SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Property
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	473
Initial Cost to Company
Land	$ 1,366,000,000
Building & Improvements	4,059,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	715,000,000
Impairment	(176,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(112,012,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,388,000,000
Building & Improvements	4,464,000,000
Total	5,852,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,181,000,000)
Travel Centers of America LLC
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	145
Initial Cost to Company
Land	586,000,000
Building & Improvements	885,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	176,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	599,000,000
Building & Improvements	1,048,000,000
Total	1,647,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(237,000,000)
Travel Centers of America LLC | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Travel Centers of America LLC | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Courtyard Hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	66
Initial Cost to Company
Land	120,000,000
Building & Improvements	628,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	102,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	120,000,000
Building & Improvements	730,000,000
Total	850,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(243,000,000)
Courtyard Hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Courtyard Hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Courtyard Hotels | Assets Held for Sale
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	5
Initial Cost to Company
Land	7,000,000
Building & Improvements	15,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	30,000,000
Impairment	(7,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(10,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	5,000,000
Building & Improvements	29,000,000
Total	34,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(6,000,000)
Courtyard Hotels | Assets Held for Sale | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Courtyard Hotels | Assets Held for Sale | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Petro Stopping Centers
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	40
Initial Cost to Company
Land	229,000,000
Building & Improvements	401,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	71,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	241,000,000
Building & Improvements	460,000,000
Total	701,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(100,000,000)
Petro Stopping Centers | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Petro Stopping Centers | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Candlewood Hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	76
Initial Cost to Company
Land	86,000,000
Building & Improvements	457,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	20,000,000
Impairment	(48,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(25,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	84,000,000
Building & Improvements	406,000,000
Total	490,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(110,000,000)
Candlewood Hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Candlewood Hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Residence Inns
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	31
Initial Cost to Company
Land	64,000,000
Building & Improvements	303,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	52,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	64,000,000
Building & Improvements	355,000,000
Total	419,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(116,000,000)
Residence Inns | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Residence Inns | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Residence Inns | Assets Held for Sale
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	6
Initial Cost to Company
Land	5,000,000
Building & Improvements	31,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	18,000,000
Impairment	(3,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(3,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	6,000,000
Building & Improvements	41,000,000
Total	47,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(14,000,000)
Residence Inns | Assets Held for Sale | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Staybridge Suites
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	35
Initial Cost to Company
Land	91,000,000
Building & Improvements	353,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	15,000,000
Impairment	(46,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(34,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	91,000,000
Building & Improvements	288,000,000
Total	379,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(74,000,000)
Staybridge Suites | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Staybridge Suites | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Crowne Plaza Hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	12
Initial Cost to Company
Land	69,000,000
Building & Improvements	251,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	45,000,000
Impairment	(40,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(13,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	68,000,000
Building & Improvements	244,000,000
Total	312,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(34,000,000)
Crowne Plaza Hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Crowne Plaza Hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Inter Continental Hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	5
Initial Cost to Company
Land	32,000,000
Building & Improvements	196,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	87,000,000
Impairment	(16,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(9,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	32,000,000
Building & Improvements	258,000,000
Total	290,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(46,000,000)
Inter Continental Hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Inter Continental Hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Hyatt Place
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	22
Initial Cost to Company
Land	24,000,000
Building & Improvements	185,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	32,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	24,000,000
Building & Improvements	217,000,000
Total	241,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(76,000,000)
Hyatt Place | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Hyatt Place | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Marriott hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	2
Initial Cost to Company
Land	10,000,000
Building & Improvements	69,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	44,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	10,000,000
Building & Improvements	113,000,000
Total	123,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(29,000,000)
Marriott hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Marriott hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Marriott hotels | Assets Held for Sale
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	1
Initial Cost to Company
Land	4,000,000
Building & Improvements	21,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	3,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	4,000,000
Building & Improvements	25,000,000
Total	29,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(12,000,000)
Marriott hotels | Assets Held for Sale | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Marriott hotels | Assets Held for Sale | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Towne Place Suites
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	3
Initial Cost to Company
Land	4,000,000
Building & Improvements	24,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	4,000,000
Building & Improvements	24,000,000
Total	28,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(8,000,000)
Towne Place Suites | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Towne Place Suites | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Towne Place Suites | Assets Held for Sale
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	9
Initial Cost to Company
Land	13,000,000
Building & Improvements	54,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	4,000,000
Impairment	(16,000,000)
Real Estate Cost Basis Adjustment	(18,000)
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	13,000,000
Building & Improvements	25,000,000
Total	38,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(1,000,000)
Towne Place Suites | Assets Held for Sale | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Radisson Hotels
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	5
Initial Cost to Company
Land	7,000,000
Building & Improvements	88,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	9,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	8,000,000
Building & Improvements	96,000,000
Total	104,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(38,000,000)
Radisson Hotels | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Radisson Hotels | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Country Inn & Suites
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	5
Initial Cost to Company
Land	6,000,000
Building & Improvements	58,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	6,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	6,000,000
Building & Improvements	64,000,000
Total	70,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(26,000,000)
Country Inn & Suites | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Country Inn & Suites | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Holiday Inns
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	2
Initial Cost to Company
Land	5,000,000
Building & Improvements	16,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	5,000,000
Building & Improvements	16,000,000
Total	21,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,000,000)
Holiday Inns | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Holiday Inns | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Spring Hill Suites
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	2
Initial Cost to Company
Land	3,000,000
Building & Improvements	15,000,000
Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition
Improvements	1,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	3,000,000
Building & Improvements	16,000,000
Total	19,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,000,000)
Spring Hill Suites | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Spring Hill Suites | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40
Park Plaza Hotel
REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Number of real estate properties	1
Initial Cost to Company
Land	1,000,000
Building & Improvements	9,000,000
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Land	1,000,000
Building & Improvements	9,000,000
Total	10,000,000
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (3,000,000)
Park Plaza Hotel | Minimum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	10
Park Plaza Hotel | Maximum
Gross Amount at which Carried at Close of Period
Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income Statement is Computed (in years)	40