Segment Information - Revenues and Segment Earnings (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 1,539		$ 1,562		$ 2,997		$ 3,101
Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels	694		668		1,366		1,302
Corporate selling, general, administrative and other - unallocated	(44)		(34)		(85)		(69)
Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net	3		1		(33)		(8)
Restructuring and other special (charges) credits	3				3		1
Adjustments to equity earnings	(9)	[1]	(11)	[1]	(19)	[1]	(19)	[1]
Interest expense	(24)		(26)		(48)		(53)
Depreciation and amortization	(70)		(65)		(138)		(130)
Discontinued operations					1		70
Income tax expense	(73)		(95)		(81)		(159)
Net income attributable to Starwood	153		137		290		350
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	820		872		1,583		1,756
Total segment earnings	342		344		642		673
Operating Segments [Member] | Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	397		390		787		777
Total segment earnings	180		162		356		308
Operating Segments [Member] | EAME [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	172		169		291		284
Total segment earnings	69		66		93		91
Operating Segments [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	83		80		165		156
Total segment earnings	49		45		105		96
Operating Segments [Member] | Vacation ownership and residential [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	168		233		340		539
Total segment earnings	44		71		88		178
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	25		22		48		43
Other corporate unallocated	25		23		48		44
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels	$ 694		$ 668		$ 1,366		$ 1,302

[1] Includes impairment losses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense related to equity earnings not allocated to segment earnings.