Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 21, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 07, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	MAR
Entity Registrant Name	MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL INC /MD/
Entity Central Index Key	0001048286
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		315,540,075

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011
REVENUES
Base management fees	$ 134	$ 136	$ 399	$ 419
Franchise fees	149	124	420	347
Incentive management fees	36	29	142	121
Owned, leased, corporate housing, and other revenue	200	254	681	727
Timeshare sales and services	0	286	0	850
Cost reimbursements	2,210	2,045	6,415	6,160
Revenues	2,729	2,874	8,057	8,624
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Owned, leased, and corporate housing-direct	174	219	572	643
Timeshare-direct	0	250	0	720
Timeshare strategy - impairment charges	0	324	0	324
Reimbursed costs	2,210	2,045	6,415	6,160
General, administrative, and other	132	180	439	498
Costs and Expenses, Total	2,516	3,018	7,426	8,345
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	213	(144)	631	279
Gains (losses) and other income	36	(16)	43	(11)
Interest expense	(29)	(39)	(96)	(117)
Interest income	3	2	10	9
Equity in losses	(1)	(2)	(10)	(6)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	222	(199)	578	154
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(79)	20	(188)	(97)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 143	$ (179)	$ 390	$ 57
EARNINGS PER SHARE-Basic
Earnings (losses) per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.45	$ (0.52)	$ 1.19	$ 0.16
EARNINGS PER SHARE-Diluted
Earnings (losses) per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.44	$ (0.52)	$ 1.16	$ 0.15
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE (in USD per share)	$ 0.1300	$ 0.1000	$ 0.3600	$ 0.2875

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011
Net income (loss)	$ 143	$ (179)	$ 390	$ 57
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5	(2)	(1)	13
Other derivative instrument adjustments, net of tax	0	(11)	1	(25)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	0	(1)	(10)
Reclassification of losses, net of tax	(1)	8	0	8
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	4	(5)	(1)	(14)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 147	$ (184)	$ 389	$ 43

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Current assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 105	$ 102
Accounts and notes receivable	841	875
Inventory	11	11
Current deferred taxes, net	146	282
Prepaid expenses	45	54
Other	10	0
Assets, Current, Total	1,158	1,324
Property and equipment	1,421	1,168
Intangible assets
Goodwill	874	875
Contract acquisition costs and other	898	846
Goodwill And Intangible Assets, Net, Total	1,772	1,721
Equity and cost method investments	217	265
Notes receivable	171	298
Deferred taxes, net	851	873
Other	275	261
Total Assets	5,865	5,910
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	408	355
Accounts payable	594	548
Accrued payroll and benefits	668	650
Liability for guest loyalty program	514	514
Other	506	491
Liabilities, Current, Total	2,690	2,558
Long-term debt	2,101	1,816
Liability for guest loyalty program	1,434	1,434
Other long-term liabilities	936	883
Shareholders' equity
Class A Common Stock	5	5
Additional paid-in-capital	2,515	2,513
Retained earnings	3,434	3,212
Treasury stock, at cost	(7,201)	(6,463)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(49)	(48)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	(1,296)	(781)
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 5,865	$ 5,910

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 390	$ 57
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	100	116
Income taxes	154	20
Timeshare activity, net	0	158
Timeshare strategy - impairment charges	0	324
Liability for guest loyalty program	(9)	32
Restructuring costs, net	0	(4)
Asset impairments and write-offs	13	32
Working capital changes and other	160	150
Net cash provided by operating activities	808	885
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(316)	(128)
Dispositions	65	1
Loan advances	(2)	(20)
Loan collections and sales	126	109
Equity and cost method investments	(12)	(71)
Contract acquisition costs	(52)	(54)
Other	(22)	18
Net cash used in investing activities	(213)	(145)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Commercial paper/credit facility, net	110	397
Issuance of long-term debt	590	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(368)	(196)
Issuance of Class A Common Stock	81	99
Dividends paid	(110)	(100)
Purchase of treasury stock	(884)	(1,225)
Other financing activities	(11)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(592)	(1,025)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS	3	(285)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	102	505
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$ 105

