Loss Per Share/Unit (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to FelCor	$ (19,025,000)	$ (22,832,000)	$ (35,619,000)	$ (96,761,000)
Discontinued operations attributable to FelCor	(10,000,000)	623,000	(32,372,000)	(8,361,000)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to FelCor	(29,025,000)	(22,209,000)	(67,991,000)	(105,122,000)
Less: Preferred dividends	(9,678,000)	(9,678,000)	(29,034,000)	(29,034,000)
Numerator for continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	(38,703,000)	(31,887,000)	(97,025,000)	(134,156,000)
Numerator for basic and diluted income (loss) attributable to FelCor common stockholders	(28,703,000)	(32,510,000)	(64,653,000)	(125,795,000)
Denominator: [Abstract]
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share (in shares)	123,640	123,062	123,648	113,908
Basic and diluted loss per share data:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.78)	$ (1.18)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ (0.01)	$ 0.26	$ 0.07
Net loss (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.10)
FelCor Lodging LP [Member]
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to FelCor	(19,169,000)	(22,998,000)	(35,948,000)	(97,230,000)
Discontinued operations attributable to FelCor	(10,050,000)	626,000	(32,535,000)	(8,388,000)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to FelCor	(29,219,000)	(22,372,000)	(68,483,000)	(105,618,000)
Less: Preferred dividends	(9,678,000)	(9,678,000)	(29,034,000)	(29,034,000)
Numerator for continuing operations attributable to common stockholders	(38,897,000)	(32,050,000)	(97,517,000)	(134,652,000)
Numerator for basic and diluted income (loss) attributable to FelCor common stockholders	(28,847,000)	(32,676,000)	(64,982,000)	(126,264,000)
Denominator: [Abstract]
Denominator for basic and diluted loss per share (in shares)	124,266	123,700	124,278	114,361
Basic and diluted loss per share data:
Loss from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.78)	$ (1.18)
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ (0.01)	$ 0.26	$ 0.07
Net loss (in dollars per share)	$ (0.23)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.52)	$ (1.10)
Series A Preferred Shares/Units [Member]
Basic and diluted loss per share data:
Dividends excluded from computation of earnings per share/unit	$ 6,300,000	$ 6,300,000	$ 18,800,000	$ 18,800,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Shares/Units [Member]
Basic and diluted loss per share data:
Excluded from computation of earnings per share/unit	9,985	9,985	9,985	9,985