Leased  Property,  (a) assuming
the same is  unencumbered  by this Lease,  (b) determined in accordance with the
appraisal procedures set forth in Article 33 or in such other manner as shall be
mutually acceptable to Lessor and Lessee, (c) assuming that such seller must pay
customary  closing  costs and title  premiums,  and (d) taking into  account the
positive or negative effect on the value of the Leased Property  attributable to
the interest rate, amortization schedule,  maturity date, prepayment penalty and
other terms and conditions of any encumbrance that is assumed by the transferee.
In  addition,  in  determining  the Fair Market Value with respect to damaged or
destroyed  Lease  Property  such value  shall be  determined  as if such  Leased
Property has not been so damaged or destroyed.

         FF&E:  As defined in Section 1.1.

         FIFRA:  The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as
amended.

         Fiscal Year:  The 12-month period from January 1 to December 31.

         Food Sales:  Gross revenue from the sale, for on-site  consumption,  of
food and  non-alcoholic  beverages  sold at the Leased  Property,  including  in
respect to guest rooms,  banquet  rooms,  meeting rooms and other similar rooms.
Such revenues shall not include the following:

                                        6

<PAGE>



                  (a)      Vending machine sales;

                  (b) Any gratuity or service charges added to a customer's bill
or statement in lieu of a gratuity which is paid to an employee;

                  (c)      Non-alcoholic beverages sold from the bar or lounge;

                  (d) Sales taxes or taxes of any other kind imposed on the sale
of food or nonalcoholic beverages;

                  (e) Any revenues that are subsequently  credited,  refunded or
rebated in the ordinary course of business; and

                  (f)  Amounts  representing  the  value  or  cost  of  food  or
nonalcoholic  beverages provided on a complimentary basis to onsite employees of
the Hotel.

         Franchise Agreement:  Any franchise agreement or license agreement with
a franchisor under which the Facility is operated.

         GAAP:  U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

         Government:  The  United  States of  America,  any state,  district  or
territory  thereof,  any  foreign  nation,  any  state,  district,   department,
territory or other political division thereof,  or any political  subdivision of
any of the foregoing.

         Gross Operating Expenses: All salaries and employee expense and payroll
taxes  (including  salaries,  wages,  bonuses  and  other  compensation  of  all
employees at the Facility,  and benefits  including life, medical and disability
insurance and retirement benefits), expenditures described in Section 9.1 below,
operational  supplies,  utilities,  insurance to be provided by Lessee under the
terms of this Lease, governmental fees and assessments, food, beverages, laundry
service expense, the cost of Inventories and fixed asset supplies, license fees,
advertising,  marketing,  reservation  systems  and any and all other  operating
expenses as are reasonably  necessary for the proper and efficient  operation of
the  Facility  incurred  by  Lessee in  accordance  with the  provisions  hereof
(excluding,  however,  (1) federal,  state and municipal  excise,  sales and use
taxes collected directly from patrons and guests or as a part of the sales price
of any goods, services or displays, such as gross receipts,  admissions, cabaret
or  similar  or  equivalent  taxes  paid  over to  federal,  state or  municipal
governments,  (2) expenditures by Lessor pursuant to Article 13 and (3) payments
on any  Mortgage  or  other  mortgage  or  security  instrument  on  the  Leased
Property);  all determined in accordance  with GAAP and the Uniform  System.  No
part of Lessee's  central office overhead or general or  administrative  expense
(as  opposed  to that of the  Facility)  shall be  deemed  to be a part of Gross
Operating Expenses,  as herein provided.  Reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses of
Lessee incurred for the account of or in connection  with the Hotel  operations,
including but not limited to postage,  telephone  charges and reasonable  travel
expenses of employees, officers and other representatives and consultants of

                                        7

<PAGE>



Lessee  and its  Affiliates,  shall be  deemed  to be a part of Gross  Operating
Expenses and such Persons  shall be afforded  reasonable  accommodations,  food,
beverages,  laundry,  valet and other such  services by and at the Hotel without
charge to such Persons or Lessee.

         Gross Operating Profit:  For any Fiscal Year, the excess of Gross
Revenues for such Fiscal
Year over Gross Operating Expenses for such Fiscal Year.

         Gross Revenues: All revenues,  receipts, and income of any kind derived
directly  or  indirectly  by  Lessee  from or in  connection  with the  Facility
(including  gross Room Revenues,  Food Sales,  Beverage Sales,  Other Income and
rentals or other payments from tenants,  lessees,  licensees or  concessionaires
but not including their gross receipts) whether on a cash basis or credit,  paid
or collected,  determined  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles and the Uniform System,  excluding,  however:  (i) funds furnished by
Lessor, (ii) federal, state and municipal excise, sales, and use taxes collected
directly  from  patrons and guests or as a part of the sales price of any goods,
services or displays, such as gross receipts,  admissions, cabaret or similar or
equivalent taxes and paid over to federal, state or municipal governments, (iii)
gratuities, (iv) proceeds of insurance and condemnation, (v) proceeds from sales
other than sales in the ordinary course of business, (vi) all loan proceeds from
financing  or  refinancings  of the Hotel or  interests  therein  or  components
thereof,  (vii)  judgments and awards,  except any portion  thereof arising from
normal  business   operations  of  the  hotel,  and  (viii)  items  constituting
"allowances" under the Uniform System.

         Hazardous Materials:

                  (a) "Hazardous Waste" as defined in RCRA or in any
Environmental Law;

                  (b) "Hazardous Substances" as defined in CERCLA or in any
Environmental Law;

                  (c) Toxic Substances, as defined in TSCA or in any
Environmental Law;

                  (d) Insecticides, Fungicides, or Rodenticides, as defined in
FIFRA or in any Environmental Law;

                  (e) Gasoline or any other petroleum product or byproduct,
polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos and urea formaldehyde; and

                  (f) Any other regulated substances under any Environmental
Law.

         Holder:  The beneficiary of any Mortgage, or purchaser at foreclosure
or by deed in lieu thereof.

         Hotel:  The Facility.


                                        8

<PAGE>



         Impositions:  Collectively,  all taxes (including,  without limitation,
all ad valorem,  sales and use, single  business,  gross  receipts,  transaction
privilege,  rent or  similar  taxes as the same  relate to or are  imposed  upon
Lessee  or  its  business  conducted  upon  the  Leased  Property),  assessments
(including,  without  limitation,  all  assessments  for public  improvements or
benefit,  whether or not  commenced  or  completed  prior to the date hereof and
whether or not to be completed within the Term), water, sewer or other rents and
charges,  excises, tax inspection,  authorization and similar fees and all other
governmental  charges,  in each case  whether  general or  special,  ordinary or
extraordinary,  or foreseen or unforeseen,  of every character in respect of the
Leased  Property or the  business  conducted  thereon by Lessee  (including  all
interest  and  penalties  thereon  caused by any  failure in payment by Lessee),
which at any time prior to,  during or with  respect  to the Term  hereof may be
assessed  or  imposed  on or with  respect  to or be a lien  upon  (a)  Lessor's
interest in the Leased Property, (b) the Leased Property, or any part thereof or
any rent therefrom or any estate,  right, title or interest therein,  or (c) any
occupancy, operation, use or possession of, or sales from, or activity conducted
on or in  connection  with the  Leased  Property,  or the  leasing or use of the
Leased  Property  or any part  thereof  by  Lessee.  Nothing  contained  in this
definition of  Impositions  shall be construed to require  Lessee to pay (1) any
tax based on net income (whether  denominated as a franchise or capital stock or
other tax) imposed on Lessor or any other Person,  or (2) any net revenue tax of
Lessor or any other  Person,  or (3) any tax imposed  with  respect to the sale,
exchange or other  disposition by Lessor of any Leased  Property or the proceeds
thereof,  or (4) any single  business,  gross receipts  (other than a tax on any
rent received by Lessor from Lessee), transaction, privilege or similar taxes as
the same relate to or are  imposed  upon  Lessor,  except to the extent that any
tax, assessment,  tax levy or charge that Lessee is obligated to pay pursuant to
the first  sentence of this  definition and that is in effect at any time during
the Term hereof is totally or partially  repealed,  and a tax,  assessment,  tax
levy or charge  set forth in clause (1) or (2) is  levied,  assessed  or imposed
expressly in lieu thereof.

         Indemnified Party:  Either of a Lessee Indemnified Party or a Lessor
Indemnified Party.

         Indemnifying Party:  Any party obligated to indemnify an Indemnified
Party pursuant to Article 22 below.

         Insurance Requirements:  All terms of any insurance policy required by
this Lease and all requirements of the issuer of any such policy.

         Inventory:   All  "Inventories  of  Merchandise"  and  "Inventories  of
Supplies"  as defined in the  Uniform  System,  including,  but not  limited to,
linens and other non-depreciable  personal property,  and including any property
of the type described in Section 1221(1) of the Code.

         Land:  As defined in Article 1 above.

         Lease:  This Lease, as may be from time to time amended or restated.

         Leased Improvements; Leased Property:  Each as defined in Article 1
above.

                                        9

<PAGE>




         Legal Requirements:  All federal,  state,  county,  municipal and other
governmental statutes, laws, rules, orders, regulations,  ordinances, judgments,
decrees and injunctions affecting either the Leased Property or the maintenance,
construction,  use or  alteration  thereof  (whether  by Lessee  or  otherwise),
whether or not hereafter enacted and in force,  including (a) all laws, rules or
regulations  pertaining to the environment,  occupational  health and safety and
public health,  safety or welfare,  and (b) any laws,  rules or regulations that
may (1)  require  repairs,  modifications  or  alterations  in or to the  Leased
Property or (2) in any way adversely affect the use and enjoyment  thereof;  and
all permits,  licenses and authorizations  and regulations  relating thereto and
all  covenants,  agreements,  restrictions  and  encumbrances  contained  in any
instruments,  either  of  record or known to  Lessee  (other  than  encumbrances
created by Lessor without the consent of Lessee), at any time in force affecting
the Leased Property.

         Lending Institution:  Any insurance company, credit company,  federally
insured commercial or savings bank,  national banking  association,  savings and
loan association, investment bank, employees welfare, pension or retirement fund
or system, corporate profit sharing or pension trust, college or university,  or
real estate investment trust,  including any corporation qualified to be treated
for federal tax purposes as a real estate  investment trust, such trust having a
net worth of at least $10,000,000.

         Lessee:  The Lessee designated on this Lease and its permitted
successors and assigns.

         Lessee Indemnified Party:  Prime,  Lessee, any Affiliate of Lessee, any
other  Person  against  whom  any  claim  for  indemnification  may be  asserted
hereunder as a result of a direct or indirect  ownership  interest  (including a
stockholder's  interest)  in  Lessee,  the  officers,  directors,  stockholders,
members,  partners,  employees,  agents  and  representatives  of Lessee and any
corporate  stockholder,  agent, or representative of Lessee,  and the respective
heirs,  personal  representatives,  successors  and assigns of any such officer,
director, stockholder, members, partners, employee, agent or representative.

         Lessor:  The Lessor designated on this Lease and its respective
successors and assigns.

         Lessor Indemnified Party: Equity Inns Trust, Equity Inns, Inc., Lessor,
any  Affiliate  of  Lessor,   any  other  Person  against  whom  any  claim  for
indemnification  may be asserted  hereunder  as a result of a direct or indirect
ownership  interest  (including  a  stockholder's  or  partnership  interest) in
Lessor, the officers,  directors,  stockholders,  members, partners,  employees,
agents and  representatives  of the general  partner of Lessor and any  partner,
agent,  or  representative  of  Lessor,  and  the  respective  heirs,   personal
representatives,  successors and assigns of any such officer, director, partner,
stockholder, member, partner, employee, agent or representative.

         Licenses:  As defined in Section 35.2 below.

         Management Agreement:  As defined in Section 19.7 below.

                                       10

<PAGE>




         Manager:  As defined in Section 19.7 below.

         Minimum Price.  The sum of (a) the equity in the Leased Property at the
time of acquisition of the Leased Property by Lessor (i.e.,  that portion of the
purchase  price of the  Leased  Property  paid by Lessor in cash) plus (b) other
capital  expenditures  on the  Leased  Property  by  Lessor  after  the  date of
acquisition by Lessor plus (c) the unpaid principal  balance of all encumbrances
against the Leased  Property  at the time of purchase of the Leased  Property by
Lessee,  less  (x) all  proceeds  received  by  Lessor  from  any  financing  or
refinancing  of the  Leased  Property  after the date of  acquisition  by Lessor
(after payment of any debt refinanced and net of any costs and expenses incurred
in connection with such financing or refinancing, including, without limitation,
loan points,  commitment  fees and  commissions  and legal fees) and (y) the net
amount  (after  deduction  of all  reasonable  legal  fees and  other  costs and
expenses,  including without limitation expert witness fees,  incurred by Lessor
in  connection  with  obtaining  any such  proceeds  or award) of all  insurance
proceeds  received  by Lessor and awards  received  by Lessor  from any  partial
Taking of the Leased Property that are not applied to restoration.

         Mortgage:  As defined in Section 30.2 below.

         Net Present Value:  As defined in Section 42.3 below.

         Notice:  A notice given pursuant to Article 32 below.

         Offer Price, Offer Notice:  As defined in Section 42.1 below.

         Officer's Certificate: A certificate of Lessee reasonably acceptable to
Lessor,  signed by the chief  financial  officer  or  another  officer of Lessee
authorized  so to sign by the  Lessee,  or any  other  Person  whose  power  and
authority  to act has been  authorized  by  delegation  in  writing  by any such
officer.

         Operating Budget:  As defined in Section 3.6(a) below.

         Other  Income:  All  revenues,  receipts and income of any kind derived
directly or indirectly  from or in connection  with the Facility and included in
Gross Revenues, other than Room Revenues, Food Sales and Beverage Sales.

         Other  Leases:  Any other  leases  (excluding  this Lease)  between the
Lessor or an Affiliate of Lessor, as landlord,  and Lessee, Prime or a direct or
indirect subsidiary of Prime, as tenant, for a hotel property.

         Other Properties:  Any other property (excluding the Leased Property)
encumbered by the Other Leases.


                                       11

<PAGE>



         Overdue  Rate:  On any date,  a rate equal to the Base Rate plus 5% per
annum,  but in no event  greater  than the  maximum  rate then  permitted  under
applicable law.

         Payment Date:  Any due date for the payment of any installment of Base
Rent or Percentage Rent.

         Percentage Rent:  As defined in Section 3.1(b) below.

         Person:  Any Government,  natural person,  corporation,  partnership or
other legal entity, including general and limited partnerships,  stock companies
or associations, joint ventures,  associations,  companies, trusts, banks, trust
companies,  land trusts,  business trusts, or other entities and governments and
agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

         Personal Property Limitation:  As defined in Section 19.1 below.

         Personal Property Taxes:  All personal property taxes imposed on FF&E
(excluding Inventory and other personal property owned by the Lessee).

         Predecessor:   Any  Person   whose   liabilities   arising   under  any
Environmental  Law have or may have been  retained  or  assumed  by the  Lessee,
either contractually or by operation of law, relating to the Leased Property.

         Primary Intended Use:  As defined in Section 7.2(b) below.

         Prime:  Prime Hospitality Corp., its successors and assigns.

         Proceeding:  Any judicial action,  suit or proceeding (whether civil or
criminal),  any  administrative  proceeding  (whether  formal or informal),  any
investigation  by a governmental  authority or entity  (including a grand jury),
and any  arbitration,  mediation  or  other  non-judicial  process  for  dispute
resolution.

         Quarterly Revenues Computation:  As defined in Exhibit D attached
hereto.

         RCRA:  The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended.

         Real Estate Taxes: All real estate taxes, including general and special
assessments,  if any,  which are  imposed  upon the Land,  and any  improvements
thereon.

         REIT:  As defined in Section 43.1 below.

         Rejectable Offer Price:  An amount equal to the greater of (a) the Fair
Market Value, determined as of the applicable purchase date, or (b) the Minimum
Price.


                                       12

<PAGE>



         Release:  A "Release" as defined in CERCLA or in any Environmental Law,
unless such Release has been properly authorized and permitted in writing by all
applicable  Environmental  Authorities or is allowed by such  Environmental  Law
without authorizations or permits.

         Rent:  Collectively, the Base Rent, Percentage Rent, and Additional
Charges.

         Revenues Computations:  The Quarterly Revenues Computation and the
Annual Revenues Computation.

         Room Revenues:  Gross revenue from the rental of guest rooms, whether
to individuals, groups or transients, at the Facility, excluding the following:

                (a)  the amount of all credits, rebates or refunds to customers,
guests or patrons; and

                (b)  all sales taxes or any other taxes imposed on the rental of
such guest rooms; and

                (c)  any  fees  collected  for  amenities  including,  but not
limited to, telephone, laundry, movies or concessions.

         SARA:  The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as
amended.

         State:  The State or Commonwealth of the United States in which the
Leased Property is located.

         Subsidiaries:  Corporations in which Lessee owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the voting stock or control, as applicable
(individually, a "Subsidiary").

         Substitute Leases:  As defined in Section 42.3 below.

         Taking: A taking or voluntary  conveyance during the Term hereof of all
or part of the Leased  Property,  or any  interest  therein,  or right  accruing
thereto or use thereof,  as the result of, or in settlement of, any Condemnation
or other eminent domain proceeding  affecting the Leased Property whether or not
the same shall have actually been commenced.

         Term:  As defined in Section 1.2 above.

         Termination Payment:  As defined in Section 42.3 below.

         TSCA:  The Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended.


                                       13

<PAGE>



         Unavoidable  Delays:  Delays due to strikes,  lock-outs,  labor unrest,
inability  to  procure  materials,  power  failure,  acts of  God,  governmental
restrictions, enemy action, civil commotion, fire, unavoidable casualty or other
causes beyond the control of the party  responsible for performing an obligation
hereunder,  provided  that lack of funds shall not be deemed a cause  beyond the
control  of  either  party  hereto  unless  such  lack of funds is caused by the
failure of the other party hereto to perform any obligations of such party under
this Lease or any guaranty of this Lease.

         Uneconomic  for its Primary  Intended  Use: A state or condition of the
Facility such that, in the good faith judgment of Lessee and Lessor,  reasonably
exercised,  the Facility cannot be operated on a commercially  practicable basis
for its Primary Intended Use, taking into account, among other relevant factors,
the number of usable rooms and projected revenues.

         Uniform System:  The Uniform System of Accounts for Hotels (8th Revised
Edition,  1986) as published by the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc., as
same may hereafter be revised.

         Unsuitable  for its Primary  Intended  Use: A state or condition of the
Facility such that, in the good faith judgment of Lessee and Lessor,  reasonably
exercised,  due to casualty  damage or loss through  Condemnation,  the Facility
cannot  function as an  integrated  hotel  facility  consistent  with  standards
applicable to a well maintained and operated hotel.

                                    ARTICLE 3

         3.1. Rent. Subject to such rights of offset and abatement expressly set
forth in this Lease,  and  otherwise  without any right of offset or  abatement,
Lessee will pay to Lessor in lawful money of the United  States of America which
shall  be  legal  tender  for the  payment  of  public  and  private  debts,  in
immediately available funds, at Lessor's address set forth on the signature page
or at such other place or to such other Person,  as Lessor from time to time may
designate in a Notice,  all Base Rent,  Percentage Rent and Additional  Charges,
during the Term, as follows:

                  (a) Base Rent:  During the Term,  the annual sum in the amount
set forth on  Exhibit C hereto (as  adjusted  under the terms of this Lease with
respect to  increases  in the  Consumer  Price Index) as the "Base Rent" for the
Leased Property,  payable in advance in equal, consecutive monthly installments,
on or before the tenth day of each  calendar  month of the Term  ("Base  Rent");
provided,  however,  that the first and last monthly payments of Base Rent shall
be prorated  as to any  partial  month  (subject  to  adjustment  as provided in
accordance with the express terms of this Lease); and

                  (b)  Percentage  Rent:  For each  Fiscal  Year during the Term
commencing  with the  Fiscal  Year  beginning  January  1 of the  calendar  year
including the Commencement  Date,  Tenant shall pay percentage rent ("Percentage
Rent") quarterly, with respect to the four calendar quarters of each Fiscal Year
(excluding  such quarters or portions  thereof  which  precede the  Commencement
Date), in an amount calculated by the following formula:


                                       14

<PAGE>



                  The amount equal to the  Quarterly  Revenues  Computation  (as
                  defined  on  Exhibit C  attached  hereto),  less (1) an amount
                  equal to the Base Rent  paid  year to date for the  applicable
                  Fiscal Year,  less (2) an amount equal to Percentage Rent paid
                  year to date  for  the  applicable  Fiscal  Year,  equals  the
                  Percentage Rent for the applicable quarter.

         Notwithstanding  the amounts of Percentage Rent paid quarterly pursuant
to the formula set forth above,  for any Fiscal Year during the Term  commencing
with the Fiscal Year in which the Commencement Date Occurs,  the Percentage Rent
payable  under  this  Lease  shall  be  equal to the  amount  calculated  by the
following formula:

                  The  amount  equal  to the  Annual  Revenues  Computation  (as
                  defined on Exhibit C attached  hereto) less an amount equal to
                  Base  Rent  paid  with  respect  to the  year to date  for the
                  applicable   Fiscal  Year  equals   Percentage  Rent  for  the
                  applicable Fiscal Year.

