Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 29, 2012
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 15, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
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		322,771,415

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011
REVENUES
Base management fees	$ 141	$ 149	$ 265	$ 283
Franchise fees	145	120	271	223
Incentive management fees	56	50	106	92
Owned, leased, corporate housing, and other revenue	264	249	481	473
Timeshare sales and services	0	288	0	564
Cost reimbursements	2,170	2,116	4,205	4,115
Revenues	2,776	2,972	5,328	5,750
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Owned, leased, and corporate housing-direct	203	220	398	424
Timeshare-direct	0	245	0	470
Reimbursed costs	2,170	2,116	4,205	4,115
General, administrative, and other	160	159	307	318
Costs and Expenses, Total	2,533	2,740	4,910	5,327
OPERATING INCOME	243	232	418	423
Gains and other income	5	3	7	5
Interest expense	(34)	(37)	(67)	(78)
Interest income	3	3	7	7
Equity in losses	(8)	0	(9)	(4)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	209	201	356	353
Provision for income taxes	(66)	(66)	(109)	(117)
NET INCOME	$ 143	$ 135	$ 247	$ 236
EARNINGS PER SHARE-Basic
Earnings per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.38	$ 0.75	$ 0.65
EARNINGS PER SHARE-Diluted
Earnings per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.37	$ 0.72	$ 0.63
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE (in USD per share)	$ 0.1300	$ 0.1000	$ 0.2300	$ 0.1875

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011
Net income	$ 143	$ 135	$ 247	$ 236
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(17)	10	(6)	15
Other derivative instrument adjustments, net of tax	4	(13)	1	(14)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(3)	(10)	(1)	(10)
Reclassification of losses	1	0	1	0
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(15)	(13)	(5)	(9)
Comprehensive income	$ 128	$ 122	$ 242	$ 227

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	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Current assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 105	$ 102
Accounts and notes receivable	939	875
Inventory	12	11
Current deferred taxes, net	181	282
Prepaid expenses	48	54
Other	70	0
Assets, Current, Total	1,355	1,324
Property and equipment	1,383	1,168
Intangible assets
Goodwill	874	875
Contract acquisition costs and other	846	846
Goodwill And Intangible Assets, Net, Total	1,720	1,721
Equity and cost method investments	223	265
Notes receivable	197	298
Deferred taxes, net	846	873
Other	283	261
Total Assets	6,007	5,910
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	407	355
Accounts payable	592	548
Accrued payroll and benefits	633	650
Liability for guest loyalty program	508	514
Other	502	491
Liabilities, Current, Total	2,642	2,558
Long-term debt	2,153	1,816
Liability for guest loyalty program	1,468	1,434
Other long-term liabilities	868	883
Marriott shareholders' equity
Class A Common Stock	5	5
Additional paid-in-capital	2,464	2,513
Retained earnings	3,335	3,212
Treasury stock, at cost	(6,875)	(6,463)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(53)	(48)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	(1,124)	(781)
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 6,007	$ 5,910

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 247	$ 236
Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	67	76
Income taxes	113	74
Timeshare activity, net	0	113
Liability for guest loyalty program	21	35
Restructuring costs, net	0	(4)
Asset impairments and write-offs	4	5
Working capital changes and other	(35)	(54)
Net cash provided by operating activities	417	481
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(257)	(91)
Dispositions	4	0
Loan advances	(2)	(11)
Loan collections and sales	106	88
Equity and cost method investments	(12)	(70)
Contract acquisition costs	(19)	(47)
Other	(39)	(95)
Net cash used in investing activities	(219)	(226)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Commercial paper/credit facility, net	147	156
Issuance of long-term debt	590	0
Repayment of long-term debt	(352)	(129)
Issuance of Class A Common Stock	48	62
Dividends paid	(67)	(64)
Purchase of treasury stock	(550)	(668)
Other financing activities	(11)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(195)	(643)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS	3	(388)
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	102	505
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$ 105	$ 117

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Jun. 15, 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 second quarter ended on June 15, 2012; our 2011 fourth quarter ended on December 30, 2011; and our 2011 second quarter ended on June 17, 2011. In our opinion, our financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of June 15, 2012, and December 30, 2011, the results of our operations for the twelve and twenty-four weeks ended June 15, 2012, and June 17, 2011, and cash flows for the twenty-four weeks ended June 15, 2012, and June 17, 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 second quarter and year-end 2011 is recorded as $24 million and zero, respectively, in the “Other current assets” line and $19 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	6 Months Ended
New Accounting Standards	Jun. 15, 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	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jun. 15, 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 anticipate 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. Our unrecognized tax benefits of $40 million at the end of the 2012 second quarter remained unchanged from the balance at the end of the 2012 first quarter. For the first half of 2012, we increased unrecognized tax benefits by $1 million from $39 million at year-end 2011 primarily due to new information related to federal and state tax issues. The unrecognized tax benefits balance of $40 million at the end of the 2012 second quarter included $24 million of tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. We recorded a net $16 million adjustment in the first half 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	6 Months Ended
Inventory	Jun. 15, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Inventory, totaling $12 million as of June 15, 2012 and $11 million as of December 30, 2011, primarily consists of hotel operating supplies for the limited number of properties we own or lease.

