Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	$ 349,877	$ 265,068	$ 641,528	$ 490,053
Rental income	61,856	73,688	124,068	146,948
FF&E reserve income	589	4,427	1,192	7,602
Total revenue	412,322	343,183	766,788	644,603
Hotel operating expenses	248,543	193,219	455,192	343,240
Depreciation and amortization	73,598	64,277	145,878	125,640
General and administrative	11,918	11,475	24,062	21,997
Acquisition related costs	1,814	504	2,090	1,564
Loss on asset impairment	2,171		2,171	889
Total expenses	338,044	269,475	629,393	493,330
Operating income	74,278	73,708	137,395	151,273
Interest income	60	51	79	117
Interest expense	(35,014)	(32,714)	(70,202)	(66,806)
Equity in earnings of an investee	79	76	155	121
Income before income taxes	39,403	41,121	67,427	84,705
Income tax benefit (expense)	5,950	(3,435)	5,432	(4,071)
Net income	45,353	37,686	72,859	80,634
Total assets	6,039,874		6,039,874		5,635,125
Hotels
Segment Information
Hotel operating revenues	349,877	265,068	641,528	490,053
Rental income	7,908	22,096	16,630	44,039
FF&E reserve income	589	4,427	1,192	7,602
Total revenue	358,374	291,591	659,350	541,694
Hotel operating expenses	248,543	193,219	455,192	343,240
Depreciation and amortization	49,550	42,603	98,227	82,562
Acquisition related costs	1,814	504	2,090	1,564
Loss on asset impairment	2,171		2,171	889
Total expenses	302,078	236,326	557,680	428,255
Operating income	56,296	55,265	101,670	113,439
Income before income taxes	56,296	55,265	101,670	113,439
Net income	56,296	55,265	101,670	113,439
Total assets	3,591,942		3,591,942		3,384,221
Travel Centers
Segment Information
Rental income	53,948	51,592	107,438	102,909
Total revenue	53,948	51,592	107,438	102,909
Depreciation and amortization	24,048	21,674	47,651	43,078
Total expenses	24,048	21,674	47,651	43,078
Operating income	29,900	29,918	59,787	59,831
Income before income taxes	29,900	29,918	59,787	59,831
Net income	29,900	29,918	59,787	59,831
Total assets	2,225,545		2,225,545		2,209,970
Corporate
Segment Information
General and administrative	11,918	11,475	24,062	21,997
Total expenses	11,918	11,475	24,062	21,997
Operating income	(11,918)	(11,475)	(24,062)	(21,997)
Interest income	60	51	79	117
Interest expense	(35,014)	(32,714)	(70,202)	(66,806)
Equity in earnings of an investee	79	76	155	121
Income before income taxes	(46,793)	(44,062)	(94,030)	(88,565)
Income tax benefit (expense)	5,950	(3,435)	5,432	(4,071)
Net income	(40,843)	(47,497)	(88,598)	(92,636)
Total assets	$ 222,387		$ 222,387		$ 40,934