By the River, by the Banks

The name Banks is no coincidence. It harks back to the Basler Kantonalbank, which in 1915 added its property at Blumenrain 2 to the historic hotel complex. The concept of a bank as a place of gathering and preserving is depicted in its logo – three bees representing diligence, community and valuable resources. Just as bees fill their hive with nectar, Banks aims to orchestrate special experiences and inspiring encounters. Simultaneously, the name plays on the English term for riverbanks – and where better to experience the Rhine than right here, directly by the water, with sweeping views across the river and over to Kleinbasel?

The culinary journey at Banks begins as soon as you arrive. There’s no way to miss the bar, which is the heart of the venue – taking centre stage, grand and inviting. Here, you sip your welcoming drink with pleasure before heading to your table. Or perhaps you simply stay for the entire evening. With cocktails and snack pairings, time passes easily here as well. For those who do move on, the rest of the menu blends freshness, exotic touches and umami: seabass ceviche with sweet and sour notes, miso-marinated salmon with red ginger and kelp, Wagyu tataki, or Banks Carbonara with udon noodles. The wine list focuses on distinctive wines from smaller, often local vineyards.

For head chef Kevin Bornschein, Banks is as new as the city of Basel itself. He moved here from Munich in May, having previously discovered his passion for sushi while working as Senior Sous Chef at the Mandarin Oriental. That experience now shapes the culinary concept at Banks: a fusion of modern European cuisine with Asian influences, where diverse cultures coexist naturally. Together with his young team of eight, he cooks with precision and ease. ‘What lands on the plate should be fun, surprising and bring people together,’ says Kevin Bornschein.

The atmosphere at Banks is cosmopolitan. Opulent chandeliers adorn the ceiling, while rounded booths provide an intimate setting for dining. Velvet seating in deep purple tones adds warmth and elegance. Crowning the central bar is a poetic installation by the artist duo Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger. This floating artwork tells the story of the house: objects from the hotel’s archives, signatures of famous guests and personal items from staff members enrich this suspended collection. Glowing salt stones also nod to Basel’s historic salt warehouse, which once stood at Blumenrain 2.

Since June 2025, Les Trois Rois has revealed a new side of itself. The renowned Basel architecture duo Herzog & de Meuron spent several years redesigning the hotel’s head building, adding modern rooms, suites, event spaces and the Seijaku wellbeing area. Once a grand ballroom for exclusive gatherings and celebrations, the newly styled space now hosts diners. Banks welcomes hotel guests from around the world as well as locals from Basel. A lively meeting place for all who value pleasure and sharing in equal measure.