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 07, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements present the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott,” and together with its subsidiaries “we,” “us,” or the “Company”). In order to make this report easier to read, we refer throughout to (i) our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as our “Financial Statements,” (ii) our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as our “Income Statements,” (iii) our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as our “Balance Sheets,” (iv) our properties, brands, or markets in the United States and Canada as “North America” or “North American,” and (v) our properties, brands, or markets outside of the United States and Canada as “international.” On November 21, 2011 ("the spin-off date"), we completed a spin-off of our timeshare operations and timeshare development business through a special tax-free dividend to our shareholders of all of the issued and outstanding common stock (the "spin-off") of our wholly owned subsidiary Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation ("MVW"). Because of our significant continuing involvement in MVW operations after the spin-off (by virtue of license and other agreements between us and MVW), we continue to include the historical financial results before the spin-off date of our former Timeshare segment in our historical financial results as a component of continuing operations. See Footnote No. 16, "Spin-off" of the Notes to our Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for more information on the spin-off. These condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Although we believe our disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, you should read the financial statements in this report in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to those financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2011, (“2011 Form 10-K”). Certain terms not otherwise defined in this Form 10-Q have the meanings specified in our 2011 Form 10-K. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates. Our 2012 third quarter ended on September 7, 2012; our 2011 fourth quarter ended on December 30, 2011; and our 2011 third quarter ended on September 9, 2011. In our opinion, our financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 7, 2012, and December 30, 2011, the results of our operations for the twelve and thirty-six weeks ended September 7, 2012, and September 9, 2011, and cash flows for the thirty-six weeks ended September 7, 2012, and September 9, 2011. Interim results may not be indicative of fiscal year performance because of seasonal and short-term variations. We have eliminated all material intercompany transactions and balances between entities consolidated in these financial statements. Restricted Cash Restricted cash in our Balance Sheets at the end of the 2012 third quarter and year-end 2011 is recorded as $9 million and zero, respectively, in the “Other current assets” line and $20 million and $16 million, respectively, in the “Other long-term assets” line. Restricted cash primarily consists of cash held internationally that we have not repatriated due to statutory, tax and currency risks.

New Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
New Accounting Standards	Sep. 07, 2012
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 – “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU No. 2011-04”) We adopted ASU No. 2011-04 in the 2012 first quarter which generally provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional disclosure requirements in the update include: (1) for Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used by the entity, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs; (2) for an entity’s use of a nonfinancial asset that is different from the asset’s highest and best use, the reason for the difference; (3) for financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, the fair value hierarchy level in which the fair value measurements were determined; and (4) the disclosure of all transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See the “Fair Value Measurements” caption of Footnote No. 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our 2011 Form 10-K for more information on the three levels of fair value measurements. Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 – “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 - "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassification of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU No. 2011-05" ("ASU No. 2011-12") We adopted ASU No. 2011-05 in the 2012 first quarter which amends existing guidance by allowing only two options for presenting the components of net income and other comprehensive income: (1) in a single continuous financial statement, a statement of comprehensive income or (2) in two separate but consecutive financial statements, an income statement followed by a separate statement of other comprehensive income. We also adopted ASU No. 2011-12 which defers until further notice ASU No. 2011-05's requirement that items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 required retrospective application. The adoption of these updates changed the order in which we presented certain financial statements, but did not have any other impact on our financial statements.

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 07, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, in various jurisdictions around the world. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has examined our federal income tax returns, and we have settled all issues for tax years through 2009. We participated in the IRS Compliance Assurance Program ("CAP") for the 2010 tax year and all but one issue, which we are appealing, are resolved. We participated in CAP for the 2011 tax year, and are participating in CAP for 2012. This program accelerates the examination of key transactions with the goal of resolving any issues before the tax return is filed. Various income tax returns are also under examination by foreign, state and local taxing authorities. For the third quarter of 2012, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits by $4 million from $40 million at the end of the 2012 second quarter primarily due to a reclassification to deferred tax assets of expenses related to the timeshare spin-off. For the first three quarters of 2012, we increased unrecognized tax benefits by $5 million from $39 million at year-end 2011 primarily due to an increase in our position related to the spin-off of our timeshare operations. The unrecognized tax benefits balance of $44 million at the end of the 2012 third quarter included $28 million of tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. We recorded a net $12 million adjustment in the first three quarters of 2012 to reduce shareholders' equity, primarily as a result of additional MVW spin-off adjustments reducing tax benefits to be recognized on the disposition of the timeshare business. As a large taxpayer, the IRS and other taxing authorities continually audit us. Although we do not anticipate that a significant impact to our unrecognized tax benefit balance will occur during the next 52 weeks as a result of these audits, it remains possible that the amount of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits could change over that time period.

