Individually Significant Dispositions and Discontinued Operations Individually Significant Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Rental income	$ 2,422,233	$ 2,736,578	$ 2,605,311
Total revenues	2,425,800	2,744,965	2,614,748
EXPENSES (1)
Property and maintenance	406,823	479,160	473,098
Real estate taxes and insurance	317,387	339,802	325,401
Property management	82,015	86,206	85,065
General and administrative	57,840	64,664	50,679
Depreciation	705,649	765,895	758,861
Total expenses	1,569,714	1,735,727	1,693,104
Operating income	856,086	1,009,238	921,644
Interest and other income	65,773	7,372	4,462
Other expenses	(10,368)	(2,942)	(9,073)
Interest (2):
Expense incurred, net	(482,246)	(444,487)	(457,460)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(12,633)	(10,801)	(11,088)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(1,613)	(917)	(1,394)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties	4,044,055	335,134	212,685
Net income	4,480,104	908,018	658,683
Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties	(16,430)	(3,657)	(2,544)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(171,511)	(34,241)	(24,831)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	$ 4,292,163	$ 870,120	$ 631,308
Starwood Portfolio [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated NOI	1.20%	15.70%	15.40%
REVENUES
Rental income	$ 30,785	$ 427,433	$ 401,134
Total revenues	30,785	427,433	401,134
EXPENSES (1)
Property and maintenance	7,838	78,189	76,579
Real estate taxes and insurance	2,912	48,403	46,416
Property management	2	11	11
General and administrative	23	38	24
Depreciation	0	87,616	104,104
Total expenses	10,775	214,257	227,134
Operating income	20,010	213,176	174,000
Interest and other income	21	1	1
Other expenses	0	(35)	(1)
Interest (2):
Expense incurred, net	(380)	(680)	(701)
Amortization of deferred financing costs	(707)	(559)	(98)
Income and other tax (expense) benefit	(1)	(1)	(3)
Net gain on sales of real estate properties	3,161,097	0	0
Net income	3,180,040	211,902	173,198
Net (income) attributable to Noncontrolling Interests – Partially Owned Properties	0	0	(14)
Net income available to Units – General Partner	3,180,040	211,902	173,184
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(122,152)	(8,083)	(6,598)
Net income attributable to controlling interests	$ 3,057,888	$ 203,819	$ 166,586