Investments in Unconsolidated Entities Investments Ownership Interest (Details) - Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Main Street WP Hotel Associates, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
FBC-CHI Hotels, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		40.00%	40.00%
CS Hotel 30W46th, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		25.00%	25.00%
CS Brickell, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
CS Maple Grove, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
CS Hotel West Orange, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
Hotel JV Services, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	[1]	16.00%	16.00%
City Market Hotel Development, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		43.00%	43.00%
CS at Phoenix, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		0.00%	50.00%
CS Woodlands, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%	50.00%
926 James M. Wood Boulevard LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		75.00%	0.00%
CS Dallas Elm, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		45.00%	0.00%
Choice Hotels Canada, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	[1]	50.00%	50.00%

[1] Non-variable interest entity investments