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, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations	$ (28,242)	$ (45,070)	$ 35,401
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations	(10)	122	1,032
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests	(204)	(87)	(109)
Net (losses)/earnings attributable to Belmond Ltd.	$ (28,456)	$ (45,035)	$ 36,324
Denominator (shares)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	102,780	102,169	101,586
Effect of dilution (in shares)	0	0	1,369
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	102,780	102,169	102,955
Basic earnings per share
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.275)	$ (0.441)	$ 0.348
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.000	0.001	0.010
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests (in dollars per share)	(0.002)	(0.001)	(0.001)
Basic net earnings/(losses) per share attributable to Belmond Ltd. (in dollars per share)	(0.277)	(0.441)	0.357
Diluted earnings per share
Net earnings/(losses) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	(0.275)	(0.441)	0.344
Net earnings/(losses) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.000	0.001	0.010
Net losses/(earnings) attributable to non-controlling interests (in dollars per share)	(0.002)	(0.001)	(0.001)
Diluted net earnings/(losses) per share attributable to Belmond Ltd. (in dollars per share)	$ (0.277)	$ (0.441)	$ 0.353