Segment information - Reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segments to consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	$ 67,830	$ 55,104	$ 56,395
Total investment in equity method investees	64,644	79,327
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	(10,213)	11,013	9,075
Eastern & Oriental Express
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	2,642	2,818
Peru hotels
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	20,869	19,769
PeruRail
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	38,138	53,652
Buzios
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	2,893	2,998
Other
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	102	90
Unallocated corporate
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	4,469	1,459	283
Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	55,434	40,763	44,697
Europe | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	23,431	11,777	18,648
North America | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	14,845	9,796	11,881
Rest of world | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	17,158	19,190	14,168
Owned trains and cruises | Owned trains and cruises | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	7,927	12,882	11,415
Part-owned/managed hotels
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	1,037	1,112	106
Part-owned/managed trains
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	$ (11,250)	$ 9,901	$ 8,969