Equity (Details) - USD ($)		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 17, 2017	Oct. 30, 2015	May 01, 2015	May 05, 2011
Equity
Total authorized for issuance number of common shares of beneficial interest (in shares)					450,000,000	450,000,000					450,000,000
Share repurchase program, authorized amount								$ 440,000,000.0	$ 400,000,000.0	$ 200,000,000.0
Number of shares acquired as part of a share repurchase program (in shares)		(8,044,372)			(122,508)	(610,607)
Shares acquired as part of a share repurchase program		$ (225,186,000)			$ (2,610,000)	$ (13,271,000)	$ (225,186,000)
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount					$ 198,932,517
Share repurchase program, increase in authorized amount								$ 40,000,000.0	$ 200,000,000.0
Total authorized for issuance number of preferred shares of beneficial interest (in shares)					50,000,000	50,000,000					50,000,000
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, outstanding (in shares)		0			0	0	0
Limited Partner's ownership interest in the Operating Partnership					99.60%
Proceeds from Issuance of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock					$ 45,000,000
Proceeds net of issuance costs on the issuance of preferred equity in a consolidated joint venture					$ 44,400,000
DBT Met Hotel Venture, LP
Equity
Noncontrolling ownership interest in joint venture					1.70%
The Knickerbocker New York [Member]
Equity
Noncontrolling ownership interest in joint venture					5.00%
Embassy Suites Secaucus [Member]
Equity
Noncontrolling ownership interest in joint venture					49.00%
RLJ Lodging Trust LP
Equity
Limited Partner's ownership interest in the Operating Partnership					0.40%
Common Stock
Equity
Number of shares acquired as part of a share repurchase program (in shares)					(122,508)	(610,607)	(8,044,372)
Shares acquired as part of a share repurchase program					$ (1,000)	$ (6,000)	$ (80,000)
Common shares issued upon conversion of OP units				335,250		335,250
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	50,358,104
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Share Price	$ 20.18
Limited Partners
Equity
Number of OP units outstanding (in shares)					773,902
Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Equity
Total authorized for issuance number of preferred shares of beneficial interest (in shares)	12,950,000				12,950,000	0
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount					$ 1.95
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, outstanding (in shares)					12,879,475	0
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	12,879,475
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Share Price	$ 28.49
Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member] | RLJ Lodging Trust [Member]
Equity
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Per-Dollar-Amount			$ 1.95		$ 1.95
Partnership Interest [Member]
Equity
Business Acquisition, Common Units Issued or Issuable, Number of Units	215,152
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Share Price	$ 20.18
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Equity
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage					3.25%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate if not Redeemed, Percentage					8.00%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Non-Compounding Rate Payable at Redemption, Percentage					0.25%