Inventory	9 Months Ended
Inventory	Sep. 07, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Inventory, totaling $11 million as of both September 7, 2012 and December 30, 2011, primarily consists of hotel operating supplies for the limited number of properties we own or lease.

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Sep. 07, 2012
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Acquisitions and Dispositions 2012 Completed Acquisitions In the first quarter of 2012, we acquired land and a building we plan to develop into a hotel for $160 million in cash. In conjunction with this acquisition, we had also made a cash deposit of $6 million late in 2011. In the second quarter of 2012, we entered into a definitive agreement with Gaylord Entertainment Company ("Gaylord Entertainment") to acquire the Gaylord brand and hotel management company. On September 25, 2012, Gaylord Entertainment’s shareholders approved its conversion into a real estate investment trust. On October 1, 2012 ("the acquisition date"), after the end of the 2012 third quarter, we acquired the Gaylord brand and hotel management company for $210 million in cash and recognized $210 million in intangible assets at the acquisition date, primarily reflecting deferred contract acquisition costs. Gaylord Entertainment continues to own the existing Gaylord hotels following the acquisition and we have assumed management of these properties under the Gaylord Hotel brand under long-term management agreements. We added four hotels and 7,800 rooms to our North American full-service portfolio as part of this transaction. We also agreed to manage other attractions for Gaylord Entertainment including a showboat, golf course, saloon, and another hotel with approximately 300 rooms. We assumed management of the attractions on October 1, 2012 with the exception of the hotel which we expect we will begin managing on December 1, 2012. 2012 Completed Dispositions During the 2012 third quarter, we completed the sale of an equity interest in a North American Limited-Service joint venture (formerly two joint ventures which were merged before the sale) and we amended certain provisions of the management agreements for the underlying hotel portfolio. As a result of this transaction, we received cash proceeds of $96 million, including $30 million of proceeds which is refundable over the term of the management agreements if the hotel portfolio does not meet certain quarterly hotel performance thresholds. To the extent the hotel portfolio meets the quarterly hotel performance thresholds, we will recognize the $30 million of proceeds over the remaining term of the management agreements as base fee revenue. In the 2012 third quarter, we recognized a gain of $41 million, which consisted of: (1) $20 million related to the recognition of gain we deferred in 2005 because we retained the equity interest following the original sale of land to one of the joint ventures and because there were contingencies associated with the 2005 transaction that expired with this sale; and (2) $21 million related to the gain on the sale of the equity interest. We also recognized base management fee revenue in the 2012 third quarter totaling $7 million, primarily that we deferred prior to the transaction. In the 2012 second quarter, we completed the sale of our ExecuStay corporate housing business. Neither the sales price nor the gain we recognized was material to our results of operations and cash flows. The revenues, results of operations, assets, and liabilities of our ExecuStay business also were not material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows for any of the periods presented, and accordingly we have not reflected ExecuStay as a discontinued operation.

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities	Sep. 07, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities, we analyze our variable interests, including loans, guarantees, and equity investments, to determine if an entity in which we have a variable interest is a variable interest entity. Our analysis includes both quantitative and qualitative reviews. We base our quantitative analysis on the forecasted cash flows of the entity, and our qualitative analysis on our review of the design of the entity, its organizational structure including decision-making ability, and relevant financial agreements. We also use our qualitative analyses to determine if we must consolidate a variable interest entity as its primary beneficiary. In conjunction with the transaction with CTF described more fully in Footnote No. 8, “Acquisitions and Dispositions,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007, under the caption “2005 Acquisitions,” we manage hotels on behalf of tenant entities 100 percent owned by CTF, which lease the hotels from third-party owners. Due to certain provisions in the management agreements, we account for these contracts as operating leases. At September 7, 2012, we managed six hotels on behalf of three tenant entities. The entities have minimal equity and minimal assets comprised of hotel working capital and furniture, fixtures, and equipment. In conjunction with the 2005 transaction, CTF had placed money in a trust account to cover cash flow shortfalls and to meet rent payments. In turn, we released CTF from its guarantees fully in connection with three of these properties and partially in connection with the other three properties. As of year-end 2011, the trust account had been fully depleted. The tenant entities are variable interest entities because the holder of the equity investment at risk, CTF, lacks the ability through voting rights to make key decisions about the entities’ activities that have a significant effect on the success of the entities. We do not consolidate the entities because we do not have: (1) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance or (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entities or the right to receive benefits from the entities that could potentially be significant. We are liable for rent payments for three of the six hotels if there are cash flow shortfalls. Future minimum lease payments through the end of the lease term for these hotels totaled approximately $13 million at the end of the 2012 third quarter. In addition, as of the end of the 2012 third quarter we are liable for rent payments of up to an aggregate cap of $11 million for the three other hotels if there are cash flow shortfalls. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the rent payments and certain other tenant obligations under the lease, for which we are secondarily liable.

