Segment information - Reconciliation of other significant reconciling items from segments to consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	$ 166,080	$ 67,830	$ 55,104
Total investment in equity method investees	69,184	64,644
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	9,355	(10,213)	11,013
Eastern & Oriental Express
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	2,603	2,642
Peru hotels
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	21,281	20,869
PeruRail
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	42,768	38,138
Buzios
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	2,434	2,893
Other
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total investment in equity method investees	98	102
Unallocated corporate
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	450	4,469	1,459
Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	157,210	55,434	40,763
Europe | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	26,176	23,431	11,777
North America | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	100,931	14,845	9,796
Rest of world | Owned hotels | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total capital expenditure to acquire property, plant and equipment	30,103	17,158	19,190
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	8,420	7,927	12,882
Part-owned/managed hotels
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	474	1,037	1,112
Part-owned/managed trains
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item
Total earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax	$ 8,881	$ (11,250)	$ 9,901