COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Management Agreements [Abstract]
Term of management agreements with HHMLP (in years)	5Y
Base management fee as percentage of gross revenues (in hundredths)	3.00%
Base management fees incurred	$ 9,190	$ 7,099	$ 5,485
Incentive management fees	0	0	0
Termination fees paid		250
Franchise Agreements [Abstract]
Terms of franchise agreements, minimum (in years)	10Y
Terms of franchise agreements, maximum (in years)	20Y
Franchise fee expense	22,729	18,560	14,019
Accounting and Information Technology Fees [Abstract]
Monthly fees for accounting services per property for hotels managed by HHMLP, minimum	2
Monthly fees for accounting services per property for hotels managed by HHMLP, maximum	3
Monthly information technology fees per property for hotels managed by HHMLP, minimum	1
Monthly information technology fees per property for hotels managed by HHMLP, maximum	2
Accounting fees	1,822	1,537	1,459
Information technology fees	460	347	325
Capital Expenditure Fees [Abstract]
Fee on all capital expenditures and pending renovation projects at the properties (in hundredths)	5.00%
Fees incurred on capital expenditures	1,208	257	158
Acquisitions From Affiliates [Abstract]
Period of right of first refusal per option agreement with officers and affiliated trustees after termination (in years)	1Y
Hotel Supplies [Abstract]
Hotel supplies	143	156	73
Charges for capital expenditure purchases	18,404	6,755	824
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	26	22
Due From Related Parties [Abstract]
Due from related parties	6,189	5,069
Due to Related Parties [Abstract]
Due to related parties	2,932	939
Hotel Ground Rent [Abstract]
Rent expense related to ground leases	877	941	733
Future minimum lease payments [Abstract]
2012	975
2013	981
2014	986
2015	986
2016	994
Thereafter	90,195
Total	95,117
Interest Free Loan Due to Lodgeworks, L.P. [Member]
Management Agreements [Abstract]
Partial repayment of loan in connection with termination of management agreements	$ 498