Spin-Off	9 Months Ended
Spin-Off	Sep. 07, 2012
Spinoff Disclosure [Abstract]
Spin-off	Spin-off On November 21, 2011, we completed a spin-off of our timeshare operations and timeshare development business through a special tax-free dividend to our shareholders of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of our wholly owned subsidiary MVW. As a result of the spin-off, MVW is an independent company whose common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "VAC." We do not beneficially own any shares of MVW common stock and do not consolidate MVW's financial results for periods after the spin-off date as part of our financial reporting. However, because of our significant continuing involvement in MVW operations after the spin-off (by virtue of the license and other agreements between us and MVW), our former Timeshare segment's historical financial results for periods before the spin-off date continue to be included in Marriott's historical financial results as a component of continuing operations. Under license agreements entered into effective as of the spin-off date, we receive license fees consisting of a fixed annual fee of $50 million plus two percent of the gross sales price paid to MVW for initial developer sales of interests in vacation ownership units and residential real estate units and one percent of the gross sales price paid to MVW for resales of interests in vacation ownership units and residential real estate units, in each case that are identified with or use the Marriott or Ritz-Carlton marks. The license fee also includes a periodic inflation adjustment. We record these license fees as franchise fee revenues and do not allocate them to any of our segments, but instead include them in "other unallocated corporate." For more information on the spin-off, see Footnote No. 17, "Spin-Off," of the Notes to our Financial Statements in our 2011 Form 10-K. Prior to the spin-off, in preparing our former Timeshare segment to operate as an independent, publicly traded company, management approved a plan in the 2011 third quarter for our former Timeshare segment to accelerate cash flow through the monetization of certain excess undeveloped land and to accelerate sales of excess built luxury fractional and residential inventory. As a result, in accordance with the guidance for accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, we recorded a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $324 million ($234 million after-tax) in our 2011 third quarter Income Statements under the "Timeshare strategy-impairment charges" caption because the nominal cash flows from the planned land sales and the estimated fair values of the land and excess built luxury inventory were less than their respective carrying values. We estimated the fair values of the land and the excess built luxury inventory using Level 3 inputs. Please see Footnote No. 18, "Timeshare Strategy-Impairment Charges" of the Notes to our Financial Statements in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information on these charges.

