Investment in Unconsolidated Entities (Summary of Preliminary Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 202,145	$ 242,024	$ 606,630	$ 732,505
Total expenses	(182,766)	(213,843)	(543,083)	(637,515)
OPERATING INCOME	19,379	28,181	63,547	94,990
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	(70)	(817)	(680)	(7,177)
Income tax expense	(292)	(619)	(820)	(1,688)
NET LOSS	(16,204)	(19,402)	(21,849)	(29,957)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests	124	175	146	890
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	(13,495)	(16,335)	(17,469)	(23,915)
Our equity in earnings (loss) entity	2,831	(10,105)	6,794	(14,626)
PIM Highland JV [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total revenue	118,659	104,226	353,562	324,762
Total expenses	(99,074)	(100,422)	(294,740)	(292,487)
OPERATING INCOME	19,585	3,804	58,822	32,275
Interest income and other	17	14	43	55
Interest expense, amortization and write-offs of deferred loan costs, discounts and premiums and exit fees	(14,570)	(16,238)	(44,904)	(48,089)
Other expenses	0	0	(44)	0
Income tax expense	(1,163)	(881)	(2,816)	(2,379)
NET LOSS	3,869	(13,301)	11,101	(18,138)
Our equity in earnings (loss) entity	2,128	(10,105)	6,102	(14,626)
Ashford Prime OP [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Total revenue	84,784	60,960	230,557	178,388
Total expenses	(70,086)	(51,595)	(196,270)	(150,547)
OPERATING INCOME	14,698	9,365	34,287	27,841
Interest income	10	5	20	19
Interest expense, amortization and write-offs of deferred loan costs, discounts and premiums and exit fees	(10,137)	(8,380)	(29,159)	(26,542)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives	3	(9)	(63)	(31)
Income tax expense	(185)	(952)	(622)	(2,255)
NET LOSS	4,389	29	4,463	(968)
Loss from consolidated entities attributable to noncontrolling interests	154	371	741	575
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE COMPANY	4,543	400	5,204	(393)
Our equity in earnings (loss) entity	$ 703	$ 0	$ 692	$ 0