Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangibles, Deferred Financing Costs (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) segment shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets (liabilities)	$ 2,537	$ 2,482
Amortization period of intangible assets	20 years
Amortization period of intangible liabilities	15 years
Amortization expenses of intangible assets	$ 2,315	2,976	$ 3,752
Amortization expenses of intangible liabilities	529	2,392	2,941
Future amortization expense, Intangible Assets
Total future amortization expenses	2,537	2,482
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs	17,652	20,484
Accumulated amortization	13,369	9,379
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2016	4,268
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2017	3,974
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2018	3,277
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2019	1,488
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2020	1,239
Future amortization of deferred financing fees, thereafter	3,406
Deferred financing fee related debt obligations, net	12,800	15,388
Revenue recognition
Straight line rental income	9,568	2,111	2,428
Percentage rental income	2,048	2,896	$ 2,102
Straight line rent receivables	1,841	1,373
Due from related parties	$ 29,122	20,493
Segment information
Number of reportable business segments | segment	2
Income taxes
Minimum percentage of likelihood of realization of tax benefits	50.00%
Travel Centers of America LLC
Available for Sale Investments
Number of common shares owned | shares	3,420,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Travel Centers of America LLC
Available for Sale Investments
Number of common shares owned | shares	3,420,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | RMR Member
Available for Sale Investments
Number of common shares owned | shares	2,503,777
Tradenames and trademarks
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets, indefinite	$ 89,375	89,375
Below Market Ground Leases
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets (liabilities)	18,940	21,317
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	18,985	16,990
Future amortization expense, Intangible Assets
Total future amortization expenses	18,940	21,317
Other
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	435	1,395
Below Market Ground Leases & Other
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets (liabilities)	21,477
Intangible assets, indefinite and finite	110,852	113,174
Future amortization expense, Intangible Assets
2016	2,298
2017	2,296
2018	2,117
2019	1,741
2020	1,481
Thereafter	11,544
Total future amortization expenses	21,477
Above Market Ground Leases & Other
Intangible Assets and Liabilities
Intangible assets (liabilities)	(2,651)
Intangible liabilities	2,651	3,180
Accumulated amortization, intangible assets	4,070	$ 5,189
Future amortization expense, Intangible Assets
2016	(455)
2017	(455)
2018	(455)
2019	(447)
2020	(443)
Thereafter	(396)
Total future amortization expenses	$ (2,651)