Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-14765
Entity Registrant Name	HERSHA HOSPITALITY TRUST
Entity Central Index Key	0001063344
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	25-1811499
Entity Address, Address Line One	44 Hersha Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Harrisburg
Entity Address, State or Province	PA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	17102
City Area Code	717
Local Phone Number	236-4400
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Class A Common Shares [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	HT
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		39,270,473
Series C Preferred Shares [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	HT-PC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series D Preferred Shares [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.50% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	HT-PD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Series E Preferred Shares [Member]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest, par $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	HT-PE
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Class B Common Shares [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		0