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Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities - Recurring and Non-Recurring (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net		$ 89,348	$ 0
Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net	$ 7,524	5,472
RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net	$ 35,929	$ 83,876
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Shares included in investment securities (in shares)	3,420,000	3,420,000
Historical cost of securities	$ 17,407	$ 17,407
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Shares included in investment securities (in shares)	2,503,777	2,503,777
Historical cost of securities	$ 66,374	$ 66,374
Recurring \| Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	19,494	19,494
Recurring \| Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) \| RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	232,351	232,351
Recurring \| Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) \| Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	0	0
Recurring \| Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) \| RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	0	0
Recurring \| Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) \| Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	0	0
Recurring \| Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) \| RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	0	0
Carrying amount \| Recurring \| Travel Centers of America LLC
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	19,494	19,494
Carrying amount \| Recurring \| RMR Inc
Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
Investment securities	$ 232,351	$ 232,351