Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Nov. 05, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-11527
Entity Registrant Name	SERVICE PROPERTIES TRUST
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	04-3262075
Entity Address, Address Line One	Two Newton Place
Entity Address, Address Line Two	255 Washington Street
Entity Address, Address Line Three	Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town	Newton
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02458-1634
City Area Code	617
Local Phone Number	964-8389
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Trading Symbol	SVC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		164,823,833
Entity Central Index Key	0000945394
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3