Policies	9 Months Ended
Policies	Sep. 07, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	Restricted cash primarily consists of cash held internationally that we have not repatriated due to statutory, tax and currency risks.
Cost Method Investments, Valuation Policy	We estimate the fair value of our cost method investments by applying a cap rate to stabilized earnings (a market approach using Level 3 inputs).
Earnings Per Share, Dilutive Securities Policy	We compute the effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the period. We determine dilution based on earnings.
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS	Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 – “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU No. 2011-04”) We adopted ASU No. 2011-04 in the 2012 first quarter which generally provides a uniform framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional disclosure requirements in the update include: (1) for Level 3 fair value measurements, quantitative information about unobservable inputs used, a description of the valuation processes used by the entity, and a qualitative discussion about the sensitivity of the measurements to changes in the unobservable inputs; (2) for an entity’s use of a nonfinancial asset that is different from the asset’s highest and best use, the reason for the difference; (3) for financial instruments not measured at fair value but for which disclosure of fair value is required, the fair value hierarchy level in which the fair value measurements were determined; and (4) the disclosure of all transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See the “Fair Value Measurements” caption of Footnote No. 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our 2011 Form 10-K for more information on the three levels of fair value measurements.
Adopted of Accounting Standards Updates No. 2011-05 and 2011-12, Comprehensive Income, Presentation Issues	Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 – “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU No. 2011-05”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12 - "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassification of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU No. 2011-05" ("ASU No. 2011-12") We adopted ASU No. 2011-05 in the 2012 first quarter which amends existing guidance by allowing only two options for presenting the components of net income and other comprehensive income: (1) in a single continuous financial statement, a statement of comprehensive income or (2) in two separate but consecutive financial statements, an income statement followed by a separate statement of other comprehensive income. We also adopted ASU No. 2011-12 which defers until further notice ASU No. 2011-05's requirement that items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income be presented on the face of the financial statements. ASU No. 2011-05 required retrospective application. The adoption of these updates changed the order in which we presented certain financial statements, but did not have any other impact on our financial statements.
Minimum Guarantees, Policy	We measure our liability for guarantees at fair value on a non-recurring basis, that is when we issue the guarantee or when an existing guarantee is modified, using Level 3 internally developed inputs. We generally base our calculation of the estimated fair value of a guarantee on the income approach or the market approach, depending on the type of guarantee. For the income approach, we use internally developed discounted cash flow and Monte Carlo simulation models that include, among others, the following assumptions: projections of revenues and expenses and related cash flows based on assumed growth rates and demand trends; historical volatility of projected performance; the guaranteed obligations; and applicable discount rates. We base these assumptions on our historical data and experience, industry projections, micro and macro general economic condition projections, and our expectations. For the market approach, we use internal analyses based primarily on market comparable data and our assumptions about market capitalization rates, credit spreads, growth rates, and inflation.

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Restricted cash, current	$ 9	$ 0
Restricted cash, noncurrent	$ 20	$ 16

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 07, 2012	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	$ 4	$ 5
Unrecognized tax benefits	44	44	40	39
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate	28	28
Spin-off of MVW adjustment		12
Additional Paid-in-Capital
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Spin-off of MVW adjustment		$ 12

Assumptions for the Employee SARs and Stock Options Granted (Detail) (Stock Option Program and Stock Appreciation Right Program)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	31.00%
Dividend yield	1.01%
Risk-free rate, minimum	1.70%
Risk-free rate, maximum	2.00%
Lower Limit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term	8 years
Upper Limit
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term	10 years

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 09, 2011	Sep. 09, 2011	Sep. 07, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	Sep. 07, 2012 Single Investment Other Than Temporarily Impaired Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of one of our cost method investments				$ 12
Other than temporary impairment of one of our cost method investments				7
Carrying value of our marketable securities			51
Realized loss, other than temporary impairment of securities	18
Reclassification adjustment for write-down of securities	$ 10	$ 10

Carrying Values and Fair Values of Non-Current Financial Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	$ 171	$ 298
Restricted cash	20	16
Other long-term liabilities	(936)	(883)
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	171	298
Restricted cash	20	16
Marketable securities	51	50
Senior Notes	(1,484)	(1,286)
Commercial paper	(441)	(331)
Other long-term debt	(132)	(137)
Other long-term liabilities	(98)	(77)
Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	164	252
Restricted cash	20	16
Marketable securities	51	50
Senior Notes	(1,657)	(1,412)
Commercial paper	(441)	(331)
Other long-term debt	(137)	(137)
Other long-term liabilities	(98)	(77)
Noncurrent Assets \| Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost method investments	23	31
Total long-term financial assets	265	395
Noncurrent Assets \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost method investments	27	25
Total long-term financial assets	262	343
Noncurrent Liabilities \| Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term financial liabilities	(2,155)	(1,831)
Noncurrent Liabilities \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term financial liabilities	$ (2,333)	$ (1,957)

Composition of our Property and Equipment Balances (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,399	$ 2,095
Accumulated depreciation	(978)	(927)
Property and equipment, net	1,421	1,168
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	553	454
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	682	667
Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	842	810
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	322	164
Capital Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	205	195
Accumulated depreciation	(80)	(76)
Property and equipment, net	125	119
Capital Lease \| Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	29	30
Capital Lease \| Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	135	128
Capital Lease \| Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	37	34
Capital Lease \| Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4	$ 3

