EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE/UNIT (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 6,285	$ (162)	$ 7,991	$ (1,621)
Less: Preferred dividends	3,844	1,157	6,296	2,313
Allocation to participating securities	18	12	27	12
Attributable to noncontrolling interest	205	(247)	131	(953)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from continuing operations	2,218	(1,084)	1,537	(2,993)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from discontinued operations	368	(166)	536	(1,148)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unit holders	2,604	(1,238)	2,100	(4,129)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - basic	65,480	30,553	64,090	28,916
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards (in shares/units)	474	142	362	71
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - diluted	65,954	30,695	64,452	28,987
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.04)	$ 0.03	$ (0.14)
SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	6,285	(162)	7,991	(1,621)
Less: Preferred dividends	3,844	1,157	6,296	2,313
Attributable to noncontrolling interest	89		52
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from continuing operations	2,352	(1,319)	1,643	(3,934)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from discontinued operations	385	(194)	562	(1,540)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unit holders	$ 2,737	$ (1,513)	$ 2,205	$ (5,474)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - basic	68,478	37,383	67,236	37,381
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards (in shares/units)	474	142	362	71
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - diluted	68,952	37,525	67,598	37,452
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.03	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ (0.11)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.04	$ (0.04)	$ 0.03	$ (0.15)