Segment information Revenue by segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 594,081	$ 538,952	$ 549,355
Subtotal: Total hotels
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	516,108	464,227	473,578
Subtotal: Owned hotels
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	510,247	458,745	467,769
Segment: Owned hotels - Europe
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	222,047	202,342	213,232
Segment: Owned hotels - North America
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	146,491	123,516	118,967
Segment: Owned hotels - Rest of world
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	141,709	132,887	135,570
Segment: Hotels - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	5,861	5,482	5,809
Subtotal: Total trains and cruises
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	77,973	74,725	75,777
Segment: Owned trains and cruises
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	73,728	70,897	72,461
Segment: Trains - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 4,245	$ 3,828	$ 3,316