Host Inc. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME		$ 771	$ 565	$ 741
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests		(9)	(7)	(9)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO REPORTING ENTITY		762	558	732
Assuming conversion of exchangeable senior debentures				27
Diluted income attributable to Host Inc.		$ 762	$ 558	$ 759
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		743.0	752.4	755.4
Assuming weighted average shares for conversion of exchangeable senior debentures				30.3
Assuming distribution of common shares granted under the comprehensive stock plans, less shares assumed purchased at market		0.7	0.5	1.1
Diluted weighted average shares/units outstanding	[1]	743.7	752.9	786.8
Basic earnings per common share		$ 1.03	$ 0.74	$ 0.97
Diluted earnings per common share		$ 1.02	$ 0.74	$ 0.96

[1] There were approximately 25 million potentially dilutive shares (on a weighted average basis) for the year ended December 31, 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.