Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 371,124	$ 447,042	$ 1,219,118	$ 1,361,327
Expenses
Management and franchise fee expense	26,432	34,838	96,376	107,766
Depreciation and amortization	49,295	60,373	162,654	183,429
Property tax, insurance and other	28,798	34,382	90,595	104,418
General and administrative	11,262	11,622	34,187	38,059
Transaction costs	(211)	261	773	2,181
Total operating expenses	317,699	380,063	1,028,626	1,157,217
Other income	315	856	939	2,514
Interest income	2,691	1,149	4,935	3,339
Interest expense	(23,333)	(24,629)	(68,632)	(78,772)
Gain (loss) on sale of hotel properties, net	(1,037)	35,895	(25,872)	32,957
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	0	(1,656)	0	6,010
Income before equity in (loss) income from unconsolidated joint ventures	32,061	78,594	101,862	170,158
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(135)	219	(2,919)	637
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	31,926	78,813	98,943	170,795
Income tax benefit (expense)	529	(4,156)	(4,475)	(7,852)
Net income	32,455	74,657	94,468	162,943
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	104	(9)	360	170
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership	(96)	(299)	(329)	(626)
Preferred distributions - consolidated joint venture	0	(374)	(186)	(1,109)
Redemption of preferred equity - consolidated joint venture	0	0	(1,153)	0
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	32,463	73,975	93,160	161,378
Preferred dividends	(6,279)	(6,279)	(18,836)	(18,836)
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$ 26,184	$ 67,696	$ 74,324	$ 142,542
Basic per common share data:
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.39	$ 0.43	$ 0.81
Weighted-average number of common shares - basic (in shares)	170,495,699	174,326,198	171,976,429	174,253,393
Diluted per common share data:
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.39	$ 0.43	$ 0.81
Weighted-average number of common shares - diluted (in shares)	170,600,787	174,479,341	172,066,473	174,365,101
Comprehensive income:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 32,455	$ 74,657	$ 94,468	$ 162,943
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives	(5,679)	4,675	(41,460)	29,469
Reclassification of unrealized gain on discontinued cash flow hedges to interest expense	0	0	(2,250)	0
Comprehensive income	26,776	79,332	50,758	192,412
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated joint ventures	104	(9)	360	170
Noncontrolling interest in the Operating Partnership	(96)	(299)	(329)	(626)
Preferred distributions - consolidated joint venture	0	(374)	(186)	(1,109)
Redemption of preferred equity - consolidated joint venture	0	0	(1,153)	0
Comprehensive income attributable to RLJ	26,784	78,650	49,450	190,847
Occupancy [Member]
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	314,195	377,237	1,030,722	1,138,115
Expenses
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	80,650	95,161	253,736	279,589
Food and Beverage [Member]
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	39,447	47,211	133,151	157,850
Expenses
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	31,425	37,780	101,544	121,450
Hotel, Other [Member]
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	17,482	22,594	55,245	65,362
Expenses
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	90,048	105,646	288,761	320,325
Hotel [Member]
Expenses
Cost of Goods and Services Sold	228,555	273,425	740,417	829,130
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate derivatives	$ (5,679)	$ 4,675	(41,460)	$ 29,469
Reclassification of unrealized gain on discontinued cash flow hedges to interest expense			$ (2,250)