Bank hotels: cashier hall restaurants, teller counter bars, and bank manager office bedrooms

The Big Six

Park Hyatt, Vienna: This protected building was, for 92 years, one of the Austrian capital's grandest banks

Park Hyatt, Vienna

This protected building was, for 92 years, one of the Austrian capital's grandest banks. It closed in 2008 and has since been converted into a five-star hotel. The Art Nouveau cashier hall is now a gleaming restaurant, offices have become guest rooms, and the vault houses a gold-tiled swimming pool. The restaurant features an open-plan kitchen, while the cigar lounge is a cosy place to relax. The 143 rooms all feature marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers.

Am Hof 2, Vienna, Austria (00 43 122 740 1234; vienna.park.hyatt.com). Doubles from €475 (£356), including breakfast.

Threadneedles, London

In the heart of the City of London, this hotel resides in the former address of the London City and Midland Bank. And it's easy to imagine the daily deals being struck beneath the building's stained-glass dome, which dates back to 1856. Underneath it now, you'll find the hotel's lobby. Walnut walls and marble floors also hark back to the building's former life, while the contemporary styling of the 74 bedrooms will bring you right back to the present day.

5 Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AY (020 7657 8080; hotelthreadneedles.co.uk). Doubles from £389, B&B.

Virgin Hotel, Chicago

Richard Branson's newest venture opened last month in the historic Old Dearborn Bank Building. Although the entrance is emblazoned with neon Virgin branding, you'll still find original features inside, such as old brass lift doors, and the 1920 oak cigar bar that now serves as the front desk. The 250 rooms and suites all have separate dressing and sleeping areas and beds with leather headboards. Before turning in, enjoy a nightcap at the lounge-like, low-lit Commons Club.

203 North Wabash, Chicago, US (001 312 940 4400; virginhotels.com). Doubles from £230 ($345), including breakfast.

Hotel de Rome, Berlin

With its custom terrazzo flooring, crystal chandeliers and vaulted skylight, it's clear why the cashier's hall of the Dresdner Bank was made into a ballroom in this luxury hotel. Elsewhere, the former bank manager's office is now a suite and the jewel vault is a swimming pool. Bedrooms are decorated in tones of cream, blue and red – some with large marble and mosaic bathrooms. The suites are laden with history too, featuring oak-covered ceilings dating back to 1889.

Behrenstrasse 37, Berlin, Germany (00 49 30 460 6090; hotelderome.skchase.com). Doubles from €360, including breakfast.

One King West Hotel, Toronto

The Dominion Bank opened its doors in 1914 and has since been converted into a chic hotel, the lobby of which was the original banking hall. The two-storey space, with its columns, arched colonnade, and gilded coffered ceiling is the hotel's showstopper. The contemporary bedrooms, which deliver spectacular views of the city, are ideal for extended stays (with fridge, dishwasher and microwave). The 100ft bar, built to replicate the bank's teller counter, is said to be the longest bar in Canada.

1 King Street West, Toronto, Canada (001 416 548 8100; onekingwest.com). Doubles from C$269 (£144), B&B.

Banke Hotel, Paris

Formerly home to the Crédit Commercial de France, this 19th-century bank was reborn as a 94-room hotel in 2009. The public spaces seem to have taken inspiration from the building's former purpose – gold seating and gilded pillars abound. The lobby is crowned with a glass dome, while bedrooms are decorated in shades of cream and chocolate. The hotel also houses an impressive collection of sculptures and paintings from as far afield as Papua New Guinea and Tibet.

20 Rue la Fayette, Paris, France (00 33 1 55 33 22 25; hotelbanke.com). Doubles from €255, room only.