Hôtel de Banville

On arrival
The Hôtel de Banville is easily identified by the simple lines and wrought-iron balconies of its beautiful art deco façade, its crimson awnings and, when night falls, the changing colours of its illuminated façade. Two box trees stand guard over its entrance which leads to a large sombre, modern room where lovely old still lifes and portraits hang on walls of a smooth stone reminiscent of that of the façade.

Around the room are several sitting areas furnished with light wood tables and deep armchairs covered in soft-coloured fabrics. The wrought-iron lift cage and banister reproduce the elegant, clear lines of the art deco period.  The central focus of the room, a baby grand piano, is lit by a quirky modern installation where droplets of light appear to fall from a huge chrome-effect light shade. On Tuesday evenings the lady owner takes to the floor to sing some classic jazz numbers at the regular “jazz aperitif”.

The rooms
The corridor walls are also stone-clad and the shiny room names are displayed alongside heavy red doors. All the rooms are different; some are of modern inspiration and others are based on a romantic theme.

The most modern have ultra-urban colours, regular-patterned wallpaper and leather headboards. The more romantic of the rooms combine soft colours and contemporary detail, wood and wrought-iron, voiles and braided fabrics.

Much care has also gone into the decoration of the bathrooms which tie in with the ambience of the room. Many are separated from the main bedroom by a simple curtain.

Room types
The Théodore de Banville room is a harmonious combination of walls and curtains in 18th century print depicting pleasant rural scenes on a pink toile de Jouy. The wood in the room is natural, like you would find in the country, and wrought-iron structures support the lamps, the curtains and the bed canopy, all giving the impression you are in a beautiful retreat, in another era. The materials and finishings add a stamp of authenticity to the decor.

Most of the rooms on the sixth floor have a balcony where you can breakfast, high above the trees of the boulevard, when the weather is fine.  The “appartement de Marie” suite with four-poster on the top floor of the hotel also has a small terrace with a beautiful outlook. The rooms overlooking the street are South-facing so are light and airy. Those which look onto the courtyard have the advantage of being quieter. The rooms are naturally hot but this can be overcome by switching on the air-conditioning.

Services and breakfast
Full room service is available until 10.30pm, except weekends and bank holidays, and is provided by the neighbouring restaurant, the “ Clos de Courcelle”. A porter and housekeeper are on duty until quite late to take you to your room or tidy up your bathroom, if necessary, and fold down your bedcovers. An in-room massage service is also available.

Breakfast is served in the lobby lounge where huge baskets of pastries and jams take over the piano for the occasion. Freshly-squeezed orange juice and hot drinks are served at your table.