                  (c) Officer's  Certificate/Monthly.  Within fourteen (14) days
after the last day of each calendar month during the Term,  Lessee shall deliver
to Lessor an  Officer's  Certificate  in form  reasonably  acceptable  to Lessor
setting forth for such previous  calendar month,  (i) ADR,  occupancy and RevPAR
forecasts on a rolling  twelve month  basis,  (ii) a summary of ongoing  Capital
Improvements  being  performed  or  supervised  by Lessee  and  related  Capital
Expenditures,  (iii)  occupancy  rates,  (iv) status of out of order rooms,  (v)
Lessee  capitalization  and net  worth and (vi) such  other  matters  reasonably
requested by Lessor.

                  (d) Officer's Certificates/Quarterly.  Within thirty (30) days
after the last day of each quarter of each Fiscal Year (or part  thereof) in the
Term,  Lessee  shall  deliver  to Lessor  an  Officer's  Certificate  reasonably
acceptable to Lessor,  together with the applicable  quarterly  Percentage  Rent
payment,  setting  forth the  amount of Room  Revenues  and the  calculation  of
Percentage  Rent  accrued  and paid for such  quarter  including  the  quarterly
Revenues Computation. Such quarterly payments shall be based on the formulas set
forth in Section  3.1(b)  above.  There shall be no  reduction  in the Base Rent
regardless of the result of the Revenues Computation.

         In addition, on or before March 31 of each year during the Term, Lessee
shall deliver to Lessor an Officer's Certificate reasonably acceptable to Lessor
setting forth the  computation  of the actual  Percentage  Rent that accrued for
each quarter of the Fiscal Year that ended on the immediately preceding December
31.  Additionally,  if the annual Percentage Rent due and payable for any Fiscal
Year (as shown in the  applicable  Officer's  Certificate)  exceeds  the  amount
actually, paid as Percentage Rent by Lessee for such year, Lessee shall pay such
excess to Lessor at the time such  certificate  is delivered.  If the Percentage
Rent actually due and payable for such Fiscal Year is shown by such  certificate
to be less than the amount  actually paid as Percentage  Rent for the applicable
Fiscal Year,  Lessor, at Lessee's option,  shall reimburse such amount to Lessee
or credit such amount  against  subsequent  months' Base Rent and, to the extent
necessary, subsequent quarters' Percentage Rent payments.  Any such credit to
Base Rent shall not be applied for purposes of calculating Percentage Rent
payable for any subsequent quarter.

                                       15

<PAGE>



         Any difference  between the annual  Percentage Rent due and payable for
any Fiscal Year (as shown in the applicable Officer's Certificate or as adjusted
pursuant to Section 3.1(e) below) and the total amount of quarterly payments for
such Fiscal Year actually paid by Lessee as Percentage Rent, whether in favor of
Lessor or Lessee,  shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate, which interest shall
accrue from the due date of the last quarterly payment for the Fiscal Year until
the amount of such difference  shall be paid or otherwise  discharged.  Any such
interest  payable  to  Lessor  shall be deemed  to be and  shall be  payable  as
Additional Charges.

         The  obligation  to  pay  Percentage  Rent  due  through  the  date  of
termination of this Lease shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of
the Term, and a final reconciliation,  taking into account, among other relevant
adjustments,  any  adjustments  which  are  accrued  after  such  expiration  or
termination  date but which  related to  Percentage  Rent accrued  prior to such
termination  date,  and Lessee's  good faith best  estimate of the amount of any
unresolved contractual allowances,  shall be made not later than two years after
such expiration or termination date, but Lessee shall advise Lessor within sixty
(60) days after such expiration or termination date of Lessee's best estimate at
that time of the approximate  amount of such  adjustments,  which estimate shall
not be  binding  on Lessee or have any legal  effect  whatsoever;  and  provided
further that Lessee's  failure to give any of the foregoing  estimates shall not
constitute a waiver of any rights of Lessee hereunder.

                  (e) CPI  Adjustments.  For each  Fiscal  Year  during the Term
beginning with the Fiscal Year after the first full Fiscal Year of the Term, the
Base Rent then in effect, and the threshold dollar amounts of Room Revenues then
included in the Revenues  Computations set forth in Section 3.1(b) above,  shall
be adjusted as follows:

       (1)  The Average Consumer Price Index for the twelve months ended on
September 30 of the most recently  completed Fiscal Year shall be divided by the
Average  Consumer Price Index for the twelve months ended on September 30 of the
prior Fiscal Year;

       (2)  The new Base Rent for the then current Fiscal Year shall be equal to
the product of the Base Rent in effect in the most  recently  ended  Fiscal Year
and the quotient obtained under subparagraph (1) above;

       (3)  The new threshold dollar amounts in the applicable Revenues
Computations  described in Section 3.1(b) above for the then current Fiscal Year
shall be the product of the threshold  dollar amounts of Room Revenues in effect
in the most recently ended Fiscal Year and the quotient obtained in subparagraph
(1) above.

         The amount of any adjustment under  paragraphs  (e)(1)-(3) to Base Rent
and the threshold  dollar amounts of Room Revenues for any Fiscal Year shall not
exceed  7% of the Base  Rent  and  threshold  dollar  amounts  of Room  Revenues
applicable for the prior Fiscal Year.

                                       16

<PAGE>



         Lessor shall calculate the annual  Consumer Price Index  adjustments as
soon as reasonably possible after the Consumer Price Index becomes available and
shall notify Lessee in writing of the amount of the annual adjustment,  together
with a copy of the computation showing the adjustment amount.

         Adjustments  calculated  as set  forth  above  in  the  Base  Rent  and
threshold  Room  Revenues  amounts shall be effective on the  applicable  Fiscal
Year. If Rent is paid in any Fiscal Year prior to determination of the amount of
any  adjustment  to Base Rent or the threshold  dollar  amounts of Room Revenues
applicable  for such Fiscal Year,  payment  adjustments  for any shortfall in or
overpayment  of Rent paid  shall be made with the first  Base Rent  payment  due
after the amount of the adjustments is determined.

         The "Average  Consumer Price Index" for any period shall be the average
of the Consumer Price Index for all months during the period.

                  (4) If (A) a  significant  change  is  made in the  number  or
nature (or both) of items used in determining  the Consumer Price Index,  or (B)
the Consumer  Price Index shall be  discontinued  for any reason,  the Bureau of
Labor  Statistics  shall be requested to furnish a new index  comparable  to the
Consumer  Price Index,  together  with  information  which will make  possible a
conversion  to the new index in computing  the adjusted  Base Rent and threshold
dollar amounts of Room Revenues hereunder. If for any reason the Bureau of Labor
Statistics does not furnish such an index and such information, the parties will
instead  mutually  select,  accept  and  use  such  other  index  or  comparable
statistics  on the cost of living  in  Washington,  D.C.  that is  computed  and
published  by  an  agency  of  the  United  States  or a  responsible  financial
periodical of recognized authority.

         3.2. Confirmation of Percentage Rent. Lessee shall utilize, or cause to
be utilized, an accounting system for the Leased Property in accordance with its
usual and  customary  practices,  and in  accordance  with GAAP and the  Uniform
System,  that will accurately record all data necessary to compute the amount of
Room Revenues and the  Percentage  Rent,  and Lessee shall retain,  for at least
five years after the  expiration of each Fiscal Year (and in any event until the
reconciliation  described  in this  Section  above for such Fiscal Year has been
made),  reasonably adequate records conforming to such accounting system showing
all data necessary to compute  Percentage Rent for the applicable  Fiscal Years.
Lessor,  at its expense (except as provided  hereinbelow),  shall have the right
from time to time at reasonable times on reasonable notice by its accountants or
representatives  to audit the information that formed the basis for the data set
forth in any Officer's  Certificate  provided under Section 3.1(d) above and, in
connection  with  such  audits,  to  examine  all  Lessee's  records  (including
supporting data, sales and excise tax returns and franchise reports)  reasonably
required to verify  Percentage Rent,  subject to any prohibitions or limitations
on  disclosure  of any such data  under  Legal  Requirements.  If any such audit
discloses a deficiency  in the payment of  Percentage  Rent,  and either  Lessee
agrees with the result of such audit or the matter is  otherwise  determined  or
compromised,  Lessee shall forthwith pay to Lessor the amount of the deficiency,
as finally agreed or determined, together with interest at the Overdue Rate from
the date when said payment should have been made to the date of payment thereof;
provided, however, that as to any audit that is commenced more than

                                       17

<PAGE>



two years  after the date  Percentage  Rent for any Fiscal  Year is  reported by
Lessee to Lessor,  the deficiency,  if any, with respect to such Percentage Rent
shall bear interest at the Overdue Rate only from the date such determination of
deficiency is made unless such  deficiency is the result of gross  negligence or
willful  misconduct on the part of Lessee, in which case interest at the Overdue
Rate will accrue from the date such payment should have been made to the date of
payment  thereof.  If any such audit discloses that the Percentage Rent actually
due from Lessee for any Fiscal Year exceed those reported by Lessee by more than
3%,  Lessee shall pay the cost of such audit and  examination.  Any  proprietary
information  obtained by Lessor pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall
be treated as confidential, except that such information may be used, subject to
appropriate  confidentiality  safeguards,  in any litigation between the parties
and except  further that Lessor may disclose  such  information  to  prospective
lenders.  The obligations of Lessee  contained in this Section shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

         3.3.  Additional  Charges.  In addition to the Base Rent and Percentage
Rent,  (a) Lessee  also will pay and  discharge  as and when due and payable all
other amounts, liabilities,  obligations and Impositions (other than Impositions
which are Lessor's  obligations  hereunder)  due under this Lease and (b) in the
event of any failure on the part of Lessee to pay any of those items referred to
in clause (a) of this Section, Lessee also will promptly pay and discharge every
fine, penalty, interest and cost that may be within applicable grace periods, if
any, added for  non-payment or late payment of such items (the items referred to
in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section being additional rent hereunder and being
referred to herein collectively as the "Additional  Charges"),  and Lessor shall
have all legal,  equitable and contractual rights,  powers and remedies provided
either in this Lease or by statute or  otherwise in the case of  non-payment  of
the Additional Charges as in the case of non-payment of the Base Rent including,
but not limited to, the right to pay such Additional Charges on behalf of Lessee
and to require reimbursement  thereof by Lessee,  together with interest thereon
at the  Overdue  Rate.  If any  installment  of Base  Rent,  Percentage  Rent or
Additional  Charges  (but only as to those  Additional  Charges that are payable
directly to Lessor) shall not be paid on its due date,  within  applicable grace
periods, if any, Lessee will pay Lessor on demand, as Additional Charges, a late
charge (to the extent  permitted  by law)  computed at the  Overdue  Rate on the
amount of such installment, from the due date of such installment to the date of
payment thereof. To the extent that Lessee pays any Additional Charges to Lessor
pursuant  to any  requirement  of this  Lease,  Lessee  shall be relieved of its
obligation  to pay such  Additional  Charges  to the  entity to which they would
otherwise be due and Lessor shall pay same from monies received from Lessee.

         3.4. Rent Payable Without  Deduction.  The Rent shall be paid to Lessor
so that this Lease shall yield to Lessor the full amount of the  installments of
Base Rent,  Percentage  Rent and  Additional  Charges  throughout  the Term, but
subject to any other  provisions  of this Lease that  expressly  provide (a) for
adjustment  or  abatement of Rent or other  charges or (b) that certain  Capital
Expenditures shall be paid or performed by Lessor.

         3.5.  Conversion of Property.  If, during the Term,  Lessee  desires to
provide  food,  beverage  or  other  operations  at  the  Facility  (other  than
complimentary continental breakfast), Lessee shall give notice of such desire to
Lessor. Lessor and Lessee shall then commence negotiations to adjust Rent

                                       18

<PAGE>



to reflect the proposed  change to the  operation of the  Facility,  each acting
reasonably  and in good  faith.  All  other  terms  of this  Lease  will  remain
substantially the same. During negotiations, which shall not extend beyond sixty
(60) days, Lessee shall not "convert" the Facility and shall continue fulfilling
its  obligations  under the  existing  terms of this Lease.  If no  agreement is
reached  after such  60-day  period,  such issue shall be  submitted  to binding
arbitration.

         3.6.     Budgets. Lessee shall submit the following Budgets to Lessor:

                  (a) Not later than thirty (30) days prior to the  commencement
of each Fiscal  Year,  An  operating  budget  ("Operating  Budget")  prepared in
accordance with this Section,  in  substantially  the form of Exhibit D attached
hereto,  including Lessee's  reasonable estimate of Gross Operating Expenses and
Gross Operating Profit. The Operating Budget shall be prepared in good faith and
designed so as to maximize Room  Revenues in a  commercially  reasonable  manner
(even if such reduces  Lessee's  percentage of Gross Operating Profit so long as
such  does not  reduce  Gross  Operating  Profit),  and  shall  otherwise  be in
accordance  with the Uniform  System to the extent  applicable and shall show by
month and quarter and for the full Fiscal Year in the degree of detail specified
by the Uniform System, the following:

                           (i)   Lessee's reasonable estimate of monthly Gross
Revenues (including room rates and Room  Revenues)  (which  estimate shall be
delivered by Lessee to Lessor not later than sixty (60) days prior to the
commencement  of each Fiscal Year),  for the  forthcoming  Fiscal Year  itemized
on schedules on a quarterly basis as approved by Lessor and Lessee, as same may
be revised or replaced from time to time by Lessee and approved by Lessor,
together with the assumptions, in narrative form, forming the basis of such
schedules.

                           (ii)  An estimate of the amounts to be dedicated to
routine, non-capital repair and  maintenance  so as to  prevent  commercially
unreasonable deferred repair and  maintenance and reduce  the  amount of current
and future Capital Improvements  and Capital  Expenditures,  which amounts shall
be consistent with maintenance and repair practices at other hotels Lessee or
its Affiliates own or have owned (which  practices  Lessee shall  disclose
to Lessor in the event of a related budget dispute);

                           (iii) A cash flow projection;

                           (iv)  Lessee's reasonable estimate of Percentage Rent
by quarter for the Fiscal Year; and

                           (v)   A narrative description of the program for
advertising and marketing the Hotel for the  forthcoming  Fiscal Year so as to
maximize Room Revenues in a commercially reasonable manner (even if such reduces
Lessee's  percentage  of Gross Operating Profit so long as such does not reduce
Gross Operating  Profit), and containing a detailed  budget  itemization  of the
proposed  advertising expenditures by category and the assumptions, in narrative
form, forming the basis of such budget itemizations,  which  shall at a minimum
provide a total advertising and marketing

                                       19

<PAGE>



program a minimum of property  sales staff and off  premise  signage  consistent
with such  practices at other hotels Lessee or its  Affiliates own or have owned
(which  practices  Lessee  shall  disclose  to  Lessor in the event of a related
budget dispute).

                  (b) Not later than  sixty (60) days prior to the  commencement
of each Fiscal Year, a capital budget ("Capital  Budget") in  substantially  the
form of Exhibit F attached hereto, containing a description in reasonable detail
of the proposed Capital  Improvements and an estimate of all amounts Lessor will
be requested to provide for Capital  Improvements  to the Facility or any of its
components  for the  Fiscal  Year.  The  Capital  Budget  shall be  prepared  in
accordance with the Uniform System to the extent applicable.

         3.7.  Approval of Annual  Budget.  Within  thirty  (30) days  following
submission  of the Annual  Budget to Lessor,  Lessor  shall give Lessee  written
notice either (a) that Lessor  approves the Annual Budget or (b) indicating with
reasonable  specificity  the  respects  in which  Lessor  objects  to the Annual
Budget;  provided,  however,  that Lessor  approval  rights shall not apply with
respect to  nondiscretionary  budget items  required by law such as  Impositions
(subject  to the  right of the  Lessor  to  contest  such  Impositions  or other
non-discretionary  items).  In the latter  event,  Lessor  and Lessee  shall act
promptly,  reasonably and in good faith to seek to resolve Lessor's  objections.
In the event that Lessor and Lessee fail to reach  agreement with respect to the
Annual Budget within thirty (30) days after receipt of Lessor's  written notice,
Lessee and Lessor shall refer any disputed  Annual Budget matter to  arbitration
using  procedures set forth in Article 41 below and each party shall endeavor to
cause such arbitration to be completed as quickly as possible,  but in any event
not later than six (6) months  following  referral to  arbitration.  Pending the
results of such arbitration or the earlier agreement of the parties,  (i) if the
Operating Budget has not been agreed upon, for the first ninety (90) days of the
new Lease Year the Leased  Property will be operated in a manner  reflecting the
prior Lease Year's actual  revenues,  and thereafter the Leased Property will be
operated  for the full Lease Year  (including  the first 90 days  thereof)  in a
manner  consistent with the prior Lease Year's  Operating  Budget,  in each case
adjusted  pursuant to Consumer Price Index  adjustment  provisions of this Lease
until a new Operating Budget is adopted,  and (ii) if the Capital budget has not
been agreed upon, no Capital  Expenditures shall be made unless the same are set
forth in a previously  approved Capital Budget or are  specifically  required by
Lessor.  In the event  Lessor  fails to  deliver  the  notice  set forth in this
section,  within the  required  time period,  the Annual  Budget shall be deemed
approved.  Lessor shall be obligated to make all Capital  Expenditures which are
pursuant  to a Capital  Budget  which has been  approved  or deemed  approved in
accordance with the procedures set forth above.

         3.8.     Capital Improvements.

                  (a) The selection of all design  professionals and contractors
for  Capital  Improvements  shall be made by  Lessor,  after  consultation  with
Lessee.

                  (b) All contracts in connection with Capital Improvements with
an Affiliate of Lessee in excess of $10,000 and all other contracts in excess of
$25,000 (and other contracts

                                       20

<PAGE>



specified  by  Lessor)  shall  be  subject  to  competitive  bidding  procedures
requiring a minimum of three bids and otherwise reasonably acceptable to Lessor.
Lessor  shall  also have the right to review  and  approve  all  contract  bids,
whether competitively bid or not, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned. Lessor may also retain, at its sole cost and expense, an
inspecting architect or engineer to monitor costs, time, quality and performance
for all Capital Improvements.

         3.9.  Books and Records.  Lessee shall keep full and adequate  books of
account and other records reflecting the results of operation of the Facility on
an accrual  basis,  all in accordance  with the Uniform  System and GAAP and the
obligations  of Lessee under this Lease  Facility.  The books of account and all
other records  relating to or reflecting  the operation of the Facility shall be
kept at the  Facility  or at the  offices  of  Lessee at the  address  set forth
hereinabove  and shall be  available to Lessor and its  representatives  and its
auditors or accountants,  at all reasonable  times on reasonable  notice (not in
excess of 14 days) for examination, audit, inspection, and transcription. All of
such books and records pertaining to the Facility including, without limitation,
books of account,  guest records and front office records, at all times shall be
the property of Lessor and shall not be removed from the Facility without Lessor
Approval.

                                    ARTICLE 4

         4.1.  Payment of  Impositions.  Subject to the provisions of Article 12
relating  to  permitted  contests,  Lessee  will pay,  or cause to be paid,  all
Impositions  (other than Real Estate Taxes and Personal  Property  Taxes,  which
shall be paid by Lessor) before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may be added
for  non-payment,  such  payments  to be made  directly  to the  taxing or other
authorities  where  feasible,  and will  promptly  furnish  to Lessor  copies of
official receipts or other satisfactory proof evidencing such payments.  Subject
to the right of the Lessor to contest the same, Lessor shall pay all Real Estate
Taxes and Personal Property Taxes before any fine, penalty, interest or cost may
be added for  non-payment,  to the extent the  failure to do so  materially  and
adversely affects the rights of the Lessee under this Lease, such payments to be
made  directly  to the  taxing or other  authorities  where  feasible,  and will
furnish  to Lessee  copies of  official  receipts  or other  satisfactory  proof
evidencing such payments.  Lessee's  obligation to pay such Impositions shall be
deemed  absolutely fixed upon the date such  Impositions  become a lien upon the
Leased  Property or any part thereof.  If any such Imposition may, at the option
of the taxpayer, lawfully be paid in installments (whether or not interest shall
accrue on the unpaid balance of such Imposition), Lessee may exercise the option
to pay the  same  (and  any  accrued  interest  on the  unpaid  balance  of such
Imposition)  in  installments  and in such  event,  shall pay such  installments
during the Term hereof  (subject to  Lessee's  right of contest  pursuant to the
provisions of Article 12 below) as the same  respectively  become due and before
any fine,  penalty,  premium,  further  interest  or cost may be added  thereto.
Lessor, at its expense, shall, to the extent required or permitted by applicable
law,  prepare and file all tax returns in respect of Lessor's net income,  gross
receipts,  sales and use,  single  business,  transaction  privilege,  rent,  ad
valorem,  franchise taxes, Real Estate Taxes,  Personal Property Taxes and taxes
on its capital stock, and Lessee, at its expense,  shall, to the extent required
or permitted by applicable laws and regulations,  prepare and file all other tax
returns  and  reports  in  respect  of any  Imposition  as may  be  required  by
governmental  authorities.  If any refund shall be due from any taxing authority
in respect

                                       21

<PAGE>



of any Imposition paid by Lessee,  the same shall be paid over to or retained by
Lessee if no Event of Default shall have occurred  hereunder and be  continuing.
If an Event of Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing,  any such refund
shall be paid over to or retained by Lessor.  Any such funds  retained by Lessor
due to an Event of Default  shall be applied  as  provided  in Article 16 below.
Lessor and Lessee  shall,  upon  request of the other,  provide  such data as is
maintained  by the party to whom the request is made with  respect to the Leased
Property as may be necessary to prepare any required returns and reports. Lessee
shall file all Personal Property Tax returns in such  jurisdictions  where it is
legally  required to so file.  Lessor,  to the extent it possesses the same, and
Lessee,  to the extent it possesses the same, will provide the other party, upon
request, with cost and depreciation records necessary for filing returns for any
property  classified as personal  property.  Where Lessor is legally required to
file Personal  Property Tax returns,  Lessee shall provide Lessor with copies of
assessment notices in sufficient time for Lessor to file a protest.  Lessor may,
upon notice to Lessee, at Lessor's option and at Lessor's sole expense, protest,
appeal,  or institute such other proceedings (in its or Lessee's name) as Lessor
may deem  appropriate to effect a reduction of real estate or personal  property
assessments for those Impositions to be paid by Lessor,  and Lessee, at Lessor's
expense as aforesaid, shall fully cooperate with Lessor in such protest, appeal,
or other action.  Lessor hereby agrees to indemnify,  defend,  and hold harmless
Lessee  from and against any claims,  obligations,  and  liabilities  against or
incurred by Lessee in connection with such cooperation.  Lessee may, upon notice
to Lessor, at Lessee's option and at Lessee's sole expense,  protest, appeal, or
institute  such other  proceedings  (in its or Lessor's name) as Lessee may deem
appropriate  to  effect  a  reduction  of  real  estate  or  personal   property
assessments for those Impositions to be paid by Lessee,  and Lessor, at Lessee's
expense as aforesaid, shall fully cooperate with Lessee in such protest, appeal,
or other action.  Lessee hereby agrees to indemnify,  defend,  and hold harmless
Lessor  from and against any claims,  obligations,  and  liabilities  against or
incurred  by  Lessor  in  connection   with  such   cooperation.   Billings  for
reimbursement  of  Personal   Property  Taxes  by  Lessee  to  Lessor  shall  be
accompanied by copies of a bill therefor and payment  thereof which identify the
personal property with respect to which such payments are made. Lessor, however,
reserves the right to effect any such protest,  appeal or other action and, upon
notice to Lessee,  shall control any such activity,  which shall then go forward
at Lessor's sole expense. Upon such notice,  Lessee, at Lessor's expense,  shall
cooperate fully with such activities.

