Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Assets held for sale	$ 850	$ 850
Number of properties classified as held for sale	1
Cumulative impairments of properties held for sale	5,738
Number of properties in long-lived assets held and used	1
Impairment of assets charge related to long-lived assets held and used	3,071
Number of public issues of unsecured senior notes	4
Senior notes	1,091,732	965,770
Excess of fair value over book value	82,590
CommonWealth REIT (CWH)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Investment in common shares	250,000
Five Star
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Investment in common shares	4,235,000
Recurring and Nonrecurring | Total
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Assets held for sale	850
Long-lived assets held and used	1,975
Investments in available for sale securities	25,281
Unsecured senior notes	1,174,322
Recurring and Nonrecurring | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Investments in available for sale securities	25,281
Unsecured senior notes	1,174,322
Recurring and Nonrecurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value
Assets held for sale	850
Long-lived assets held and used	$ 1,975