Deferred Gains	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Gains [Abstract]
Deferred Gains	Note 12. Deferred Gains The Company defers gains realized in connection with the sale of a property for which the Company continues to manage the property through a long-term management agreement and recognizes the gains over the initial term of the related agreement. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had total deferred gains of $1.018 billion and $1.011 billion, respectively, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred gains is included in management fees, franchise fees and other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and totaled approximately $87 million, $81 million and $82 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for deferred revenues at the end of the reporting period, and description and amounts of significant changes that occurred during the reporting period. Deferred revenue is a liability as of the balance sheet date related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

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