         4.2.  Notice of  Impositions.  To the extent  Lessor is notified of any
Impositions,  Lessor  shall  give  prompt  Notice to Lessee of such  Impositions
payable by Lessee  hereunder,  provided that  Lessor's  failure to give any such
Notice  shall in no way  diminish  Lessee's  obligations  hereunder  to pay such
Impositions,  but  such  failure  shall  obviate  any  default  hereunder  for a
reasonable  time after  Lessee  receives  Notice of any  Imposition  which it is
obligated to pay during the first taxing period applicable thereto.

         4.3.  Adjustment of Impositions.  Impositions imposed in respect of the
tax-fiscal  period  during  which  the Term  terminates  shall be  adjusted  and
prorated  between Lessor and Lessee,  whether or not such  Imposition is imposed
before or after such  termination,  and Lessee's and Lessor's  obligation to pay
its prorated share thereof after termination shall survive such termination.


                                       22

<PAGE>



         4.4. Utility Charges.  Lessee will be solely  responsible for obtaining
and maintaining utility services to the Leased Property and will pay or cause to
be paid all charges for electricity,  gas, oil, water, sewer and other utilities
used in the Leased Property during the Term.

         4.5. Insurance Premiums.  Lessee will pay or cause to be paid all
premiums for the insurance coverages required to be maintained by it under
Article 13 below.

         4.6. Ground Rent. In the event that  Lessor's  interest in the Land is
pursuant to a ground lease,  Lessor shall be solely  responsible  for payment of
any ground rent due with respect to the Leased Property.

         4.7. Franchise Fees.  Lessee will pay or cause to be paid all franchise
fees due and owing in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Franchise
Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE 5

         5.1. No Termination,  Abatement,  etc. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in this Lease, and except for loss of the Franchise Agreement solely by
reason of any action or inaction by Lessor,  Lessee,  to the extent permitted by
law,  shall  remain bound by this Lease in  accordance  with its terms and shall
neither  take any  action  without  the  written  consent  of Lessor to  modify,
surrender  or  terminate  the same,  nor seek nor be entitled to any  abatement,
deduction,  deferment or reduction of the Rent, or setoff  against the Rent, nor
shall  the  obligations  of Lessee be  otherwise  affected  by reason of (a) any
damage to, or destruction  of, any Leased  Property or any portion  thereof from
whatever cause or any Taking of the Leased Property or any portion thereof,  (b)
the lawful or unlawful  prohibition of, or restriction upon, Lessee's use of the
Leased Property,  or any portion thereof,  or the interference  with such use by
any Person,  corporation,  partnership or other entity, or by reason of eviction
by paramount  title, (c) any claim which Lessee has or might have against Lessor
by reason of any default or breach of any warranty by Lessor under this Lease or
any other agreement between Lessor and Lessee, or to which Lessor and Lessee are
parties,   (d)  any   bankruptcy,   insolvency,   reorganization,   composition,
readjustment,   liquidation,   dissolution,  winding  up  or  other  proceedings
affecting  Lessor or any assignee or transferee of Lessor,  or (e) for any other
cause  whether  similar  or  dissimilar  to any of the  foregoing  other  than a
discharge of Lessee from any such  obligations as a matter of law. Lessee hereby
specifically waives all rights,  arising from any occurrence  whatsoever,  which
may now be conferred  upon it by law to (1) modify,  surrender or terminate this
Lease or quit or surrender the Leased  Property or any portion  thereof,  or (2)
entitle Lessee to any abatement,  reduction, suspension or deferment of the Rent
or other sums  payable by Lessee  hereunder,  except as  otherwise  specifically
provided in this Lease.  The  obligations of Lessee  hereunder shall be separate
and independent covenants and agreements and the Rent and all other sums payable
by Lessee hereunder shall continue to be payable in all events.

         5.2.  Abatement  Procedures.  In  the  event  of a  partial  Taking  as
described in Section  15.5 below,  the Lease shall not  terminate,  but the Base
Rent  shall be abated in the manner  and to the  extent  that is fair,  just and
equitable to both Lessee and Lessor, taking into consideration, among

                                       23

<PAGE>



other  relevant  factors,  the  number of  usable  rooms,  the  amount of square
footage,  or the revenues  affected by such partial Taking. If Lessor and Lessee
are unable to agree upon the amount of such  abatement  within  thirty (30) days
after  such  partial  Taking,  the matter may be  submitted  by either  party to
arbitration  in  accordance   with  the  provisions  of  Article  41  below  for
resolution.

                                    ARTICLE 6

         6.1.  Ownership of the Leased Property.  Lessee  acknowledges  that the
Leased  Property is the property of Lessor and that Lessee has only the right to
the possession  and use of the Leased  Property upon the terms and conditions of
this Lease.

         6.2.  Inventory and FF&E. The Lessor shall cause the Lessor's seller of
the Leased  Property to convey to Lessee the initial  Inventory  in an amount to
comply with franchisor  requirements.  Lessee, at Lessee's expense, will acquire
and  maintain  through  the Term such  Inventory  as is  required to operate the
Leased  Property  in the manner  contemplated  by this  Lease and the  Franchise
Agreement.  Any items of  personal  property  (excluding  Inventory)  installed,
affixed,  assembled or placed on the Land or Leased Improvements shall be deemed
FF&E except (i) employee  personal property and (ii) personal property of Lessee
agreed in writing between Lessor and Lessee.  Lessee, at the commencement of the
Term,  and from time to time  thereafter,  shall provide Lessor with an accurate
list of all such items of FF&E. Lessee shall repair and maintain the FF&E at its
expense.  Lessee  shall not remove any FF&E  except for  replacement  thereof in
accordance with the Capital Budget (except upon  termination of this Lease,  the
Lessee may remove any proprietary computer management software,  provided Lessee
cooperates  in  transferring  any related  books and  records to the  management
system of the Lessor's designee).  Lessee shall surrender possession of the FF&E
and Inventory to Lessor in good repair upon  expiration or  termination  of this
Lease.

         6.3. Lessor's Representations.  Lessor represents and warrants that (a)
Lessor is a validly existing entity organized under the laws of the state of its
formation  and is qualified to do business in all states in which it is required
to so qualify due to the nature of its business  activities,  (b) Lessor has the
requisite  power and  authority to enter into this Lease and (c) that this Lease
has been duly authorized by all necessary  action on behalf of Lessor and by all
necessary trust action on behalf of the general partner of Lessor.

         6.4. Lessee's Representations.  Lessee represents and warrants that (a)
Lessee is a validly existing entity organized under the laws of the state of its
formation  and is qualified to do business in all states in which it is required
to so qualify due to the nature of its business  activities,  (b) Lessee has the
requisite  power and  authority  to enter into this Lease and (c) this Lease has
been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  action  on  behalf  of Lessee  and its
constituent entities.

         6.5.  Lessor's Lien. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
Lessor is granted a lien and security interest on all Lessee's personal property
now or  hereinafter  placed in or upon the  Leased  Property,  and such lien and
security interest shall remain attached to such Lessee's personal property until
payment  in full of all Rent and  satisfaction  of all of  Lessee's  obligations
hereunder;

                                       24

<PAGE>



provided,  however,  Lessor shall  subordinate its lien and security interest to
that of any  non-Affiliate  of Lessee  which  finances  such  Lessee's  personal
property  or any  non-Affiliate  conditional  seller of such  Lessee's  personal
property,  the terms and conditions of such  subordination to be satisfactory to
Lessor in the exercise of reasonable discretion.  Lessee shall, upon the request
of Lessor,  execute such financing  statements or other documents or instruments
reasonably requested by Lessor to perfect the lien and security interests herein
granted.

                                    ARTICLE 7

         7.1. Condition of the Leased Property.  Lessee acknowledges receipt and
delivery of possession of the Leased Property. Lessee has examined and otherwise
has knowledge of the condition of the Leased  Property and has found the same to
be  satisfactory  for its  purposes  hereunder.  Lessee is  leasing  the  Leased
Property  "as is" in its present  condition.  Lessee  waives any claim or action
against Lessor in respect of the condition of the Leased Property.  LESSOR MAKES
NO WARRANTY  OR  REPRESENTATION,  EXPRESS OR  IMPLIED,  IN RESPECT OF THE LEASED
PROPERTY,  OR ANY PART  THEREOF,  EITHER AS TO ITS  FITNESS  FOR USE,  DESIGN OR
CONDITION FOR ANY PARTICULAR  USE OR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE,  AS TO THE QUALITY OF
THE MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP THEREIN,  LATENT OR PATENT, IT BEING AGREED THAT ALL
SUCH  RISKS  ARE TO BE BORNE BY  LESSEE.  LESSEE  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT THE  LEASED
PROPERTY HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY LESSEE AND IS SATISFACTORY TO IT.

         7.2.     Use of the Leased Property.

                  (a)  Lessee  covenants  that  it  will  proceed  with  all due
diligence and will exercise its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and to
maintain  all  approvals  needed to use and operate the Leased  Property and the
Facility under applicable local, state and federal law.

                  (b) Lessee  shall use or cause to be used the Leased  Property
only as a hotel  facility,  and  for  such  other  uses as may be  necessary  or
incidental  to such use or such other use as  otherwise  approved by Lessor (the
"Primary Intended Use"). Lessee shall not use the Leased Property or any portion
thereof  for any other use without the prior  written  consent of Lessor,  which
consent may be granted, denied or conditioned upon Lessor's sole discretion.  No
use shall be made or  permitted to be made of the Leased  Property,  and no acts
shall be done,  which will cause the cancellation or increase the premium of any
insurance  policy  covering  the Leased  Property  or any part  thereof  (unless
another  adequate  policy  reasonably  satisfactory  to Lessor is available  and
Lessee pays any premium  increase),  nor shall Lessee sell or permit to be kept,
used or sold in or about the Leased Property any article which may be prohibited
by law or fire underwriter's regulations. Lessee shall, at its sole cost, comply
with all of the requirements  pertaining to the Leased Property of any insurance
board,  association,  organization  or company  necessary for the maintenance of
insurance, as herein provided, covering the Leased Property.


                                       25

<PAGE>



                  (c) Subject to the provisions of this Lease regarding casualty
and  condemnation,  Lessee covenants and agrees that during the Term it will (1)
operate  continuously the Leased Property as a hotel facility,  (2) keep in full
force and effect and comply with all the  provisions of the Franchise  Agreement
(except  that  Lessee  shall  have  no   obligation   to  complete  any  capital
improvements  to the Leased  Property  required by the franchisor  unless Lessor
funds the costs thereof except as expressly provided in this Lease) with respect
to the  operation  of the  Hotel,  (3) not  terminate  or  amend  the  Franchise
Agreement without the consent of Lessor, (4) maintain appropriate certifications
and licenses for such use and (5) operate and maintain the Leased Property so as
to maximize the Gross Revenues generated therefrom in a commercially  reasonable
manner consistent with sound business practices,  and Lessee will not operate or
maintain the Facility nor reduce or minimize  Gross  Operating  Expenses for the
purpose of  increasing  Gross  Operating  Profit or otherwise to the extent such
actions  adversely  affect the  maximization of Gross Revenues in a commercially
unreasonable manner (even if such reduces Lessee's percentage of Gross Operating
Profit so long as such does not reduce Gross Operating Profit).

                  (d)  Lessee  shall not  commit or suffer to be  committed  any
waste on the Leased  Property,  or in the  Facility,  nor shall  Lessee cause or
permit any nuisance thereon.

                  (e) Lessee shall neither suffer nor permit the Leased Property
or any portion thereof, to be used in such a manner as (1) might reasonably tend
to impair  Lessor's (or  Lessee's,  as the case may be) title  thereto or to any
portion  thereof,  or (2) may  reasonably  make  possible  a claim or  claims of
adverse  usage or  adverse  possession  by the  public,  as such,  or of implied
dedication of the Leased Property or any portion thereof, except as necessary in
the ordinary and prudent operation of the Facility on the Leased Property.

                  (f)  Neither   Lessee,   Prime  nor  any  direct  or  indirect
subsidiary of Prime shall franchise,  own, lease, operate,  develop,  construct,
manage,  joint  venture,  nor have any  other  interest  in,  any hotel or motel
facility, with the AmeriSuites or similar name or any successor name, or similar
midpriced  all suite  hotel,  within the distance  from the Leased  Property set
forth on Exhibit F attached hereto during the Term of this Lease.  Lessee agrees
to deliver to Lessor  upon  request by Lessor from time to time a list of hotels
and motels  (and  locations)  in which  Lessee,  Prime or any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Prime has an interest as franchisor, developer, contractor, owner,
partner, lessee, manager or otherwise.

         7.3. Lessor to Grant Easements, etc. Lessor will, from time to time, so
long as no Event of Default has  occurred and is  continuing,  at the request of
Lessee and at Lessee's  cost and expense (but subject to the approval of Lessor,
which approval shall not be unreasonably  withheld,  delayed, or conditioned and
the approval of any Mortgage  lender),  (a) grant  easements and other rights in
the nature of easements  with respect to the Leased  Property to third  parties,
(b) release existing  easements or other rights in the nature of easements which
are for the benefit of the Leased Property,  (c) dedicate or transfer unimproved
portions of the Leased Property for road, highway or other public purposes,  (d)
execute  petitions  to  have  the  Leased  Property  annexed  to  any  municipal
corporation  or utility  district,  (e) execute  amendments to any covenants and
restrictions affecting the Leased

                                       26

<PAGE>



Property and (f) execute and deliver to any Person any instrument appropriate to
confirm or effect such grants, releases,  dedications,  transfers, petitions and
amendments  (to the extent of its  interests in the Leased  Property),  but only
upon  delivery to Lessor of an  Officer's  Certificate  stating that such grant,
release, dedication, transfer, petition or amendment does not interfere with the
proper  conduct of the  business of Lessee on the Leased  Property  and does not
materially reduce the value of the Leased Property.

                                    ARTICLE 8

         8.1. Compliance with Legal and Insurance Requirements,  etc. Subject to
the provisions of this Lease below relating to permitted  contests,  Lessee,  at
its  expense,  will  promptly  (a)  comply  in all  material  respects  with all
applicable Legal Requirements and Insurance  Requirements in respect of the use,
operation,  maintenance,  repair and restoration of the Leased Property, and (b)
procure,  maintain and comply,  in all material  respects  with all  appropriate
licenses and other  authorizations  required for any use of the Leased  Property
then  being  made,  and for the proper  erection,  installation,  operation  and
maintenance of the Leased Property or any part thereof.

         8.2. Legal Requirement Covenants.  Lessee covenants and agrees that the
Leased  Property  shall not be used for any  unlawful  purpose,  and that Lessee
shall not permit or suffer to exist any unlawful  use of the Leased  Property by
others.   Lessee  shall   acquire  and  maintain   all   appropriate   licenses,
certifications, permits and other authorizations and approvals needed to operate
the Leased  Property in its customary  manner for the Primary  Intended Use, and
any other lawful use conducted on the Leased  Property as may be permitted  from
time to time hereunder. Lessee further covenants and agrees that Lessee's use of
the Leased Property and maintenance,  alteration, and operation of the same, and
all parts thereof, shall at all times conform to all Legal Requirements,  unless
the same are  finally  determined  by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  to be
unlawful (and Lessee shall cause all such sub-tenants,  invitees or others to so
comply with all Legal Requirements).  Lessee may, however,  upon prior Notice to
Lessor,  contest the legality or applicability of any such Legal  Requirement or
any licensure or certification  decision if Lessee maintains such action in good
faith, with due diligence,  without prejudice to Lessor's rights hereunder,  and
at  Lessee's  sole  expense.  If by the  terms  of any  such  Legal  Requirement
compliance  therewith pending the prosecution of any such proceeding may legally
be delayed  without the incurrence of any lien,  charge or liability of any kind
against the Facility and without  subjecting  Lessee or Lessor to any liability,
civil or  criminal,  for  failure  so to  comply  therewith,  Lessee  may  delay
compliance  therewith until the final  determination of such proceeding.  If any
lien,  charge or civil or criminal  liability would be incurred by reason of any
such delay,  Lessee, on the prior written consent of Lessor, which consent shall
not be unreasonably  withheld, may nonetheless contest as aforesaid and delay as
aforesaid  provided  that such  delay  would  not  subject  Lessor  to  criminal
liability  and  Lessee  both  (a)  furnishes  to  Lessor   security   reasonably
satisfactory  to Lessor  against any loss or injury by reason of such contest or
delay and (b) prosecutes the contest with due diligence and in good faith.


                                       27

<PAGE>



         8.3.  Environmental Covenants.  Lessor and Lessee (in addition to, and
not in diminution of, Lessee's covenants and undertakings in Sections 8.1 and
8.2 above) covenant and agree as follows:

                  (a) Lessee  shall  comply in all  material  respects  with all
Environmental  Laws  applicable  to the  Leased  Property  during  the  Term  in
connection with the lease,  management operation,  maintenance and repair of the
Property;  provided,  however,  that Lessee shall not be liable for the costs of
remediation  of any  environmental  matter  except  those (i) caused by a Lessee
Indemnified  Party or their invitee during the Term or (ii) known to Prime prior
to the date of this Lease and not disclosed to the Lessor. Lessee agrees to give
Lessor  prompt   written   notice  upon  becoming  aware  of  same  of  (1)  all
Environmental Liabilities; (2) all pending, threatened in writing or anticipated
Proceedings, and all written notices, demands or investigations, relating to any
Environmental Liability or relating to the issuance, revocation or change in any
Environmental  Authorization  required for operation of the Leased  Property and
(3) all Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the Leased  Property,
or any Release known by lessee at, on, in or under any property  adjacent to the
Leased Property which may affect the Leased Property.

                  (b)  Lessor  hereby  agrees  to  defend,  indemnify  and  save
harmless  any and all Lessee  Indemnified  Parties  from and against any and all
Environmental  Liabilities  caused by the  malfeasance  or gross  negligence  of
Lessor.

                  (c)  Lessee  hereby  agrees  to  defend,  indemnify  and  save
harmless  any and all Lessor  Indemnified  Parties  from and against any and all
Environmental  Liabilities  caused by any Lessee Indemnified Party in connection
with the lease, management, operation, maintenance and repair of the Property.

                  (d) If any Proceeding is brought against any Indemnified Party
in respect of an Environmental  Liability with respect to which such Indemnified
Party may claim  indemnification  under either Section 8.3(b) or (c) above,  the
Indemnifying  Party,  upon request,  shall at its sole expense resist and defend
such  Proceedings,  or cause the same to be  resisted  and  defended  by counsel
designated  by the  Indemnified  Party and approved by the  Indemnifying  party,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld;  provided, however, that such
approval  shall not be required in the case of defense by counsel  designated by
any insurance company undertaking such defense pursuant to any applicable policy
of insurance.  Each  Indemnified  Party shall have the right to employ  separate
counsel in any such  Proceeding and to participate in the defense  thereof,  but
the fees and  expenses  of such  counsel  will be at the  sole  expense  of such
Indemnified  Party  unless such  counsel has been  approved by the  indemnifying
Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Indemnifying Party
shall not be liable for any settlement of any such  Proceeding  made without its
consent,  which  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,  but if settled  with the
consent of the  Indemnifying  Party,  or if settled  without its consent (if its
consent shall be unreasonably  withheld),  or if there be a final  nonappealable
judgment for an adversary party in any such Proceeding,  the Indemnifying  Party
shall indemnify and hold harmless the  Indemnified  Parties from and against any
liabilities incurred by such Indemnified Parties by reason of such settlement or
judgment.

