Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Review

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (LQS) might have been accepting guests for just over two years, but its history dates back to 1930 as Melbourne’s heritage-listed Equity Chambers. As a building already renowned for its architectural style, the hotel transformation has cleverly combined old charm with contemporary design. That all starts from the secluded laneway entrance on Little Queen Street where a colourful mural is reflected in external bronze panels that form part of the hotel’s lobby. Once inside, marble and sandstone meets wooden oak and bronze finishes, with double ceilings adding more than enough wow factor.

Hilton Melbourne LQS features 244 rooms, including five spacious suites, a restaurant and bar, a fully equipped gym, executive lounge and seven meeting and event spaces. Here’s what I thought.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Location

Although called Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, the hotel actually faces the less velvet-sounding Bourke Street. That said, you can find reception hidden away on Little Queen Street.

The city location puts guests within walking distance to Melbourne’s CBD attractions and shopping heart, as well as Southern Cross Station. Free city trams run regularly from the doorstep, with a short trip getting you to Southbank and the Docklands precinct.

Status Recognition At Hilton LQS

• Status during stay: Hilton Diamond
• Honoured: welcome amenity, early check-in, executive lounge
• Not honoured: room upgrade (booked a themed room package)

My Room: Pommery Suite

Last month, Hilton Melbourne LQS finished up its Winter Wonderland takeover in partnership with French Champagne House Pommery. I took advantage during the remaining days of this promotion, after all, it’s not too often you get to stay in a champagne themed room!

With a prime top-floor location, the Pommery Suite is filled with ‘snow’ in the form of white fur-lined walls and a cosy rug taking over the main bedroom. Electric candles and fairy lights twinkle away, while a bespoke floral installation hangs from the ceiling. Macarons and a bottle of Pommery Apanage Blanc de Blancs NV were waiting on the bed, a drop they serve for $210 in the restaurant below.

The additions are very interesting, certainly nothing I’ve ever seen before at a hotel.

The hallway contains the usual sophisticated mix of navy and grey upholstery hues, with dark cabinetry and bronze detailing. You’ll find a capsule coffee machine and kettle here, but for more substantial drinks, scanning a QR code gives access to minibar orders that are delivered to the room, without a tray charge. It’s a cleverly streamlined process, and is also how guests order room service.

Adjacent to the entrance is a useful storage area, where I found Pommery embroidered robes and slippers that were a real challenge to not to accidentally take home.

In-room controls are just what you’d expect from a modern hotel, with simple lighting and climate control as well as electric blinds. Even with every light switched on, I did still find the room rather dark.

The bathroom hasn’t escaped the snowstorm, with a similar floral arrangement and white baubles on the Pommery branded mirror. The only thing Hilton missed was champagne-scented shower gel!

Dining At Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Luci restaurant

Located in the building’s former grand banking hall, Luci restaurant carries its own entrance independent of the laneway lobby. The restaurant serves contemporary Australian cuisine, taking inspiration from European migrants who travelled to Melbourne in the 1950s.

Old-world interiors of grand white columns and grayscale geometric tiles wash up against a dimly lit scene that screams of elegance. Yet the space is somehow untouchably cold. The ambiance is probably better than the food at Luci, but that said, the menu hits plenty of high notes.

The presentation of each course was just superb, and I was a particular fan of the Duck Breast. Don’t expect big, bold flavours here, just a nice hotel meal. Luci is nearly there, but not quite.

The Douglas Club

The Douglas Club accompanies Luci restaurant as a contemporary take on a classic cocktail bar. The opulent lounge offers pretty much any drink you can dream up, plus snacks.

Breakfast

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street serves a fantastic buffet breakfast at Luci from 6:30am to 10am on weekdays, and 7am to 11am on weekends. Unlike most hotels, barista drinks come at an additional cost, although tea and filter coffee are complimentary. The selection during my stay was impressive, with an assortment of hot choices alongside cold cuts, yoghurt, toast and cereal.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Facilities

Queen Adelaide Executive Lounge

While the Queen Adelaide lounge can be accessed from the lobby, you can also take a ride in one of the Equity Chambers’ original 1930s lifts, located towards the end of Luci restaurant. The small space aims for ‘secret members only’ vibes, and I’d have to say they succeed.

The small space is as gorgeous as the rest of the hotel, and is split into separate seating zones. The buffet is limited to sweet and savoury snacks from 8am to 5pm, with evening drinks and canapés offered between 5pm and 7pm.

Hotel History Tour

Hilton Melbourne LQS offers a self-guided hotel history tour to all guests. It’s an interesting concept, with the colourful past of the building revealed over the course of a short walk around the hotel’s public spaces. At each of the eight stops, you’ll find a smartphone scannable QR code that reveals the building’s secrets.

Gym

Guests can work up a sweat at Hilton Melbourne LQS’s fully equipped gym. Equipment includes treadmills, rowing machines and exercise bikes.

Summing Up – Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

There is a lot to love about Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street. It’s a hotel that stands out brightly within the competitive Melbourne accommodation market, with everything you need for a city stay, including a location that is hard to beat. I’m a huge fan of the restored areas and their seamless integration within a sophisticated hotel design.