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The Banke Hotel bridges the historical with non-stop, modern French glamour

This red-hot lobby of a former Parisian bank is reignited as the lobby of the Banke Hotel

The floors, walls, and ceilings of this spectacular lobby will all draw your attention

Feast on tapas and cocktails at the Lolabar

The Spanish cuisine of Josefin includes a lively atmosphere with a hint of theater

Guest rooms reflect the eclectic to the classic — all revealing the flare of French design

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Banke Hotel

Location:

Style: Boutique

Paris's Opera District sizzles with this red-hot, early 20th century bank, reclaiming its glamour today as the Banke Hotel.

The early 20th century Banke Hotel is a visual feast. It enjoys a great location in Paris’s Opera District and is close to the famous shopping arcade Galeries Lafayette. The hotel building, as the name suggests, was originally a bank and was designed by architects Paul Friesse and Cassien Bernard. 

Nothing comes close to the ornate and voluminous lobby of this hotel. It would be easy to envision this space as the center of the bank’s activities. While the exterior is of Belle Epoque design, the illuminating and glittering lobby space evokes a distinctly Parisian feeling. Its historic features remain, including the bank teller counters, mosaic tile flooring, and ornamental railings of the upper galleries. Boldly decorated columns support a glass-domed skylight mounted 60 feet above the lobby floor. The architectural details and deep red color palate, with gold and black accents, make this an vibrant space. These strong historic elements are complemented by contemporary furnishings and modern sculpture.

The aliveness and sense of theater that is experienced in the lobby extends to the hotel’s restaurants, meeting rooms, and even to the 94 guest rooms and suites. Each floor of the hotel displays a collection of art from around the world, giving it an exclusive gallery atmosphere.

There are two restaurants, both offering Mediterranean cuisine. Josefin is the hotel’s main dining hot spot, offering Spanish menus in a colorful and dramatic setting. Banke Restaurant serves a dedicated space for meetings and events. Tapas and cocktails, a perfect pair, are provided in Lolabar, a contemporary European-style setting.  The uniquely original safe-deposit room of the bank can be transformed in various configurations for special events. There are also smaller meeting spaces to accommodate a variety of functions.

Images courtesy of Banke Hotel