Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jul. 27, 2016
Entity Registrant Name	HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0001063344
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Class A Common Shares [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		42,427,282
Class B Common Shares [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0