Earnings per share - Calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Numerator
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations	$ (45,070)	$ 35,401	$ 17,388
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations	122	1,032	(1,534)
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests	(87)	(109)	411
Net (losses)/earnings attributable to Belmond Ltd.	$ (45,035)	$ 36,324	$ 16,265
Denominator (shares)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	102,169	101,586	103,163
Effect of dilution (in shares)	0	1,369	1,193
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	102,169	102,955	104,356
Basic earnings per share
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.441)	$ 0.348	$ 0.169
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.001	0.010	(0.015)
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests (in dollars per share)	(0.001)	(0.001)	0.004
Basic net earnings/(losses) per share attributable to Belmond Ltd. (in dollars per share)	(0.441)	0.357	0.158
Diluted earnings per share
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.441)	0.344	0.167
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.001	0.010	(0.015)
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests (in dollars per share)	(0.001)	(0.001)	0.004
Diluted net earnings/(losses) per share attributable to Belmond Ltd. (in dollars per share)	$ (0.441)	$ 0.353	$ 0.156