Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide 10-Q 25 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	HOT
Entity Registrant Name	STARWOOD HOTEL & RESORTS WORLDWIDE, INC
Entity Central Index Key	316206
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		191,511,857

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$694	$305
Restricted cash	137	158
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $63 and $59	614	586
Inventories	229	361
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6 and $9	60	65
Deferred income taxes	241	320
Prepaid expenses and other	161	124
Total current assets	2,136	1,919
Investments	252	260
Plant, property and equipment, net	3,097	3,162
Assets held for sale, net		36
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	2,040	2,025
Deferred income taxes	585	636
Other assets	506	385
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, net	347	438
Total assets	8,963	8,861
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt	2	2
Accounts payable	90	121
Current maturities of long-term securitized vacation ownership debt	106	150
Accrued expenses	1,136	1,074
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	370	395
Accrued taxes and other	196	287
Total current liabilities	1,900	2,029
Long-term debt	1,265	1,273
Long-term securitized vacation ownership debt	291	383
Deferred income taxes	79	78
Other liabilities	1,907	1,956
Total liabilities	5,442	5,719
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock; $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 192,556,861 and 193,121,094 shares at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	2	2
Additional paid-in capital	704	816
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-354	-338
Retained earnings	3,164	2,657
Total Starwood stockholders' equity	3,516	3,137
Noncontrolling interest	5	5
Total stockholders' equity	3,521	3,142
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$8,963	$8,861

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$63	$59
Allowance for doubtful notes receivable securitized vacation ownership	$6	$9
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, outstanding	192,556,861	193,121,094

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels	$398	$425	$1,196	$1,280
Vacation ownership and residential sales and services	200	208	748	1,038
Management fees, franchise fees and other income	247	219	700	642
Other revenues from managed and franchised properties	663	603	1,965	1,828
Total revenues	1,508	1,455	4,609	4,788
Costs and Expenses
Owned, leased and consolidated joint venture hotels	318	348	966	1,057
Vacation ownership and residential sales and services	141	156	503	790
Selling, general, administrative and other	100	87	278	269
Restructuring and other special charges (credits), net	-22		-23	-11
Depreciation	59	55	174	168
Amortization	6	6	21	18
Other expenses from managed and franchised properties	663	603	1,965	1,828
Total Cost and Expenses	1,265	1,255	3,884	4,119
Operating income	243	200	725	669
Equity earnings and gains from unconsolidated ventures, net		4	17	19
Interest expense, net of interest income of $1, $0, $2 and $1	-25	-39	-77	-134
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net				-15
Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net	3	1	-5	-7
Income from continuing operations before taxes and noncontrolling interests	221	166	660	532
Income tax expense	-64	-19	-223	-127
Income from continuing operations	157	147	437	405
Discontinued operations:
Gain on dispositions, net of tax (benefit) expense of $0, $16, $(70) and $15		23	70	15
Net income	157	170	507	420
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net income attributable to Starwood	157	170	507	420
Earnings Per Share - Basic
Continuing operations	$0.82	$0.76	$2.28	$2.10
Discontinued operations		$0.12	$0.37	$0.08
Net income	$0.82	$0.88	$2.65	$2.18
Earnings Per Share - Diluted
Continuing operations	$0.81	$0.75	$2.25	$2.06
Discontinued operations		$0.12	$0.36	$0.08
Net income	$0.81	$0.87	$2.61	$2.14
Amounts attributable to Starwood's Common Stockholders
Income from continuing operations	157	147	437	405
Discontinued operations		23	70	15
Net income	$157	$170	$507	$420
Weighted average number of shares	192	193	192	193
Weighted average number of shares assuming dilution	194	196	194	197

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Interest income	$1	$0	$2	$1
Tax (benefit) expense on gain (loss) of dispositions from discontinued operations	$0	$16	($70)	$15

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$157	$170	$507	$420
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	31	23	-19	13
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans activity	1		2	1
Cash flow hedges net gains (losses)		-2	1	-3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	32	21	-16	11
Total comprehensive income	189	191	491	431
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Starwood	$189	$191	$491	$431

CONSOLIDATED_CONDENSED_STATEME

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Activities
Net income	$507	$420
Discontinued operations:
(Gain) loss on dispositions, net	-70	-15
Depreciation and amortization	195	186
Amortization of deferred gains	-68	-64
(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment, net	-4	15
Loss on asset dispositions and impairments, net	5	7
Stock-based compensation expense	40	49
Excess stock-based compensation tax benefit	-30	-69
Distributions in excess (deficit) of equity earnings	2	2
Non-cash portion of income tax expense	109	35
Other non-cash adjustments to net income	34	33
Decrease in restricted cash	42	3
Other changes in working capital	80	297
Securitized VOI notes receivable activity, net	105	102
Unsecuritized VOI notes receivable activity, net	-116	-113
Accrued and deferred income taxes and other	24	13
Cash from operating activities	855	901
Investing Activities
Purchases of plant, property and equipment	-235	-249
Proceeds from asset sales, net of transaction costs	139	279
Collection of notes receivable, net	2
Acquisitions, net of acquired cash		-1
Distributions from investments, net	4	1
Other, net	-42	-24
Cash (used for) from investing activities	-132	6
Financing Activities
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	-19	50
Long-term debt repaid	-1	-565
Long-term securitized debt repaid	-136	-122
Long-term debt issued		9
Dividends paid	-3	-4
Proceeds from employee stock option exercises	64	49
Excess stock-based compensation tax benefit	30	69
Share repurchases	-237	-140
Other, net	-24	-56
Cash used for financing activities	-326	-710
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	-8
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	389	197
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	305	454
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	694	651
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	38	103
Income taxes, net of refunds	$107	$76

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1. Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“we”, “us”, the “Company” or “Starwood”). We are one of the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. Our principal business is hotels and leisure, which is comprised of a worldwide hospitality network of 1,169 full-service hotels, vacation ownership resorts and residential developments primarily serving two markets: luxury and upscale. The principal operations of Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. (“SVO”) include the development and operation of vacation ownership resorts and marketing, selling and financing of vacation ownership interests (“VOIs”) in the resorts.
	The consolidated financial statements include our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and those of our controlled subsidiaries and partnerships. In consolidating, all material intercompany transactions are eliminated. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
	Following the guidance for noncontrolling interests in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation, references in this report to our earnings per share, net income and stockholders’ equity attributable to Starwood’s common stockholders do not include amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Note 2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Future Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830) Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”. This topic clarifies that when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and we plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2014. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. This topic provides guidance on whether an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or as a separate liability. This topic is for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption allowed. We plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2014, and we do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements.
	Adopted Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This topic requires us to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and the line items of net income to which significant amounts are reclassified. This topic is for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption allowed. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2013, and the additional disclosures are included in Note 18.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Note 3. Earnings per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share for income from continuing operations attributable to our common stockholders (in millions, except per share data):
		Three Months  Ended				Nine Months  Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	157	$	147	$	437	$	405
	Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share		192		193		192		193
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards		2		3		2		4
	Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share		194		196		194		197
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.82	$	0.76	$	2.28	$	2.1
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.81	$	0.75	$	2.25	$	2.06
	Approximately 0.3 million shares and 1.4 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 0.7 million shares and 1.3 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted shares, as their impact would have been anti-dilutive.

Asset_Dispositions_and_Impairm

Asset Dispositions and Impairments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Asset Dispositions and Impairments	Note 4. Asset Dispositions and Impairments
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we sold a non-core asset for net cash proceeds of $12 million and recorded a gain of $4 million related to this sale.
	Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we sold four wholly-owned hotels for net cash proceeds of approximately $126 million. One hotel was sold subject to a management agreement, with an initial term of 20 years. The sale of this hotel resulted in a gain of approximately $3 million, which we deferred and are recognizing into management fees, franchise fees and other income over the initial term of the management agreement. Two hotels were sold subject to franchise agreements with initial terms of 20 years. The fourth hotel was sold at a loss, subject to a management agreement, with an initial term of 20 years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $8 million, net, related to the sales of these hotels.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we sold two wholly-owned hotels for net cash proceeds of approximately $244 million, subject to long-term management agreements with initial terms of 20 years. We recorded gains of approximately $100 million related to these sales, which we deferred and are recognizing into management fees, franchise fees and other income over the initial terms of the management agreements.
	Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold one wholly-owned hotel for net cash proceeds of approximately $11 million and recognized a pre-tax loss of $7 million related to the sale. The hotel was sold subject to a long-term franchise agreement with an initial term of 20 years.

Assets_Held_for_Sale

Assets Held for Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Assets Held for Sale	Note 5. Assets Held for Sale
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of two wholly-owned hotels. We received a non-refundable deposit during the fourth quarter of 2012, and the hotels, along with estimated goodwill to be allocated to these assets, were reclassified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2012. In connection with the anticipated sale, for the year ended December 31, 2012, we recognized an impairment charge of $4 million recorded to the gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net line item to reflect the fair market value of the properties based on the purchase price less costs to sell. The sale of these hotels, which were sold subject to franchise agreements, closed in January 2013 (see Note 4), and during the three months ended March 31, 2013, we recognized an additional loss of $1 million related to the sale of these hotels.

