EQUITY (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jan. 10, 2014 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP	Mar. 31, 2014 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP	Dec. 31, 2013 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP	Jan. 02, 2014 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP Common units	Jan. 03, 2013 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP Common units	Jan. 10, 2014 Noncontrolling interests SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP Common units 2014 acquisitions Hampton Inn Santa Barbara (Goleta), CA	Mar. 31, 2014 Noncontrolling interests Joint venture	Jan. 02, 2014 Common Stock	Jan. 03, 2013 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2014 Common Stock	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stock	Jan. 02, 2014 Common Stock SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP	Jan. 03, 2013 Common Stock SUMMIT HOTEL OP, LP
Number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of common units		1
Common units redeemed	412,174			126,155	1,974,669							126,155	1,974,669
Common units issued for acquisition (in shares)						412,174
Common units issued for acquisition						$ 3.7
Shares of common stock issued to redeem common units								126,155	1,974,669	126,155	1,974,669
Number of common units of operating partnership owned by unaffiliated third parties		1,097,444	811,425
Percentage of limited partnership interest in operating partnership		1.00%	1.00%
Ownership interest in joint venture (as a percent)							80.00%
Ownership interest in joint venture by partners (as a percent)							20.00%