CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded from earnings per share:
Weighted average units of limited partnership interest in Hersha Hospitality Limited Partnership outstanding (in shares)	7,295,112	8,628,492	8,724,725
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	12,336,940	12,286,136	8,724,725
Unvested Stock Awards [Member]
Potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded from earnings per share:
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	584,216	396,328	0
Contingently Issuable Shares [Member]
Potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded from earnings per share:
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	2,097,456	934,097	0
Options to Acquire Common Shares [Member]
Potentially dilutive securities that have been excluded from earnings per share:
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	2,360,156	2,327,219	0