Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0001063344
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		202,669,197
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013