Supplemental Information to Statements of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$ 52,424us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 59,826us-gaap_InterestPaid	$ 79,376us-gaap_InterestPaid
Income taxes paid	2,111us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet	1,420us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet	1,598us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet
In conjunction with the acquisitions, the Company recorded the following:
Purchase of real estate	631,950	228,573	247,158
Accounts receivable	807	740	164
Other assets	1,671	957	728
Advance deposits	(659)	(313)	(224)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(2,129)	(12,168)	(777)
Receipt of assets in full satisfaction	0	(4,731)	0
Gain on foreclosure	0	(4,863)	0
Acquisition of hotel and other properties	631,640	208,195	247,049
In conjunction with the dispositions, the Company recorded the following:
Disposal of hotel properties		2,500rlj_NoncashDivestitureOfRealEstate	0rlj_NoncashDivestitureOfRealEstate
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	137,829
Gain on sale of property	(353)	(2,081)	0
Closing costs	(3,634)rlj_NoncashDivestitureOfOtherAssets	(140)rlj_NoncashDivestitureOfOtherAssets	0rlj_NoncashDivestitureOfOtherAssets
Operating prorations	(1,526)	9	0
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate	132,669us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate	2,369us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate	0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate
Proceeds from the disposal of hotel properties, net			0
Supplemental non-cash transactions:
Change in fair market value of designated interest rate swaps	(7,703)	(5,941)	1,326
Accrued capital expenditures	9,641	10,610	4,563
Distributions payable	$ 42,114	$ 30,870	$ 22,392

Gain on Acquisition of Investment in Real Estate

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Represents the increase (decrease) in fair market value of interest rate swaps.

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Represents the disposal of other assets in conjunction with hotel disposals.

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Future cash outflow to pay for purchases of fixed assets that have occurred.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of dividends declared but unpaid on equity securities issued by the entity and outstanding.

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The net gain (loss) resulting from sales and other disposals of other real estate owned, increases (decreases) in the valuation allowance for foreclosed real estate, and write-downs of other real estate owned after acquisition or physical possession.

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