Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests/Units in FelCor LP - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss	$ 179	$ 78
Predecessor \| FelCor Lodging LP
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of the period	4,888	4,464
Conversion of units	0	(9)
Redemption value allocation	196	673
Distributions paid to unitholders	(134)	(147)
Net loss	(495)	(93)
Balance at end of the period	$ 4,455	$ 4,888

Allocation To Redeemable NonControlling Interests

No definition available.

Name:	rlj_AllocationToRedeemableNonControllingInterests
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Conversion of Operating Partnership Units Into Common Shares Value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rlj_ConversionofOperatingPartnershipUnitsIntoCommonSharesValue
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Distributions Paid to Unit Holders

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rlj_DistributionsPaidtoUnitHolders
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115205541&loc=SL114868664-224227

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.27(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=rlj_FelCorLodgingLPMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: