Name:	rlj_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaWeightedAverageNumberOfSharesBasic
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma diluted number of shares for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.

No definition available.

Name:	rlj_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaWeightedAverageNumberOfSharesDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Revenue and Net Income (Loss) of Properties Acquired [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	rlj_RevenueandNetIncomeLossofPropertiesAcquiredAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	rlj_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The pro forma basic net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The pro forma diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The pro forma revenue for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of the period.