                                       28

<PAGE>



                  (e) At any time any  Indemnified  Party has  reason to believe
circumstances exist which could reasonably result in an Environmental Liability,
upon reasonable prior written notice to Lessee stating such Indemnified  Party's
basis for such belief,  an Indemnified  Party shall be given immediate access to
the Leased  Property  (including,  but not  limited to, the right to enter upon,
investigate,  drill wells, take soil borings,  excavate,  monitor, test, cap and
use  available  land  for  the  testing  of  remedial  technologies),   Lessee's
employees,  and to all relevant documents and records regarding the matter as to
which a  responsibility,  liability  or  obligation  is asserted or which is the
subject of any  Proceeding;  provided  that such  access may be  conditioned  or
restricted as may be reasonably  necessary to ensure compliance with law and the
safety of personnel  and  facilities  or to protect  confidential  or privileged
information.  All  Indemnified  Parties  requesting  such  immediate  access and
cooperation  shall  endeavor to coordinate  such efforts to result in as minimal
interruption of the operation of the Leased Property as practicable.  So long as
the Term of this Lease has not expired or otherwise terminated, the Indemnifying
Party  shall  cause  such  remediation  work  to  be  performed  in a  good  and
workmanlike  manner in compliance with all legal  requirements to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Indemnified Party.

                  (f) The indemnification rights and obligations provided for in
this  Article  8  shall  be  in  addition  to  any  indemnification  rights  and
obligations provided for elsewhere in this Lease.

                  (g) The indemnification rights and obligations provided for in
this Article 8 shall survive the termination of this Lease.

         For purposes of this Section 8.3, all amounts for which any Indemnified
Party seeks  indemnification  shall be computed net of (a) any actual income tax
benefit  resulting  therefrom  to such  Indemnified  Party,  (b)  any  insurance
proceeds received (net of tax effects) with respect thereto, and (c) any amounts
recovered  (net of tax  effects)  from any third  parties  based on  claims  the
Indemnified  Party has against such third  parties which reduce the damages that
would  otherwise be  sustained;  provided  that in all cases,  the timing of the
receipt  or  realization  of  insurance  proceeds  or  income  tax  benefits  or
recoveries  from third  parties shall be taken into account in  determining  the
amount  of  reduction  of  damages.  Each  Indemnified  Party  agrees to use its
reasonable efforts to pursue, or assign to Lessee or Lessor, as the case may be,
any claims or rights it may have against any third party which would  materially
reduce the amount of damages otherwise incurred by such Indemnified Party.

         Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this Lease,  if
Lessor shall become  entitled to the possession of the Leased Property by virtue
of the  termination of the Lease or repossession  of the Leased  Property,  then
Lessor may assign its indemnification rights under this Section 8.3 (but not any
other rights hereunder) to any Person to whom the Lessor subsequently  transfers
the Leased Property.

                                    ARTICLE 9

         9.1.     Maintenance and Repair.


                                       29

<PAGE>



                  (a) Lessee,  at Lessor's  option,  shall make or supervise all
Capital  Improvements and Capital  Expenditures  required by the Capital Budget.
The Lessee shall be responsible  for performing  all Capital  Improvements,  and
shall be responsible for the Capital Expenditures related thereto, caused by the
negligence,  willful  misconduct,  failure to  properly  maintain  and repair or
improper  deferral  of  maintenance  and repair by the Lessee or its  manager or
employees and agents.  Unless so caused by the negligence,  willful  misconduct,
failure to properly  maintain or repair,  or the  deferral  of  maintenance  and
repair,  Lessee  shall  not  be  required  to  bear  the  cost  of  any  Capital
Improvements,  including (without limitation) Capital  Improvements  required by
the Franchisor under the Franchise  Agreement.  Except for Capital  Expenditures
required of Lessee under this Lease, Lessor shall be responsible for all Capital
Expenditures, subject to (i) Lessor's right to approve all Capital Expenditures,
in connection  with Lessor's  approval or deemed  approval of the Capital Budget
and (ii)  Lessor's  right in its sole  discretion  to refuse to make any Capital
Expenditure  required by the  Franchisor.  Except as set forth in the  preceding
sentence,  nothing  herein  shall be  construed  to  require  Lessor to build or
rebuild  any  improvement  on the  Leased  Property,  or to  fund  any  repairs,
replacements, alterations, restorations or renewals of any nature or description
to  the  Leased  Property,  whether  ordinary  or  extraordinary,   foreseen  or
unforeseen,  or to make any  expenditure  whatsoever  with respect  thereto,  in
connection  with this  Lease,  or to  maintain  the Leased  Property in any way.
Lessee hereby waives,  to the extent permitted by law, the right to make repairs
at the  expense  of  Lessor  pursuant  to any law in  effect  at the time of the
execution  of this Lease or  hereafter  enacted.  Lessor shall have the right to
give, record and post, as appropriate,  notices of  nonresponsibility  under any
mechanic's lien laws now or hereafter existing.

                  (b)  Lessee  will keep the  Leased  Property  and all  private
roadways,  sidewalks  and curbs  appurtenant  thereto  that are  under  Lessee's
control,  including  windows and plate glass,  parking lots,  HVAC,  mechanical,
electrical and plumbing systems and equipment  (including conduit and ductware),
and  non-load  bearing  interior  walls,  in good order and  repair,  except for
ordinary wear and tear  (whether or not the need for such repairs  occurred as a
result of Lessee's  use,  any prior use,  the  elements or the age of the Leased
Property,  or any portion  thereof),  and,  except as otherwise  provided in the
provisions  of  this  Agreement  regarding  hazard  insurance  and  condemnation
proceeds,  with  reasonable  promptness,  make  all  necessary  and  appropriate
maintenance,  repairs,  replacements, and improvements thereto of every kind and
nature,  whether  interior or exterior  ordinary or  extraordinary,  foreseen or
unforeseen  or  arising  by  reason  of  a  condition   existing  prior  to  the
commencement of the Term of this Lease (concealed or otherwise),  or required by
any governmental  agency having  jurisdiction over the Leased Property in such a
manner as to  minimize  current  and future  Capital  Improvements  and  Capital
Expenditures.  Lessee,  however,  shall be permitted to prosecute claims against
Lessor's  predecessors in title for breach of any  representation or warranty or
for any latent defects in the Leased  Property to be maintained by Lessee unless
Lessor is already  diligently  pursuing such a claim.  All repairs shall, to the
extent reasonably achievable,  be at least equivalent in quality to the original
work. Lessee will not take or omit to take any action, the taking or omission of
which might materially impair the value or the usefulness of the Leased Property
or any part thereof for its Primary  Intended  Use.  Except as set forth in this
Lease regarding hazard insurance,  condemnation proceeds and payments of Capital
Expenditures due to the failure to properly  maintain and repair, or deferral of
maintenance and repairs, Lessee shall not be required to

                                       30

<PAGE>



bear the costs of complying  with this Section with respect to items  classified
as capital  items under GAAP,  but shall be required to comply with this Section
as to such items if and to the extent that  amounts made  available  therefor by
Lessor from the reserve  required to be  established  by Lessor under Article 39
below or are otherwise provided by Lessor.

                  (c) Nothing  contained in this Lease and no action or inaction
by  Lessor  shall be  construed  as (1)  constituting  the  request  of  Lessor,
expressed or implied, to any contractor,  subcontractor, laborer, materialman or
vendor to or for the  performance  of any labor or services or the furnishing of
any  materials or other  property for the  construction,  alteration,  addition,
repair or  demolition of or to the Leased  Property or any part thereof,  or (2)
giving  Lessee any right,  power or  permission  to  contract  for or permit the
performance of any labor or services or the furnishing of any materials or other
property in such fashion as would permit the making of any claim against  Lessor
in respect  thereof or to make any agreement  that may create,  or in any way be
the basis for any right, title, interest,  lien, claim or other encumbrance upon
the estate of Lessor in the Leased Property, or any portion thereof.

                  (d) Lessee will,  upon the expiration or prior  termination of
the Term, vacate and surrender the Leased Property to Lessor in the condition in
which the  Leased  Property  was  originally  received  from  Lessor,  except as
repaired, rebuilt, restored, altered or added to as permitted or required by the
provisions  of this Lease and except for ordinary  wear and tear (subject to the
obligation  of Lessee to maintain  the Leased  Property in  accordance  with the
terms of this Lease above  during the entire  Term of the  Lease),  or damage by
casualty or  Condemnation  (subject to the  obligations  of Lessee to restore or
repair as set forth herein).

         9.2.   Encroachments,   Restrictions,   etc.   If  any  of  the  Leased
Improvements,  at any time,  materially  encroach upon any  property,  street or
right-of-way  adjacent  to the Leased  Property,  or violate the  agreements  or
conditions  contained  in any lawful  restrictive  covenant  or other  agreement
affecting  the Leased  Property,  or any part  thereof,  or impair the rights of
others  under any  easement  or  right-of-way  to which the Leased  Property  is
subject,  then  promptly  at the  behest  of any  Person  affected  by any  such
encroachment,  violation or impairment, Lessee shall, at its expense, subject to
its right to contest the existence of any encroachment,  violation or impairment
and in such case,  in the event of an adverse  final  determination,  either (a)
obtain valid and effective  easements,  licenses,  waivers or settlements of all
claims, liabilities and damages resulting from each such encroachment, violation
or  impairment,  whether the same shall affect Lessor or Lessee or (b) make such
changes in the Leased  Improvements,  and take such other actions,  as Lessee in
the good faith exercise of its judgment deems  reasonably  practicable to remove
such  encroachment,  and to end such  violation  or  impairment,  including,  if
necessary,  the alteration of any of the Leased  Improvements,  and in any event
take all such  actions as may be  necessary  in order to be able to continue the
operation of the Leased  Improvements for the Primary Intended Use substantially
in the manner and to the extent the Leased  Improvements  were operated prior to
the assertion of such violation, impairment or encroachment. Any such alteration
shall be made in  conformity  with the  applicable  requirements  of  Article 10
below. Lessee's obligations under this Section shall be in addition to and shall
in no way

                                       31

<PAGE>



discharge or diminish any obligation of any insurer under any policy of title or
other insurance held by Lessor.

                                   ARTICLE 10

         10.1.  Alterations.  After receiving approval of Lessor, which approval
shall not be unreasonably  withheld (and the consent of any Mortgage lender,  if
required), Lessee shall have the right to make such additions,  modifications or
improvements  to the Leased Property from time to time as Lessee deems desirable
for its  permitted  uses  and  purposes,  provided  that  such  action  will not
significantly alter the character or purposes or significantly  detract from the
value or  operating  efficiency  thereof and will not  significantly  impair the
revenue-producing  capability  of the Leased  Property or  adversely  affect the
ability of the Lessee to comply with the  provisions of this Lease.  The cost of
such  additions,  modifications  or improvements to the Leased Property shall be
paid by Lessee,  and all such additions,  modifications and improvements  shall,
without payment by Lessor at any time, be included under the terms of this Lease
and upon  expiration  or earlier  termination  of this  Lease  shall pass to and
become the property of Lessor.  Nothing set forth in this Section is intended to
abrogate or limit Lessor's obligations to make Capital Expenditures set forth in
the approved Capital Budget pursuant to Section 3.7 above.

         10.2.  Salvage.   All  materials  which  are  scrapped  or  removed  in
connection  with the making of repairs  required by Articles 9 or 10 shall be or
become the  property of Lessor or Lessee  depending on which party is paying for
or providing the financing for such work.

         10.3.   Joint  Use   Agreements.   If  Lessee   constructs   additional
improvements  that are  connected  to the Leased  Property or share  maintenance
facilities,  HVAC, electrical,  plumbing or other systems, utilities, parking or
other   amenities,   the  parties   shall   enter  into  a  mutually   agreeable
cross-easement  or joint use  agreement,  the form of which has been approved in
advance  by  Lessor,  which  approval  is  not  to  be  unreasonably   withheld,
conditioned  or delayed to make available  necessary  services and facilities in
connection  with  such  additional  improvements,   to  protect  each  of  their
respective  interests in the  properties  affected,  and to provide for separate
ownership, use, and/or financing of such improvements.

                                   ARTICLE 11

         11.1. Liens.  Subject to the provisions of Article 12 below relating to
permitted  contests,  Lessee will not directly or indirectly  create or allow to
remain  and will  promptly  discharge  at its  expense  any  lien,  encumbrance,
attachment,  title retention  agreement or claim upon the Leased Property or any
attachment,  levy,  claim or  encumbrance in respect of the Rent, not including,
however,  (a) this Lease, (b) the matters, if any, included as exceptions in the
title  policy  insuring   Lessor's   interest  in  the  Leased   Property,   (c)
restrictions,  liens and other encumbrances which are consented to in writing by
Lessor or any  easements  granted  pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  7.3.
above, (d) liens for those taxes upon Lessor which Lessee is not required to pay
hereunder,   (e)  subleases  permitted  by  Article  23  below,  (f)  liens  for
Impositions or for sums resulting from

                                       32

<PAGE>



noncompliance  with  Legal  Requirements  so long as (1)  the  same  are not yet
payable or are payable  without the  addition of any fine or penalty or (2) such
liens are in the process of being  contested  as  permitted by Article 12 below,
(g) liens of  mechanics,  laborers,  materialmen,  suppliers or vendors for sums
either  disputed or not yet due provided that (3) the payment of such sums shall
not be postponed under any related  contract for more than sixty (60) days after
the  completion of the action giving rise to such lien and such reserve or other
appropriate  provisions  as  shall  be  required  by law or  generally  accepted
accounting principles shall have been made therefor or (4) any such liens are in
the process of being  contested as permitted by Article 12 below,  (h) any liens
which are the  responsibility of Lessor pursuant to the provisions of Article 34
below.

                                   ARTICLE 12

         12.1.  Permitted  Contests.  Lessee shall have the right to contest the
amount  or  validity  of any  Imposition  to be  paid  by  Lessee  or any  Legal
Requirement or Insurance Requirement or any lien, attachment, levy, encumbrance,
charge or claim  ("Claims")  not  otherwise  permitted  by Article 11 above,  by
appropriate  legal  proceedings  in good faith and with due diligence  (but this
shall  not be  deemed  or  construed  in any way to  relieve,  modify  or extend
Lessee's  covenants to pay or its covenants to cause to be paid any such charges
at the  time and in the  manner  as in this  Article  provided),  on  condition,
however,  that such legal  proceedings  shall not operate to relieve Lessee from
its  obligations  hereunder and shall not cause the sale or risk the loss of any
portion of the Leased Property,  or any part thereof,  or cause Lessor or Lessee
to be in default under any Mortgage,  or other agreement  encumbering the Leased
Property  or any  interest  therein.  Upon the request of Lessor,  Lessee  shall
either (a) provide a bond or other assurance  reasonably  satisfactory to Lessor
that all Claims which may be assessed against the Leased Property  together with
interest and penalties,  if any, thereon will be paid, or (b) deposit within the
time otherwise required for payment with a bank or trust company as trustee upon
terms  reasonably  satisfactory  to Lessor,  as security for the payment of such
Claims,  money in an amount  sufficient to pay the same,  together with interest
and  penalties in connection  therewith,  as to all Claims which may be assessed
against or become a Claim on the Leased Property,  or any part thereof,  in said
legal  proceedings.  Lessee shall  furnish  Lessor and any lender of Lessor with
reasonable  evidence of such deposit  within five (5) Business Days of the same.
Lessor agrees to join in any such proceedings if the same be required to legally
prosecute such contest of the validity of such Claims;  provided,  however, that
Lessor  shall not  thereby be subject to any  liability  for the  payment of any
costs or expenses in  connection  with any  proceedings  brought by Lessee;  and
Lessee  covenants to indemnify and save  harmless  Lessor from any such costs or
expenses.  Lessee shall be entitled to any refund of any Claims and such charges
and  penalties  or  interest  thereon  which have been paid by Lessee or paid by
Lessor and for which Lessor has been fully reimbursed.  In the event that Lessee
fails to pay any Claims when due or to provide the security therefor as provided
in this  paragraph and to diligently  prosecute any contest of the same,  Lessor
may, upon ten (10) days advance Notice to Lessee, pay such charges together with
any interest and  penalties  and the same shall be repayable by Lessee to Lessor
as  Additional  Charges at the next  Payment  Date  provided  for in this Lease;
provided,  however,  that should Lessor reasonably  determine that the giving of
such Notice  would risk loss to the Leased  Property or cause  damage to Lessor,
then Lessor  shall give such  Notice as is  practical  under the  circumstances.
Lessor reserves the right to contest any of the Claims at its expense not
pursued by Lessee.  Lessor and Lessee agree to cooperate in coordinating the
contest of any claims.

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                                   ARTICLE 13

         13.1.  General Insurance  Requirements.  During the Term of this Lease,
Lessee  shall at all times keep the Leased  Property  insured with the kinds and
amounts of insurance  described below and in accordance with any Mortgage.  This
insurance  shall be written by qualified,  solvent  companies  which can legally
write insurance in the State. The policies must name Lessor as the insured or as
an  additional  named  insured,  as the case may be,  with  minimum  deductibles
customary in the industry. Losses shall be payable to Lessor. Subject to Section
13.10 below,  any loss  adjustment  with respect to the insurance  coverages set
forth in items (a), (b) and (c) below shall be made by Lessor acting in its sole
and absolute  discretion.  Evidence of insurance shall be deposited with Lessor.
The policies on the Leased  Property,  including  the Leased  Improvements,  and
FF&E, shall include:

                  (a) Building  insurance of risks on the "Special Form" or "All
Risk  Form" in an amount  not less than 100% of the then full  replacement  cost
thereof  (as  defined  in Section  13.3  below) or such  other  amount  which is
acceptable to Lessor,  and personal property  insurance on the "Special Form" or
"All Risk Form" in the full amount of the replacement cost thereof;

                  (b) Earthquake and flood  insurance in reasonable and adequate
amounts as mutually agreed by Lessor and Lessee;

                  (c)  Insurance for loss or damage  (direct and indirect)  from
steam boilers, pressure vessels or similar apparatus, now or hereafter installed
in the Facility,  in the minimum amount of $5,000,000 or in such greater amounts
as are then  customary or as may be reasonably  requested by Lessor from time to
time;

                  (d) Loss of income and business interruption  insurance on the
"Special Form" or "All Risk Form",  in the amount of the greater of (i) one year
of Base Rent or (ii) the prior Fiscal Year's Base Rent plus  Percentage Rent for
the  benefit of Lessor,  which  business  interruption  proceeds,  except  those
allocable to Percentage  Rent (which shall be paid to Lessor),  shall be paid to
Lessee  provided  Lessee  continues  to pay Base  Rent and no  uncured  Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing);

                  (e) Commercial general liability  insurance,  with amounts not
less than $10,000,000 covering each of the following:  bodily injury,  death, or
property  damage  liability per  occurrence,  personal and  advertising  injury,
general aggregate,  products and completed  operations,  with respect to Lessor,
and liquor law or "dram shop"  liability,  if liquor or alcoholic  beverages are
served on the Leased Property, with respect to Lessor and Lessee;

                  (f) Insurance  covering such other hazards and in such amounts
as may be customary for comparable properties in the area of the Leased Property
and is available from

                                       34

<PAGE>



insurance companies,  insurance pools or other appropriate  companies authorized
to do  business  in the State at rates  which are  economically  practicable  in
relation to the risks covered as may be reasonably requested by Lessor;

                  (g)  Fidelity  bonds  with  limits and  deductibles  as may be
reasonably   requested   by  Lessor,   covering   Lessee's   employees   in  job
classifications  normally bonded under prudent hotel management practices in the
United States or otherwise required by law;

                  (h) Workers' compensation insurance to the extent necessary to
protect Lessor and the Leased Property  against Lessee's  worker's  compensation
claims;

                  (i) Vehicle  liability  insurance  for owned,  non-owned,  and
hired vehicles, in the amount of $1,000,000; and

                  (j) Such other insurance as Lessor may reasonably  request for
facilities such as the Leased Property and the operation thereof.

         13.2.    Responsibility for Premiums.  Lessee shall keep in force the
foregoing insurance coverage at its expense.

         13.3. Replacement Cost. The term "full replacement cost" as used herein
shall  mean  the  actual  replacement  cost  of the  Leased  Property  requiring
replacement  from  time to time  including  an  increased  cost of  construction
endorsement,  if available,  and the cost of debris removal. In the event either
party believes that full replacement cost (the  then-replacement  cost less such
exclusions)  has  increased or  decreased at any time during the Lease Term,  it
shall have the right to have such full replacement cost re-determined.

         13.4.  Workers'  Compensation.  Lessee,  at its sole cost, shall at all
times maintain adequate workers' compensation insurance coverage for all persons
employed by Lessee on the Leased Property.  Such workers' compensation insurance
shall be in accordance  with the  requirements  of applicable  local,  state and
federal law.

         13.5. Waiver of Subrogation.  All insurance  policies carried by Lessor
or Lessee covering the Leased Property, including, without limitation, contents,
fire and casualty  insurance,  shall expressly waive any right of subrogation on
the part of the insurer  against the other party.  The parties hereto agree that
their  policies  will include such waiver clause or  endorsement  so long as the
same are obtainable without extra cost, and in the event of such an extra charge
the other party,  at its election,  may pay the same, but shall not be obligated
to do so.