Transfers_of_Financial_Assets

Transfers of Financial Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]
Transfers of Financial Assets	Note 6. Transfers of Financial Assets
	We have variable interests in the entities associated with our five outstanding securitization transactions. As these securitizations consist of similar, homogenous loans, they have been aggregated for disclosure purposes. We applied the variable interest model and determined we are the primary beneficiary of these variable interest entities (“VIEs”). In making this determination, we evaluated the activities that significantly impact the economics of the VIEs, including the management of the securitized notes receivable and any related non-performing loans. We are the servicer of the securitized mortgage receivables. We also have the option, subject to certain limitations, to repurchase or replace VOI notes receivable, that are in default, at their outstanding principal amounts. Such activity totaled $5 million and $16 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively compared to $7 million and $22 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. We have been able to resell the VOIs underlying the VOI notes repurchased or replaced under these provisions without incurring significant losses. We hold the risk of potential loss (or gain), as the last to be paid out by proceeds of the VIEs under the terms of the agreements. As such, we hold both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs and obligation to absorb the losses (or benefits) from the VIEs.
	The securitization agreements are without recourse to us, except for breaches of representations and warranties. We have the right to fund defaults at our option, subject to certain limitations, and we intend to do so until the debt is extinguished to maintain the credit rating of the underlying notes.
	Upon transfer of VOI notes receivable to the VIEs, the receivables and certain cash flows derived from them become restricted for use in meeting obligations to the VIE creditors. The VIEs utilize trusts which have ownership of cash balances that also have restrictions, the amounts of which are reported in restricted cash. Our interest in trust assets are subordinate to the interests of third-party investors and, as such, may not be realized by us if needed to absorb deficiencies in cash flows that are allocated to the investors in the trusts’ debt (see Note 10). Under the contractual arrangements, we receive the excess cash flows (spread between the collections on the notes and third party obligations defined in the securitization agreements) from the VIEs. Such activity totaled $13 million and $40 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $11 million and $36 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, and is classified in cash and cash equivalents.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we terminated a securitization we completed in 2005 (see Note 10).

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable	7. Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable
	Notes receivable (net of reserves) related to our vacation ownership loans consist of the following (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized	$	407		$	503
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		209			111
			616			614
	Less: current portion
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized		(60	)		(65	)
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		(24	)		(19	)
		$	532		$	530
	We include the current and long-term maturities of unsecuritized VOI notes receivable in accounts receivable and other assets, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.
	We record interest income associated with VOI notes in our vacation ownership and residential sales and services line item in our consolidated statements of income. Interest income related to our VOI notes receivable was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized	$	15		$	15		$	49		$	49
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		6			6			14			14
		$	21		$	21		$	63		$	63
	The following table presents future maturities of gross VOI notes receivable (in millions) and interest rates:
		Securitized			Unsecuritized			Total
	2013	$	16		$	17		$	33
	2014		67			19			86
	2015		67			19			86
	2016		65			21			86
	Thereafter		241			190			431
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	456		$	266		$	722
	Weighted Average Interest Rates		13	%		12.74	%		12.9	%
	Range of interest rates		5% to 17%			6% to 17%			5% to 17%
	For the vacation ownership and residential segment, we record an estimate of expected uncollectibility on our VOI notes receivable as a reduction of revenue at the time we recognize profit on a timeshare sale. We hold large amounts of homogeneous VOI notes receivable and, therefore, assess uncollectibility based on pools of receivables. In estimating loss reserves, we use a technique referred to as static pool analysis, which tracks uncollectible notes for each year’s sales over the life of the respective notes and projects an estimated default rate that is used in the determination of our loan loss reserve requirements. As of September 30, 2013, the average estimated default rate for our pools of receivables was approximately 9.4%.
	The activity and balances for our loan loss reserve are as follows (in millions):
		Securitized			Unsecuritized			Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	54		$	53		$	107
	Provisions for loan losses		—			7			7
	Write-offs		—			(8	)		(8	)
	Other		(5	)		5			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	49		$	57		$	106
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	73		$	48		$	121
	Provisions for loan losses		(9	)		18			9
	Write-offs		—			(24	)		(24	)
	Other		(15	)		15			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	49		$	57		$	106
	Balance at June 30, 2012	$	66		$	63		$	129
	Provisions for loan losses		2			8			10
	Write-offs		—			(9	)		(9	)
	Other		(6	)		6			—
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	62		$	68		$	130
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	80		$	56		$	136
	Provisions for loan losses		2			20			22
	Write-offs		—			(28	)		(28	)
	Other		(20	)		20			—
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	62		$	68		$	130
	We use the origination of the notes by brand (Sheraton, Westin, and Other) and the Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO”) scores of the buyers as the primary credit quality indicators to calculate the loan loss reserve for the vacation ownership notes, as we believe there is a relationship between the default behavior of borrowers and the brand associated with the vacation ownership property they have acquired, supplemented by the FICO scores of the buyers. In addition to quantitatively calculating the loan loss reserve based on our static pool analysis, we supplement the process by evaluating certain qualitative data, including the aging of the respective receivables and current default trends by brand and origination year.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a net adjustment to the provision of $9 million. This was primarily driven by an $18 million increase in the provision for new contract sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, partially offset by a $9 million favorable adjustment from an enhancement to our static pool methodology to include FICO as a credit quality indicator as well as improved performance in the portfolio.
	Balances of our VOI notes receivable by brand and by FICO score were as follows (in millions):
		As of September 30, 2013
		700+			600-699			<600			No Score		Total
	Sheraton	$	156		$	130		$	20		$	57	$	363
	Westin		201			92			7			36		336
	Other		12			3			—			8		23
		$	369		$	225		$	27		$	101	$	722
		As of December 31, 2012
		700+			600-699			<600			No Score		Total
	Sheraton	$	153		$	123		$	23		$	59	$	358
Westin		208			91			8			42		349
Other		16			4			—			8		28
	$	377		$	218		$	31		$	109	$	735
Given the significance of our pools of VOI notes receivable, a change in the projected default rate can have a significant impact to our loan loss reserve requirements, with a 0.1% change estimated to have an impact of approximately $4 million.
We consider a VOI note receivable delinquent when it is more than 30 days outstanding. Delinquent notes receivable amounted to $45 million and $49 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. All delinquent loans are placed on nonaccrual status, and we do not resume interest accrual until payment is made. We consider loans to be in default upon reaching 120 days outstanding, at which point, we generally commence the repossession process. Uncollectible VOI notes receivable are charged off when title to the unit is returned to us. We generally do not modify vacation ownership notes that become delinquent or upon default.
Past due balances of VOI notes receivable were as follows (in millions):
	Total			Current			Delinquent
	Receivables
							30-59 Days			60-89 Days		>90 Days		Total
As of September 30, 2013	$	722		$	677		$	7		$	4	$	34	$	45
As of December 31, 2012	$	735		$	686		$	7		$	5	$	37	$	49

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Note 8. Debt
	Long-term debt and short-term borrowings consisted of the following, excluding securitized vacation ownership debt (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility, maturing 2018	$	—		$	—
	Senior Notes, interest at 7.375%, maturing 2015		294			294
	Senior Notes, interest at 6.75%, maturing 2018		370			371
	Senior Notes, interest at 7.15%, maturing 2019		207			206
	Senior Notes, interest at 3.125%, maturing 2023		349			349
	Mortgages and other, interest rates ranging from 1.00% to 9.00%, various maturities		47			55
			1,267			1,275
	Less current maturities		(2	)		(2	)
	Long-term debt	$	1,265		$	1,273
	In 2011, we received an incentive from the State of Connecticut, in connection with the relocation of our corporate headquarters to Stamford, Connecticut, in the form of a $10 million loan (the “Loan”), which we classified in mortgages and other. The Loan had an opportunity for $7 million principal forgiveness if a certain employment threshold was met before December 31, 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we received notification from the State of Connecticut that we had met the employment threshold and that $7 million of the Loan was forgiven.

Restructuring_and_Other_Specia

Restructuring and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net	Note 9. Restructuring and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net
	Restructuring and other special charges (credits), net were $(22) million and zero for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(23) million and $(11) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These net charges (credits) are not recorded in our reportable segment earnings.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a favorable adjustment to a legal reserve of approximately $22 million related to judgment and settlement, interest costs, legal fees and expenses in regards to a long standing litigation. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a favorable adjustment of $11 million related to the same litigation (see Note 21).
	We had remaining accruals of $53 million and $78 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which are primarily recorded in accrued expenses.

Securitized_Vacation_Ownership

Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt	Note 10. Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt
	As discussed in Note 6, our VIEs associated with the securitization of our VOI notes receivable are consolidated in our financial statements. Long-term and short-term securitized vacation ownership debt consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	2005 securitization, terminated 2013	$	—		$	22
	2006 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.28% to 5.85%, maturing 2018		13			18
	2009 securitization, interest rate at 5.81%, maturing 2015		42			63
	2010 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 4.75%, maturing 2021		109			138
	2011 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.67% to 4.82%, maturing 2025		112			137
	2012 securitization, interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 2.76%, maturing 2023		121			155
			397			533
	Less current maturities		(106	)		(150	)
	Long-term securitized debt	$	291		$	383
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we terminated a securitization we completed in 2005 (the “2005 Securitization”), including pay-down of all outstanding principal and interest due. The termination required a cash settlement of $21 million, $18 million of which was received and designated as pre-funding from the proceeds of a securitization we completed in 2012 (the “2012 Securitization”). Upon termination, $19 million of receivables previously related to the 2005 Securitization were transferred to the 2012 Securitization. In connection with this transaction, we wrote-off certain deferred financing costs associated with the 2005 Securitization to interest expense, the impact of which was de minimis.

