Assets held for sale and discontinued operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 property	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013 Porto Cupecoy	Mar. 31, 2014 Porto Cupecoy Condominium	Mar. 31, 2013 Porto Cupecoy	Mar. 21, 2014 Belmond The Inn at Perry Cabin	Mar. 31, 2014 Ubud Hanging Gardens	Mar. 31, 2013 Ubud Hanging Gardens	Mar. 31, 2013 The Westcliff
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Discontinued operations, legal fees								$ 677
Discontinued operations, tax (benefit)/provision	0	(386)			0	0		0	36	(422)
Number of properties classified as held for sale	0
Number of condominiums held for sale					1
Cash consideration received on sale of hotel				19,000			25,680
Gain on sale of hotel	0	439		439	0	439		0	0	0
Disposal group including discontinued operation, gain/(loss) before income tax, recognized on completion							3,704
Deferred gain on sale of Belmond The Inn at Perry Cabin (see Note 3)	3,000		0				3,000
Transfer of foreign currency translation amounts from accumulated other comprehensive income/loss				0			0
Gross proceeds from divestiture of businesses, including reduction in debt facility on sale of asset							39,700
Reduction in debt facility on sale of hotel				0			11,020
Key money retained by buyer	3,000	0		0			3,000
Management agreement term							10 years
Disposal group, not discontinued operation, gain (loss) on disposal							$ 6,704