Hotel Management Agreements and Leases - TA (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) agreement travelcenter option	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Number of operating agreements		14
Capital improvements from leased facilities, funded | $		$ 122,239	$ 172,627
Travel centers
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Number of properties owned		198
Number of operating agreements | agreement		5
Travel centers | TA agreements
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Number of properties owned		198
Capital improvements from leased facilities, funded | $		$ 75,314
Percentage increase in minimum returns after funding for capital improvements		8.50%
Travel centers | TA No. 1, 2 and 5
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Number of properties owned		40
Number of renewal options | option		2
Term of renewal options		15 years
Travel centers | TA No. 3 and 4
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Number of properties owned		39
Number of renewal options | option		2
Term of renewal options		15 years
Forecast | Travel centers | TA agreements
Management Agreements and Leases [Line Items]
Capital improvements from leased facilities, funded | $	$ 30,000