EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE/UNIT (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 1,116	$ 112	$ 12,270	$ (2,602)
Less: Preferred dividends	4,147	1,156	10,443	3,469
Attributable to noncontrolling interest	155	(169)	404	(1,488)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from continuing operations	(3,207)	(887)	1,371	(4,607)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from discontinued operations	(1,631)	1,281	(4,109)	860
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unit holders	(4,817)	406	(2,686)	(3,723)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - basic	68,157	31,308	65,460	29,713
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards (in shares/units)	457	193	394	107
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - diluted	68,614	31,501	65,854	29,820
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ (0.16)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.04	$ (0.06)	$ 0.03
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)	$ (0.13)
SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	1,116	112	12,270	(2,602)
Less: Preferred dividends	4,147	1,156	10,443	3,469
Attributable to noncontrolling interest	272		324
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from continuing operations	(3,303)	(1,044)	1,503	(6,071)
Income (loss) attributable to common stockholders/unit holders from discontinued operations	(1,697)	1,529	(4,297)	1,081
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unit holders	$ (5,000)	$ 485	$ (2,794)	$ (4,990)
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - basic	70,917	37,393	68,476	37,385
Dilutive effect of equity-based compensation awards (in shares/units)	457	193	394	107
Weighted average common shares/units outstanding - diluted	71,374	37,586	68,870	37,492
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per unit)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.02	$ (0.16)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per unit)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.04	$ (0.06)	$ 0.03
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit (in dollars per unit)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01	$ (0.04)	$ (0.13)