         13.6. Form Satisfactory, etc. All of the policies of insurance referred
to in this  Article  13 shall be  written  in a form,  with  deductibles  and by
insurance companies reasonably  satisfactory to Lessor.  Lessee shall pay all of
the premiums  therefor,  and deliver such  policies or  certificates  thereof to
Lessor prior to their  effective date (and,  with respect to any renewal policy,
thirty (30) days prior

                                       35

<PAGE>



to the  expiration of the existing  policy),  and in the event of the failure of
Lessee  either to effect  such  insurance  as  herein  called  for or to pay the
premiums therefor, or to deliver such policies or certificates thereof to Lessor
at the times required,  Lessor shall be entitled,  but shall have no obligation,
to  effect  such  insurance  and pay the  premiums  thereon,  and  Lessee  shall
reimburse  Lessor for any premium or premiums  paid by Lessor for the  coverages
required under this Section upon written demand  therefor,  and Lessee's failure
to repay the same within  thirty  (30) days after  Notice of such  failure  from
Lessor  shall  constitute  an Event of  Default  within  the  meaning of Section
16.1(b)  below.  Each  insurer  mentioned  in this  Article 13 shall  agree,  by
endorsement to the policy or policies issued by it, or by independent instrument
furnished  to Lessor,  that it will give to Lessor  thirty  (30)  days'  written
notice before the policy or policies in question  shall be  materially  altered,
allowed to expire or canceled.

         13.7.  Increase in Limits. If either Lessor or Lessee at any time deems
the limits of the personal  injury or property  damage  under the  comprehensive
public liability  insurance then carried to be either excessive or insufficient,
Lessor  and  Lessee  shall  endeavor  in good  faith to agree on the  proper and
reasonable  limits for such  insurance  to be carried and such  insurance  shall
thereafter  be  carried  with the limits  thus  agreed on until  further  change
pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

         13.8.  Blanket  Policy.   Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary
contained in this Article 13, Lessee may bring the insurance provided for herein
within the  coverage of a  so-called  blanket  policy or  policies of  insurance
carried and maintained by Lessee; provided,  however, that the coverage afforded
to Lessor and Lessee will not be reduced or diminished or otherwise be different
from  that  which  would  exist  under  a  separate  policy  meeting  all  other
requirements  of this  Lease by  reason  of the use of such  blanket  policy  of
insurance,  and provided  further that the  requirements  of this Article 13 are
otherwise satisfied.

         13.9. Separate  Insurance.  Lessee shall not on Lessee's own initiative
or pursuant to the request or requirement of any third party,  take out separate
insurance  concurrent  in form or  contributing  in the  event of loss with that
required in this  Article to be  furnished,  or increase  the amount of any then
existing  insurance by securing an  additional  policy or  additional  policies,
unless all parties  have an  insurable  interest  in the  subject  matter of the
insurance,  including in all cases  Lessor,  are included  therein as additional
insured, and the loss is payable under such additional separate insurance in the
same manner as losses are payable  under this Lease.  Lessee  shall  immediately
notify  Lessor that Lessee has  obtained any such  separate  insurance or of the
increasing of any of the amounts of the then existing insurance.

         13.10.  Reports on Insurance Claims.  Lessee shall promptly investigate
and make a  complete  and timely  written  report to the  appropriate  insurance
company  as to all  accidents,  claims  for damage  relating  to the  ownership,
operation,  and maintenance of the Leased Property, any damage or destruction to
the Leased  Property and the estimated  cost of repair thereof and shall prepare
any and all reports required by any insurance  company in connection  therewith.
All such reports  shall be timely filed with the  insurance  company as required
under the  terms of the  insurance  policy  involved,  and a final  copy of such
report shall be furnished to Lessor. Lessee shall not adjust, settle, or

                                       36

<PAGE>



compromise any insurance  loss, or execute proofs of such loss,  with respect to
the  insurance  coverages  with  respect to any single  casualty  or other event
without the prior written consent of Lessor.

                                   ARTICLE 14

         14.1. Insurance Proceeds.  Subject to the provisions of Section 13.1(d)
with respect to loss of income insurance and Section 14.6 below and the terms of
any Mortgage, all proceeds payable by reason of any loss or damage to the Leased
Property,  or any portion  thereof,  and insured  under any policy of  insurance
required  by  Article  13(a)  through  (c) and (f)  above  shall be  settled  or
compromised  by  and  paid  to  Lessor  and  held  in  trust  by  Lessor  in  an
interest-bearing   account,  shall  be  made  available,   if  applicable,   for
reconstruction or repair, as the case may be, of any damage to or destruction of
the Leased Property, or any portion thereof,  and, if applicable,  shall be paid
out by Lessor from time to time for the reasonable costs of such  reconstruction
or repair upon terms specified in this Lease and such other reasonable terms and
conditions specified by Lessor consistent with the disbursement procedures for a
construction  loan of similar size and scope.  Any excess  proceeds of insurance
remaining  after the  completion of the  restoration  or  reconstruction  of the
Leased  Property  shall be paid to  Lessor.  If  neither  Lessor  nor  Lessee is
required  or elects to repair  and  restore,  and this  Lease is  terminated  as
described in Section 14.2 below,  all such insurance  proceeds shall be retained
by Lessor. All salvage resulting from any risk covered by insurance shall belong
to Lessor.

         14.2.    Reconstruction in the Event of Damage or Destruction Covered
by Insurance.

                  (a) Except as  provided in Section  14.6 below,  if during the
Term the Leased Property is totally or substantially destroyed by a risk covered
by the  insurance  described  in  Article 13 above and the  Facility  thereby is
rendered  Unsuitable  for its Primary  Intended Use,  Lessor shall,  at Lessor's
option,  either (1) have Lessee restore the Facility to  substantially  the same
condition as existed  immediately before the damage or destruction and otherwise
in accordance  with the terms of the Lease (subject to the provisions of Section
14.2(c) below), or (2) terminate this Lease by written notice thereof to Lessee.
If Lessor elects  restoration of the Facility,  the insurance  proceeds shall be
paid  out by  Lessor  from  time  to  time  for  the  reasonable  costs  of such
restoration upon satisfaction of reasonable terms and conditions, and any excess
proceeds  remaining after such  restoration  shall be paid to Lessor.  If Lessor
terminates  the Lease  with  respect  to the Leased  Property,  Lessor  shall be
entitled to retain all insurance  proceeds and the Lessee shall pay all Rent due
through the date of such  termination  and an amount equal to any deductible and
value of any uninsured loss under  available  insurance that Lessee was required
to maintain under this Lease.

                  (b) Except as  provided in Section  14.6 below,  if during the
Term the  Leased  Property  is  partially  destroyed  by a risk  covered  by the
insurance  described  in  Article  13 above,  but the  Facility  is not  thereby
rendered  Unsuitable for its Primary  Intended Use, Lessor (with the cooperation
of the Lessee) shall restore the Facility to substantially the same condition as
existed immediately before the damage or destruction and otherwise in accordance
with the terms of the

                                       37

<PAGE>



Lease,  subject to the  provisions  of Section  14.2(c)  below.  Such  damage or
destruction  shall not terminate  this Lease.  However,  if, under this Section,
Lessee  cannot  within  a  reasonable  time  obtain  all  necessary   government
approvals,  including  building  permits,  licenses and conditional use permits,
after diligent  efforts to do so, to perform all required repair and restoration
work and to operate the Facility for its Primary  Intended Use in  substantially
the same manner as that existing immediately prior to such damage or destruction
and  otherwise in  accordance  with the terms of the Lease,  Lessor may (a) give
Lessee  written  notice of  termination  of the Lease or (b)  restore the Leased
Premises  using the  proceeds of  insurance.  If Lessor  terminates  this Lease,
Lessor shall be entitled to retain all insurance proceeds,  and Lessee shall pay
all Rent due through  the date of such  termination  and an amount  equal to any
deductible and value of any uninsured loss under available insurance that Lessee
was required to maintain under this Lease. If Lessor restores the Facility,  the
insurance  proceeds  shall  be paid  out by  Lessor  from  time to time  for the
reasonable costs of such  restoration upon  satisfaction of reasonable terms and
conditions  specified by Lessor,  and any excess  proceeds  remaining after such
restoration shall be paid to Lessor.

                  (c) If the estimated cost of the repair or restoration exceeds
the amount of proceeds received by Lessor and Lessee from the insurance required
under  Article  13 above,  and then if Lessor  elects  to make such  repairs  or
restoration,  Lessee  shall be obligated  to  contribute  the amount of any loss
which would have been  insured but for  Lessee's  failure to maintain  insurance
required  by this Lease,  payable to Lessor  prior to the  commencement  of work
thereon to be held in trust.

         14.3.  Reconstruction in the Event of Damage or Destruction not Covered
by Insurance.  Except as provided in Section 14.6 below,  if during the Term the
Facility  is totally or  substantially  destroyed  by a risk not  covered by the
insurance  described  in  Article  13  above,  whether  or not  such  damage  or
destruction renders the Facility Unsuitable for its Primary Intended Use, Lessor
at its option shall either (a) restore the  Facility to  substantially  the same
condition  it was in  immediately  before  such damage or  destruction  and such
damage or  destruction  shall not  terminate  this Lease,  or (b)  terminate the
Lease.

         14.4.  Inventory.  All insurance proceeds payable by reason of any loss
of or damage to any of Inventory in excess of Franchisor  requirements  shall be
paid to Lessee; provided, however, no such payments shall diminish or reduce the
insurance payments otherwise payable to or for the benefit of Lessor hereunder.

         14.5.  Abatement  of Rent.  Any damage or  destruction  due to casualty
notwithstanding,  this Lease shall remain in full force and effect provided that
Lessee's  obligation  to  make  rental  payments  and to pay all  other  charges
required  by this  Lease  shall not abate  during the  period  required  for the
applicable  repair and  restoration;  provided  that the Lessee shall  receive a
credit against such rental  payments and other charges in an amount equal to any
loss of income insurance  proceeds  actually  received by Lessor pursuant to any
loss of income insurance pursuant to Section 13.1(d) above.


                                       38

<PAGE>



         14.6.  Damage  Near  End of Term.  Notwithstanding  any  provisions  of
Section 14.2 or 14.3  appearing to the contrary,  if damage to or destruction of
the Facility  rendering it unsuitable for its Primary Intended Use occurs during
the last 24 months of the Term,  then Lessee  shall have the right to  terminate
this Lease by giving  written notice to Lessor within thirty (30) days after the
date of damage or destruction, whereupon all accrued Rent and an amount equal to
the sum of (i) any  deductible  under  available  insurance and (ii) the cost to
restore  any  uninsured  loss that Lessee was  required  to  maintain  insurance
against under this Lease where such  insurance  was  available  shall be paid to
Lessor immediately,  and this Lease shall automatically  terminate five (5) days
after the date of such notice and  payment,  without any  further  liability  by
Lessee to Lessor other than liabilities that expressly  survive a termination of
this Lease.

         14.7. Waiver.  Lessee hereby waives any statutory rights of termination
that may arise by  reason of any  damage or  destruction  of the  Facility  that
Lessor is obligated  to restore or may restore  under any of the  provisions  of
this Lease.

                                   ARTICLE 15

         15.1.    Definitions.

                  (a)  "Condemnation"  means a  Taking  resulting  from  (1) the
exercise of any governmental  power,  whether by legal proceedings or otherwise,
by a Condemnor, and (2) a voluntary sale or transfer by Lessor to any Condemnor,
either under threat of condemnation or while legal  proceedings for condemnation
are pending.

                  (b)  "Date of  Taking"  means the date the  Condemnor  has the
right to possession of the property being condemned.

                  (c) "Award" means all compensation,  sums or anything of value
awarded, paid or received on a total or partial Condemnation.

                  (d) "Condemnor" means any public or quasi-public authority, or
private corporation or individual, having the power of Condemnation.

         15.2. Parties' Rights and Obligations.  If during the Term there is any
Condemnation  of all or any part of the Leased  Property or any interest in this
Lease,  the rights and  obligations  of Lessor and Lessee shall be determined by
this Article 15.

         15.3.  Total  Taking.  If title to the fee of the  whole of the  Leased
Property is condemned by any Condemnor,  this Lease shall cease and terminate as
of the Date of  Taking  by the  Condemnor.  If title to the fee of less than the
whole  of the  Leased  Property  is so taken or  condemned,  which  nevertheless
renders the Leased  Property  Unsuitable or Uneconomic for its Primary  Intended
Use,  Lessee and Lessor shall each have the option,  by notice to the other,  at
any time prior to the Date of Taking,  to terminate this Lease as of the Date of
Taking. Upon such date, if such Notice has been

                                       39

<PAGE>



given,  this Lease shall  thereupon  cease and terminate  and the  provisions of
Section  42.3  below  shall  not  apply.  All  Base  Rent,  Percentage  Rent and
Additional  Charges paid or payable by Lessee  hereunder shall be apportioned as
of the Date of Taking, and Lessee shall promptly pay Lessor such amounts.

         15.4.  Allocation  of Award.  The total Award made with  respect to the
Leased Property or for loss of rent, or for Lessor's loss of business beyond the
Term, shall be solely the property of and payable to Lessor.  Any Award made for
loss of Lessee's  business  during the remaining Term, if any, for the taking of
Inventory in excess of Franchisor  requirements,  or for removal and  relocation
expenses  of Lessee in any such  proceedings  shall be the sole  property of and
payable to Lessee. In any Condemnation  proceedings Lessor and Lessee shall each
seek its Award in conformity  herewith,  at its  respective  expense;  provided,
however, neither party shall initiate, prosecute or acquiesce in any proceedings
that may result in a diminution of any Award payable to the other party.

         15.5.  Partial  Taking.  If title to less than the whole of the  Leased
Property is condemned, and the Leased Property is still suitable for its Primary
Intended Use, and not Uneconomic  for its Primary  Intended Use, or if Lessee or
Lessor is entitled  but neither  elects to  terminate  this Lease as provided in
Section 15.3 above, Lessee at its cost shall with all reasonable  dispatch,  but
only to the extent of any  condemnation  awards made available to Lessee and any
other sums advanced by Lessor pursuant to the next sentence, restore the untaken
portion of any Leased Improvements so that such Leased Improvements constitute a
complete  architectural  unit of the same general  character  and  condition (as
nearly as may be possible under the  circumstances)  as the Leased  Improvements
existing  immediately prior to the Condemnation.  If the condemnation awards are
not  adequate to restore  the  Facility  to that  condition,  each of Lessor and
Lessee  shall  have the  right  to  terminate  this  Lease,  without  in any way
affecting any other leases in effect between Lessor and Lessee, by giving Notice
to the other;  provided,  however that, if such termination is by Lessee, Lessor
shall have the right,  in its sole  discretion,  to nullify the  termination and
keep this  Lease in full  force by  providing,  within  thirty  (30) days  after
Lessee's  Notice of termination,  a Notice to Lessee of Lessor's  unconditional,
legally binding obligation to be responsible for all restoration costs in excess
of the condemnation  awards. If this Lease is not terminated and Lessee restores
the Facility,  the  condemnation  awards,  and any other sums made  available by
Lessor as  aforesaid,  shall be held in trust by  Lessor  and paid out by Lessor
from time to time for the reasonable costs of such restoration upon satisfaction
of reasonable  terms and conditions,  and any excess awards remaining after such
restoration  shall  be  retained  by  Lessor  unless  the  partial  condemnation
materially impairs the operations or financial  performance of the Facility,  in
which latter event the award shall be equitably  apportioned  between Lessor and
Lessee in proportion to the then fair market  values of the  respective  estates
and interests of Lessor and Lessee in and to the Leased  Property and under this
Lease.

         15.6. Temporary Taking. If the whole or any part of the Leased Property
or of Lessee's  interest  under this Lease is condemned by any Condemnor for its
temporary  use or occupancy,  this Lease shall not terminate by reason  thereof,
and  Lessee  shall  continue  to pay,  in the  manner  and at the  terms  herein
specified,  the full amounts of Base Rent and Additional  Charges.  In addition,
Lessee shall pay Percentage Rent at a rate equal to the average  Percentage Rent
during the last three (3)

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<PAGE>



preceding Fiscal Years (or if three (3) Fiscal Years shall not have elapsed, the
average  during  the  preceding  Fiscal  Years) to the  extent  of any  business
interruption  insurance and  condemnation  proceeds that are received by Lessee.
Except only to the extent that Lessee may be prevented from so doing pursuant to
the terms of the order of the  Condemnor,  Lessee shall  continue to perform and
observe all of the other terms, covenants,  conditions and obligations hereof on
the part of the Lessee to be performed and observed, as though such Condemnation
had not occurred. In the event of any Condemnation as in this Section described,
the entire amount of any Award made for such Condemnation  allocable to the Term
of this Lease, whether paid by way of damages, rent or otherwise,  shall be paid
to Lessee.  Lessee  covenants  that upon the  termination  of any such period of
temporary  use or  occupancy it will,  at its sole cost and expense  (subject to
Lessor's contribution as set forth below), restore the Leased Property as nearly
as may be reasonably possible to the condition in which the same was immediately
prior to such  Condemnation,  unless such period of  temporary  use of occupancy
extends  beyond the  expiration  of the Term,  in which case Lessee shall not be
required to make such restoration.  If restoration is required hereunder, Lessor
shall  contribute  to the cost of such  restoration  that  portion of its entire
Award that is  specifically  allocated  to such  restoration  in the judgment or
order of the court, if any, and Lessee shall fund the balance of such costs.

                                   ARTICLE 16

         16.1.  Events of Default.  If any one or more of the  following  events
(individually, an "Event of Default") occurs:

                  (a) If an Event  of  Default  occurs  under  any of the  Other
Leases in the Cross Default Pool that includes this Lease. All Affiliated Leases
(including  this  Lease)  shall be grouped  together in  chronological  order in
accordance with  commencement  date (or such other order agreed to in writing by
the  Lessor and the  Lessee)  in pools of up to a maximum  of twenty  Affiliated
Leases (each pool  individually,  a "Cross  Default  Pool") so that (a) no Cross
Default Pool  contains more than twenty  Affiliated  Leases and (b) no more than
one Cross Default Pool contains fewer than twenty Affiliated Leases. An Event of
Default under any  Affiliated  Lease shall  constitute an Event of Default under
all Affiliated  Leases in such Affiliated  Lease's Cross Default Pool, but shall
not  constitute  an Event of Default in any other  Affiliated  Lease not in such
Affiliated  Lease's Cross Default  Pool.  In the event any  Affiliated  Lease is
removed from a Cross Default Pool and placed into a Collateralized Cross Default
Pool,  all of the Cross  Default  Pools will be  reorganized  so that all of the
Cross Default Pools (excluding any Collateralized Cross Default Pools) contain a
maximum of twenty Affiliated Leases in chronological order of their commencement
date and no more  than  one  Cross  Default  Pool  contains  fewer  than  twenty
Affiliated  Leases.  In the event  more than one  Affiliated  Lease has the same
commencement date, the chronological order of such Affiliated Leases shall be as
agreed to in writing between lessor and lessee and,  absent such  agreement,  in
alphabetical  order in  accordance  with the city or county in which the  leased
property is located.  Upon entering into an Affiliated Lease, the Lessor and the
Lessee shall execute and deliver a written agreement confirming which Affiliated
Leases are in which Cross Default Pool or Collateralized Cross Default Pool; or


                                       41

<PAGE>



                  (b)  if  Lessee  fails  to  make  payment  of the  Base  Rent,
Percentage Rent or Additional  Charges within ten (10) days after written notice
from Lessor that the same has become due and payable; or

                  (c) except as set forth in Section  16.1(b)  above,  if Lessee
fails to observe or perform any other term,  covenant or condition of this Lease
and such  failure is not cured by such party within a period of thirty (30) days
after  receipt by Lessee of Notice  thereof  from the other  party,  unless such
failure  cannot with due diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days,
in which case Lessee shall have an additional  reasonable period of time to cure
such breach provided Lessee proceeds promptly and with due diligence to cure the
failure and diligently completes the curing thereof; or

                  (d)  if  Lessee  shall  file  a  petition  in   bankruptcy  or
reorganization  for an arrangement  pursuant to any federal or state  bankruptcy
law or any similar  federal or state law, or shall be  adjudicated a bankrupt or
shall make an assignment  for the benefit of creditors or shall admit in writing
its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or if a petition or
answer  proposing  the  adjudication  of Lessee or any  Affiliate of Lessee as a
bankrupt or its  reorganization  pursuant to any federal or state bankruptcy law
or any  similar  federal  or state law shall be filed in any court and Lessee or
any Affiliate of Lessee shall be  adjudicated  a bankrupt and such  adjudication
shall not be  vacated  or set aside or stayed  within  sixty (60) days after the
entry of an order in  respect  thereof,  or if a  receiver  of the Lessee or any
Affiliate  of Lessee or of the whole or  substantially  all of the assets of the
Lessee or any Affiliate of Lessee shall be appointed in any proceedings  brought
by the Lessee or any  Affiliate  of Lessee or if any such  receiver,  trustee or
liquidator  shall be appointed in any proceeding  brought  against Lessee or any
Affiliate  of Lessee  shall not be vacated or set aside or stayed  within  sixty
(60) days after such appointment; or

                  (e)  if  Lessee  is  liquidated   or   dissolved,   or  begins
proceedings toward such liquidation or dissolution, or, if Lessee in any manner,
permits the sale or divestiture of substantially all of its assets; or

                  (f) if the estate or interest of Lessee in the Leased Property
or any part  thereof  or any  ownership  interest  in Lessee is  voluntarily  or
involuntarily  transferred,  assigned,  conveyed, levied upon or attached in any
proceeding,  except (A) where Lessee is  contesting  such lien or  attachment in
good faith in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement,  (B) transfer
and the like of the  ownership  interest  of the Lessee in the case of a merger,
consolidation  or sale of all of the  assets of Prime  where the  transferee  or
surviving entity is a reputable hotel  management  company with assets and a net
worth comparable to Prime prior to such transaction) and (C) otherwise expressly
permitted herein; or

                  (g) if, except as a result of damage, destruction or a partial
or complete  Condemnation,  Lessee  (without the consent of Lessor)  voluntarily
ceases  operations on the Leased  Property for a period in excess of thirty (30)
days; or


                                       42

<PAGE>



                  (h) if an event of default has been declared by the franchisor
under the  Franchise  Agreement  with  respect  to the  Facility  on the  Leased
Premises  as a result of any action or failure to act by the Lessee or any other
Person with whom Lessee contracts for management services at the Facility (other
than a failure to  complete a Capital  Improvement  required  by the  franchisor
resulting  from  Lessor's  failure  to fund  the  Capital  Expenditure  therefor
pursuant to Section 9.1(b) above) and Lessee has failed, within thirty (30) days
thereafter,  to cure such  default by either (1) curing the  underlying  default
under the  Franchise  Agreement  and  paying all costs and  expenses  associated
therewith,  or (2)  obtaining  at Lessee's  sole cost and  expense a  substitute
franchise license agreement with a substitute  franchisor  acceptable to Lessor,
on terms and conditions acceptable to Lessor; provided,  however, that if Lessee
is in good faith  disputing  an  assertion  of default by the  franchisor  or is
proceeding  diligently to cure such default, the 30-day period shall be extended
for such  reasonable  period of time as Lessee  continues  during this period to
dispute such default in good faith or  diligently  proceeds to cure such default
and so long as there is no period  during  which the  Facility  is not  operated
pursuant to a  Franchise  Agreement  approved  by Lessor not to be  unreasonably
withheld; or

                  (i) the Lessee shall fail at any time in any Lease Year to (y)
be capitalized with cash and unrestricted  marketable  securities and (z) have a
tangible net worth,  calculated in accordance  with GAAP, both (y) and (z) in an
amount  equal to or in  excess  of an  amount  equal to  twenty  percent  of the
aggregate estimated Rent for such Lease Year (as specified in the Annual Budgets
for such Lease Year) under this Lease and any Other Lease under which the Lessee
is the tenant; or

then, and in any such event,  Lessor may exercise one or more remedies available
to it herein or at law or in equity,  including  but not limited to its right to
terminate  this Lease,  or any other lease  between  Lessor or an  Affiliate  of
Lessor, as Landlord, and Lessee or any Affiliate of Lessee, as tenant within the
applicable Cross Default Pool.

