Equity of Host Inc. and Capital of Host L.P. - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013 2013 Plan Executive Officer	Feb. 06, 2013 2013 Plan Executive Officer Restricted Stock	Feb. 06, 2013 2013 Plan Executive Officer Employee Stock Option	Mar. 31, 2013 Limited Partner	Mar. 31, 2013 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.	Mar. 23, 2012 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.	Mar. 31, 2013 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. 2012 Sales Agency, Financing Agreement	Mar. 31, 2013 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS L.P.	Dec. 31, 2012 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS L.P.	Mar. 31, 2013 HOST HOTELS & RESORTS L.P. 2012 Sales Agency, Financing Agreement
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Percentage of the common OP Units					1.30%	98.70%
Shares issuable upon conversion of one OP unit	1.021494								1.021494	1.021494
Common stock issued, shares								6,100,000
Average price per share for stock issued								$ 16.78
Common stock issuance						$ 103	$ 173	$ 102
Common OP units issued, units											6,000,000
Issuance capacity remaining under the current agreement								198
Dividend declaration date						Feb. 20, 2013
Dividend per share, declared						$ 0.10
Dividend payable date						Apr. 15, 2013
Dividend record date						Mar. 28, 2013
Common OP units, distribution paid									$ 0.1021494
Shares - granted			1,600,000
Shares vesting percentage			50.00%
Payout comparison			Approximately 50% of the restricted shares are performance-based awards, with vesting based on the level of achievement with respect to specific management business objectives in 2013. The remaining awards are market-based awards and vesting is based on Host Inc.'s performance on relative shareholder return as compared to three indices the S&P 500 Index, the NAREIT Equity Index, and a lodging company index consisting of eight companies.
Stock options - granted				400,000
Stock options - granted exercise price				$ 16.55
Compensation expense		$ 3.3