Statements of Consolidated Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 545,418	$ 554,736	$ 469,595
Expenses:
Cost of services	245,211	249,780	219,385
Selling, general and administrative	210,010	215,885	178,392
Depreciation and amortization	43,934	43,835	42,630
Impairment of goodwill	2,055	11,907	5,895
Impairment of other intangible assets, other assets and property, plant and equipment	3,837	8,153	7,456
Total expenses	505,047	529,560	453,758
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment and capital lease	1,514	16,544	0
Earnings from operations	41,885	41,720	15,837
Interest income	1,067	2,365	1,295
Interest expense	(30,862)	(42,599)	(34,165)
Foreign currency, net	(2,844)	(4,596)	4,678
Net finance costs	(32,639)	(44,830)	(28,192)
Earnings/(losses) before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	9,246	(3,110)	(12,355)
Provision for income taxes	(21,987)	(20,080)	(18,184)
Losses before earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	(12,741)	(23,190)	(30,539)
Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax provision of $5,771, $2,270 and $2,228	2,124	4,357	2,258
Losses from continuing operations	(10,617)	(18,833)	(28,281)
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision/(benefit) of $1,282, $(3,635),and $4,886	3,729	(68,763)	(34,299)
Net losses	(6,888)	(87,596)	(62,580)
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests	(173)	(184)	(179)
Net losses attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd.	$ (7,061)	$ (87,780)	$ (62,759)
Basic earnings (losses) per share:
Net earnings (losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.31)
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.67)	$ (0.37)
Basic net earnings (losses) per share attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.69)
Diluted earnings (losses) per share:
Net earnings (losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.18)	$ (0.31)
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.67)	$ (0.37)
Diluted net earnings (losses) per share attributable to Orient-Express Hotels Ltd (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.86)	$ (0.69)