Other_Liabilities

Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	Note 11. Other Liabilities
	Other liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred gains on asset sales	$	888	$	944
	SPG point liability		743		733
	Deferred revenue including VOIs and residential sales		35		33
	Benefit plan liabilities		71		78
	Deferred rent		52		51
	Insurance reserves		46		45
	Other		72		72
		$	1,907	$	1,956
	We defer gains realized in connection with the sales of properties that we continue to manage through long-term management agreements and recognize the gains over the initial terms of the related agreements. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had total deferred gains of approximately $973 million and $1,035 million, respectively, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred gains is included in management fees, franchise fees and other income in our consolidated statements of income and totaled approximately $23 million and $68 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared to $21 million and $64 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Note 12. Derivative Financial Instruments
	We enter into forward currency contracts to manage foreign exchange risk on intercompany loans that are not deemed permanently invested. These forward contracts are not designated as hedges, and their change in fair value is recorded in our consolidated statements of income in the interest expense line item during each reporting period. These forward contracts provide an economic hedge, as they largely offset foreign currency exposures on intercompany loans.
	The counterparties to our derivative financial instruments are major financial institutions. We evaluate the bond ratings of the financial institutions and believe that credit risk is at an acceptable level.
	We enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest expense. Our objective is to manage the impact of interest rates on the results of operations, cash flows and the market value of our debt. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we entered into four interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $200 million under which we pay floating rates and receive fixed rates of interest (“Fair Value Swaps”). The Fair Value Swaps hedge the change in fair value of certain fixed rate debt related to fluctuations in interest rates and mature in 2018 and 2019. The Fair Value Swaps modify our interest rate exposure by effectively converting debt with a fixed rate to a floating rate. These interest rate swaps have been designated and qualify as fair value hedges and have met the requirements to assume zero ineffectiveness. The fair value of our interest rate swaps at September 30, 2013 was de minimis.
	The following tables summarize the fair value of our derivative instruments and the effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the quarter.
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	(in millions)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
		Balance Sheet	Fair			Balance Sheet		Fair
		Location	Value			Location		Value
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Asset Derivatives
	Forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	3		Prepaid expenses and other		$	2
	Total assets		$	3				$	2
	Liability Derivatives
	Forward contracts	Accrued expenses	$	4		Accrued expenses		$	—
	Total liabilities		$	4				$	—
	Derivatives Not	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
	Designated as Hedging	or (Loss)  Recognized	or  (Loss) Recognized
	Instruments	in Income on Derivative	in Income on Derivative
			Three Months Ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Interest expense, net	$	(3	)	$	(8	)
	Total loss included in income		$	(3	)	$	(8	)
	Derivatives Not	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
	Designated as Hedging	or (Loss)  Recognized	or  (Loss) Recognized
	Instruments	in Income on Derivative	in Income on Derivative
			Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Interest expense, net	$	8		$	(7	)
	Total gain included in income		$	8		$	(7	)