         If Lessor  fails to observe or perform any term,  covenant or condition
of this Lease and such failure is not cured by Lessor  within a period of thirty
(30) days after  receipt by Lessor of Notice  thereof from  Lessee,  unless such
failure  cannot with due diligence be cured within a period of thirty (30) days,
in which  case it shall  not be  deemed a "Lessor  Default"  if Lessor  proceeds
promptly and with due diligence to cure the failure and diligently completes the
curing thereof,  then, Lessee may exercise one or more remedies  available to it
herein  or at law or in  equity,  including,  but not  limited  to its  right to
terminate  this Lease;  provided,  however,  that such Lessor  Default shall not
constitute  a Lessor  Default or other  breach under any of the Other Leases and
Lessee  shall have no rights or remedies  with  respect to the Other Leases as a
result of a Lessor Default under this Lease.

         If  litigation is commenced  with respect to any alleged  default under
this Lease, the prevailing  party in such litigation shall receive,  in addition
to its damages incurred, such sum as the court shall determine as its reasonable
attorneys' fees, and all costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.


                                       43

<PAGE>



         No Event of Default or Lessor  Default  (other than a failure to make a
payment of money) shall be deemed to exist under  subsections  (c) or the second
preceding  paragraph above during any time the curing thereof is prevented by an
Unavoidable  Delay,  provided that upon the cessation of such Unavoidable Delay,
Lessee or Lessor,  as the case may be, remedies such default or Event of Default
or Lessor Default without further delay.

         16.2.  Surrender.  If an Event of Default  occurs (and the event giving
rise to such Event of  Default  has not been cured  within the  curative  period
relating thereto as set forth in Section 16.1 above) and is continuing,  whether
or not this Lease has been  terminated  pursuant to Section  16.1 above,  Lessee
shall,  if requested  by Lessor so to do,  immediately  surrender  and assign to
Lessor or Lessor's designee the Leased Property  including,  without limitation,
any and all books, records, files, licenses,  permits and keys relating thereto,
and quit the same and Lessor may enter upon and repossess the Leased Property by
reasonable force,  summary proceedings,  ejectment or otherwise,  and may remove
Lessee and all other  Persons and any and all personal  property from the Leased
Property,  subject to rights of any hotel guests and to any  requirement of law.
Lessee hereby waives any and all  requirements of applicable laws for service of
notice to re-enter the Leased Property.

         16.3.  Damages.  Neither (a) the  termination  of this  Lease,  (b) the
repossession  of the  Leased  Property,  (c) the  failure of Lessor to relet the
Leased  Property,  nor (d) the  reletting of all or any portion  thereof,  shall
relieve Lessee of its liability and  obligations  hereunder,  all of which shall
survive any such  termination,  repossession  or reletting.  In the event of any
such termination,  Lessee shall forthwith pay to Lessor all Rent due and payable
with  respect  to the  Leased  Property  to  and  including  the  date  of  such
termination.

         Lessee shall forthwith pay to Lessor,  at Lessor's  option,  as and for
liquidated and agreed current damages for Lessee's default; either:

                           (1)      Without termination of Lessee's right to
possession of the Leased Property, each installment of Rent (including
Percentage Rent as determined below) and other sums  payable by Lessee to Lessor
under the Lease as the same becomes due and  payable,  which Rent and other sums
shall bear  interest at the Overdue Rate, and Lessor may enforce, by action or
otherwise,  any other term or covenant of this Lease; or

                           (2)      the sum of:

                                    (A)  the unpaid Rent which had been earned
at the time of termination, repossession or reletting, and

                                    (B)  the worth at the time of termination,
repossession or reletting of the amount by which the unpaid Rent for the balance
of the Term after the time of termination,  repossession or reletting, exceeds
the amount of such rental loss that Lessee proves could be  reasonably  avoided
and as reduced for rentals received after the time of termination,  repossession
or reletting, if and to the extent required by applicable law, and

                                       44

<PAGE>



                                   (C)  any other amount necessary to compensate
Lessor for all the  detriment  proximately  caused  by  Lessee's  failure  to
perform  its obligations under this Lease or which in the ordinary course of
things, would be likely to result therefrom.  The worth at the time of
termination, repossession or reletting of the amount referred to in subparagraph
(B) is  computed by discounting  such amount at the discount rate of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York at the time of award plus 1%.

         Percentage  Rent for the  purposes of this  Section 16.3 shall be a sum
equal to (i) the average of the annual  amounts of the  Percentage  Rent for the
three (3)  Fiscal  Years  immediately  preceding  the  Fiscal  Year in which the
termination,  re-entry or repossession  takes place, or (ii) if three (3) Fiscal
Years  shall not have  elapsed,  the average of the  Percentage  Rent during the
preceding Fiscal Years during which the Lease was in effect, or (iii) if one (1)
Fiscal Year has not elapsed,  the amount derived by  annualizing  the Percentage
Rent from the effective date of this Lease.

         16.4.  Waiver.  If this Lease is  terminated  pursuant to Section  16.1
above,  Lessee waives,  to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) any right
to a trial by jury in the event of summary  proceedings  to enforce the remedies
set forth in this  Article 16, and (b) the benefit of any laws now or  hereafter
in force  exempting  property  from  liability  for rent or for debt and  Lessor
waives  any right to "pierce  the  corporate  veil" of Lessee  other than to the
extent  funds  shall  have been  inappropriately  paid any  Affiliate  of Lessee
following a default resulting in an Event of Default.

         16.5.  Application of Funds. Any payments  received by Lessor under any
of the provision of this Lease during the existence or  continuance of any Event
of Default shall be applied to Lessee's obligations in the order that Lessor may
determine or as may be prescribed by the laws of the State.

                                   ARTICLE 17

         17.1.  Lessor's Right to Cure Lessee's Default. If Lessee fails to make
any payment or to perform any act  required to be made or  performed  under this
Lease including,  without limitation,  Lessee's failure to comply with the terms
of any  Franchise  Agreement  other  than a  failure  to  complete  improvements
required by the franchisor because the Lessor has not provided Lessee with funds
therefor,  and fails to cure the same within the relevant time periods expressly
provided in this Lease,  Lessor,  without waiving or releasing any obligation of
Lessee,  and without  waiving or releasing any  obligation or default,  may (but
shall be under no  obligation  to) at any time  thereafter  make such payment or
perform  such act for the account and at the expense of lessee,  and may, to the
extent  permitted by law,  enter upon the Leased  Property for such purpose and,
subject to the provisions of Section 16.4.  above,  take all such action thereon
as, in Lessor's opinion, may be necessary or appropriate therefor. No such entry
shall be deemed an eviction of Lessee.  All sums so paid by Lessor and all costs
and expenses  (including,  without  limitation,  reasonable  attorneys' fees and
expenses,  in each case to the extent  permitted by law) so  incurred,  together
with a late charge thereon (to the extent  permitted by law) at the Overdue Rate
from the date on which such sums or  expenses  are paid or  incurred  by Lessor,
shall be paid by Lessee to Lessor on demand. The obligations of

                                       45

<PAGE>



Lessee  and  rights  of Lessor  contained  in this  Article  shall  survive  the
expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.

                                   ARTICLE 18

         18.1. Provisions Relating to Purchase of the Leased Property. If Lessee
purchases the Leased  Property from Lessor  pursuant to any of the terms of this
Lease,  Lessor shall, upon receipt from Lessee of the applicable purchase price,
together  with full  payment of any unpaid Rent due and payable  with respect to
any  period  ending on or before the date of the  purchase,  deliver to Lessee a
special warranty deed or its equivalent  customary in the jurisdiction where the
Leased Property is located conveying the entire interest of Lessor in and to the
Leased  Property  to Lessee  free and clear of all  encumbrances  other than (a)
those that Lessee has agreed  hereunder to pay or discharge,  (b) those mortgage
liens,  if any,  that  Lessee  has agreed in writing to accept and to take title
subject  to,  (c)  those  liens and  encumbrances  subject  to which the  Leased
Property was conveyed to Lessor, (d) encumbrances, easements, licenses or rights
of way required to be imposed on the Leased  Property under Section 7.3.  above,
and (e) any other  encumbrances  permitted to be imposed on the Leased  Property
under the provisions of Article 34 that are assumable at no cost to Lessee or to
which Lessee may take subject without cost to Lessee. The difference between the
applicable  purchase  price and the total of the  encumbrances  assumed or taken
subject to shall be paid in cash to Lessor or as Lessor may  direct,  in federal
or other  immediately  available funds,  except as otherwise  mutually agreed by
Lessor  and  Lessee.  All  expenses  of  such  conveyance,   including,  without
limitation,  the cost of title  examination  or title  insurance,  if desired by
Lessee, Lessee's attorneys' fees incurred in connection with such conveyance and
release, and transfer taxes and recording fees, shall be paid by Lessee.  Lessor
shall pay its attorney's fees.

                                   ARTICLE 19

         19.1. Personal Property Limitation. Anything contained in this Lease to
the contrary notwithstanding, the average of the adjusted tax bases of the items
of  personal  property  that are  leased to the  Lessee  under this Lease at the
beginning  and at the end of any Fiscal Year shall not exceed 15% of the average
of the aggregate  adjusted tax bases of the Leased Property at the beginning and
at the end of such Fiscal Year (the "Personal Property  Limitation").  If Lessor
reasonably  anticipates that the Personal  Property  Limitation will be exceeded
for any Fiscal Year,  Lessor shall notify  Lessee,  and Lessee  either (a) shall
purchase at fair market value any personal property  anticipated to be in excess
of the Personal Property Limitation (the "Excess Personal Property") either from
the Lessor or a third party or (b) shall lease the Excess Personal Property from
a third  party.  In either case,  Lessee's  Rent  obligation  shall be equitably
adjusted.  In addition,  in the case of the purchase or lease of Excess Personal
Property by the Lessee from a third  party,  the  Lessor's  capital  expenditure
reserve  obligation  pursuant to Article 39 shall be appropriately  decreased to
reflect the reduced need for Capital  Expenditures  with respect to Lessor-owned
personal  property.  This  Section  19.1 is  intended  to  ensure  that the Rent
qualifies as "rents from real property," within the meaning of Section 856(d) of
the  Code,  or any  similar  or  successor  provisions  thereto,  and  shall  be
interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.

                                       46

<PAGE>



         19.2. Sublease Rent Limitation. Anything contained in this Lease to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  Lessee  shall not sublet the Leased  Property on any
basis  such that the  rental  to be paid by the  sublessee  thereunder  would be
based,  in whole or in part, on either (a) the income or profits  derived by the
business  activities  of the  sublessee,  or (b) any other formula such that any
portion of the Rent would fail to qualify as "rents from real  property"  within
the meaning of Section 856(d) of the Code, or any similar or successor provision
thereto.

         19.3.  Sublease Tenant Limitation.  Anything contained in this Lease to
the contrary  notwithstanding,  Lessee shall not sublease the Leased Property to
any Person in which Equity Inns, owns, directly or indirectly,  a 10% or greater
interest, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, or any similar
or successor provisions thereto.

         19.4. Lessee Ownership Limitation.  Anything contained in this Lease to
the  contrary  notwithstanding,  neither  Lessee nor an  Affiliate of the Lessee
shall acquire, directly or indirectly, a 10% or greater interest in Equity Inns,
within the  meaning  of  Section  856(d)(2)(B)  of the Code,  or any  similar or
successor provision thereto.

         19.5. Lessee Officer and Employee  Limitations.  Anything  contained in
this Lease to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the officers or employees of
the Lessee (or any Person who  furnishes  or renders  services to the tenants of
the Leased  Property,  or  manages or  operates  the Leased  Property)  shall be
officers or  employees of Equity Inns (or any Person who serves as an advisor to
Equity  Inns).  In  addition,  if a Person  serves as both (a) a director of the
Lessee (or any Person who  furnishes  or renders  services to the tenants of the
Leased Property,  or manages or operates the Leased Property) and (b) a director
or trustee and officer (or employee) of Equity Inns (or any Person who serves as
an advisor of Equity Inns),  that Person shall not receive any  compensation for
serving as a director  of the  Lessee  (or any Person who  furnishes  or renders
services  to the  tenants of the Leased  Property,  or manages or  operates  the
Leased Property). Furthermore, if a Person serves as both a director and officer
(or employee) of the Lessee (or any Person who furnishes or renders  services to
the tenants of the Leased Property, or manages or operates the Leased Property),
that  Person  shall not receive  any  compensation  for serving as a director or
trustee of Equity Inns (or any Person who serves as an advisor of Equity Inns).

         19.6. Payments to Affiliates of Lessee and Use of Complimentary  Rooms.
Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Lease,  Lessee shall
make no payments to Affiliates as Gross Operating  Expenses unless expressly set
forth in the  Operating  Budget  or an  approved  Capital  Budget  or  otherwise
expressly  agreed to in writing by Lessor,  in either  case,  after full written
disclosure by Lessee to Lessor of the affiliation,  competitive  pricing and any
other  related  information  requested by Lessor.  Furthermore,  Lessee shall be
permitted to contract with its  Affiliates for management and other services and
to pay  fees  for such  services,  provided  that  such  contracts  and fees are
disclosed  in writing to Lessor  and such fees  shall not be  included  in Gross
Operating   Expenses  and  Lessee's   obligation  to  pay  such  fees  shall  be
subordinated  to  Lessee's  obligation  to pay Base  Rent,  Percentage  Rent and
Additional  Charges to Lessor  pursuant to the terms of this  Lease.  Lessee may
provide  hotel rooms and  services  at the  Facility  on a  complimentary  basis
without charge or other consideration

                                       47

<PAGE>



to employees of the Lessee or Affiliates of Lessee  visiting the Leased Property
from  outside  the area in which the  Licensed  Property  is located on business
related to the Leased  Property to the extent such  practice  does not  decrease
Gross Revenues, but Lessee shall not provide such complimentary rooms or service
as compensation to parties  providing  materials or services to the Lessee or an
Affiliate of Lessee.

         19.7. Management  Agreement.  Lessor shall have the right to approve or
disapprove  in advance  any  manager or proposed  manager (a  "Manager")  of the
Facility as well as any agreement relating to the management or operation of the
Facility  (a  "Management  Agreement")  by a Manager  (provided,  however,  that
Lessor's  consent  shall not be required with respect to any Manager which is an
Affiliate of Lessee) and Lessee will provide Lessor with an executed copy of any
Management  Agreement  so  approved  by  Lessor,  which  approvals  shall not be
unreasonably  withheld.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  nothing herein shall be
construed  as  requiring  that  Lessee  engage a Manager for the  Facility.  Any
Management  Agreement (whether with a Manager which is an Affiliate or is not an
Affiliate of Lessee) must  provide  that (i) upon  termination  of this Lease or
termination of Lessor's or Lessee's  right to possession of the Leased  Property
for any reason,  the  Management  Agreement may be terminated by Lessor  without
liability for any payment due or to become due to the Manager  thereunder;  (ii)
any  management  fees  shall  be  subordinated  to  payments  of Rent to  Lessor
hereunder;  and (iii) in the event Lessee is in default,  the Manager shall,  at
the election of Lessor and provided the Manager  continues to be paid,  continue
to  perform  under the terms of the  Management  Agreement  for a period  not to
exceed  ninety  (90)  days,  provided  that such  election  by Lessor  shall not
constitute  a waiver by Lessor of any  rights or  remedies  Lessor may have as a
result of Lessee's  default.  No fees or other amounts  payable by Lessee to any
Manager shall excuse Lessee from its  obligations  to pay Rent and other amounts
payable by Lessee to Lessor hereunder. No Management Agreement may be amended or
modified  in any manner  without  the prior  written  consent  of Lessor,  which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

                                   ARTICLE 20

         20.1.  Holding Over. If Lessee for any reason  remains in possession of
the Leased  Property  after the  expiration or earlier  termination of the Term,
such  possession  shall be as a tenant at  sufferance  during  which time Lessee
shall pay as rental  each month 150% the  aggregate  of (a)  one-twelfth  of the
aggregate Base Rent and Percentage  Rent payable with respect to the last Fiscal
Year of the Term,  (b) all  Additional  Charges  accruing  during the applicable
month and (c) all other sums,  if any,  payable by Lessee  under this Lease with
respect to the Leased Property. During such period, Lessee shall be obligated to
perform and observe all of the terms,  covenants  and  conditions of this Lease,
but shall have no rights  hereunder other than the right, to the extent given by
law to tenancies at sufferance,  to continue its occupancy and use of the Leased
Property.  Nothing  contained  herein shall  constitute the consent,  express or
implied, of Lessor to the holding over of Lessee after the expiration or earlier
termination of this Lease.

                                                    


                                       48

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 21

         21.1. Risk of Loss. During the Term, the risk of loss or of decrease in
the enjoyment and  beneficial  use of the Leased  Property in consequence of the
damage or destruction thereof by fire, the elements,  casualties, thefts, riots,
wars or otherwise,  or in consequence of  foreclosures,  attachments,  levies or
executions (other than those caused by Lessor and those claiming from,  through,
or under  Lessor) is assumed by Lessee except as  specifically  provided in this
Lease, and, in the absence of negligence,  willful  misconduct or breach of this
Lease by Lessor, Lessor shall in no event be answerable or accountable therefor,
nor shall any of the events  mentioned  in this  Section  entitle  Lessee to any
abatement of Rent except as specifically provided in this Lease.

                                   ARTICLE 22

         22.1. Indemnification.  Notwithstanding the existence of any insurance,
and without regard to the policy limits of any such insurance or self-insurance,
but subject to Section  16.4.  above and Article 8 above,  Lessee will  protect,
indemnify,  hold  harmless and defend  Lessor from and against all  liabilities,
obligations,  claims, damages,  penalties,  causes of action, costs and expenses
for matters initially accruing during the Term (including,  without  limitation,
reasonable  attorneys'  fees and  expenses),  to the  extent  permitted  by law,
imposed upon or incurred by or asserted  against Lessor  Indemnified  Parties by
reason of: (a) any accident,  injury to or death of Persons or loss of or damage
to property  occurring on or about the Leased  Property or adjoining  sidewalks,
including without  limitation any claims under liquor liability,  "dram shop" or
similar laws, (b) any past, present or future use, misuse,  non-use,  condition,
management,  maintenance or repair by Lessee or any of its agents,  employees or
invitees  of the  Leased  Property  or any  litigation,  proceeding  or claim by
governmental entities or other third parties to which a Lessor Indemnified Party
is made a party or participant related to such use, misuse, non-use,  condition,
management,  maintenance,  or repair  thereof  by  Lessee or any of its  agents,
employees  or  invitees,  including  any failure of Lessee or any of its agents,
employees or invitees to perform any obligations  under this Lease or imposed by
applicable law (other than arising out of a Condemnation  proceedings),  (c) any
Impositions  that are the  obligations  of  Lessee  pursuant  to the  applicable
provisions  of this  Lease,  (d) any failure on the part of Lessee to perform or
comply with any of the terms of this Lease, and (e) the  non-performance  of any
of the terms and provisions of any and all existing and future  subleases of the
Leased  Property  to be  performed  by the  landlord  thereunder.  The  Lessee's
indemnification  under this Section shall not include (a) the  negligence of any
nonsupervisory  on site  employee  of Lessee,  provided  Lessee pays the damages
resulting  therefrom as a part of Gross Operating Expenses (and not as a Capital
Expenditure),  including,  without  limitation,  any reduction in Rent caused by
such negligence and (b) any loss to the extent caused by Lessor.

