Segment information - Revenue by segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 102,543	$ 102,834
Subtotal: Total hotels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	90,262	92,915
Subtotal: Owned hotels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	89,299	91,779
Segment: Owned hotels - Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	14,536	16,047
Segment: Owned hotels - North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	38,233	34,499
Segment: Owned hotels - Rest of world
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	36,530	41,233
Segment: Hotels - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	963	1,136
Subtotal: Total trains and cruises
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	12,281	9,919
Segment: Owned trains and cruises
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	10,996	9,106
Segment: Trains - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 1,285	$ 813