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Note 13. Discontinued Operations
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a $70 million tax benefit, primarily as a result of the reversal of a reserve associated with an uncertain tax position, which was related to a previous disposition. The applicable statute of limitation for this tax position lapsed during the first quarter of 2013 (see Note 15).
	During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the gain of $23 million (net of tax) primarily relates to the favorable settlement of certain liabilities associated with a former subsidiary of ITT Corporation, which was acquired by us in 1998. The net gain of $15 million (net of tax) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 also includes a charge of $5 million (net of tax) to record at fair market value, based on current market prices, certain wholly-owned hotels that were sold in 2012 and where we no longer have any continuing involvement. Additionally, we recorded a loss of $1 million and $3 million (net of tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, for accrued interest related to the uncertain tax position that lapsed during the first quarter of 2013.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	Note 14. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
	We sponsor, or have previously sponsored, numerous funded and unfunded domestic and international pension and postretirement benefit plans. The net periodic benefit cost for our domestic pension benefits, international pension benefits and postretirement benefits amounted to less than $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The net periodic benefit cost for our domestic pension benefits, international pension benefits and postretirement benefits amounted to approximately $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we contributed approximately $3 million and $11 million, respectively, to our pension and postretirement benefit plans. For the remainder of 2013, we expect to contribute approximately $3 million to our pension and postretirement benefit plans. A portion of this funding will be reimbursed for costs related to employees of managed hotels.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 15. Income Taxes
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013, was $199 million, of which $64 million would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. It is reasonably possible that a change to our unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2013 will occur within the next twelve months; however, quantification of an estimated range cannot be made.
	We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits through income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013, we had $13 million accrued for the payment of interest and less than $1 million accrued for the payment of penalties.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a tax benefit of $70 million in discontinued operations, net as a result of the reversal of tax and interest reserves associated with an uncertain tax position, which was related to a previous disposition. The applicable statute of limitation for this tax position lapsed during the first quarter of 2013.
	We are subject to taxation in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, as well as various state and foreign jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2013, we are no longer subject to examination by U.S. federal taxing authorities for years prior to 2007 or to examination by any U.S. state taxing authority prior to 2002. All subsequent periods remain eligible for examination, and we are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) for years 2007 through 2009. During the period ending September 30, 2013, we received certain Notices of Proposed Adjustments from the IRS for such years; however, we disagree with the IRS on each of these proposed adjustments and intend to vigorously contest them, including pursuing all available remedies such as the IRS appeals process. The adjustments proposed by the IRS, if upheld, would result in a significant cash tax payment which could materially impact the financial statements. We believe we will prevail in the eventual resolution of these proposed adjustments and have determined that a change to our financial statements is not appropriate at this time. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2013 we have not adjusted the financial statements for these matters. In the significant foreign jurisdictions in which we operate, we are no longer subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities for any years prior to 2001.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Note 16. Stockholders’ Equity
	The following tables represent changes in stockholders’ equity that are attributable to our stockholders and non-controlling interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
					Equity Attributable to Starwood Stockholders
		Total			Common		Additional			Accumulated			Retained		Equity
					Shares		Paid-in			Other			Earnings		Attributable to
							Capital			Comprehensive					Noncontrolling
										Loss					Interests
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	3,481		$	2	$	853		$	(386	)	$	3,007	$	5
	Net income		157			—		—			—			157		—
	Equity compensation activity and other		32			—		32			—			—		—
	Share repurchases		(181	)		—		(181	)		—			—		—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		32			—		—			32			—		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,521		$	2	$	704		$	(354	)	$	3,164	$	5
					Equity Attributable to Starwood Stockholders
		Total			Common		Additional			Accumulated			Retained		Equity
					Shares		Paid-in			Other			Earnings		Attributable to
							Capital			Comprehensive					Noncontrolling
										Loss					Interests
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	3,142		$	2	$	816		$	(338	)	$	2,657	$	5
	Net income		507			—		—			—			507		—
	Equity compensation activity and other		125			—		125			—			—		—
	Share repurchases		(237	)		—		(237	)		—			—		—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(16	)		—		—			(16	)		—		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,521		$	2	$	704		$	(354	)	$	3,164	$	5
	Share Issuances and Repurchases. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we issued approximately 370,000 and 2.5 million of our common shares, respectively, as a result of stock option exercises. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a $500 million increase to the share repurchase program. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased approximately 2,731,300 common shares at a weighted average price of $66.14 for a total cost of approximately $181 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased approximately 3,678,400 common shares at a weighted average price of $64.39 for a total cost of approximately $237 million. Through October 18, 2013, we repurchased an additional 1,138,000 common shares at an average price of $66.69. These shares were included in the number of shares outstanding as of September 30, 2013. As of September 30, 2013, $443 million remained available under the share repurchase authorization approved by our Board of Directors.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Note 17. Stock-Based Compensation
	In accordance with our 2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2004 LTIP”), during the five month period ended May 31, 2013, we granted restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares to executive officers, members of the Board of Directors and certain employees.
	For 2013, in lieu of stock options, a target number of contingent performance shares, which contain a market condition, were awarded to certain executives in February 2013. Vesting of the performance shares is dependent upon a market condition and three years of continuous service beginning at date of grant, subject to a prorated adjustment for employees who are terminated under certain circumstances or who retire. The market condition is based on our total shareholder return relative to the total shareholder return of a specified group of peer companies at the end of a three-calendar-year performance period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015. The number of performance shares earned is determined based on our percentile ranking amongst these companies. The performance shares are entitled to any dividends made during the performance period in the same proportion as the number of performance shares that vest and will be paid at the end of the service period.
	We classified the performance shares as a share-based equity award, and as such, compensation expense related to these shares is based on the grant-date fair value, which will be recognized ratably over the requisite service period. We determined the fair value of the performance shares using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we granted approximately 164,000 performance shares with a grant date fair value of $77.72 per share under the 2004 LTIP. In addition, we granted approximately 1,173,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units that had a weighted average grant date fair value of $60.30 per share or unit under the 2004 LTIP.
	On May 31, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (“2013 LTIP”), which superseded the 2004 LTIP. The 2013 LTIP authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other stock-based awards for the purpose of providing our officers and other employees, and those of our subsidiaries, and non-employees who perform employee functions, incentives and rewards for performance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we granted approximately 28,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units that had a weighted average grant date fair value of $63.23 per share or unit under the 2013 LTIP.
	Although no additional awards will be granted under the 2004 LTIP, the provisions under the previous plan will continue to govern awards that have been granted and remain outstanding under that plan. No awards may be granted under the 2013 LTIP after the tenth anniversary of the date on which the stockholders approved the 2013 LTIP. However, awards outstanding under the 2013 LTIP will continue to be governed by the 2013 LTIP until all awards granted prior to that date are no longer outstanding. The approval of the 2013 LTIP significantly decreased the number of shares that we may issue pursuant to equity-based awards from 56 million shares to 11 million shares of common stock. The aggregate number of shares available to be granted under the 2013 LTIP at September 30, 2013 was approximately 11 million.
	We recorded stock-based employee compensation expense, including the impact of reimbursements from third parties, of $13 million and $40 million, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and $15 million and $49 million, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2013, there was approximately $77 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, including costs subject to reimbursement from third parties, which is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of 1.68 years.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	Note 18. Comprehensive Income
	On January 1, 2013, we adopted ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This topic requires us to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and the line item of net income to which significant amounts are reclassified.
	The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (a)
			Cash Flow			Defined benefit			Foreign			Total
			Hedges			pension and			Currency
						postretirement			Translation
						benefit plans			Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(1	)	$	(86	)	$	(251	)	$	(338	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			—			—			(19	)		(19	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			1			2			—			3
	Total before tax			1			2			(19	)		(16	)
	Tax (expense) benefit			—			—			—			—
	Net current year other comprehensive income			1			2			(19	)		(16	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	—		$	(84	)	$	(270	)	$	(354	)
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	The following tables present the components of our other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in millions):
			For the Three Months Ended September 30, (a)
			2013									2012
			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax
			Amount			or Benefit			Amount			Amount			or Benefit			Amount
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains (losses) arising during period		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (b)			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
	Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
	Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (c)			1			—			1			1			(1	)		—
	Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans			1			—			1			1			(1	)		—
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			31			—			31			23			—			23
	Other comprehensive income		$	32		$	—		$	32		$	22		$	(1	)	$	21
			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (a)
			2013									2012
			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax
			Amount			or Benefit			Amount			Amount			or Benefit			Amount
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains (losses) arising during period		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (b)			1			—			1			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			1			—			1			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (c)			2			—			2			2			(1	)		1
	Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans			2			—			2			2			(1	)		1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(19	)		—			(19	)		13			—			13
	Other comprehensive income		$	(16	)	$	—		$	(16	)	$	12		$	(1	)	$	11
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(b)	Pretax gains and losses on forward contract cash flow hedges are reclassified to management fees, franchise fees and other income.
	(c)	Pretax amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans is reclassified to selling, general, administrative and other.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Note 19. Fair Value
	The following table represents our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Asset Derivatives:
	Forward contracts	$	—			$	3			$	—			$	3
	Liability Derivatives:
	Forward contracts	$	—			$	4			$	—			$	4
	The forward contracts are over-the-counter contracts that do not trade on a public exchange. The fair values of the contracts are based on inputs such as foreign currency spot rates and forward points that are readily available on public markets, and as such, are classified as Level 2. We consider both our credit risk, as well as our counterparties’ credit risk, in determining fair value, and we did not make an adjustment as it was deemed insignificant based on the short duration of the contracts and our rate of short-term debt.
	We believe the carrying values of our financial instruments related to current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term financial instruments (in millions):
				September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Hierarchy		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Level		Amount				Value				Amount				Value
	Assets:
	Restricted cash	1		$	4			$	4			$	6			$	6
	VOI notes receivable	3			185				231				92				113
	Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable	3			347				439				438				558
	Other notes receivable	3			17				17				11				11
	Total financial assets			$	553			$	691			$	547			$	688
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	1		$	1,265			$	1,389			$	1,273			$	1,447
	Long-term securitized debt	3			291				305				383				402
	Total financial liabilities			$	1,556			$	1,694			$	1,656			$	1,849
	Off-Balance sheet:
	Letters of credit	2		$	—			$	117			$	—			$	117
	Surety bonds	2			—				83				—				80
	Total off-balance sheet			$	—			$	200			$	—			$	197
	The carrying value of our restricted cash approximates its fair value. We estimate the fair value of our VOI notes receivable and securitized VOI notes receivable using assumptions related to current or recent securitization market transactions. The amount is then compared to a discounted expected future cash flow model using a discount rate commensurate with the risk of the underlying notes, primarily determined by the credit worthiness of the borrowers based on their FICO scores. The results of these two methods are then evaluated to determine the estimated fair value. The fair value of other notes receivable is estimated based on the terms of the instrument and current market conditions. These financial instrument assets are recorded in the other assets line item in our consolidated balance sheet.
	We estimate the fair value of our publicly traded debt based on the bid prices in the public debt markets. The carrying amount of our floating rate debt is a reasonable basis of fair value due to the variable nature of the interest rates. Our non-public, securitized debt and fixed rate debt fair value is determined based upon discounted cash flows for the debt rates deemed reasonable for the type of debt, prevailing market conditions and the length to maturity for the debt.
	The fair values of our letters of credit and surety bonds are estimated to be the same as the contract values based on the nature of the fee arrangements with the issuing financial institutions.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 20. Segment Information
	Our hotel business is segregated into three separate hotel segments: (i) the Americas, (ii) Europe, Africa and the Middle East (“EAME”), and (iii) Asia Pacific. The vacation ownership and residential business is a separate segment.
	Our reportable segments each have a division president who is responsible for the management of the division. Each division president reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer who is also the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). Financial information for each reportable segment is reviewed by the CODM to assess performance and make decisions regarding the allocation of resources.
	Each hotel segment generates its earnings through a network of owned, leased, consolidated and unconsolidated joint venture hotels and resorts operated primarily under our proprietary brand names including St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element®, as well as hotels and resorts which are managed or franchised under these brand names in exchange for fees.
	The management of our vacation ownership and residential sales business is conducted by the vacation ownership and residential segment. The vacation ownership and residential segment generates its earnings through the acquisition, development and operation of vacation ownership resorts, marketing and selling of VOIs and residential units, and providing financing to customers who purchase such interests.
	The CODM primarily evaluates the operating performance of a segment based on segment earnings. We define segment earnings as net income attributable to our common stockholders before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as well as our share of interest expense, depreciation and amortization associated with our unconsolidated joint ventures. Segment earnings also excludes certain recurring and nonrecurring items, such as restructuring costs and other special charges, gains (losses) on debt extinguishment and gains (losses) on asset dispositions and impairments. Residential revenue generated at hotel properties is recorded in the corresponding geographic hotel segment. General, administrative and other expenses directly related to the segments are included in the calculation of segment earnings, whereas corporate general, administrative and other expenses are not included in the segment earnings calculation. In addition to revenues recorded within our four segments, we also have other revenues from managed and franchised properties, which primarily represent the reimbursement of costs incurred on behalf of managed property owners. These revenues, together with the corresponding expenses, are not recorded within the segments. Other corporate unallocated revenues and earnings primarily relate to other license fee income and are also reported outside of segment revenues.
	The following tables present revenues, segment earnings, earnings from unconsolidated ventures, capital expenditures, total assets, and investments in unconsolidated ventures for our reportable segments (in millions):
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Americas (a)		$	366		$	392		$	1,143		$	1,221
	EAME			175			152			459			410
	Asia Pacific			87			81			244			239
	Vacation ownership and residential			197			204			736			1,026
	Total segment revenues (b)			825			829			2,582			2,896
	Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels			663			603			1,965			1,828
	Other corporate revenues – unallocated			20			23			62			64
			$	1,508		$	1,455		$	4,609		$	4,788
	(a)	Includes revenues of $251 million and $269 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $693 million and $840 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from hotels located in the United States of America.
	(b)	Besides the United States of America, no other country contributed more than 10% of our total revenues.
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Segment earnings:
	Americas		$	141		$	134		$	449		$	421
	EAME			70			60			161			141
	Asia Pacific			54			47			151			149
	Vacation ownership and residential			57			47			235			237
	Total segment earnings			322			288			996			948
	Other corporate unallocated			20			23			64			65
	Corporate selling, general, administrative and other – unallocated			(41	)		(36	)		(111	)		(118	)
	Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net			3			1			(5	)		(7	)
	Restructuring and other special (charges) credits			22			—			23			11
	Adjustments to equity earnings (a)			(14	)		(10	)		(33	)		(31	)
	Interest expense			(26	)		(39	)		(79	)		(135	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net			—			—			—			(15	)
	Depreciation and amortization			(65	)		(61	)		(195	)		(186	)
	Discontinued operations			—			23			70			15
	Income tax benefit (expense)			(64	)		(19	)		(223	)		(127	)
	Net income attributable to Starwood		$	157		$	170		$	507		$	420
	(a)	Includes impairment losses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense related to equity earnings not allocated to segment earnings.
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Earnings from unconsolidated ventures included in segment earnings:
	Americas		$	6		$	6		$	24		$	22
	EAME			—			1			—			3
	Asia Pacific			7			7			24			24
	Vacation ownership and residential			—			—			1			1
	Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures		$	13		$	14		$	49		$	50
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	70		$	59		$	174		$	132
	EAME			4			23			24			72
	Asia Pacific			2			11			12			13
	Vacation ownership and residential (a)			(6	)		(1	)		(18	)		7
	Total segment capital expenditures			70			92			192			224
	Other corporate unallocated			20			16			55			52
			$	90		$	108		$	247		$	276
	(a)	Represents gross inventory capital expenditures less cost of sales of $(13) million and $(7) million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(33) million and $(10) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, includes development capital of $7 million and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $15 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
			September 30,			December 31,
2013			2012
Assets:
Americas (a)		$	2,175		$	2,229
EAME (b)			937			911
Asia Pacific			659			574
Vacation ownership and residential (a)			1,286			1,445
Total segment assets (c)			5,057			5,159
Other corporate assets			3,906			3,702
		$	8,963		$	8,861
(a)	Includes long-lived assets of $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, located in the United States of America.
(b)	Includes long-lived assets of $370 million and $366 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, located in Italy.
(c)	Besides the United States and Italy, no other country contributed more than 10% of our total long-lived assets.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Investments in unconsolidated ventures:
Americas		$	68		$	71
EAME			25			25
Asia Pacific			141			143
Vacation ownership and residential			18			21
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures		$	252		$	260

