Non-controlling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012 Entity	Jun. 17, 2011	Jun. 15, 2012 Entity	Jun. 17, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of majority-owned partnerships that have third-party, non-controlling ownership interests that have been consolidated	5		5
Number of majority-owned partnerships that have third-party, non-controlling ownership interests with finite lives	3		3
Non-controlling interests in outside partnerships	$ 36		$ 36		$ 36
Non-controlling interests in outside partnerships	65		65		67
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests outside partnerships	0	(1)	(2)	(2)
Net (income) loss attributable to outside partners of Host LP	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ 0
HOST HOTELS & RESORTS L.P.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
OP units conversion basis			One common OP unit now may be exchanged into 1.021494 shares of Host Inc. common stock.
Lower Limit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Majority-owned partnerships with mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests, finite life (years)	99 years		99 years
Majority-owned partnerships with mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests, termination year	2081		2081
Upper Limit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Majority-owned partnerships with mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests, finite life (years)	100 years		100 years
Majority-owned partnerships with mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests, termination year	2095		2095