Quarterly Operating Results (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 462,490	$ 341,255	$ 292,284	$ 260,232	$ 271,453	$ 296,259	$ 317,112	$ 275,171	$ 1,356,261	$ 1,159,995	$ 1,136,340
Net income	7,387	4,111	42,464	21,777	75,835	41,389	58,740	25,350	66,759	155,385	191,414
Comprehensive income attributable to RLJ	$ 15,086	$ 5,660	$ 40,531	$ 27,306	$ 103,277	$ 50,644	$ 53,081	$ 5,050	$ 88,583	$ 212,052	$ 215,263
Basic per share data (1):
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.34	$ 0.17	$ 0.61	$ 0.33	$ 0.47	$ 0.20	$ 0.47	$ 1.61	$ 1.69
Diluted per share data (1):
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01	$ 0.34	$ 0.17	$ 0.61	$ 0.33	$ 0.47	$ 0.20	$ 0.47	$ 1.61	$ 1.68
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	174,147,522	140,249,961	123,785,735	123,734,173	123,698,633	123,621,323	123,544,034	123,739,823	140,616,838	123,651,003	128,444,469
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	174,210,578	140,307,269	123,871,762	123,841,400	123,757,660	123,836,452	123,942,846	124,141,824	140,694,049	123,879,007	128,967,754