         Lessor shall  indemnify,  save harmless and defend  Lessee  Indemnified
Parties  from  and  against  all  liabilities,   obligations,  claims,  damages,
penalties,  causes of action,  costs and expenses imposed upon or incurred by or
asserted  against  Lessee  Indemnified  Parties  as a  result  of (a) the  gross
negligence  or willful  misconduct  of Lessor  arising in  connection  with this
Lease; or (b) any failure on the part of Lessor to perform or comply with any of
the terms of this Lease.


                                       49

<PAGE>



         To the extent that  neither of the  foregoing  paragraphs  applies to a
particular  liability,  action,  claim,  damage,  cost or expense arising out of
operation of the Leased Property, such liability, action, claim, damage, cost or
expense shall be paid as a Gross Operating Expense.

         Any amounts  that become  payable by an  Indemnifying  Party under this
Section shall be paid within ten (10) days after liability  therefor on the part
of the Indemnifying  Party is determined by litigation or otherwise,  and if not
timely  paid,  shall bear a late charge (to the extent  permitted by law) at the
Overdue  Rate  from the date of such  determination  to the day of  payment.  An
Indemnifying  Party, at its expense,  shall contest,  resist and defend any such
claim,  action or  proceeding  asserted or  instituted  against the  Indemnified
Party. The Indemnified  Party, at its expense,  shall be entitled to participate
in any such claim,  action,  or proceeding,  and the Indemnifying  party may not
compromise  or  otherwise  dispose  of  the  same  without  the  consent  of the
Indemnified Party, which may not be unreasonably withheld.  Nothing herein shall
be construed as indemnifying a Lessor  Indemnified Party against its own grossly
negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct.

         Lessee's or Lessor's  liability for a breach of the  provisions of this
Article shall survive any termination of this Lease.

                                   ARTICLE 23

         23.1.  Subletting  and  Assignment.  Subject to the  provisions of this
Lease regarding  limitations on sublease rent and the identity of subtenants and
any other express  conditions or limitations set forth herein,  Lessee shall not
assign or sublet under this Lease without the express written consent of Lessor,
which  consent  may  be  withheld,  delayed  or  conditioned  in  Lessor's  sole
discretion.  In the case of a subletting,  the  sublessee  shall comply with the
provisions of this  Agreement,  and in the case of an  assignment,  the assignee
shall  assume in writing  and agree to keep and perform all of the terms of this
Lease on the part of Lessee to be kept and  performed  and shall be, and become,
jointly and severally liable with Lessee for the performance thereof. In case of
either an assignment or a subletting  made during the Term,  Lessee shall remain
primarily liable, as principal rather than as surety,  for the prompt payment of
the Rent and for the  performance  and  observance  of all of the  covenants and
conditions to be performed by Lessee hereunder.  An original counterpart of each
such sublease and  assignment and  assumption,  duly executed by Lessee and such
sublessee or assignee, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
Lessor,  shall be  delivered  promptly to Lessor.  Any  transfer of an ownership
interest  in Lessee  or any  constituent  entity  shall be  subject  to the same
limitations as are  applicable to a direct  assignment of this Lease pursuant to
this Section 23.1.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained herein,
Lessee may (i) without Lessor's consent,  assign this Lease or sublet all or any
part of the Leased Property to any parent, or wholly-owned  subsidiary of Lessee
or of Prime,  or to any entity which is a successor to Lessee or Prime by way of
merger,  consolidation or corporate  reorganization or by the purchase of all of
the assets,  partnership interests or shares of stock of Lessee, provided Lessee
remains liable under this Lease, and Lessor receives counterparts of all related
documents  or (ii)  sublet  all or any part of the  Leased  Property  to retail,
restaurant  or other  concessions,  at market rates,  in the ordinary  course of
business with the consent of the Lessor, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld,

                                       50

<PAGE>



conditioned nor delayed. At the request of the Lessor, Lessee shall sublet, on a
nonrecourse  basis,  any outparcel of the Leased  Premises not necessary for the
operation of the Facility  under which the Lessor,  as fee owner,  is liable for
all  obligations  of the  sublandlord  and  receives  all of the rent and  other
benefits of the  sublease.  Alternatively,  at the  request of the  Lessor,  the
Lessee shall partially  terminate this Lease as to any such  outparcel,  free of
any purchase option, right of first offer or right of first refusal, without any
termination fee or other consideration.

         23.2. Attornment.  Lessee shall insert in each sublease permitted under
this Lease above  provisions to the effect that (a) such sublease is subject and
subordinate  to all of the terms and  provisions of this Lease and to the rights
of Lessor hereunder,  (b) if this Lease terminates before the expiration of such
sublease, the sublessee hereunder will, at Lessor's option, attorn to Lessor and
waive any right the sublessee may have to terminate the sublease or to surrender
possession  thereunder as a result of the  termination  of this Lease and (c) if
the sublessee  receives a written Notice from Lessor or Lessor's  assignees,  if
any,  stating  that an uncured  Event of Default  exists  under this Lease,  the
sublessee shall  thereafter be obligated to pay all rentals  accruing under said
sublease  directly to the party giving such Notice, or as such party may direct.
All rentals received from the sublessee by Lessor or Lessor's assignees, if any,
as the case may be, shall be credited  against the amounts owing by Lessee under
this Lease (excluding rentals received under subleases requested by Lessor under
the next to last sentence of Section 23.1).

                                   ARTICLE 24

         24.1. Officer's Certificates;  Financial Statements;  Lessor's Estoppel
Certificates and Covenants.

                  (a) At any time and from  time to time  upon not less than ten
(10)  days  Notice by  Lessor,  Lessee  will  furnish  to  Lessor  an  Officer's
Certificate   certifying   that  this  Lease  is  unmodified   (or  listing  any
modification),  and in full force and effect (or  stating  why it is not in full
force and  effect),  the date to which the Rent has been  paid,  whether  to the
knowledge of Lessee there is any existing default or Event of Default  hereunder
by Lessor or Lessee,  and such other information as may be reasonably  requested
by Lessor. Any such certificate furnished pursuant to this Section may be relied
upon by Lessor, any lender and any prospective purchaser of the Leased Property.

                  (b)  Throughout  the Term,  Lessee will  furnish to Lessor all
financial  statements  and financial and  operating  information,  and access to
Lessee's books and records at reasonable times and on reasonable notice.

                  (c) At any time and from  time to time  upon not less than ten
(10) days  notice by  Lessee,  Lessor  will  furnish  to Lessee or to any Person
designated  by Lessee an  estoppel  certificate  certifying  that this  Lease is
unmodified  (or  listing  any  modifications)  and in full  force and effect (or
stating why it is not in full force and effect), the date to which Rent has been
paid,  whether to the knowledge of Lessor there is any existing default or Event
of Default on Lessee's  part  hereunder,  and such other  information  as may be
reasonably requested by Lessee.

                                       51

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 25

         25.1.  Lessor's  Right to Inspect.  Lessee shall permit  Lessor and its
authorized  representatives  as frequently as reasonably  requested by Lessor to
inspect the Leased Property and Lessee's accounts and records pertaining thereto
and make copies  thereof,  during usual business hours upon  reasonable  advance
notice and in the presence of a  representative  of Lessee,  subject only to any
business  confidentiality  requirements  reasonably requested by Lessee.  Lessee
shall provide hotel rooms and services at the Facility on a complimentary  basis
without  charge or other  consideration  for the  Lessor and its  employees  and
agents  when they are  visiting  the  Leased  Premises  or the area in which the
Leased Premises are located.

                                   ARTICLE 26

         26.1.  No Waiver.  No  failure  by Lessor or Lessee to insist  upon the
strict  performance of any term hereof or to exercise any right, power or remedy
consequent upon a breach  thereof,  and no acceptance of full or partial payment
of Rent during the continuance of any such breach,  shall constitute a waiver of
any such breach or of any such term.  To the extent  permitted by law, no waiver
of any breach  shall  affect or alter this Lease,  which shall  continue in full
force and effect with respect to any other then existing or subsequent breach.

                                   ARTICLE 27

         27.1. Remedies Cumulative.  To the extent permitted by law, each legal,
equitable  or  contractual  right,  power and  remedy of Lessor or Lessee now or
hereafter  provided  either in this Lease or by statute  or  otherwise  shall be
cumulative and  concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right,  power
and remedy and the  exercise or beginning of the exercise by Lessor or Lessee of
any one or more of such  rights,  powers and  remedies  shall not  preclude  the
simultaneous  or  subsequent  exercise by Lessor or Lessee of any or all of such
other rights, powers and remedies.

                                   ARTICLE 28

         28.1. Acceptance of Surrender.  No surrender to Lessor of this Lease or
of the Leased Property or any part thereof, or of any interest therein, shall be
valid or effective unless agreed to and accepted in writing by Lessor and no act
by Lessor or any  representative  or agent of Lessor,  other than such a written
acceptance by Lessor, shall constitute an acceptance of any such surrender.

                                   ARTICLE 29

         29.1. No Merger of Title.  There shall be no merger of this Lease or of
the leasehold  estate  created hereby by reason of the fact that the same Person
or entity may acquire,  own or hold,  directly or indirectly:  (a) this Lease or
the  leasehold  estate  created  hereby or any  interest  in this  Lease or such
leasehold estate and (b) the fee estate in the Leased Property.


                                       52

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 30

         30.1.  Conveyance by Lessor.  If Lessor or any  successor  owner of the
Leased Property  conveys the Leased Property in accordance with the terms hereof
other than as security for a debt,  and the grantee or  transferee of the Leased
Property  expressly  assumes  all  obligations  of Lessor  hereunder  arising or
accruing from and after the date of such conveyance or transfer,  Lessor or such
successor owner, as the case may be, shall thereupon be released from all future
liabilities  and obligations of Lessor under this Lease arising or accruing from
and  after  the date of such  conveyance  or  other  transfer  as to the  Leased
Property and all such future  liabilities  and  obligations  shall  thereupon be
binding upon the new owner.

         30.2. Mortgage Subordination, Attornment and Nondisturbance. This Lease
and Lessee's interest hereunder shall at all times be subject and subordinate to
the lien  and  security  title of any  deeds to  secure  debt,  deeds of  trust,
mortgages,  or other interests  heretofore or hereafter granted by Lessor and to
any and all advances to be made  thereunder and to all renewals,  modifications,
consolidations,  replacements,  substitutions,  and  extensions  thereof (all of
which are herein called the "Mortgage") and Lessee shall attorn to and recognize
such Mortgage  lender or its purchaser at foreclosure as its landlord under this
Lease; provided,  however, such subordination and attornment is conditioned upon
delivery to Lessee of a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement,
in form and substance  satisfactory  to Lessor's  Mortgage lender and reasonably
satisfactory to Lessee,  which provides that,  provided that an Event of Default
is not then continuing under this Lease, together with such other terms required
by Lessor's Mortgage lender,  Lessee shall not be disturbed in its possession of
the Leased Property hereunder  following a foreclosure of such Mortgage.  Lessee
shall,  at  Lessor's  request,  promptly  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver any
instrument  which may be  required  to evidence  subordination,  attornment  and
non-disturbance  to any  Mortgage  and to the  holder  thereof.  In the event of
Lessee's failure to deliver such agreement, Lessor may, in addition to any other
remedies for breach of covenant hereunder, execute, acknowledge, and deliver the
agreement  as the  agent  or  attorney-in-fact  of  Lessee,  and  Lessee  hereby
irrevocably  constitutes Lessor its  attorney-in-fact  for such purpose,  Lessee
acknowledging   that  the  appointment  is  coupled  with  an  interest  and  is
irrevocable.  Lessee  hereby waives and releases any claim it might have against
Lessor or any other  party for any actions  lawfully  taken by the Holder of any
Mortgage.

                                   ARTICLE 31

         31.1.  Quiet  Enjoyment.  So long as an  Event of  Default  is not then
continuing,  Lessee shall  peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Leased
Property  for the Term  hereof,  free of any claim or other  action by Lessor or
anyone  claiming  by,  through  or under  Lessor,  but  subject to all liens and
encumbrances  subject to which the Leased  Property  was  conveyed  to Lessor or
hereafter  consented  to by Lessee or provided for herein.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  Lessee  shall have the right by separate and  independent  action to
pursue any claim it may have against Lessor as a result of a breach by Lessor of
the covenant of quiet enjoyment contained in this Section.

                                                   

                                       53

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE 32

         32.1. Notices. All notices, demands,  requests,  consents approvals and
other  communications  ("Notice" or "Notices") hereunder shall be in writing and
personally  served,  mailed (by  registered or certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested and postage  prepaid),  or sent by commercial  overnight  mail service
(including,  without  limitation,  Federal  Express  or UPS),  addressed  to the
following addresses:

                  If to the Lessor:         Equity Inns Partnership, L.P.
                                            4735 Spottswood
                                            Suite 102
                                            Memphis, Tennessee  38117
                                            Attention:  Phillip H. McNeill, Sr.

                  with a copy to:           Hunton & Williams
                                            1751 Pinnacle Drive
                                            McLean, Virginia  22102
                                            Attention:  Gerald R. Best, Esquire

                  If to the Lessee:         c/o Prime Hospitality Corp.
                                            700 Route 46 East
                                            Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                                            Attn:  Mr. David Simon

                                            and

                                            c/o Prime Hospitality Corp.
                                            700 Route 46 East
                                            Fairfield, New Jersey  07707-2700
                                            Attn:  General Counsel

                  with a copy to:           Willkie Farr & Gallagher
                                            One Citicorp Center
                                            153 East 53rd Street
                                            New York, New York  10022-4677
                                            Attn:  Eugene A. Pinover, Esquire

         Each party to this Lease may designate  such other address or addresses
upon Notice to the other party.  Personally  delivered Notice shall be effective
upon receipt,  Notice given by overnight  mail service shall be effective on the
day after deposit with the service,  and Notice given by mail shall be effective
at the time of deposit in the U.S.  Mail system,  but any  prescribed  period of
Notice  and any  right or duty to do any act or make  any  response  within  any
prescribed period or on a date certain after the service of such Notice given by
mail shall be extended five (5) days.


                                       54

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 33

         33.1. Appraisers.  If it becomes necessary to determine the Fair Market
Value or Fair  Market  Rental of the  Leased  Property  for any  purpose of this
Lease,  the  party  required  or  permitted  to give  Notice  of  such  required
determination  shall include in the Notice the name of a Person  selected to act
as  appraiser  on its  behalf.  Within  ten (10) days after  Notice,  Lessor (or
Lessee,  as the case may be) appoint a second Person as appraiser on its behalf.
The  appraisers  thus  appointed,  each of whom must be a member of the American
Institute of Real Estate Appraisers (or any successor organization thereto) with
at least five (5) years experience in the State  appraising  property similar to
the Leased Property,  shall,  within  forty-five (45) days after the date of the
Notice  appointing the first appraiser,  proceed to appraise the Leased Property
to  determine  the Fair  Market  Value or Fair Market  Rental  thereof as of the
relevant date (giving  effect to the impact,  if any, of inflation from the date
of their decision to the relevant  date);  provided,  however,  that if only one
appraiser shall have been so appointed, then the determination of such appraiser
shall be final and binding upon the parties. To the extent consistent with sound
appraisal  practice  as then  existing at the time of any such  appraisal,  such
appraisal shall be made on a basis consistent with the basis on which the Leased
Property was appraised for purposes of determining  its Fair Market Value at the
time the Leased Property was acquired by Lessor. If two appraisers are appointed
and if the  difference  between the amounts so determined  does not exceed 5% of
the lesser of such  amounts,  then the Fair Market  Value or Fair Market  Rental
shall be an amount equal to 50% of the sum of the amounts so determined.  If the
difference  between the amounts so  determined  exceeds 5% of the lesser of such
amounts, then such two appraisers shall have twenty (20) days to appoint a third
appraiser.  If no such appraiser  shall have been  appointed  within such twenty
(20) days or within ninety (90) days of the original request for a determination
of Fair Market Value or Fair Market Rental,  whichever is earlier, either Lessor
or Lessee may apply to any court having  jurisdiction  to have such  appointment
made by such court.  Any  appraiser  appointed by the original  appraisers or by
such court shall be instructed to determine the Fair Market Value or Fair Market
Rental within  forty-five  (45) days after  appointment of such  appraiser.  The
determination  of the appraiser which differs most in the terms of dollar amount
from the  determinations of the other two appraisers shall be excluded,  and 50%
of the sum of the remaining two  determinations  shall be final and binding upon
Lessor and Lessee as the Fair Market  Value or Fair Market  Rental of the Leased
Property,  as the case may be. This provision for determining by appraisal shall
be  specifically  enforceable  to the  extent  such  remedy is  available  under
applicable law, and any determination  hereunder shall be final and binding upon
the parties except as otherwise  provided by applicable  law.  Lessor and Lessee
shall each pay the fees and expenses of the  appraiser  appointed by it and each
shall pay the fees and expenses of the appraiser  appointed by it and each shall
pay one-half of the fees and expenses of the appraiser  appointed by it and each
shall pay one-half of the fees and expenses of the third  appraiser and one-half
of all other costs and expenses incurred in connection with each appraisal.

                                   ARTICLE 34

         34.1. Lessor May Grant Mortgages. Without the consent of Lessee, Lessor
may from time to time,  directly or  indirectly,  create or  otherwise  cause to
exist any Mortgage upon the Leased

                                       55

<PAGE>



Property,  or any  portion  thereof or interest  therein,  whether to secure any
borrowing or other means of financing or refinancing.

         34.2. Lessee's Right to Cure. In addition to the rights of Lessee under
Section 16.1, subject to the provisions of the Section below, if Lessor breaches
any covenant to be performed by it under this Lease,  Lessee,  thirty days after
Notice to and demand upon Lessor,  without  waiving or releasing any  obligation
hereunder,  and in addition to all other remedies  available to Lessee, may (but
shall be under no  obligation  at any time  thereafter  to) make such payment or
perform such act for the account and at the expense of Lessor.  All sums so paid
by Lessee and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation,  reasonable
attorneys' fees) so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Overdue Rate
from the date on which such sums or  expenses  are paid or  incurred  by Lessee,
shall be paid by Lessor to Lessee  on  demand  or,  following  entry of a final,
nonappealable  judgment  against  Lessor  for such  sum.  The  rights  of Lessee
hereunder  to cure and to secure  payment  from Lessor in  accordance  with this
Section shall survive the  termination  of this Lease with respect to the Leased
Property.

         34.3.  Grant of Easements or  Imposition  of  Restrictions.  Lessor may
grant  easements  or impose  restrictions  with  respect to any Leased  Property
without the express written  consent of Lessee,  provided that such easements or
restrictions  shall not materially and adversely impair or prohibit Lessee's use
or  enjoyment of the premises or the conduct of Lessee's  business  thereon,  as
permitted hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE 35

         35.1.  Miscellaneous.  Anything contained in this Lease to the contrary
notwithstanding,  all  claims  against,  and  liabilities  of,  Lessee or Lessor
arising  prior to any date of  termination  of this  Lease  shall  survive  such
termination.  If any term or provision of this Lease or any application  thereof
is invalid or unenforceable,  the remainder of this Lease and any other interest
rate provided for in any provision of this Lease are based upon a rate in excess
of the maximum rate  permitted by  applicable  law, the parties  agree that such
charges shall be fixed at the maximum  permissible rate.  Neither this Lease nor
any provision hereof may be changed, waived,  discharged or terminated except by
a written  instrument  in recordable  form signed by Lessor and Lessee.  All the
terms  and  provisions  of this  Lease  shall be  binding  upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and  permitted
assigns.  The headings in this Lease are for  convenience  of reference only and
shall not limit or  otherwise  affect the  meaning  hereof.  This Lease shall be
governed by and  construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the State,  but not
including its conflicts of laws rules.

         35.2. Transition Procedures.  Upon the expiration or termination of the
Term of this Lease, for whatever reason,  Lessor and Lessee shall do, and Lessee
shall cause its Manager to do, the following (and the provisions of this Section
shall survive the  expiration or  termination of this Lease until they have been
fully  performed)  and, in general,  shall  cooperate in good faith to effect an
orderly transition of the management or lease of the Facility:


                                       56

<PAGE>



                  (a)  Transfer  of  Licenses.  Upon the  expiration  or earlier
termination of the Term, Lessee shall use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to
transfer to Lessor or Lessor's  nominee or assignee  all  Franchise  Agreements,
licenses,  operating  permits  and  other  governmental  authorizations  and all
contracts, including contracts with governmental or quasi-governmental entities,
that may be  necessary  for the  operation of the  Facility  (collectively,  the
"Licenses"),  or (ii) if such transfer is prohibited by law or Lessor  otherwise
elects,  to cooperate  with Lessor or Lessor's  nominee in  connection  with the
processing by Lessor or Lessor's nominee of any applications  for, all Licenses;
provided,  in either case,  that the costs and expenses of any such  transfer or
the  processing  of any such  application  shall be paid by Lessor  or  Lessor's
nominee.