Acquisitions and Dispositions	6 Months Ended
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Jun. 15, 2012
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	Acquisitions and Dispositions 2012 Planned and 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 for $210 million. The transaction, which we expect will close by October 2012, remains subject to the approval of Gaylord Entertainment’s conversion into a real estate investment trust by its shareholders, lender consent to amendments to Gaylord Entertainment’s credit facility, and other customary closing conditions. After the transaction closes, Gaylord Entertainment will continue to own the existing Gaylord hotels and we will assume management of these properties under the Gaylord Hotel brand subject to long-term management agreements. We expect the transaction will add four hotels and nearly 8,000 rooms to our North American full-service portfolio. 2012 Completed Dispositions After the 2012 second 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). As part of the transaction we also amended certain provisions of the management agreements for the underlying hotel portfolio. As a result, we received cash proceeds of approximately $90 million, and we expect to recognize deferred base fee revenue totaling $5 million and a gain of approximately $40 million in the 2012 third quarter. A portion of this gain represents recognition of the remaining gain we deferred in 2005 due to contingencies in the original transaction documents associated with one of the joint ventures, as these contingencies expired with this sale. 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	6 Months Ended
Variable Interest Entities	Jun. 15, 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 June 15, 2012, we managed seven 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 four 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 four of the seven hotels if there are cash flow shortfalls. Future minimum lease payments through the end of the lease term for these hotels totaled approximately $16 million at the end of the 2012 second quarter. In addition, as of the end of the 2012 second 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	6 Months Ended
Spin-Off	Jun. 15, 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.

Policies	6 Months Ended
Policies	Jun. 15, 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.

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Restricted cash, current	$ 24	$ 0
Restricted cash, noncurrent	$ 19	$ 16

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Mar. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Change in unrecognized tax benefits	$ 1
Unrecognized tax benefits	40	40	39
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate	24
Spin-off of MVW adjustment	16
Additional Paid-in-Capital
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Spin-off of MVW adjustment	$ 16

Assumptions for the Employee SARs and Stock Options Granted (Detail) (Stock Option Program and Stock Appreciation Right Program)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility	31.00%
Dividend yield	1.01%
Risk-free rate, minimum	1.90%
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) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of our marketable securities	$ 54

Carrying Values and Fair Values of Non-Current Financial Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	$ 197	$ 298
Restricted cash	19	16
Other long-term liabilities	(868)	(883)
Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	197	298
Restricted cash	19	16
Marketable securities	54	50
Senior Notes	(1,483)	(1,286)
Commercial paper	(478)	(331)
Other long-term debt	(133)	(137)
Other long-term liabilities	(74)	(77)
Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	190	252
Restricted cash	19	16
Marketable securities	54	50
Senior Notes	(1,630)	(1,412)
Commercial paper	(478)	(331)
Other long-term debt	(139)	(137)
Other long-term liabilities	(74)	(77)
Noncurrent Assets \| Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost method investments	31	31
Total long-term financial assets	301	395
Noncurrent Assets \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cost method investments	26	25
Total long-term financial assets	289	343
Noncurrent Liabilities \| Carrying Amount
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term financial liabilities	(2,168)	(1,831)
Noncurrent Liabilities \| Fair Value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total long-term financial liabilities	$ (2,321)	$ (1,957)

Composition of our Property and Equipment Balances (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,343	$ 2,095
Accumulated depreciation	(960)	(927)
Property and equipment, net	1,383	1,168
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	552	454
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	679	667
Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	824	810
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	288	164
Capital Lease
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	203	195
Accumulated depreciation	(78)	(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	136	128
Capital Lease \| Furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	36	34
Capital Lease \| Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2	$ 3

Composition of our Notes Receivable Balances (Net of Reserves) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]
Total notes receivable	$ 275	$ 382
Less current portion	(78)	(84)
Notes receivable, noncurrent	$ 197	$ 298

Composition of Long Term Notes Receivable Balances (Net of Reserves and Unamortized Discounts) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Notes receivable, noncurrent	$ 197	$ 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	$ 197	$ 296

Notes Receivable Principal Payments (Net of Reserves and Unamortized Discounts) and Interest Rates (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]
2012	$ 49
2013	57
2014	44
2015	55
2016	0
Thereafter	70
Total notes receivable	$ 275	$ 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	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 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 $)	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011	Mar. 23, 2012 Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019 offering	Jun. 15, 2012 Series K, Senior Notes 3.000% Due March 1, 2019	Jun. 15, 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
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes, face amount				$ 600,000,000		$ 400,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.00%			3.00%
Number of offerings comprising notes			2
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	590,000,000	0	590,000,000
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	$ 44,000,000	$ 65,000,000

Debt Principal Payments (Net of Unamortized Discounts) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2012	$ 4
2013	408
2014	59
2015	315
2016	775
Thereafter	999
Long-term debt	$ 2,560	$ 2,171

Unamortized Debt Discounts (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Unamortized discount balance	$ 17	$ 12

Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)																									3 Months Ended
Contingencies - Guarantees (Details)	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 15, 2012 Primary Obligor USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Primary Obligor Other Current Liabilities USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Primary Obligor Other Long Term Liabilities USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Guarantee, Operating Profit Primary Obligor USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Guarantee, Indebtedness of Others Primary Obligor USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Lease Obligations and Debt Securities Payable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Not Yet In Effect Condition Guarantee, Indebtedness of Others Primary Obligor USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Sunrise Senior Living Inc Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 CNL Retirement Properties Inc Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Five Star Senior Living Debt Securities Payable Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable EUR (€)	Sep. 09, 2005 Renaissance Hotel Group N.V. Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable EUR (€)	Jun. 15, 2012 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Project Two Project Completion Guarantee USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Project Two Project Completion Guarantee CAD	Jun. 15, 2012 Expiration in 2022 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable USD ($) Contract	Jun. 15, 2012 Expiration in 2022 MVW Spin-off Secondarily Liable SGD	Jun. 15, 2012 Letter of Credit Key Bank Sunrise Senior Living Inc Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Ritz-Carlton USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Ritz-Carlton Guarantee, Operating Profit Primary Obligor USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Ritz-Carlton Guarantee, Operating Profit Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 ExecuStay Property Lease Guarantee USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 ExecuStay Lease is Terminated by End of 2013 Property Lease Guarantee Secondarily Liable USD ($)	Jun. 15, 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		$ 56,000,000	$ 9,000,000	$ 47,000,000		$ 43,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Maximum potential amount of future fundings		224,000,000			154,000,000	102,000,000	107,000,000		36,000,000	34,000,000		118,000,000	6,000,000	29,000,000	1,000,000				32,000,000	495,000,000	510,000,000	20,000,000	26,000,000			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																40,000,000
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
	Jun. 15, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Line of Credit Facility USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Outside Effective Credit Facility USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Lodging Properties Commitments USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($) Entity	Jun. 15, 2012 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€) Entity	Dec. 30, 2011 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2011 Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€)	Jun. 15, 2012 Real Estate Investment USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Real Estate Investment EUR (€)	Jun. 15, 2012 Real Estate Investment Upper Limit USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Commitments USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Full Service and Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment	Jun. 15, 2012 Full Service and Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment Upper Limit USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment	Jun. 15, 2012 Limited Service Equity Investment for Non Controlling Interest in Partnership Commitment Upper Limit USD ($)	Jun. 15, 2012 Expiration Group 1 Lodging Properties Commitments	Jun. 15, 2012 Expiration Group 2 Lodging Properties Commitments	Jul. 12, 2012 Subsequent Event Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 USD ($)	Jul. 12, 2012 Subsequent Event Investment in Other Joint Venture Commitment Group 4 EUR (€)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Investment commitments expected to be funded within two years											$ 11			$ 7		$ 21
Investment commitments																24
Investment commitments expected to be funded in 2012									9
Investment commitments expected to be funded in 2013									2
Number of years expected to fund									2 years	2 years			2 years		2 years
Investment commitments not expected to be funded												32				3
Loan commitments not expected to be funded				3
Loan commitments, amount which expires within three years				2
Loan commitments, amount which expires after five years				1
Acquisition interests in joint ventures					50.00%	50.00%
Number of years expected to expire																	3 years	5 years
Number of new joint ventures					2	2
Contingent acquisition period					9 years	9 years
Deposits in conjunction with contingent obligation to acquire the interest in joint ventures					4	3	12	9											4	3
Unfunded purchase commitments										45		56
Number of years to acquire remaining interest									2 years	2 years
Purchase commitments expected to be funded within three years	74
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2012	23
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2013	48
Purchase commitments expected to be funded in 2014	3
Purchase commitments, term	3 years
Letters of credit outstanding	64	1	63
Surety bonds issued	$ 110

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	Jun. 15, 2012
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	$ 224
Liability for Guarantees	56
Guarantee, Indebtedness of Others
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	107
Liability for Guarantees	10
Guarantee, Operating Profit
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	102
Liability for Guarantees	43
Guarantee, Other
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum Potential Amount of Future Fundings	15
Liability for Guarantees	$ 3

Contingencies - Legal Proceedings (Details) (Pricing Investigation by Korea Fair Trade Commission)	Jun. 15, 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)	Jun. 15, 2012 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments	4

Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2012	Dec. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 6,007	$ 5,910
Total Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	3,849	3,695
North American Full-Service Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,255	1,241
North American Limited-Service Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	527	497
International Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,024	1,026
Luxury Segment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,043	931
Other Unallocated Corporate
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 2,158	$ 2,215

Additional Information - Acquisitions (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 15, 2012	Jun. 17, 2011	Mar. 23, 2012 Group 13	Dec. 30, 2011 Group 13	Jun. 15, 2012 Gaylord Entertainment Corporation room hotel
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid	$ 257	$ 91	$ 160
Deposit made in conjunction with acquisition				6
Purchase price of pending acquisition					$ 210
Number of hotels acquired, pending acquisition					4
Number of hotel rooms acquired, pending acquisition					8,000