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 21. Commitments and Contingencies
	Variable Interest Entities. We have determined that we have a variable interest in 23 hotels, generally in the form of investments, loans, guarantees, or equity. We determine if we are the primary beneficiary of these hotels by primarily considering qualitative factors. Qualitative factors include evaluating if we have the power to control the VIE and have the obligation to absorb the losses and rights to receive the benefits of the VIE, that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and therefore, these entities are not consolidated in our financial statements. See Note 6 for the VIEs in which we are deemed the primary beneficiary and have consolidated the entities.
	The 23 VIEs associated with our variable interests represent entities that own hotels for which we have entered into management or franchise agreements with the hotel owners. We are paid a fee primarily based on financial metrics of the hotel. The hotels are financed by the owners, generally in the form of working capital, equity and debt.
	At September 30, 2013, we have approximately $119 million of investments and loan balances of $2 million associated with 22 of the 23 VIEs. The maximum loss under these agreements equals the carrying value because we are not obligated to fund future cash contributions. In addition, we have not contributed amounts to the VIEs in excess of our contractual obligations.
	Additionally, we have an investment of approximately $1 million and a performance guarantee associated with the remaining VIE. The performance guarantee has possible cash outlays of up to $62 million which, if required, would be funded over several years and would be largely offset by management fees received under these contracts.
	At December 31, 2012, we evaluated the 23 hotels in which we had a variable interest. As of that date, we had approximately $109 million of investments associated with 21 of the 23 VIEs. Additionally, we had approximately $5 million of investments and certain performance guarantees associated with the remaining two VIEs.
	Guaranteed Loans and Commitments. In limited cases, we have made loans to owners of or partners in hotel or resort ventures for which we have a management or franchise agreement. Loans outstanding under this program totaled $3 million at September 30, 2013. We evaluate these loans for impairment, and at September 30, 2013, we believe these loans are collectible. Unfunded loan commitments aggregating $18 million were outstanding at September 30, 2013, none of which is expected to be funded in the next twelve months or in total. These loans are typically secured by pledges of project ownership interests and/or mortgages on the projects. We also have $99 million of equity and other potential contributions associated with managed or joint venture properties, $48 million of which is expected to be funded in the next twelve months.
	Surety bonds issued on our behalf as of September 30, 2013 totaled $83 million, primarily related to an appeal of certain litigation, requirements by state or local governments relating to our vacation ownership operations and by our insurers to secure large deductible insurance programs.
	To secure management contracts, we may provide performance guarantees to third-party owners. Most of these performance guarantees allow us to terminate the contract rather than fund shortfalls if certain performance levels are not met. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we elected to make a $3 million payment to retain a management contract associated with a hotel that failed a performance test.
	In limited cases, we are obligated to fund shortfalls in performance levels through the issuance of loans. Many of the performance tests are multi-year tests, tied to the results of a competitive set of hotels and have exclusions for force majeure and acts of war and terrorism. We do not anticipate any significant funding under performance guarantees, nor do we anticipate losing a significant number of management or franchise contracts in 2013.
	Litigation. We are involved in various legal matters that have arisen in the normal course of business, some of which include claims for substantial sums. Accruals have been recorded when the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a favorable adjustment to a legal reserve of approximately $22 million related to judgment and settlement, interest costs, legal fees and expenses in regards to a long standing litigation. As of September 30, 2013, certain contingencies have been evaluated as reasonably possible, but not probable, with a range of exposure of $0 to $32 million. While the ultimate results of claims and litigation cannot be determined, we do not believe that the resolution of these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flow. However, depending on the amount and the timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect our future results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta1

Recently Issued Accounting Standards (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
ASU 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830)	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830) Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”. This topic clarifies that when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and we plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2014. We do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements.
ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. This topic provides guidance on whether an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction to a deferred tax asset or as a separate liability. This topic is for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption allowed. We plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2014, and we do not believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our financial statements.
ASU 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This topic requires us to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component and the line items of net income to which significant amounts are reclassified. This topic is for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption allowed. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2013, and the additional disclosures are included in Note 18.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Basic Earnings Per Share to Diluted Earnings Per Share for Income from Continuing Operations	The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per share to diluted earnings per share for income from continuing operations attributable to our common stockholders (in millions, except per share data):
		Three Months  Ended				Nine Months  Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	157	$	147	$	437	$	405
	Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share		192		193		192		193
	Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards		2		3		2		4
	Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share		194		196		194		197
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.82	$	0.76	$	2.28	$	2.1
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.81	$	0.75	$	2.25	$	2.06

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei1

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Notes Receivable (Net of Reserves) Related to Vacation Ownership Loans	Notes receivable (net of reserves) related to our vacation ownership loans consist of the following (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized	$	407		$	503
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		209			111
			616			614
	Less: current portion
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized		(60	)		(65	)
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		(24	)		(19	)
		$	532		$	530
Interest Income Related to VOI Notes Receivable	Interest income related to our VOI notes receivable was as follows (in millions):
		Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Vacation ownership loans – securitized	$	15		$	15		$	49		$	49
	Vacation ownership loans – unsecuritized		6			6			14			14
		$	21		$	21		$	63		$	63
Future Maturities of Gross VOI Notes Receivable and Interest Rates	The following table presents future maturities of gross VOI notes receivable (in millions) and interest rates:
		Securitized			Unsecuritized			Total
	2013	$	16		$	17		$	33
	2014		67			19			86
	2015		67			19			86
	2016		65			21			86
	Thereafter		241			190			431
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	456		$	266		$	722
	Weighted Average Interest Rates		13	%		12.74	%		12.9	%
	Range of interest rates		5% to 17%			6% to 17%			5% to 17%
Loan Loss Reserve	The activity and balances for our loan loss reserve are as follows (in millions):
		Securitized			Unsecuritized			Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	54		$	53		$	107
	Provisions for loan losses		—			7			7
	Write-offs		—			(8	)		(8	)
	Other		(5	)		5			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	49		$	57		$	106
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	73		$	48		$	121
	Provisions for loan losses		(9	)		18			9
	Write-offs		—			(24	)		(24	)
	Other		(15	)		15			—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	49		$	57		$	106
	Balance at June 30, 2012	$	66		$	63		$	129
	Provisions for loan losses		2			8			10
	Write-offs		—			(9	)		(9	)
	Other		(6	)		6			—
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	62		$	68		$	130
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	80		$	56		$	136
	Provisions for loan losses		2			20			22
	Write-offs		—			(28	)		(28	)
	Other		(20	)		20			—
	Balance at September 30, 2012	$	62		$	68		$	130
Balances of VOI Notes Receivable by Brand and by FICO Score	Balances of our VOI notes receivable by brand and by FICO score were as follows (in millions):
		As of September 30, 2013
		700+			600-699			<600			No Score		Total
	Sheraton	$	156		$	130		$	20		$	57	$	363
	Westin		201			92			7			36		336
	Other		12			3			—			8		23
		$	369		$	225		$	27		$	101	$	722
		As of December 31, 2012
		700+			600-699			<600			No Score		Total
	Sheraton	$	153		$	123		$	23		$	59	$	358
	Westin		208			91			8			42		349
	Other		16			4			—			8		28
		$	377		$	218		$	31		$	109	$	735
Past Due Balances of VOI Notes Receivable	Past due balances of VOI notes receivable were as follows (in millions):
		Total			Current			Delinquent
		Receivables
								30-59 Days			60-89 Days		>90 Days		Total
	As of September 30, 2013	$	722		$	677		$	7		$	4	$	34	$	45
	As of December 31, 2012	$	735		$	686		$	7		$	5	$	37	$	49

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings	Long-term debt and short-term borrowings consisted of the following, excluding securitized vacation ownership debt (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Revolving Credit Facility, maturing 2018	$	—		$	—
	Senior Notes, interest at 7.375%, maturing 2015		294			294
	Senior Notes, interest at 6.75%, maturing 2018		370			371
	Senior Notes, interest at 7.15%, maturing 2019		207			206
	Senior Notes, interest at 3.125%, maturing 2023		349			349
	Mortgages and other, interest rates ranging from 1.00% to 9.00%, various maturities		47			55
			1,267			1,275
	Less current maturities		(2	)		(2	)
	Long-term debt	$	1,265		$	1,273

Securitized_Vacation_Ownership1

Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Long-Term and Short-Term Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt	Long-term and short-term securitized vacation ownership debt consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	2005 securitization, terminated 2013	$	—		$	22
	2006 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.28% to 5.85%, maturing 2018		13			18
	2009 securitization, interest rate at 5.81%, maturing 2015		42			63
	2010 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 4.75%, maturing 2021		109			138
	2011 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.67% to 4.82%, maturing 2025		112			137
	2012 securitization, interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 2.76%, maturing 2023		121			155
			397			533
	Less current maturities		(106	)		(150	)
	Long-term securitized debt	$	291		$	383

Other_Liabilities_Tables

Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred gains on asset sales	$	888	$	944
	SPG point liability		743		733
	Deferred revenue including VOIs and residential sales		35		33
	Benefit plan liabilities		71		78
	Deferred rent		52		51
	Insurance reserves		46		45
	Other		72		72
		$	1,907	$	1,956

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The following tables summarize the fair value of our derivative instruments and the effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income during the quarter.
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	(in millions)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
		Balance Sheet	Fair			Balance Sheet		Fair
		Location	Value			Location		Value
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Asset Derivatives
	Forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other	$	3		Prepaid expenses and other		$	2
	Total assets		$	3				$	2
	Liability Derivatives
	Forward contracts	Accrued expenses	$	4		Accrued expenses		$	—
	Total liabilities		$	4				$	—
Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	Derivatives Not	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
	Designated as Hedging	or (Loss)  Recognized	or  (Loss) Recognized
	Instruments	in Income on Derivative	in Income on Derivative
			Three Months Ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Interest expense, net	$	(3	)	$	(8	)
	Total loss included in income		$	(3	)	$	(8	)
	Derivatives Not	Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
	Designated as Hedging	or (Loss)  Recognized	or  (Loss) Recognized
	Instruments	in Income on Derivative	in Income on Derivative
			Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Foreign forward exchange contracts	Interest expense, net	$	8		$	(7	)
	Total gain included in income		$	8		$	(7	)

