Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in-Capital	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings (Distributions in excess of net earnings)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Consolidated Joint Venture [Member]	Operating Partnership	Consolidated Joint Venture	Preferred Capital in Consolidated Joint Venture [Member]	Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 21,758
Net income attributable to RLJ	21,758
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		124,364,178
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	2,235,277	$ 1,244	$ 2,187,333		$ 38,249	$ (4,902)		$ 7,380	$ 5,973
Increase (Decrease) in Owners' Equity
Net income (loss)	21,777				21,758			85	(66)
Unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives	5,548					5,548
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		264,303
Issuance of restricted stock	0	$ 2	(2)
Amortization of share-based compensation	2,334		2,334
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock (in shares)		(20,861)
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock	(486)	$ 0	(486)
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)		(131)
Forfeiture of restricted stock	0	$ 0	0
Distributions on common shares and units	(41,480)				(41,296)			(184)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		124,607,489
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	2,222,970	$ 1,246	2,189,179		18,711	646		7,281	5,907
Increase (Decrease) in Owners' Equity
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments	0
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	366,936
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	23,689
Net income attributable to RLJ	17,410
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		174,869,046									12,879,475
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	3,570,278	$ 1,749	3,208,002		(82,566)	8,846		11,181	11,700	$ 44,430	$ 366,936
Increase (Decrease) in Owners' Equity
Net income (loss)	23,894							73	(234)	366
Unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives	17,857					17,857
Contributions from a noncontrolling interest	74						$ 74
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		360,416
Issuance of restricted stock	0	$ 4	(4)
Amortization of share-based compensation	2,649		2,649
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock (in shares)		(21,031)
Shares acquired to satisfy minimum required federal and state tax withholding on vesting restricted stock	(463)	$ (1)	(462)
Forfeiture of restricted stock (in shares)		(2,479)
Forfeiture of restricted stock	0	$ 0	0
Dividends	(6,279)			$ (6,279)
Distributions on common shares and units	(58,244)				(57,988)			(256)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		175,205,952									12,879,475
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	3,549,400	$ 1,752	$ 3,210,185		$ (123,144)	$ 26,703		$ 10,998	$ 11,540	44,430	$ 366,936
Increase (Decrease) in Owners' Equity
Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments	(366)									$ (366)
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$ 366,936