Summary of Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
Marketable securities, Carrying value	$ 44,273	$ 29,601
Derivative assets, Carrying value	413	19
Liabilities associated with investments in securities and other, Carrying value	4,302	3,764
Liabilities associated with investments in securities and other, Estimated fair value	4,302	3,764
Financial assets not measured at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents, Carrying value	280,574	128,780
Cash and cash equivalents, Estimated fair value	280,574	128,780
Restricted cash, Carrying value	107,356	61,498
Restricted cash, Estimated fair value	107,356	61,498
Accounts receivable, Carrying value	29,153	21,791
Accounts receivable, Estimated fair value	29,153	21,791
Notes receivable, Carrying value	3,509	3,384
Due from affiliates, Carrying value	1,748	1,302
Due from affiliates, Estimated fair value	1,748	1,302
Due from Ashford Prime OP, net, Carrying value	3,815	13,042
Due from Ashford Prime OP, net, Estimated fair value	3,815	13,042
Due from related parties, Carrying value	1,200	0
Due from third-party hotel managers, Carrying value	14,635	33,728
Due from third party hotel managers, Estimated fair value	14,635	33,728
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:
Indebtedness	1,959,608	1,818,929
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, Carrying value	93,536	70,683
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, Estimated fair value	93,536	70,683
Dividends payable, Carrying value	21,889	20,735	20,734
Dividends payable, Estimated fair value	21,889	20,735
Due to related party, net, Carrying value	1,461	270
Due to related party, net, Estimated fair value	1,461	270
Due to third-party hotel managers, Carrying value	1,629	958
Due to third-party hotel managers, Estimated fair value	1,629	958
Minimum [Member]
Financial assets not measured at fair value:
Notes receivable, Estimated fair value	2,983	2,800
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:
Indebtedness, Estimated fair value	1,903,723	1,786,651
Maximum [Member]
Financial assets not measured at fair value:
Notes receivable, Estimated fair value	3,297	3,094
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value:
Indebtedness, Estimated fair value	2,104,118	1,974,714
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value:
Marketable securities, Estimated fair value	44,273	29,601
Derivative assets, Estimated fair value	413	19
Liabilities associated with investments in securities and other, Carrying value	4,302	3,764
Liabilities associated with investments in securities and other, Estimated fair value	$ 4,302	$ 3,764