FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Derivative Instruments
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	$ (892)	$ 46
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	(813)	(178)	(51)
Unrealized gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense	446
Gain (loss) to be reclassified to interest expense during next 12 months	729
Interest Rate Cap for Hotel 373 [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Variable interest rate basis	LIBOR
Interest rate cap (in hundredths)	5.75%
Notional amount	22,000
Maturity date	May 09, 2012	May 09, 2012
Date of Transaction	May 09, 2011	May 09, 2011
Maturity Date	May 09, 2012	May 09, 2012
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	0	0
Interest Rate Cap for Hersha Trust I and II [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Variable interest rate basis	LIBOR
Interest rate cap (in hundredths)	2.00%
Notional amount	51,548
Maturity date	Jul. 30, 2012
Maturity Date	Jul. 30, 2012
Interest Rate Swap for Holiday Inn Express Times Square, New York, NY [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Variable interest rate basis	one month U.S. dollar LIBOR
Basis spread on variable rate basis (in hundredths)	4.00%
Notional amount	41,160
Fixed rate, interest rate swap	1.24%
Effective fixed rate (in hundredths)	5.24%
Maturity date	Jun. 01, 2014	Jun. 01, 2014
Date of Transaction	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2011
Maturity Date	Jun. 01, 2014	Jun. 01, 2014
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	(591)	0
Interest Rate Swap for Courtyard by Marriott, Westside, Los Angeles, CA [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Variable interest rate basis	one month U.S. dollar LIBOR
Basis spread on variable rate basis (in hundredths)	3.85%
Notional amount	30,000
Fixed rate, interest rate swap	4.947%
Maturity date	Sep. 29, 2015	Sep. 29, 2015
Date of Transaction	Sep. 29, 2011	Sep. 29, 2011
Maturity Date	Sep. 29, 2015	Sep. 29, 2015
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	(301)	0
Interest Rate Swap for Nu Hotel Brooklyn [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Variable interest rate basis	one month U.S. dollar LIBOR
Basis spread on variable rate basis (in hundredths)	2.00%
Notional amount	18,000
Fixed rate, interest rate swap	1.1925%
Effective fixed rate (in hundredths)	3.1925%
Maturity date	Jan. 10, 2011	Jan. 10, 2011
Date of Transaction	Jan. 09, 2009	Jan. 09, 2009
Maturity Date	Jan. 10, 2011	Jan. 10, 2011
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	0	(4)
Subordinated Notes Payable [Member]
Derivative Instruments
Maturity date	Jul. 30, 2012	Jul. 30, 2012
Date of Transaction	Apr. 19, 2010	Apr. 19, 2010
Maturity Date	Jul. 30, 2012	Jul. 30, 2012
Estimated Fair Value of Interest Rate Cap/Swap	$ 0	$ 50