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Attributable to Starwood's Stockholders	The following tables represent changes in stockholders’ equity that are attributable to our stockholders and non-controlling interests for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
					Equity Attributable to Starwood Stockholders
		Total			Common		Additional			Accumulated			Retained		Equity
					Shares		Paid-in			Other			Earnings		Attributable to
							Capital			Comprehensive					Noncontrolling
										Loss					Interests
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	3,481		$	2	$	853		$	(386	)	$	3,007	$	5
	Net income		157			—		—			—			157		—
	Equity compensation activity and other		32			—		32			—			—		—
	Share repurchases		(181	)		—		(181	)		—			—		—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		32			—		—			32			—		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,521		$	2	$	704		$	(354	)	$	3,164	$	5
					Equity Attributable to Starwood Stockholders
		Total			Common		Additional			Accumulated			Retained		Equity
					Shares		Paid-in			Other			Earnings		Attributable to
							Capital			Comprehensive					Noncontrolling
										Loss					Interests
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	3,142		$	2	$	816		$	(338	)	$	2,657	$	5
	Net income		507			—		—			—			507		—
	Equity compensation activity and other		125			—		125			—			—		—
	Share repurchases		(237	)		—		(237	)		—			—		—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(16	)		—		—			(16	)		—		—
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3,521		$	2	$	704		$	(354	)	$	3,164	$	5

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in millions):
			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 (a)
			Cash Flow			Defined benefit			Foreign			Total
			Hedges			pension and			Currency
						postretirement			Translation
						benefit plans			Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(1	)	$	(86	)	$	(251	)	$	(338	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			—			—			(19	)		(19	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			1			2			—			3
	Total before tax			1			2			(19	)		(16	)
	Tax (expense) benefit			—			—			—			—
	Net current year other comprehensive income			1			2			(19	)		(16	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	—		$	(84	)	$	(270	)	$	(354	)
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects	The following tables present the components of our other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in millions):
			For the Three Months Ended September 30, (a)
			2013									2012
			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax
			Amount			or Benefit			Amount			Amount			or Benefit			Amount
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains (losses) arising during period		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (b)			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
	Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			—			—			—			(2	)		—			(2	)
	Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (c)			1			—			1			1			(1	)		—
	Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans			1			—			1			1			(1	)		—
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			31			—			31			23			—			23
	Other comprehensive income		$	32		$	—		$	32		$	22		$	(1	)	$	21
			For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (a)
			2013									2012
			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax			Before-Tax			Tax (Expense)			Net-of-Tax
			Amount			or Benefit			Amount			Amount			or Benefit			Amount
	Cash flow hedges:
	Gains (losses) arising during period		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (b)			1			—			1			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			1			—			1			(3	)		—			(3	)
	Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans:
	Gains (losses) arising during the year			—			—			—			—			—			—
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (c)			2			—			2			2			(1	)		1
	Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans			2			—			2			2			(1	)		1
	Foreign currency translation adjustments:
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			(19	)		—			(19	)		13			—			13
	Other comprehensive income		$	(16	)	$	—		$	(16	)	$	12		$	(1	)	$	11
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	(b)	Pretax gains and losses on forward contract cash flow hedges are reclassified to management fees, franchise fees and other income.
	(c)	Pretax amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans is reclassified to selling, general, administrative and other.

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table represents our fair value hierarchy for our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in millions):
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Asset Derivatives:
	Forward contracts	$	—			$	3			$	—			$	3
	Liability Derivatives:
	Forward contracts	$	—			$	4			$	—			$	4
Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Long-Term Financial Instruments	The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term financial instruments (in millions):
				September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Hierarchy		Carrying				Fair				Carrying				Fair
		Level		Amount				Value				Amount				Value
	Assets:
	Restricted cash	1		$	4			$	4			$	6			$	6
	VOI notes receivable	3			185				231				92				113
	Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable	3			347				439				438				558
	Other notes receivable	3			17				17				11				11
	Total financial assets			$	553			$	691			$	547			$	688
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt	1		$	1,265			$	1,389			$	1,273			$	1,447
	Long-term securitized debt	3			291				305				383				402
	Total financial liabilities			$	1,556			$	1,694			$	1,656			$	1,849
	Off-Balance sheet:
	Letters of credit	2		$	—			$	117			$	—			$	117
	Surety bonds	2			—				83				—				80
	Total off-balance sheet			$	—			$	200			$	—			$	197

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Revenues, Adjusted Ebitda, Ebitda from Unconsolidated Ventures, Capital Expenditures, Total Assets, and Investments	The following tables present revenues, segment earnings, earnings from unconsolidated ventures, capital expenditures, total assets, and investments in unconsolidated ventures for our reportable segments (in millions):
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Americas (a)		$	366		$	392		$	1,143		$	1,221
	EAME			175			152			459			410
	Asia Pacific			87			81			244			239
	Vacation ownership and residential			197			204			736			1,026
	Total segment revenues (b)			825			829			2,582			2,896
	Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels			663			603			1,965			1,828
	Other corporate revenues – unallocated			20			23			62			64
			$	1,508		$	1,455		$	4,609		$	4,788
	(a)	Includes revenues of $251 million and $269 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $693 million and $840 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, from hotels located in the United States of America.
	(b)	Besides the United States of America, no other country contributed more than 10% of our total revenues.
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Segment earnings:
	Americas		$	141		$	134		$	449		$	421
	EAME			70			60			161			141
	Asia Pacific			54			47			151			149
	Vacation ownership and residential			57			47			235			237
	Total segment earnings			322			288			996			948
	Other corporate unallocated			20			23			64			65
	Corporate selling, general, administrative and other – unallocated			(41	)		(36	)		(111	)		(118	)
	Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net			3			1			(5	)		(7	)
	Restructuring and other special (charges) credits			22			—			23			11
	Adjustments to equity earnings (a)			(14	)		(10	)		(33	)		(31	)
	Interest expense			(26	)		(39	)		(79	)		(135	)
	Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net			—			—			—			(15	)
	Depreciation and amortization			(65	)		(61	)		(195	)		(186	)
	Discontinued operations			—			23			70			15
	Income tax benefit (expense)			(64	)		(19	)		(223	)		(127	)
	Net income attributable to Starwood		$	157		$	170		$	507		$	420
	(a)	Includes impairment losses, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense related to equity earnings not allocated to segment earnings.
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Earnings from unconsolidated ventures included in segment earnings:
	Americas		$	6		$	6		$	24		$	22
	EAME			—			1			—			3
	Asia Pacific			7			7			24			24
	Vacation ownership and residential			—			—			1			1
	Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures		$	13		$	14		$	49		$	50
			Three Months  Ended						Nine Months  Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	70		$	59		$	174		$	132
	EAME			4			23			24			72
	Asia Pacific			2			11			12			13
	Vacation ownership and residential (a)			(6	)		(1	)		(18	)		7
	Total segment capital expenditures			70			92			192			224
	Other corporate unallocated			20			16			55			52
			$	90		$	108		$	247		$	276
	(a)	Represents gross inventory capital expenditures less cost of sales of $(13) million and $(7) million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $(33) million and $(10) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, includes development capital of $7 million and $6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $15 million and $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Assets:
	Americas (a)		$	2,175		$	2,229
	EAME (b)			937			911
	Asia Pacific			659			574
	Vacation ownership and residential (a)			1,286			1,445
Total segment assets (c)			5,057			5,159
Other corporate assets			3,906			3,702
		$	8,963		$	8,861
(a)	Includes long-lived assets of $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, located in the United States of America.
(b)	Includes long-lived assets of $370 million and $366 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, located in Italy.
(c)	Besides the United States and Italy, no other country contributed more than 10% of our total long-lived assets.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Investments in unconsolidated ventures:
Americas		$	68		$	71
EAME			25			25
Asia Pacific			141			143
Vacation ownership and residential			18			21
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures		$	252		$	260

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Markets
	Hotel
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Hotels	1,169
Number of markets	2

Earnings_per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings per Share - Reconciliation of Basic Earnings Per Share to Diluted Earnings Per Share for Income from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$157	$147	$437	$405
Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share	192	193	192	193
Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards	2	3	2	4
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share	194	196	194	197
Basic earnings per share	$0.82	$0.76	$2.28	$2.10
Diluted earnings per share	$0.81	$0.75	$2.25	$2.06

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0.3	1.4	0.7	1.3

Asset_Dispositions_and_Impairm1

Asset Dispositions and Impairments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
			Management agreement	Franchise Agreements	Non Core Assets	Four wholly-owned hotels	Two wholly-owned hotels	Wholly-owned hotel one
			Hotel	Hotel		Hotel	Hotel	Hotel
Asset Dispositions And Impairments [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on sale of assets			($8)		$4			($7)
Net cash proceeds from disposal of assets	139	279			12	126	244	11
Number of wholly-owned hotels sold			1	2		4	2	1
Term of agreements			20 years	20 years			20 years	20 years
Deferred gains on dispositions of assets			$3				$100

Assets_Held_for_Sale_Additiona

Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets Held For Sale [Abstract]
Impairment charge		$5	$4
Additional loss recognized related to sale of hotels	$1

Transfers_of_Financial_Assets_

Transfers of Financial Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Transactions		Transactions
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]
Number of securitization transactions in which company has variable interest	5		5
Principal amount of repurchased or replaced defaulted VOI notes receivable	$5	$7	$16	$22
Obligation to receive cash flows from VIE	$13	$11	$40	$36

