Individually Significant Dispositions and Discontinued Operations Individually Significant Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
REVENUES
Total revenues	$ 2,744,965	$ 2,614,748	$ 2,387,702
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	2,736,578	2,605,311	2,378,004
EXPENSES (1)
Cost of Property Repairs and Maintenance	479,160	473,098	449,427
Real Estate Taxes and Insurance	339,802	325,401	293,999
Owned Property Management Costs	81,185	79,636	84,342
Depreciation	765,895	758,861	978,973
General and administrative	65,082	50,948	62,179
Total expenses	1,736,145	1,693,373	1,875,380
Operating income	1,008,820	921,375	512,322
Interest and Other Income	7,372	4,462	5,283
Other expenses	(2,942)	(9,073)	(29,630)
Interest (2):
Expense incurred, net	(444,069)	(457,191)	(586,854)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(10,801)	(11,088)	(22,197)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(917)	(1,394)	(1,169)
Net income	908,018	658,683	1,905,353
Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties	(3,657)	(2,544)	538
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(34,241)	(24,831)	(75,278)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	$ 870,120	$ 631,308	$ 1,830,613
Starwood Portfolio [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated NOI	16.40%	16.10%	16.40%
REVENUES
Total revenues	$ 427,433	$ 401,134	$ 373,899
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Lease Revenue	427,433	401,134	373,899
EXPENSES (1)
Cost of Property Repairs and Maintenance	78,189	76,579	75,848
Real Estate Taxes and Insurance	48,403	46,416	44,035
Owned Property Management Costs	11	11	11
Depreciation	87,616	104,104	105,015
General and administrative	38	24	22
Total expenses	214,257	227,134	224,931
Operating income	213,176	174,000	148,968
Interest and Other Income	1	1	2
Other expenses	(35)	(1)	0
Interest (2):
Expense incurred, net	(680)	(701)	(754)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(559)	(98)	(98)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(1)	(3)	(2)
Net income	211,902	173,198	148,116
Net (income) loss attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties	0	(14)	(52)
Net income available to Units – General Partner	211,902	173,184	148,064
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(8,083)	(6,598)	(5,692)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	$ 203,819	$ 166,586	$ 142,372