* Says no plans to close or sell any of its hotels

* Does not seek DIP financing

* Lists assets of $7.1 bln, debt of $7.6 bln (Adds comment on Blackstone, background)

By Santosh Nadgir

BANGALORE, June 15 (Reuters) - Debt-strapped hotel chain Extended Stay Inc [ESAIN.UL] filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday, becoming the latest leveraged buyout deal to crater as the U.S. recession culled travel to its chain of 680 hotels.

Extended Stay struggled with a faltering economy and large debt load, following companies such as media group Tribune Co into bankruptcy.

New Jersey-based real estate investment firm Lightstone Group LLC bought Extended Stay from private-equity firm Blackstone Group LP in June last year, shortly before global credit markets began a tightening from which they have yet to recover.

Lightstone borrowed about $7.4 billion for the buyout.

Blackstone has no remaining exposure -- either in equity or debt -- to Extended Stay, a source familiar with the situation said.