Host Inc. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME		$ 108	$ 87	$ 643	$ 400
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(1)	(2)	(7)	(5)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO REPORTING ENTITY		$ 107	$ 85	$ 636	$ 395
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		740.6	746.4	744.8	752.1
Assuming distribution of common shares granted under the comprehensive stock plans, less shares assumed purchased at market		0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4
Diluted weighted average shares/units outstanding	[1]	741.1	746.8	745.2	752.5
Basic earnings per common share		$ 0.14	$ 0.11	$ 0.85	$ 0.53
Diluted earnings per common share		$ 0.14	$ 0.11	$ 0.85	$ 0.53

[1] There were approximately 31 million potentially dilutive shares for both the quarter and year-to-date ended September 30, 2015 related to our exchangeable senior debentures, which were anti-dilutive for the period. The exchangeable senior debentures were redeemed in 2015 in exchange for 32 million shares.