Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 segment	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Information
Number of reportable business segments									2
Hotel operating revenues									$ 980,732	$ 889,120	$ 736,363
Rental income									296,016	302,703	325,321
Percentage rent									4,338	1,879	1,450
FF&E reserve income									15,896	16,631	22,354
Total revenues	322,311	330,068	343,183	301,420	295,851	318,689	313,809	281,984	1,296,982	1,210,333	1,085,488
Hotel operating expenses									700,939	596,616	477,595
Depreciation and amortization expense									260,831	228,342	238,089
General and administrative expense									44,032	40,963	38,961
Acquisition related costs									4,173	2,185
Loss on asset impairment									8,547	16,384	163,681
Total expenses									1,018,522	884,490	918,326
Operating income									278,460	325,843	167,162
Interest income									268	70	260
Interest expense									(136,111)	(134,110)	(138,712)
Loss on extinguishment of debt											(6,720)
Gain on sale of real estate									10,602
Equity in earnings (losses) of an investee									316	139	(1)
Income before income taxes									153,535	191,942	21,989
Income tax expense									(1,612)	(1,502)	(638)
Net income	26,631	44,658	37,686	42,948	38,218	47,531	51,643	53,048	151,923	190,440	21,351
Total assets	5,635,125				5,133,573				5,635,125	5,133,573	5,192,286
Hotels
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues									980,732	889,120	736,363
Rental income									87,456	101,198	135,077
Percentage rent									2,873	1,879	1,450
FF&E reserve income									15,896	16,631	22,354
Total revenues									1,086,957	1,008,828	895,244
Hotel operating expenses									700,939	596,616	477,595
Depreciation and amortization expense									173,308	146,567	157,497
Acquisition related costs									4,173	2,185
Loss on asset impairment									8,547	16,384	163,681
Total expenses									886,967	761,752	798,773
Operating income									199,990	247,076	96,471
Gain on sale of real estate									10,602
Income before income taxes									210,592	247,076	96,471
Net income									210,592	247,076	96,471
Total assets	3,384,221				2,905,065				3,384,221	2,905,065	2,967,467
Travel centers
Segment Information
Rental income									208,560	201,505	190,244
Percentage rent									1,465
Total revenues									210,025	201,505	190,244
Depreciation and amortization expense									87,523	81,775	80,592
Total expenses									87,523	81,775	80,592
Operating income									122,502	119,730	109,652
Income before income taxes									122,502	119,730	109,652
Net income									122,502	119,730	109,652
Total assets	2,209,970				2,202,199				2,209,970	2,202,199	2,205,379
Corporate
Segment Information
General and administrative expense									44,032	40,963	38,961
Total expenses									44,032	40,963	38,961
Operating income									(44,032)	(40,963)	(38,961)
Interest income									268	70	260
Interest expense									(136,111)	(134,110)	(138,712)
Loss on extinguishment of debt											(6,720)
Equity in earnings (losses) of an investee									316	139	(1)
Income before income taxes									(179,559)	(174,864)	(184,134)
Income tax expense									(1,612)	(1,502)	(638)
Net income									(181,171)	(176,366)	(184,772)
Total assets	$ 40,934				$ 26,309				$ 40,934	$ 26,309	$ 19,440