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Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
 0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 17 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 23, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Jun. 27, 2012
Aug. 25, 2010
Jul. 25, 2012
Jul. 25, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Outstanding debt   $ 794,431,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations           $ 793,559,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations  
2012 Special Cash Dividend [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Special dividend payment date Aug. 23, 2012                
Senior Notes [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Outstanding debt   649,636,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		              
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Outstanding debt   129,375,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		              
Economic Development Loans [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument stated interest rate   3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		              
Debt instrument effective interest rate   3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		           3.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		  
Outstanding debt   3,536,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		           3,360,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		  
Economic development agreements - total advances agreed upon   4,400,000chh_EconomicDevelopmentAgreementsTotalAdvancesAgreedUpon
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		              
Economic development agreements - advances received   3,500,000chh_EconomicDevelopmentAgreementsAdvancesReceived
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		              
Economic development agreements - advances not yet received   900,000chh_EconomicDevelopmentAgreementsAdvancesnotyetReceived
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_EconomicDevelopmentLoansMember		              
Economic development agreements - measurement frequency   annually              
Economic development agreements - term   10 years              
Collateralized Mortgage [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument stated interest rate                 7.26%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember
Debt instrument effective interest rate   4.65%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember		              
Outstanding debt   10,667,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember		           0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember		  
Mortgage obligation                 9,500,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember
Debt instrument, future balloon payment                 6,900,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentToBePaid
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember
Debt instrument, unamortized premium   1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember		             1,200,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedPremium
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CollateralizedMortgageObligationsMember
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument issuance date     Jun. 27, 2012            
Debt instrument, face amount     400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		            
Debt instrument stated interest rate     5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		            
Debt instrument effective interest rate   6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		 6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		         6.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
Debt instrument maturity date     Jul. 01, 2022            
Debt instrument payment frequency     semi-annually            
Number of wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries     8chh_NumberofDomesticSubsidiariesasaGuaranteetoSeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		            
Outstanding debt   400,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		           400,000,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption [Domain]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, percentage of principal amount to be redeemed     100.00%chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentOfPrincipalBalance
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionOptionMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		            
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption [Domain] | Treasury Rate [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis     Treasury Rate            
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate     0.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionOptionMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= chh_TreasuryRateMember		            
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Other Current Assets and Other Assets [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt issuance cost     7,500,000us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= chh_OtherCurrentAssetsandOtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		            
$400 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | 2012 Special Cash Dividend [Member] | 2012 Special Cash Dividend [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Payments of special dividends 600,700,000chh_PaymentsOfSpecialDividends
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A400MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_A2012SpecialCashDividendMember
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= chh_A2012SpecialCashDividendMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		                
Special dividend payment date Aug. 23, 2012                
$250 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument issuance date       Aug. 25, 2010          
Debt instrument, face amount       250,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		          
Debt instrument stated interest rate       5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		          
Debt instrument effective interest rate   6.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		   6.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		       6.19%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
Debt instrument maturity date       Aug. 28, 2020          
Debt instrument payment frequency       semi-annually          
Number of wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries       8chh_NumberofDomesticSubsidiariesasaGuaranteetoSeniorNotes
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		          
Senior notes, discount   400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		   600,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		       400,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
Outstanding debt   249,636,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		           249,572,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
$250 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption [Domain]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, percentage of principal amount to be redeemed       100.00%chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentOfPrincipalBalance
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionOptionMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		          
$250 Million Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption [Domain] | Treasury Rate [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, description of variable rate basis       Treasury Rate          
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate       0.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A250MillionSeniorNotesMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_DebtInstrumentRedemptionOptionMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= chh_TreasuryRateMember		          
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument issuance date         Jul. 25, 2012        
Debt instrument, face amount         350,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		 350,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		      
Debt instrument effective interest rate   2.17%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		           2.17%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		  
Percentage of ownership in certain domestic subsidiaries included as security by first priority pledges         100.00%chh_PercentageOfOwnershipInCertainDomesticSubsidiariesincludedasSecuritybyFirstPriorityPledges
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		        
Percentage of ownership in certain foreign and domestic subsidiaries and franchise agreements included as security by first priority pledges         65.00%chh_PercentageofOwnershipinCertainForeignandDomesticSubsidiariesandFranchiseAgreementsincludedasSecuritybyFirstPriorityPledges
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		        
Debt instrument additional borrowing capacity         100,000,000chh_DebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAmountAvailable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		 100,000,000chh_DebtInstrumentAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAmountAvailable
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		      
Credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage         0.30%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		        
Total leverage ratio   3.11chh_TotalLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		              
Maximum secured leverage ratio   0.51chh_MaximumSecuredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		              
Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio   5.07chh_MinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		              
Outstanding debt   129,375,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		           138,750,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		  
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Total leverage ratio (not more than)         4.50chh_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate         4.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate         2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate         3.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate         1.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Final Loan Term (Extension) [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, extension, term         1 year        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Total Leverage Ratio exceeds 4.50 to 1.00 [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Credit facility, dividend restrictions         50,000,000chh_CreditFacilityDividendRestriction
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_TotalLeverageRatioexceeds4.50to1.00Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 1 [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Total leverage ratio (not more than)         5.75chh_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year1Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
Secured leverage ratio (not more than)         2.50chh_SecuredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year1Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 2 [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Total leverage ratio (not more than)         5.0chh_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
Secured leverage ratio (not more than)         2.25chh_SecuredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 3 [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Total leverage ratio (not more than)         4.5chh_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
Secured leverage ratio (not more than)         2.0chh_SecuredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Year 3 [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Fixed charge coverage ratio (not less than)         2.25chh_FixedChargeCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Year3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | After Year 3 [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Total leverage ratio (not more than)         4.0chh_LeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_AfterYear3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
Secured leverage ratio (not more than)         1.75chh_SecuredLeverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_AfterYear3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | After Year 3 [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Fixed charge coverage ratio (not less than)         2.50chh_FixedChargeCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_AfterYear3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Years 1 and 2 [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Fixed charge coverage ratio (not less than)         2.00chh_FixedChargeCoverageRatio
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_Years1And2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Other Current Assets and Other Assets [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt issuance cost         3,700,000us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= chh_OtherCurrentAssetsandOtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		        
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | 2012 Special Cash Dividend [Member] | 2012 Special Cash Dividend [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Payments of special dividends 600,700,000chh_PaymentsOfSpecialDividends
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A350MillionSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_A2012SpecialCashDividendMember
/ us-gaap_DividendsAxis
= chh_A2012SpecialCashDividendMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember		                
Special dividend payment date Aug. 23, 2012                
$350 Million Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument maturity date         Jul. 25, 2016        
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity         200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		      
Outstanding debt   0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		           0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		  
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity         25,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 25,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		      
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Swingline Loans [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity         10,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_SwinglineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 10,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_SwinglineLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		      
$200 Million Revolver [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Alternative Currency Loans [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Line of credit maximum borrowing capacity         35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_AlternativeCurrencyLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		 35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A200MillionRevolverMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentUseOfProceedsAxis
= chh_AlternativeCurrencyLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember		      
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan, Long-term [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, face amount         150,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		 150,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		      
Debt instrument payment frequency         quarterly        
Outstanding debt   129,400,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		         138,800,000us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		    
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan, Long-term [Member] | Final Loan Term (Extension) [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases         1 year        
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance         10.00%chh_DebtInstrumentAmortizationInstallmentPaymentsPercentageOfOriginalPrincipalBalance
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_FinalLoanTermExtensionMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		        
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan, Long-term [Member] | Initial Loan Term [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases         2 years        
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance         5.00%chh_DebtInstrumentAmortizationInstallmentPaymentsPercentageOfOriginalPrincipalBalance
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_InitialLoanTermMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		        
$150 Million Term Loan [Member] | Term Loan, Long-term [Member] | Second Loan Term [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, amortization installment payment phases         2 years        
Debt instrument, amortization installment payments, percentage of original principal balance         7.50%chh_DebtInstrumentAmortizationInstallmentPaymentsPercentageOfOriginalPrincipalBalance
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A150MillionTermLoanMember
/ chh_DebtInstrumentbyTermCategoryAxis
= chh_SecondLoanTermMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_TermLoanLongTermMember		        
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage           0.45%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Credit facility, commitment fee percentage           0.20%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate           1.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate           1.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate           0.80%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate           0.05%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= chh_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_VariableRateAxis
= us-gaap_BaseRateMember		      
$300 Million Revolver [Member] [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                  
Termination of unsecured revolving credit agreement         300,000,000chh_TerminationOfUnsecuredRevolvingCreditAgreement
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember		        
Unamortized debt issuance expense         1,700,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember		 1,700,000us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember		      
Write off of deferred debt issuance cost             $ 500,000us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= chh_A300MillionRevolverMemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember		    
Credit facility, frequency of commitment fee payment         quarterly