CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES AND NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES AND NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Interest paid	$ 42,726	$ 43,756	$ 42,471
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities [Abstract]
Common Shares issued as part of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan	14	12	25
Acquisitions of hotel properties
Issuance of Common Units	204	6,256	0
Debt assumed, net of discount	62,552	11,937	37,524
Settlement of development loans receivable principal and accrued interest revenue receivable	8,300	7,839	21,760
Land and Mortgage transferred to Seller	0	0	10,118
Development loan accrued interest revenue receivable paid in-kind by adding balance to development loan principal	2,094	2,559	2,247
Conversion of Common Units to Common Shares	639	12,434	255
Reallocation of noncontrolling interest	3,835	(6,374)	0
Accrued payables for fixed assets placed in service	$ 0	$ 3,997	$ 0