The historic Lloyds Bank building in Bristol is one of two former banks that have been merged together to form the newly-opened Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa.

The building, designed by William Bruce Gingell in the early 20th century, has been carefully merged with the Midland Bank site next door, and converted by DO Design Studio to house a hotel with 42 restaurants, a restaurant and cocktail bar. The underground spa features seven treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, areas of rest and relaxation and a fully equipped urban gym.

Set in the former vaults of the Lloyds building – which was inspired by Sansovino's Library in Venice – careful restoration has resulted in a striking space with many original features retained, including listed vault doors.

The urban retreat features an indoor pool with low-level lighting and an accompanying hydrotherapy pool, enabling guests to enjoy the experience of swimming in the bank’s previous vaults.

Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa is part of luxury hotel group Harbour Hotels, which owns 13 coastal, country and city locations across the UK.

This is not the first historic bank building to become a striking hotel and spa. London's Grade I listed former Midland Bank Building, designed by Sir Edwin 'Ned' Lutyens, will reopen as the Ned Hotel in April, while the W hotel group have opened a property in Amsterdam's Bank Building, which was designed by F.W.M. Poggenbeek in 1908.