Composition of our Notes Receivable Balances (Net of Reserves) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]
Total notes receivable	$ 256	$ 382
Less current portion	(85)	(84)
Notes receivable, noncurrent	$ 171	$ 298

Composition of Long Term Notes Receivable Balances (Net of Reserves and Unamortized Discounts) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable, noncurrent	$ 171	$ 298
Loans to equity method investees
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable, noncurrent	0	2
Other notes receivable
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable, noncurrent	$ 171	$ 296

Notes Receivable Principal Payments (Net of Reserves and Unamortized Discounts) and Interest Rates (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]
2012	$ 34
2013	66
2014	44
2015	41
2016	0
Thereafter	71
Total notes receivable	$ 256	$ 382
Weighted average interest rate	4.90%
Range of stated interest rates, minimum	0.00%
Range of stated interest rates, maximum	12.70%

Activity Related to "Senior, mezzanine, and other loans" Notes Receivable Reserve (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 78
Additions	2
Reversals	(1)
Write-offs	(1)
Transfers and other	10
Balance, end of period	$ 88

Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011	Mar. 23, 2012 Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019 offering	Sep. 07, 2012 Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019	Sep. 07, 2012 Series F, Matured June 15, 2012	Feb. 27, 2012 February 27, 2012 Offering Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019	Mar. 14, 2012 March 14, 2012 Offering Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019	Sep. 10, 2012 Issuance of Debt Subsequent Event Series L, Senior Notes 3.250% Due September 15, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, face amount				$ 600,000,000		$ 400,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 350,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate				3.00%				3.25%
Number of offerings comprising notes			2
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	590,000,000	0	590,000,000					346,000,000
Payment made to retire debt at maturity					356,000,000
Multicurrency revolving credit agreement, aggregate effective borrowings	1,750,000,000
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$ 62,000,000	$ 94,000,000

Debt Principal Payments (Net of Unamortized Discounts) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2012	$ 2
2013	408
2014	46
2015	316
2016	738
Thereafter	999
Long-term debt	$ 2,509	$ 2,171

Unamortized Debt Discounts (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Unamortized discount balance	$ 16	$ 12

Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)																										3 Months Ended
Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 07, 2012 Primary Obligor USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Primary Obligor Other Current Liabilities USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Primary Obligor Other Long Term Liabilities USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Guarantee, Operating Profit Primary Obligor USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Guarantee, Debt Service Primary Obligor USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Lease Obligations and Debt Securities Payable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Not Yet In Effect Condition Guarantee, Operating Profit Primary Obligor USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Not Yet In Effect Condition Guarantee, Debt Service Primary Obligor USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 CNL Retirement Properties Inc Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Five Star Senior Living Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable EUR (€)	Sep. 09, 2005 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable EUR (€)	Sep. 07, 2012 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Project Two Project Completion Guarantee USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Project Two Project Completion Guarantee CAD	Sep. 07, 2012 Expiration in 2022 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable USD ($) Contract	Sep. 07, 2012 Expiration in 2022 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable SGD	Sep. 07, 2012 Letter of Credit Key Bank Sunrise Senior Living Inc Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Ritz-Carlton USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Ritz-Carlton Guarantee, Operating Profit Primary Obligor USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Ritz-Carlton Guarantee, Operating Profit Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 ExecuStay Property Lease Guarantee USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 ExecuStay Lease is Terminated by End of 2013 Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 ExecuStay Lease is Terminated After End of 2013 Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Funding guarantees, minimum term (in years)	4 years
Funding guarantees, maximum term (in years)	10 years
Liability for guarantees		$ 80,000,000	$ 10,000,000	$ 70,000,000		$ 71,000,000	$ 7,000,000
Maximum potential amount of future fundings		245,000,000			145,000,000	144,000,000	88,000,000		34,000,000	40,000,000	34,000,000		111,000,000	5,000,000	28,000,000	1,000,000				32,000,000	515,000,000	511,000,000	20,000,000	24,000,000			69,000,000	69,000,000		11,000,000	6,000,000
Payment received for notes receivable																										69,000,000
Pro rata ownership in the joint venture																					20.00%	20.00%
Guarantee obligations, carrying value								3,000,000												2,000,000	3,000,000								1,000,000
Net worth of reimbursing counterparty																												1,000,000,000
Number of guarantees provided																							1	1
Cash collateral in the event funding is required												3,000,000
Cash collateralized for lease guarantee, after two years and within seven years													1,000,000
Length of operating lease extension													5 years
Letter of credit provided by Sunrise, amount available																									85,000,000
Collateral for continuing lease obligation contingency, future minimum annual payments due													1,000,000
Annual rent payments, approximately																	6,000,000
Remaining rent payments, approximately																	39,000,000
Guarantee obligations, cash collateralized																	$ 5,000,000	€ 4,000,000	€ 35,000,000