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei2

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Notes Receivable (Net of Reserves) Related to Vacation Ownership Loans (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Net notes receivable	$616	$614
Notes receivable noncurrent	532	530
Vacation ownership loans - securitized
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Net notes receivable	407	503
Notes receivable, current	-60	-65
Vacation ownership loans - unsecuritized
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Net notes receivable	209	111
Notes receivable, current	($24)	($19)

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei3

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Interest Income Related to VOI Notes Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Vacation ownership loans - securitized	$15	$15	$49	$49
Vacation ownership loans - unsecuritized	6	6	14	14
Interest income related to VOI notes receivable, net	$21	$21	$63	$63

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei4

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Future Maturities of Gross VOI Notes Receivable and Interest Rates (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
2013	$33
2014	86
2015	86
2016	86
Thereafter	431
Total gross VOI notes receivable	722
Weighted Average Interest Rates	12.90%
Range of interest rates, Minimum	5.00%
Range of interest rates, Maximum	17.00%
Vacation ownership loans - securitized
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
2013	16
2014	67
2015	67
2016	65
Thereafter	241
Total gross VOI notes receivable	456
Weighted Average Interest Rates	13.00%
Range of interest rates, Minimum	5.00%
Range of interest rates, Maximum	17.00%
Vacation ownership loans - unsecuritized
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
2013	17
2014	19
2015	19
2016	21
Thereafter	190
Total gross VOI notes receivable	$266
Weighted Average Interest Rates	12.74%
Range of interest rates, Minimum	6.00%
Range of interest rates, Maximum	17.00%

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei5

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Receivables [Abstract]
Average estimated default rate for the Company's pool of receivables	9.40%
Net adjustment on loan loss provision	$9
Increase in provision for new contract sales	18
Favorable adjustment from improved performance in portfolio	9
Result of change in projected default rate	0.10%
Default rate change impact on loan loss reserve	4
Maximum outstanding period for note receivable being delinquent	30 days
Delinquent notes receivable	$45	$49
Number of days loan consider to be in default	120 days

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei6

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Loan Loss Reserve (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Financing Receivable Allowance For Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$107	$129	$121	$136
Provisions for loan losses	7	10	9	22
Write-offs	-8	-9	-24	-28
Other
Ending Balance	106	130	106	130
Vacation ownership loans - securitized
Financing Receivable Allowance For Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	54	66	73	80
Provisions for loan losses		2	-9	2
Write-offs
Other	-5	-6	-15	-20
Ending Balance	49	62	49	62
Vacation ownership loans - unsecuritized
Financing Receivable Allowance For Credit Losses [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	53	63	48	56
Provisions for loan losses	7	8	18	20
Write-offs	-8	-9	-24	-28
Other	5	6	15	20
Ending Balance	$57	$68	$57	$68

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei7

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Balances of VOI Notes Receivable by Brand and by FICO Score (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$722	$735
Sheraton
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	363	358
Westin
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	336	349
Other
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	23	28
700+
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	369	377
700+ | Sheraton
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	156	153
700+ | Westin
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	201	208
700+ | Other
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	12	16
600-699
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	225	218
600-699 | Sheraton
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	130	123
600-699 | Westin
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	92	91
600-699 | Other
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	3	4
Less than 600
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	27	31
Less than 600 | Sheraton
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	20	23
Less than 600 | Westin
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	7	8
No Score
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	101	109
No Score | Sheraton
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	57	59
No Score | Westin
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	36	42
No Score | Other
Accounts Notes And Loans Receivable [Line Items]
Total receivables	$8	$8

Vacation_Ownership_Notes_Recei8

Vacation Ownership Notes Receivable - Past Due Balances of VOI Notes Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Total Receivables	$722	$735
Current	677	686
30-59 Days Delinquent	7	7
60-89 Days Delinquent	4	5
>90 Days Delinquent	34	37
Total Delinquent	$45	$49

Debt_LongTerm_Debt_and_ShortTe

Debt - Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Long-term debt			$10
Long-term debt, total	1,267	1,275
Less current maturities	-2	-2
Long-term debt	1,265	1,273
Revolving Credit Facility, maturing 2018
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Credit agreement
Senior Notes, interest at 7.375%, maturing 2015
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Senior Notes	294	294
Senior Notes, interest at 6.75%, maturing 2018
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Senior Notes	370	371
Senior Notes, interest at 7.15%, maturing 2019
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Senior Notes	207	206
Senior Notes, interest at 3.125%, maturing 2023
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Senior Notes	349	349
Mortgages and other, interest rates ranging from 1.00% to 9.00%, various maturities
Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Long-term debt	$47	$55

Debt_LongTerm_Debt_and_ShortTe1

Debt - Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes, interest at 7.375%, maturing 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated rate	7.38%	7.38%
Senior Notes, interest at 6.75%, maturing 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated rate	6.75%	6.75%
Senior Notes, interest at 7.15%, maturing 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated rate	7.15%	7.15%
Senior Notes, interest at 3.125%, maturing 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated rate	3.13%	3.13%
Mortgages and other, interest rates ranging from 1.00% to 9.00%, various maturities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum interest rate, stated percentage on revolving credit facilities	1.00%	1.00%
Maximum interest rate, stated percentage on revolving credit facilities	9.00%	9.00%

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Incentive, in the form of mortgages and other loan		$10
Principal threshold limit	The Loan had an opportunity for $7 million principal forgiveness if a certain employment threshold was met before December 31, 2014.
Loan forgiven under employment threshold	$7

Restructuring_and_Other_Specia1

Restructuring and Other Special Charges (Credits), Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and other special charges (credits), net	($22)		($23)	($11)
Favorable adjustment to a legal reserve	22			11
Litigation accruals	$53		$53		$78

Securitized_Vacation_Ownership2

Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt - Long-Term and Short-Term Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	$397	$533
Less current maturities	-106	-150
Long-term securitized debt	291	383
2005 securitization, terminated 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities		22
2006 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.28% to 5.85%, maturing 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	13	18
2009 securitization, interest rate at 5.81%, maturing 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	42	63
2010 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 4.75%, maturing 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	109	138
2011 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.67% to 4.82%, maturing 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	112	137
2012 securitization, interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 2.76%, maturing 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt including current maturities	$121	$155

Securitized_Vacation_Ownership3

Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt - Long-Term and Short-Term Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
2005 securitization, terminated 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year of update instrument	2013	2013
2006 securitization, interest rates ranging from 5.28% to 5.85%, maturing 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate minimum	5.28%	5.28%
Interest rate maximum	5.85%	5.85%
Maturity year of update instrument	2018	2018
2009 securitization, interest rate at 5.81%, maturing 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, stated rate	5.81%	5.81%
Maturity year of update instrument	2015	2015
2010 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 4.75%, maturing 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate minimum	3.65%	3.65%
Interest rate maximum	4.75%	4.75%
Maturity year of update instrument	2021	2021
2011 securitization, interest rates ranging from 3.67% to 4.82%, maturing 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate minimum	3.67%	3.67%
Interest rate maximum	4.82%	4.82%
Maturity year of update instrument	2025	2025
2012 securitization, interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 2.76%, maturing 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate minimum	2.00%	2.00%
Interest rate maximum	2.76%	2.76%
Maturity year of update instrument	2023	2023

Securitized_Vacation_Ownership4

Securitized Vacation Ownership Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash settlement for termination	$21
Amount received and designated as pre-funding	18
Amount received and transferred to 2012 Securitization	616	614
Securitization 2005
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount received and transferred to 2012 Securitization	$19

Other_Liabilities_Summary_of_O

Other Liabilities - Summary of Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred gains on asset sales	$888	$944
SPG point liability	743	733
Deferred revenue including VOIs and residential sales	35	33
Benefit plan liabilities	71	78
Deferred rent	52	51
Insurance reserves	46	45
Other	72	72
Other liabilities	$1,907	$1,956

Other_Liabilities_Additional_I

Other Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred gains on sale of assets included in accrued expenses and other liabilities	$972		$972		$1,035
Amortization of deferred gains	$23	$21	$68	$64

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (Interest rate swaps, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
	Derivative
Interest rate swaps
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements	4
Notional amount of interest rate swaps	$200
Interest rate swap agreements maturity date	2018 and 2019

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$3	$2
Derivative Liability	4
Forward contracts | Prepaid expenses and other
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	3	2
Forward contracts | Accrued expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability	$4

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Derivative Instruments Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income (Detail) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	($3)	($8)	$8	($7)
Foreign forward exchange contracts | Interest expense, net
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	($3)	($8)	$8	($7)

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Gain from favorable settlement of certain liabilities	$0	($16)	$70	($15)
Net gain (loss) on disposition, net of tax		23	70	15
Impairment charge				5	4
Loss on uncertain tax position lapsed for statue of limitations, accrued interest		$1		$3

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben1

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
				Maximum	Maximum
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost		$1	$1	$1	$1
Contribution to pension and postretirement benefit plans	3	11
Expectation to contribute to pension and postretirement benefit plans		$3

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Total unrecognized tax benefits	$199		$199
Tax benefits affecting effective tax rate	64		64
Payment of interest accrued	13		13
Accrued penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits	1		1
Tax benefit of discontinued operations	$0	($16)	$70	($15)

