Segment information - Reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segments to consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	$ 376	$ 835
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	11,995	11,013
Unallocated corporate
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	430	532
Hotel
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	9,028	7,132
Hotel | Europe
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	6,230	3,078
Hotel | North America
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	1,097	2,169
Hotel | Rest of world
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	1,701	1,885
Hotel | Part-owned/managed hotels
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	(217)	(87)
Trains and Cruises
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	2,537	3,349
Trains and Cruises | Part-owned/managed trains
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	$ 593	$ 922