Segment information - Segment earnings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	$ 10,294	$ 10,279
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment	3,704	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	(35,680)
Central overheads	(8,373)	(8,975)
Share-based compensation	(791)	(1,550)
Depreciation and amortization	(12,119)	(11,478)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(14,506)	0
Interest income	402	237
Interest expense	(9,535)	(7,253)
Foreign currency, net	448	2,076
Benefit from income taxes	10,242	5,910
Share of benefit from income taxes of unconsolidated companies	325	230
Losses from continuing operations	(19,909)	(46,204)
Net (losses)/earnings from discontinued operations	(735)	(802)
Net losses	(20,644)	(47,006)
Subtotal: Total hotels
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	9,194	9,213
Subtotal: Owned hotels
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	9,699	11,214
Segment: Owned hotels - Europe
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	(8,394)	(7,957)
Segment: Owned hotels - North America
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	7,317	6,357
Segment: Owned hotels - Rest of world
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	10,776	12,814
Segment: Hotels - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	(505)	(2,001)
Subtotal: Total trains and cruises
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	1,100	1,066
Segment: Owned trains and cruises
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	(781)	(1,017)
Segment: Trains - part-owned/ managed
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment profit/(loss)	$ 1,881	$ 2,083