SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Hotel properties
Reconciliation of land and buildings and improvements
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 2,239,125	$ 2,082,247	$ 2,079,896
Acquisitions	727,423	137,711
Improvements	72,169	19,167	29,760
Impairment loss			(202,453)
Changes in reporting presentation			263,961
Disposals during the period	(133,742)		(88,917)
Balance at the end of the period	2,904,975	2,239,125	2,082,247
Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation
Balance at the beginning of the period	384,931	318,583	253,135
Depreciation for the period	79,011	66,348	77,137
Changes in reporting presentation			10,721
Retirement	(6,511)		(22,410)
Balance at the end of the period	457,431	384,931	318,583
Investments in Other Real Estate
Reconciliation of land and buildings and improvements
Balance at the beginning of the period	12,253	14,191	14,436
Improvements	184	5	20
Impairment loss		(1,943)
Disposals during the period			(265)
Balance at the end of the period	12,437	12,253	14,191
Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,561	2,233	1,874
Depreciation for the period	304	328	359
Balance at the end of the period	$ 2,865	$ 2,561	$ 2,233