                  (b) Leases and  Concessions.  Lessee shall assign to Lessor or
Lessor's  nominee  simultaneously  with the  termination of this Lease,  and the
assignee  shall  assume all  leases and  concession  agreements  in effect  with
respect to the Facility then in Lessee's name.

                  (c) Books and Records.  All books and records for the Facility
kept by Lessee  pursuant  to Section 3.7 above  shall be  delivered  promptly to
Lessor or Lessor's nominee,  simultaneously  with the termination of this Lease,
but such  books and  records  shall  thereafter  be  available  to Lessee at all
reasonable times for inspection,  audit,  examination,  and  transcription for a
period of one (1) year (or such longer period required to comply with IRS or SEC
requirements),  and  Lessee  may  retain  (on a  confidential  basis)  copies or
computer records thereof.

                  (d)  Remittance.  Lessee  shall  remit to Lessor  or  Lessor's
nominee, simultaneously with the termination of this Lease, all funds remaining,
if any, after payment of all accrued Gross Operating Expenses, and other amounts
due Lessee and after deducting the costs of any scheduled  repair,  replacement,
or  refurbishment of Furniture and Equipment with respect to which deposits have
been made.

         35.3.  Waiver of  Presentment,  etc.  Lessee  waives all  presentments,
demands for payment and for performance,  notices of  nonperformance,  protests,
notices of protest,  notices of dishonor,  and notices of acceptance  and waives
all  notices of the  existence,  creation,  or  incurring  of new or  additional
obligations, except as expressly granted herein.

                                   ARTICLE 36

         36.1.  Memorandum of Lease.  Lessor and Lessee shall  promptly upon the
request of either  enter into a short form  memorandum  of this  Lease,  in form
suitable for  recording  under the laws of the State in which  reference to this
Lease, and all options  contained  herein,  shall be made.  Lessee shall pay all
costs and expenses of recording such memorandum of this Lease.

                                   ARTICLE 37

         37.1.  Transfer of Assets of Lessee. Upon the expiration or termination
of this Lease,  Lessee, upon request of Lessor,  shall convey all of the on-site
personal property, capital leases,

                                       57

<PAGE>



Inventory  and supplies of Lessee  relating to the Leased  Property in an amount
sufficient to comply with the requirements of the Franchise  Agreement in effect
at the expiration or  termination of this Lease to Lessor's new lessee,  manager
or purchaser, or their designee, without any consideration therefor.

                                   ARTICLE 38

         38.1. Compliance With Franchise Agreement. Lessee shall comply in every
respect with the provisions of the Franchise  Agreement (other than requirements
with respect to funding Capital  Improvements  which shall be the responsibility
of Lessor except as expressly provided in this Lease) so as to avoid any default
thereunder during the term of this Lease. To the extent a Franchise Agreement is
terminated  solely as a result of the  failure of the Lessor to make any Capital
Improvement  required  by the  Franchisor,  then  Lessor  shall pay any  related
Franchise Agreement termination fee. Lessee shall not terminate,  extend, modify
or enter into any Franchise  Agreement  without in each instance first obtaining
Lessor's  prior  written  consent not to be  unreasonably  withheld.  Lessor and
Lessee  agree  to  cooperate  fully  with  each  other in the  event it  becomes
necessary to obtain a Franchise  Agreement  extension or  modification  or a new
franchise for the Leased Property.  If the Franchise  Agreement expires prior to
the  expiration of the Lease Term,  Lessee,  with the prior  approval of Lessor,
shall endeavor to obtain a new or extended  franchise  license.  Lessee shall be
the franchisee under any such franchise agreement.  So long as the Franchisor is
an Affiliate  of the Lessee,  Lessee  shall cause such  Franchisor  to treat the
Franchise, the Hotel, the Lessor and the Lessee in a nondiscriminatory manner so
as not to give the Lessee any  benefit  not  granted  other  franchisees  to the
detriment  of the Hotel or the  Lessor,  nor burden the Hotel or the Lessor in a
manner other franchise fee owners or hotels are not burdened; including, without
limitation,  Lessee shall cause  Franchisor not to require Capital  Improvements
and  Capital  Expenditures  at a level in excess  of  Capital  Improvements  and
Capital  Expenditures for other  franchised  hotels or hotels owned and operated
directly or indirectly for the account of Prime.

                                   ARTICLE 39

         39.1. Capital  Expenditures and Reserves.  Lessor agrees to establish a
reserve account  together with all interest earned thereon for the Facility (the
"Capital Expenditure Reserve Account") to fund Capital Expenditures in an amount
equal to four percent (4%) of annual Room  Revenues  from the  Facility,  net of
amounts actually  expended for Capital  Expenditures for the Facility during any
Fiscal Year.  Any funds escrowed  pursuant to a Franchise  Agreement or Mortgage
and  designated  for  Capital  Expenditures  shall be  deemed  to be part of the
Capital Expenditure Reserve Account for the Leased Property.  Any funds escrowed
pursuant  to a Mortgage  may be pledged as  security  for such  Mortgage,  which
pledge may provide that, in the event of a default by Lessor under the Mortgage,
the  escrowed  funds may be  applied to the  balance of the loan  secured by the
Mortgage;  provided,  however,  that in the  event the  holder  of the  Mortgage
exercises such remedy, Lessor shall be obligated immediately to deposit into the
Capital  Expenditure  Reserve  Account any amount which may then be necessary to
bring the funds in such account  (together with any funds remaining in any other
accounts  of  Lessor  dedicated  for such  purpose)  up to the  aggregate  level
required by this

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<PAGE>



Section.  The  Capital  Expenditure  Reserve  Account  for the  Facility  may be
commingled by Lessor with similar accounts of Lessor with respect to other hotel
properties  leased  by  Lessor  to  Lessee.  Upon  request  by  Lessee  not more
frequently  than twice a year,  Lessor  shall  provide  Lessee a written  report
stating  the amounts  held in such  Capital  Expenditure  Reserve  Account  with
respect to the Leased  Property and amounts  disbursed  out of said account with
respect to the  Leased  Property  during the prior  Fiscal  Year.  Upon  written
request  by  Lessee  to  Lessor  stating  the  specific  use to be made  and the
reasonable  approval  thereof by Lessor,  the funds in the  Capital  Expenditure
Reserve  Account shall be made available by Lessor for use by Lessee for Capital
Expenditures  in  connection  with the Primary  Intended Use as set forth in the
approved Capital Budget; provided, however, that no amounts made available under
this  Article  shall be used to purchase  property  (other than "real  property"
within the meaning of Treasury  Regulations Section  1.856-3(d)),  to the extent
that doing so would cause the Lessor to recognize  income other than "rents from
real property" as defined in Section 856(d) of the Code.  Lessor's obligation to
fund the Capital Expenditure Reserve Account shall be cumulative and any Capital
Expenditures  with  respect to the  Facility  made by Lessor or an  Affiliate of
Lessor in connection  with the purchase or during its period of ownership of the
Leased Property in excess of four percent (4%) of Gross Revenues on a cumulative
basis  shall be  credited to the  Capital  Expenditure  Reserve  Account for the
Facility.  All  amounts  in the  Capital  Expenditure  Reserve  Account  are the
property of Lessor.  Lessee  shall have no  interest in the Capital  Expenditure
Reserve  Account  other than with respect to the funding of amounts in a Capital
Budget approved by Lessor.

                                   ARTICLE 40

         40.1. Definitions. For the purpose of this Article, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

                  (a) "RevPAR Index  Baseline" shall mean the RevPAR Yield Index
for the Leased Property on the Commencement Date, which shall be equal to 100.

                  (b) "RevPAR Market  Decline" shall mean a decline of more than
fifteen  percentage  points of the RevPAR Yield Index of the Facility  below the
RevPAR Index  Baseline,  unless Lessee makes a cash payment of  additional  Base
Rent to Lessor on the due date of the final Rent  payment for such Lease Year in
an amount equal to the Rent that would have been paid if Gross Revenues for such
Lease Year  equaled  the amount  necessary  to cause such  decline in the RevPAR
Yield Index to be not greater than 15 percent.

                  (c) "RevPAR  Yield  Index"  shall mean the  percentage  amount
obtained  by  dividing  the RevPAR of the Leased  Property  by the RevPAR of the
Competitive  Set of the Leased  Property,  calculated in accordance with the STR
Report which  contains a full calendar year  calculation  thereof for the Leased
Property (or if STR Reports are no longer published or do not contain sufficient
information  to make such  calculation,  the RevPAR Yield Index shall instead be
calculated using the methodology  presently used by STR Reports from information
contained in any other publication  reasonably selected Lessor and recognized by
the hotel industry as being an authoritative source of

                                       59

<PAGE>



such information or, if no such publication  exists,  from an analysis conducted
at the joint expense of Lessor and Lessee by a nationally  recognized accounting
firm with a  hospitality  division  chosen by  Lessor of which  neither  Lessor,
Lessee or their Affiliates is a significant client).

         40.2.  Performance Standard.  Unless caused by Unavoidable Delays, upon
the  occurrence  of a RevPAR  Market  Decline,  Lessor  shall have the option to
terminate  this  Lease,  upon 30 days prior  written  notice to Lessee  thereof,
unless during such 30 day period  Lessee pays Lessor as additional  Base Rent an
amount  (reasonably  calculated by Lessor and specified in such notice) equal to
the sum  Lessor  would  have  received  as Rent had this  Lease met the  minimum
criteria to avoid such RevPAR Market Decline.

                                   ARTICLE 41

         41.1. Arbitration. Except as otherwise expressly provided, in the event
a dispute should arise  concerning the  interpretation  or application of any of
the  provisions  of this  Lease,  the parties  agree that the  dispute  shall be
submitted to arbitration of the American Arbitration  Association under its then
prevailing rules, except as modified by this Article.  The Arbitration  Tribunal
shall be formed of three (3) Arbitrators  each of which shall have at least five
(5) years' experience in hotel operation, management or ownership, one (1) to be
appointed  by each of Lessor  and Lessee  and the third to be  appointed  by the
American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall take place in the county
in which the Leased  Property is located and shall be  conducted  in the English
language.  The  arbitration  award shall be final and  binding  upon the parties
hereto and  subject to no appeal,  and shall deal with the  question of costs of
arbitration  and all matters related  thereto.  Judgment upon the award rendered
may be entered into any court having  jurisdiction,  or applications may be made
to such court for an order of enforcement.  Any  arbitration  under this Article
shall be submitted  within three (3) months  following the notice which triggers
the arbitration,  and shall be concluded within one (1) year thereafter.  In the
event either of the foregoing deadlines are missed,  either party may proceed to
commence a court proceeding to resolve the dispute.

                                   ARTICLE 42

         42.1.  Right of First Offer.  In the event that Lessor  desires to sell
its  interest  in the Leased  Property,  Lessor  shall  first offer to Lessee by
written  Notice  (the  "Offer  Notice")  the  opportunity  to acquire the Leased
Property at the price at which Lessor intends to offer the Leased  Property (the
"Offer Price").  In the event that Lessee elects in writing,  within thirty days
following  receipt of such Offer Notice,  to acquire the Leased  Property at the
Offer Price,  Lessor shall be obligated to sell the Leased Property to Lessee or
its  nominee  at the  Offer  Price,  and the  closing  of  said  sale  shall  be
consummated  within fifteen (15) days following  Lessee's election in accordance
with the provisions of Article.  Upon such sale, this Lease shall terminate with
respect to the Leased  Property as if such date were the fixed  expiration  date
set forth in this Lease,  without any further  obligation of either party to the
other,  other than any accrued  obligations  hereunder or any other  obligations
that expressly  survive the  termination  of this Lease.  The provisions of this
Article 42 shall not apply to any sale, transfer or conveyance by Lessor of any
interest in the Leased Property to any Affiliate of Lessor.

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<PAGE>



         42.2. Sale of Leased  Property by Lessor.  In the event Lessee does not
elect to acquire the Leased Property in accordance with the preceding paragraph,
Lessor  shall be  permitted  to sell the Leased  Property  to a third party at a
price equal to or greater than 100% of the Offer Price.  In calculating the 100%
as stated  herein,  only the stated  purchase  price  shall be  relevant  and no
adjustments  offered to Lessee shall be considered in respect of the other terms
or conditions of the proposed sale. If such sale is not  consummated  within six
months  after the  delivery of the Offer  Notice,  Lessor  shall be obligated to
repeat  the  procedure  set forth in the  preceding  paragraph.  If such sale is
consummated, this Lease shall terminate as of the closing date of such sale.

         42.3.  Termination of Lease. Upon termination of this Lease pursuant to
Section 42.2 above, this Lease shall be of no further force and effect except as
to any  obligations  existing as of such date that  survive  termination  of the
Lease,  and all Rent shall be adjusted as of such date. As compensation  for the
early termination of Lessee's  leasehold estate  hereunder,  Lessor shall pay to
Lessee (a) an amount equal to the Net Present Value (as hereinafter  defined) as
of the date of such sale  (the  "Termination  Payment")  and (b) a sum equal the
liquidated damages required for early termination of the Franchise Agreement (to
the extent caused by Lessor's termination).  No Termination Payment or Franchise
Agreement  termination payment shall be payable where (i) such sale by Lessor is
made subject to this Lease (and Lessee shall attorn to such  purchaser)  or (ii)
Lessor causes such purchaser to offer Lessee a management  agreement on economic
and other material terms at least as  advantageous to the Lessee as the economic
and other  material  terms of this  Lease and Prime or its  successor  or assign
remains as  Franchisor.  In lieu of the payment due under (a) above,  Lessee may
accept  at its  option  Lessor's  offer,  if any,  to lease to the  Lessee or an
Affiliate of Lessee one or more substitute hotel  facilities  pursuant to one or
more  leases  (the  "Substitute  Leases")  that would  create for Lessee and the
applicable  Affiliate of Lessee  leasehold  estates that have an aggregate  Fair
Market Value of no less than the Fair Market Value of the then remaining term of
the Lease with  respect to the Leased  Property  and  otherwise  be on terms not
materially  less favorable to Lessee than those of this Lease.  If Lessee elects
the option and  enters  into  Substitute  Leases,  Lessor  shall have no further
obligations  to Lessee with  respect to  payments  under (a),  above,  for early
termination  of this Lease.  The "Net Present  Value" shall mean the fair market
value of the remaining Term  (excluding any  unexercised  renewal terms) of this
Lease,  which shall be deemed to be the sum of 50% of the amount  calculated  by
multiplying (a) the average annual EBITDA (i.e.,  net earnings before  interest,
taxes,  depreciation  and  amortization)  to  Lessee  net of all  Rent  (without
duplication) for the three (3) Fiscal Years ended  immediately prior to the date
of sale, times (b) the number of Fiscal Years (or portions thereof) remaining in
the Lease Term excluding renewal terms times (c) one hundred percent (100%) plus
the average  annual  percentage  increase in the Consumer Price Index during the
three (3) Fiscal  Years  ended  immediately  prior to the date of sale,  and (d)
discounting  the  product of (a) times (b) times (c) above by the Base Rate plus
one percent.

         42.4.   Substitute Franchisee.  Lessor shall have no obligation to make
any payment under subparagraph (b) of Section 42.3 with respect of liquidated
damages under the Franchise Agreement

                                       61

<PAGE>



or  otherwise,  if as of the  closing  of the sale the  purchaser  of the Leased
Property enters into a franchise  agreement with AmeriSuites  Hospitality,  Inc.
("AmeriSuites"),  providing  for the  payment  of  royalties  and other  sums in
amounts at least equal to the royalties and other amounts provided for under the
Franchise Agreement and otherwise be on terms not materially less favorable than
those of the  Franchise  Agreement.  The Lessee shall cause  AmeriSuites  not to
unreasonably  withhold,  delay nor condition  the issuance of a new  AmeriSuites
franchise  agreement  to such  purchaser  or its  designee on the same terms and
conditions as the  franchise  agreement of the Lessee  without any  termination,
transfer or application fees.

         42.5.   Limitation  of   Terminations.   Anything  herein  to  contrary
notwithstanding in this Lease or in any Other Lease executed simultaneously with
this Lease , Lessor shall have no right to terminate this Lease under Article 42
hereof prior to the fifth  anniversary of the Commencement  Date, if this Lease,
when  added  to  all  other   Affiliated   Leases  and  Other  Leases   executed
simultaneously  with this Lease previously  terminated  either under Articles 42
and 43 or as a result of a material event of default by Lessor (after applicable
notice and cure rights)  would cause the number of  Affiliated  Leases and Other
Leases so  terminated  to exceed  three.  It is the intention of Lessor that the
total number of Affiliated Leases executed  simultaneously with this Lease which
may be terminated prior to the fifth  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date for
such reasons  shall not exceed  three.  Nothing  shall limit  Lessor's  right to
terminate  this Lease under  Article 16 or Articles 14 or 15,  regardless of any
terminations of Other Leases.

                                   ARTICLE 43

         43.1.  Change in REIT  Status or REIT  Regulations.  In the event  that
Equity Inns terminates its status as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for
tax  purposes,  or in the event that the Internal  Revenue Code  provisions  are
amended  so that REITs are  permitted  to  operate  hotels,  Lessor may elect to
terminate  this  Lease.  In the event that this Lease is so  terminated,  Lessor
shall be obligated to pay to Lessee the  Termination  Payment  calculated as set
forth in Article 42 hereof. Anything herein to contrary  notwithstanding in this
Lease or in any Other Lease  executed  simultaneously  with this  Lease,  Lessor
shall have no right to  terminate  this Lease under this Article 43 prior to the
fifth  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date, if upon termination of this Lease
the total number of this Lease and Other  Leases  executed  simultaneously  with
this  Lease  terminated  under  Articles  42 and 43 or as a result of a material
event of default by Lessor  (after  applicable  notice  and cure  rights)  shall
exceed three.  It is the intention of Lessor that the total number of this Lease
and the  Other  Leases  executed  simultaneously  with this  Lease  which may be
terminated  prior to the fifth  anniversary of the  Commencement  Date shall not
exceed three.

                                   ARTICLE 44

         44.1. Lease Renewal. At least ninety days but not more than one hundred
eighty days prior to the expiration of the Term of this Lease, and provided that
(a) no Event of Default nor any event which with the giving of notice or passage
of time or both,  would  constitute an Event of Default has occurred and is then
continuing; and (b) Lessee has met the performance standards (as described in

                                       62

<PAGE>



Article 40) with respect to the Leased Property (or cures any under  performance
in accordance  with the terms thereof) shall submit to Lessee a proposal for the
terms under which it is prepared to extend this Lease with respect to the Leased
Property for an additional five year period. Thereafter, Lessor and Lessee shall
endeavor in good faith to negotiate such extension. In the event that Lessor and
Lessee fail to reach  agreement on the terms of such  extension  with respect to
the Leased  Property at least sixty days prior to the  expiration of the Term of
this  Lease,  Lessor  shall be  permitted  to commence  negotiations  with third
parties  which are not  Affiliates  of Equity Inns or Lessor with respect to the
lease of the Leased  Property  upon the  expiration  of the Term of this  Lease,
provided  that  Lessor may not enter into a lease with any such third party with
respect to the Leased  Property on terms  substantially  more  favorable to such
third party than those last offered to Lessee. In the event the Term is extended
for such five year  period,  the Lessor  shall  make the same five year  renewal
offer at the  expiration  of such initial five year  renewal  Term,  on the same
terms and conditions as the initial renewal.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Lease by their duly
authorized officers as of the date first above written.



                         [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

                                       63

<PAGE>



                                 LEASE AGREEMENT
                                 SIGNATURE PAGE



                                     LESSOR:

                                     EQUITY INNS PARTNERSHIP, L.P., a
                                     Tennessee limited partnership

                                     By:      Equity Inns Trust, general partner


                                     By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:



State of                                    )
                                    )       SS.
County of                           )


                  BEFORE ME, a Notary  Public in and for said State and  County,
personally appeared ______________________________________________________,  the
____________________________  of Equity  Inns Trust,  general  partner of EQUITY
INNS PARTNERSHIP,  L.P., a Tennessee limited partnership,  who acknowledged that
they  executed  the  foregoing  instrument  for and on  behalf  of said  general
partner, that the same was their own free act and deed, individually and as such
officers, and the free act and deed of the partnership.

                  IN  TESTIMONY  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto set my hand and seal
this ____ day of ________________________, 1997.



                                     Notary Public

                                     My commission expires:_____________




                              [SIGNATURES CONTINUE]



<PAGE>



                                 LEASE AGREEMENT
                                 SIGNATURE PAGE



                                     LESSEE:

                                     CALDWELL HOLDING CORP., a
                                     Delaware corporation


                                     By:
                                     Name:
                                     Title:



State of                                    )
                                       )    SS.
County of                              )


                  BEFORE ME, a Notary  Public in and for said State and  County,
personally appeared  __________________________________________________________,
the   ____________________________   of  CALDWELL   HOLDING  CORP.,  a  Delaware
corporation,  who acknowledged  that they executed the foregoing  instrument for
and on  behalf  of said  corporation,  that the same was  their own free act and
deed,  individually  and as such  officers,  and the  free  act and  deed of the
corporation.

                  IN  TESTIMONY  WHEREOF,  I have  hereunto set my hand and seal
this ____ day of ________________________, 1997.



                                     Notary Public

                                     My commission expires:_____________












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