Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 11, 2020
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHATHAM LODGING TRUST
Trading Symbol	CLDT
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1200777
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Smaller Reporting Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		46,963,112
Entity Central Index Key	0001476045
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Address, Address Line One	222 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 200
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33401
City Area Code	561
Local Phone Number	802-4477
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity File Number	001-34693
Entity Address, City or Town	West Palm Beach
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Shell Company	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false