Orient-Express Hotels Ltd posted a wider first-quarter net loss as several of its European hotels were closed and while other tourist operations did not operate for most of the "traditionally loss-making" period.

The Bermuda-based leisure company, which operates and has stakes in more than 50 luxury hotels and restaurants, reported a loss from continuing operations of $2.38 million, or six cents a share, compared to $2.5 million, or six cents a share.

The company posted a net loss of $4.34 million, or 10 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $3.68 million, or nine cents a share, last year.

Revenue for the three months ended March 31 rose to $119.9 million from $97.7 million a year ago.

A company press release stated: "The first quarter is traditionally a loss-making period for the company because several of its European hotels are closed for most of the quarter and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Royal Scotsman tourist trains and Afloat in France canal cruises do not operate for most of the quarter."– Paul White, president and chief executive officer, said: "Overall, revenues in our traditional first quarter earning businesses have grown as expected. Same store Owned Hotels total revenues, which were up 18 percent, grew faster than same store revenue per available room growth of 14 percent. This performance indicates progress in our strategy and in various initiatives for maximising all revenues from both room-related and non-room activities."