Luxury hotel situated in a regal former bank building
In the Opera District, close to metro stations and tourist sites
Elegant, classic rooms with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and fresh roses
Lafayette Suite features custom-made furniture and marble fireplace
Stylish Josefin Restaurant offers fine-dining, plus 24-hour room service
Lolabar serves Spanish tapas and drinks
Spectacular lobby with elegant glass cupola
Fitness area with steam room
Daily breakfast with a la carte options (extra fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Entry-level rooms are tiny
No coffee/tea facilities in standard rooms
Breakfast incurs a pricey extra fee
Fitness area extremely limited and no spa
Some complaints of slow Wi-Fi
Restaurant closed in August (typical in Paris)
Situated in a former bank building, the 91-room Hotel Banke is an elegant luxury property conveniently located in the heart of Paris' Opera District, close to several attractions and well serviced by public transportation. The hotel features a beautiful lobby and a stylish restaurant and bar. Entry-level rooms are chic, with wood floors, minibars, and marble bathrooms, though they can be small. Suites offer more space and some have added features like original marble fireplaces, large baths, and custom-made furnishings. The hotel has a fitness area, but it's tiny and equipped with only a couple of machines, and though Wi-Fi is free, some guests complain that it's slow. Travelers could also consider the Castille Paris, a luxury option slightly closer to major attractions (two blocks from Tuileries Gardens), but decor is more subdued.
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Scene
Luxury hotel in a former bank with a spectacular lobby topped by a glass cupola
The luxurious Hotel Banke is situated in an early 20th-century Haussmannian building with an elegant facade that curves around the corner of Rue la Fayette and Rue Pillet-Will. This former bank headquarters was refurbished in 2009 and pairs historical elements with classic decor and elegantly whimsical details. The lobby is truly spectacular with a beautiful glass cupola that rises two stories, a mosaic floor, wine-red arches with gold accents, and a central light sculpture. Leathery tufted red bench seating is paired with matching couches with swirled arms. Marble tables -- old bank counters -- are covered with decorative cloche jars and separate the lobby from the restaurant and bar, which features a parquet floor and stylish gold-tufted seating. The hotel manages a small collection of global art objects that are displayed throughout the property. Overall, this luxurious hotel is ideal for leisure travelers and couples willing to splurge a bit, and business travelers are common visitors as well.
Location
Convenient location in the heart of Paris' Opera District in the 9th Arrondissement
Hotel Banke is situated in the 9th Arrondissement's Opera District, right on the bustling Rue la Fayette, which is studded with restaurants, bars, and shops. For high-end shopping, the famous Galleries Lafayette is just a four-minute walk. The Opera Garnier is a six-minute walk, while the Place Vendôme, a square just north of Tuileries Gardens, is a 12-minute walk from here. Guests can feasibly walk to the Moulin Rouge and the Louvre as well, both of which are about 20 minutes away. As for sights farther out, the hotel is within a five minute walk of several metro stations, the nearest of which is a three-minute walk away. Most tourist attractions can be reached in a half-hour or less by metro. Roundtrip airport transfers are available through the hotel for an extra fee. The hotel does not have parking, but can recommend nearby lots. - Three-minute walk to Chaussée d'Antin - La Fayette metro station
Rooms
Chic rooms with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and fresh roses -- but entry-level rooms are tiny
Hotel Banke has 91 classic rooms ranging from entry-level Single Rooms and Superior Rooms to luxurious suites. Entry-level rooms can be tiny, from 160 square feet for Single Rooms to a minimum of 180 square feet for Superior Rooms. They are clean and tasteful, but sparsely decorated compared to upper-category rooms, with wooden floors, white walls, and wine-hued bedding and drapes. Marble bathrooms have baths or showers. Upgraded rooms (Executive Rooms and up) are larger, from 230 to 350 square feet, and may include stylish extras like beautiful L-shaped sofas, woven leather rugs, damask wallpaper, and other elegant details. The LaFayette Suite is truly spectacular with molded walls, a parquet floor, an original marble fireplace, and elegant custom-made furniture like white armchairs with luxurious button tufting. Rooms are soundproofed and have individually controlled air-conditioning. Other amenities include minibars, laptop safes, flat-screen LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi, though some guests complain that it's slow. All rooms come with a fresh rose. DVD players, cable TV, and ironing service are available upon request, though they may cost an extra fee. Bathrooms include hairdryers, robes, slippers, and individual toiletries. Upgraded rooms might include extras like hydro-massage bathtubs and Nespresso coffeemakers. (Entry-level rooms don't include coffee and tea facilities.) Some top floor rooms have excellent views of the Sacre Coeur. But be aware that rooms facing Rue Lafayette can be noisy with the windows opened.
Features
Fine dining, stylish bar, and daily breakfast (extra fee) -- but limited fitness center
Hotel Banke offers most of the features expected of a luxury property, with the notable exception of a spa. The property's Josefin Restaurant is a fine-dining establishment that serves up Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. The connected Lolabar offers Spanish tapas and drinks. Note that the restaurant is closed in August. Banke Restaurant serves up a daily breakfast, which includes cold meats and cheeses along with a la carte options like eggs and pancakes, but it's expensive and not all guests find it worth the price. Room service is available 24-hours.The hotel has a steam room and a fitness center, but these are small. The fitness area is oddly shaped and offers only a smattering of equipment (a bike, treadmill, elliptical, and a small selection of dumbbells) lined up across a tiled floor. The hotel has meeting and event areas that can host up to 175 guests. Service meets luxury-level expectations with a concierge and reception staff that regularly garner positive reviews for assisting ticket purchases, tours, airport transportation, childcare, or laundry and dry cleaning service. The staff can also arrange for massages, personal shoppers, hair dressers, personal trainers, and more. Dogs of up to about 20 pounds are allowed for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free, but some guests complain that it's slow.
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