Property, plant and equipment - Narratives (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment at book value	$ 1,261,932,000	$ 1,168,044,000
Interest capitalized	4,832,000	624,000	$ 0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets	4,931,000	8,216,000	1,007,000
21 Club
Property, plant and equipment
Write-off to property plant and equipmen	1,287,000
Fixed costs and site clean-up costs	2,913,000
Insurance proceeds related to recovery	6,922,000
Other Operating Income	2,722,000
Belmond La Samanna and Belmond Cap Juluca
Property, plant and equipment
Insurance proceeds related to recovery	32,600,000
Other Operating Income	11,160,000
Belmond Orcaella
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets		1,007,000
Belmond Governor's Residence and Belmond Road to Mandalay
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets	4,775,000
Belmond Road to Mandalay
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets	7,124,000
Belmond Northern Belle
Property, plant and equipment
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,092,000
Variable interest entity, primary beneficiary
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment at book value	192,712,000	197,369,000
Variable interest entity, primary beneficiary | Charleston Center LLC
Property, plant and equipment
Total property, plant and equipment at book value	192,712,000	197,369,000
Continuing operations
Property, plant and equipment
Depreciation expense	$ 60,192,000	$ 62,252,000	$ 51,835,000