Stockholders_Equity_Equity_Att

Stockholders' Equity - Equity Attributable to Starwood's Stockholders (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$3,481		$3,142
Net income	157	170	507	420
Equity compensation activity and other	32		125
Share repurchases	-181		-237
Other comprehensive income (loss)	32	21	-16	11
Ending Balance	3,521		3,521
Common Shares
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	2		2
Net income
Equity compensation activity and other
Share repurchases
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Ending Balance	2		2
Additional Paid-in Capital
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	853		816
Net income
Equity compensation activity and other	32		125
Share repurchases	-181		-237
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Ending Balance	704		704
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-386		-338
Net income
Equity compensation activity and other
Share repurchases
Other comprehensive income (loss)	32		-16
Ending Balance	-354		-354
Retained Earnings
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	3,007		2,657
Net income	157		507
Equity compensation activity and other
Share repurchases
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Ending Balance	3,164		3,164
Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	5		5
Net income
Equity compensation activity and other
Share repurchases
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Ending Balance	$5		$5

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 18, 2013
				Subsequent event [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock issued as a result of option exercises	370,000		2,500,000
Value of shares authorized to repurchase program		$500
Shares repurchased	2,731,300		3,678,400	1,138,000
Average price per share for common shares repurchased	$66.14		$64.39	$66.69
Total cost of common shares repurchased	181		237
Remaining capacity for authorized repurchase shares			$443

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-13	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
					2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan	2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan	2004 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan	2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan	2013 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan	2004 and 2013 Long Term Incentive Plan
					Performance Shares	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	Maximum		Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted during the period					164,000	1,173,000		28,000
Weighted average grant date fair value					$77.72	$60.30		$63.23
Aggregate number of shares available for grant							56,000,000		11,000,000
Compensation expense, net of reimbursements	$13	$15	$40	$49
Unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures										$77
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost, expected to be recognized										1 year 8 months 5 days

Comprehensive_Income_Summary_o

Comprehensive Income - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance			($338)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-19
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			3
Total before tax	32	22	-16	12
Tax (expense) benefit		1		1
Net current year other comprehensive income	32	21	-16	11
Ending balance	-354		-354
Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance			-1
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			1
Total before tax			1
Tax (expense) benefit
Net current year other comprehensive income			1
Ending balance
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance			-86
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			2
Total before tax			2
Tax (expense) benefit
Net current year other comprehensive income			2
Ending balance	-84		-84
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance			-251
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			-19
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Total before tax			-19
Tax (expense) benefit
Net current year other comprehensive income			-19
Ending balance	($270)		($270)

Comprehensive_Income_Component

Comprehensive Income - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Related Tax Effects (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flow hedges: Before-Tax Amount
Gains (losses) arising during period, Before-Tax Amount
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Before-Tax Amount		-2	1	-3
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, Before-Tax Amount		-2	1	-3
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans: Before-Tax Amount
Gains (losses) arising during the year, Before-Tax Amount
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Before-Tax Amount	1	1	2	2
Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans, Before-Tax Amount	1	1	2	2
Foreign currency translation adjustments: Before-Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Before-Tax Amount	31	23	-19	13
Other comprehensive income, Before-Tax Amount	32	22	-16	12
Cash flow hedges: Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Gains (losses) arising during period, Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans: Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Gains (losses) arising during the year, Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Tax (Expense) or Benefit		-1		-1
Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans, Tax (Expense) or Benefit		-1		-1
Foreign currency translation adjustments: Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Tax (Expense) or Benefit
Other comprehensive income, Tax (Expense) or Benefit		-1		-1
Cash flow hedges: Net-of-Tax Amount
Gains (losses) arising during period, Net-of-Tax Amount
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Net-of-Tax Amount		-2	1	-3
Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, Net-of-Tax Amount		-2	1	-3
Defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans: Net-of-Tax Amount
Gains (losses) arising during the year, Net-of-Tax Amount
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, Net-of-Tax Amount	1		2	1
Net gains (losses) on defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans, Net-of-Tax Amount	1		2	1
Foreign currency translation adjustments: Net-of-Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments, Net-of-Tax Amount	31	23	-19	13
Other comprehensive income, Net-of-Tax Amount	$32	$21	($16)	$11

Fair_Value_Financial_Assets_an

Fair Value - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring, Forward contracts, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets	$3
Liabilities Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	4
Level 1
Assets Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets
Liabilities Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities
Level 2
Assets Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets	3
Liabilities Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	4
Level 3
Assets Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets
Liabilities Derivatives:
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities

Fair_Value_Carrying_Amounts_an

Fair Value - Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Long-Term Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, Carrying Amount	$347	$438
Total financial assets, Carrying Amount	553	547
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,265	1,273
Total financial liabilities, Carrying Amount	1,556	1,656
Total off-balance sheet, Carrying Amount
Total financial assets, Fair Value	691	688
Total financial liabilities, Fair Value	1,694	1,849
Total off-balance sheet, Fair Value	200	197
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Restricted cash, Carrying Amount	4	6
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount	1,265	1,273
Restricted cash, Fair Value	4	6
Long-term debt, Fair Value	1,389	1,447
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
VOI notes receivable, Carrying Amount	185	92
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, Carrying Amount	347	438
Other notes receivable, Carrying Amount	17	11
Long-term securitized debt, Carrying Amount	291	383
VOI notes receivable, Fair Value	231	113
Securitized vacation ownership notes receivable, Fair Value	439	558
Other notes receivable, Fair Value	17	11
Long-term securitized debt, Fair Value	305	402
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Letters of credit, Carrying Amount
Surety bonds, Carrying Amount
Letters of credit, Fair Value	117	117
Surety bonds, Fair Value	$83	$80

Segment_Information_Revenues_A

Segment Information - Revenues, Adjusted Ebitda, Ebitda from Unconsolidated Ventures, Capital Expenditures, Total Assets, and Investments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$1,508	$1,455	$4,609	$4,788
Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels	663	603	1,965	1,828
Other corporate unallocated	20	23	64	65
Corporate selling, general, administrative and other - unallocated	-41	-36	-111	-118
Gain (loss) on asset dispositions and impairments, net	3	1	-5	-7
Restructuring and other special (charges) credits	22		23	11
Adjustments to equity earnings	-14	-10	-33	-31
Interest expense	-26	-39	-79	-135
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net				-15
Depreciation and amortization	-65	-61	-195	-186
Discontinued operations		23	70	15
Income tax benefit (expense)	-64	-19	-223	-127
Net income attributable to Starwood	157	170	507	420
Capital expenditures, net	90	108	247	276
Assets, net	8,963		8,963		8,861
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	825	829	2,582	2,896
Total segment earnings	322	288	996	948
Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures	13	14	49	50
Total segment capital expenditures	70	92	192	224
Total segment assets	5,057		5,057		5,159
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures	252		252		260
Operating Segments | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	366	392	1,143	1,221
Total segment earnings	141	134	449	421
Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures	6	6	24	22
Total segment capital expenditures	70	59	174	132
Total segment assets	2,175		2,175		2,229
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures	68		68		71
Operating Segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	175	152	459	410
Total segment earnings	70	60	161	141
Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures		1		3
Total segment capital expenditures	4	23	24	72
Total segment assets	937		937		911
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures	25		25		25
Operating Segments | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	87	81	244	239
Total segment earnings	54	47	151	149
Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures	7	7	24	24
Total segment capital expenditures	2	11	12	13
Total segment assets	659		659		574
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures	141		141		143
Operating Segments | Vacation ownership & residential
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	197	204	736	1,026
Total segment earnings	57	47	235	237
Total earnings from unconsolidated ventures			1	1
Total segment capital expenditures	-6	-1	-18	7
Total segment assets	1,286		1,286		1,445
Total investments in unconsolidated ventures	18		18		21
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other revenues from managed and franchised hotels	663	603	1,965	1,828
Corporate, Non-Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	20	23	62	64
Other corporate revenues-unallocated
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital expenditures, net	20	16	55	52
Other corporate assets
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets, net	$3,906		$3,906		$3,702

Segment_Information_Revenues_A1

Segment Information - Revenues, Adjusted Ebitda, Ebitda from Unconsolidated Ventures, Capital Expenditures, Total Assets, and Investments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Americas

Americas

Americas

Americas

EMEA

EMEA

EMEA

EMEA

Vacation ownership & residential

Vacation ownership & residential

Vacation ownership & residential

Vacation ownership & residential

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

United States

ITALY

ITALY

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Americas

Americas

Americas

Americas

Americas

Americas

EMEA

EMEA

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Operating Segments

Hotels

Hotels

Hotels

Hotels

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total revenues

$1,508

$1,455

$4,609

$4,788

$825

$829

$2,582

$2,896

$366

$392

$1,143

$1,221

$175

$152

$459

$410

$197

$204

$736

$1,026

$251

$269

$693

$840

Gross inventory capital expenditures less cost of sales

-13

-7

-33

-10

Development capital

7

6

15

17

Segment of long-lived assets

$1,500

$1,600

$370

$366

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
	Hotel		Hotel
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Total number of hotels in which company has variable interest entity	23		23
Number of hotels in which company has an investment	22
Loans to owners	$3
Unfunded loan commitments expected to be funded in total	18
Unfunded loan commitments	0
Equity and other potential contributions associated with managed or joint venture properties	99
Equity and other potential contributions associated with managed or joint venture properties expected to be funded within one year	48
Surety bonds issued	83
Payment to retain a management contract	3
Range of possible loss, minimum	0
Range of possible loss, maximum	32
Favorable adjustment to a legal reserve	22	11
VIEs 21
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment associated with VIEs			109
Number of hotels in which company has an investment			21
VIEs 2
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment associated with VIEs			5
Number of hotels in which company has an investment			2
VIEs 22
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment associated with VIEs	119
Loan balance with VIEs	2
VIEs 1
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment associated with VIEs	1
Possible cash outlays under contracts with performance guarantee	$62