Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	$ 251,722	$ 242,995	$ 741,775	$ 670,867
Rental income	73,915	72,305	220,863	230,078
FF&E reserve income	4,431	3,389	12,033	13,537
Total revenues	330,068	318,689	974,671	914,482
Hotel operating expenses	184,566	168,278	527,806	450,845
Depreciation and amortization	66,566	57,106	192,206	171,050
General and administrative	10,336	11,292	32,333	30,746
Acquisition related costs	84	387	1,648	1,150
Loss on asset impairment			889	7,263
Total expenses	261,552	237,063	754,882	661,054
Operating income	68,516	81,626	219,789	253,428
Interest income	116	11	233	54
Interest expense	(34,854)	(33,513)	(101,660)	(100,183)
Gain on sale of real estate	10,602		10,602
Equity in earnings of an investee	115	28	236	111
Income before income taxes	44,495	48,152	129,200	153,410
Income tax benefit (expense)	163	(621)	(3,908)	(1,188)
Net income	44,658	47,531	125,292	152,222
Total assets	5,372,932		5,372,932		5,133,573
Hotels
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	251,722	242,995	741,775	670,867
Rental income	22,198	21,708	66,237	79,395
FF&E reserve income	4,431	3,389	12,033	13,537
Total revenues	278,351	268,092	820,045	763,799
Hotel operating expenses	184,566	168,278	527,806	450,845
Depreciation and amortization	44,682	36,421	127,244	110,222
Acquisition related costs	84	387	1,648	1,150
Loss on asset impairment			889	7,263
Total expenses	229,332	205,086	657,587	569,480
Operating income	49,019	63,006	162,458	194,319
Gain on sale of real estate	10,602		10,602
Income before income taxes	59,621	63,006	173,060	194,319
Net income	59,621	63,006	173,060	194,319
Total assets	3,144,935		3,144,935		2,905,065
Travel centers
Segment Information
Rental income	51,717	50,597	154,626	150,683
Total revenues	51,717	50,597	154,626	150,683
Depreciation and amortization	21,884	20,685	64,962	60,828
Total expenses	21,884	20,685	64,962	60,828
Operating income	29,833	29,912	89,664	89,855
Income before income taxes	29,833	29,912	89,664	89,855
Net income	29,833	29,912	89,664	89,855
Total assets	2,188,857		2,188,857		2,202,199
Corporate
Segment Information
General and administrative	10,336	11,292	32,333	30,746
Total expenses	10,336	11,292	32,333	30,746
Operating income	(10,336)	(11,292)	(32,333)	(30,746)
Interest income	116	11	233	54
Interest expense	(34,854)	(33,513)	(101,660)	(100,183)
Equity in earnings of an investee	115	28	236	111
Income before income taxes	(44,959)	(44,766)	(133,524)	(130,764)
Income tax benefit (expense)	163	(621)	(3,908)	(1,188)
Net income	(44,796)	(45,387)	(137,432)	(131,952)
Total assets	$ 39,140		$ 39,140		$ 26,309