Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	$ 348,908	$ 251,722	$ 990,436	$ 741,775
Rental income	62,731	73,915	186,799	220,863
FF&E reserve income	636	4,431	1,828	12,033
Total revenue	412,275	330,068	1,179,063	974,671
Hotel operating expenses	249,862	184,566	705,054	527,806
Depreciation and amortization	76,048	66,566	221,926	192,206
General and administrative	13,094	10,336	37,156	32,333
Acquisition related costs	1,090	84	3,180	1,648
Loss on asset impairment	5,837		8,008	889
Total expenses	345,931	261,552	975,324	754,882
Operating income	66,344	68,516	203,739	219,789
Interest income	18	116	97	233
Interest expense	(37,986)	(34,854)	(108,188)	(101,660)
Gain on sale of real estate		10,602		10,602
Equity in earnings of an investee	64	115	219	236
Income before income taxes	28,440	44,495	95,867	129,200
Income tax benefit (expense)	(873)	163	4,559	(3,908)
Net income	27,567	44,658	100,426	125,292
Total assets	5,901,865		5,901,865		5,635,125
Corporate
Segment Information
General and administrative	13,094	10,336	37,156	32,333
Total expenses	13,094	10,336	37,156	32,333
Operating income	(13,094)	(10,336)	(37,156)	(32,333)
Interest income	18	116	97	233
Interest expense	(37,986)	(34,854)	(108,188)	(101,660)
Equity in earnings of an investee	64	115	219	236
Income before income taxes	(50,998)	(44,959)	(145,028)	(133,524)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(873)	163	4,559	(3,908)
Net income	(51,871)	(44,796)	(140,469)	(137,432)
Total assets	37,975		37,975		40,934
Hotels
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	348,908	251,722	990,436	741,775
Rental income	8,171	22,198	24,765	66,237
FF&E reserve income	636	4,431	1,828	12,033
Total revenue	357,715	278,351	1,017,029	820,045
Hotel operating expenses	249,862	184,566	705,054	527,806
Depreciation and amortization	51,476	44,682	149,703	127,244
Acquisition related costs	1,090	84	3,180	1,648
Loss on asset impairment			2,171	889
Total expenses	302,428	229,332	860,108	657,587
Operating income	55,287	49,019	156,921	162,458
Gain on sale of real estate		10,602		10,602
Income before income taxes	55,287	59,621	156,921	173,060
Net income	55,287	59,621	156,921	173,060
Total assets	3,651,637		3,651,637		3,384,221
Travel Centers
Segment Information
Rental income	54,560	51,717	162,034	154,626
Total revenue	54,560	51,717	162,034	154,626
Depreciation and amortization	24,572	21,884	72,223	64,962
Loss on asset impairment	5,837		5,837
Total expenses	30,409	21,884	78,060	64,962
Operating income	24,151	29,833	83,974	89,664
Income before income taxes	24,151	29,833	83,974	89,664
Net income	24,151	29,833	83,974	89,664
Total assets	$ 2,212,253		$ 2,212,253		$ 2,209,970