Contingencies - Commitments and Letters of Credit (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					3 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Line of Credit Facility USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Outside Effective Credit Facility USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Lodging Properties Commitments USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 Entity	Sep. 07, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 Entity	Jul. 12, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($)	Jul. 12, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€)	Jun. 15, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€)	Dec. 30, 2011 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€)	Sep. 07, 2012 Real Estate Investment USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Real Estate Investment EUR (€)	Sep. 07, 2012 Real Estate Investment Upper Limit USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Renovation of Leased Hotel USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Commitments USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Commitments Upper Limit USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Full Service and Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Full Service and Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment Upper Limit USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment Upper Limit USD ($)	Sep. 07, 2012 Expiration Group 1 Lodging Properties Commitments	Sep. 07, 2012 Expiration Group 2 Lodging Properties Commitments
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Investment commitments																				$ 17		$ 24
Number of years expected to fund																			3 years		2 years
Investment commitments expected to be funded in 2012																			2		8
Investment commitments expected to be funded in 2013															11				10		13
Investment commitments expected to be funded in 2014																			5
Investment commitments expected to be funded within two years																						21
Investment commitments not expected to be funded																	32					3
Investment commitment not expected to be funded, expiring in current year																		1
Investment commitment expected to be funded by 2015																20
Loan commitments not expected to be funded				2
Loan commitments, amount which expires within three years				1
Number of years expected to expire																							3 years	5 years
Loan commitments, amount which expires after five years				1
Acquisition interests in joint ventures					50.00%	50.00%
Number of new joint ventures					2	2
Ownership interest purchase contingency, term					9 years	9 years
Deposits in conjunction with contingent obligation to acquire the interest in joint ventures							4	3	4	3	12	9
Unfunded purchase commitments													41	33
Number of years to acquire remaining interest													2 years	2 years
Purchase commitments expected to be funded within three years	55
Purchase commitments, term	3 years
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2012	6
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2013	47
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2014	2
Letters of credit outstanding	64	1	63
Surety bonds issued	$ 118

Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings as the Primary Obligor for Guarantees and the Liability for Expected Future Fundings (Detail) (Primary Obligor, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	$ 245
Liability for Guarantees	80
Guarantee, Debt Service
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	88
Liability for Guarantees	7
Guarantee, Operating Profit
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	144
Liability for Guarantees	71
Guarantee, Other
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	13
Liability for Guarantees	$ 2

Contingencies - Legal Proceedings (Details) (Pricing Investigation by Korea Fair Trade Commission)	Sep. 07, 2012 hotel	Mar. 31, 2012 hotel
Pricing Investigation by Korea Fair Trade Commission
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of hotels included in pricing investigation, managed by Company		2
Number of hotels included in pricing investigation, not managed, franchised or owned by Company	10

Business Segment - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
Business Segment - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 07, 2012 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments	4

Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 07, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,865	$ 5,910
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	3,733	3,695
North American Full-Service Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,234	1,241
North American Limited-Service Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	459	497
International Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,011	1,026
Luxury Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,029	931
Other Unallocated Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 2,132	$ 2,215

Additional Information - Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 07, 2012	Sep. 09, 2011	Mar. 23, 2012 Group 13	Dec. 30, 2011 Group 13	Nov. 30, 2012 Subsequent Event Gaylord Entertainment Corporation room	Oct. 01, 2012 Subsequent Event Gaylord Entertainment Corporation room hotel
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid	$ 316	$ 128	$ 160
Deposit made in conjunction with acquisition				6
Purchase price of acquisition						210
Intangible assets recognized						$ 210
Number of hotels acquired						4
Number of hotel rooms acquired					300	7,800