Review: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Prior to heading out on the next leg of my trip, I spent my last night in Australia at the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street. Interestingly, the Hilton brand was completely missing from Melbourne for a full five-year period, but it made a comeback with this hotel.

Initially, this hotel wasn’t even on my radar. However, when I needed to extend my stay at the last minute, I decided to give this relatively new Hilton property a shot.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Booking

I booked this stay for $280 AUD ($185 USD, $250 CAD), which is the average you can expect to pay for a base-level room at the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

To redeem Hilton Honors points at this property, it’ll cost between 70,000–90,000 points.

We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point (USD) or 0.7 cents per point (CAD), and in this case, the cash rates were a better deal, and are quite reasonable in general.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Location

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is located in Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) providing easy access to key attractions and shopping areas.

The hotel faces towards Bourke Street, and is discreetly tucked away on the less-frequented Little Queen Street.

First and foremost, the hotel is just steps from the iconic Bourke Street Mall, and a short stroll to the renowned Hardware Lane, a famous and vibrant laneway known for its numerous restaurants, cafés, and bars.

Several key attractions are within walking distance of the hotel, including Melbourne Central, SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, Queen Victoria Market, Marvel Stadium, and Princess Theatre. All are within a 20-minute walk from the property.

The hotel is near Flagstaff Station and Southern Cross Station, which are major train stations in Melbourne. These stations offer connections to various destinations within the city, and to other regions in the state of Victoria.

For those arriving in or departing from the city, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport can be reached within less than half an hour from the hotel by car.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Check-in

The entrance to the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is rather discreet. It’s nestled along a serene stretch of Little Queen Street, giving it a low-key and almost hidden appearance.

However, there’s also a secondary entrance on the busier Bourke Street, featuring a triple-height portico with two grand sandstone columns. Remarkably, the sandstone used for the portico was obtained from the same quarry as the original building.

The hotel is housed within a historically significant 16-storey building that combines a smaller, newer building with a larger, older building.

This heritage-listed structure, known as the Equity Chambers building, was originally built in 1931 with Italian Romanesque and Gothic detailing. The façade consists of opulent sandstone and the exterior signage is subtle, etched into gold plates which complete the neutral exterior.

As I arrived, a faceted glazed window wall beautifully welcomed me inside. In the marble lobby, the wall has been replaced by a striking glass artwork, which looks out onto a colourful mural.

There’s a seperate tower in which the lobby and Italian restaurant Luci reside, and another which houses the hotel’s guest rooms.

The interior design of the lobby pays homage to the glamour of travel and hospitality during the 1930s, also known as the “golden age of travel”. It features pristine white tones, Corinthian columns, and patchwork marked floors.

The check-in process at the hotel was efficient, and I was warmly greeted by the associate who promptly confirmed my Hilton Diamond status.

During the check-in, the associate confirmed my stay in the King Guest Room. Then, I was informed of the exclusive benefits, including complimentary breakfast and access to the hotel’s Club Lounge, thanks to my status.

Once formalities were completed, the associate handed me the keys to Room 1005, situated on the 10th floor of the hotel.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – King Guest Room

The guest room hallways felt somewhat lacklustre compared to the novelty and historical essence of the rest of the hotel.

Upon entering the room, I couldn’t help but notice the relatively plain and nondescript appearance that continued. The room’s predominantly grey colour palette, complemented by subtle pops of colour in the décor and furnishings, created a modern and understated ambiance.

The bedroom’s focal point is the king bed, which fronts a plush soft blue headboard. On top of the nightstands are high-tech charging outlets and USB ports.

Positioned to the right of the room, a plush armchair and side table add a cozy and inviting touch, serving as an ideal spot for relaxation or reading.

On the opposite side, the presence of a daybed, desk, and chair in the left-hand corner create a versatile space suitable for activities such as lounging or catching up on work.

Turning our attention back to the entrance, a small closet offers storage space for belongings. Adjacent is the pantry, which is equipped with a coffee and tea station, although a Nespresso coffee maker would have enhanced the overall in-room experience.

The bathroom entrance is directly opposite from the pantry. It’s a small space, but designed with efficiency in mind.

The bathroom is equipped with a single vanity, complete with marble countertops and black accents, continuing the modern theme of the room.

Additionally, there’s a walk-in shower, and a separate toilet.

Overall, the King Guest Room met my needs, serving its primary purpose as a comfortable place to lay my head for the night. The room’s design was a blend of contemporary aesthetics, which I found appealing and tasteful during my stay.

One of the standout features was the inclusion of high-tech charging ports and a wireless charging station, which was appreciated for keeping all my devices powered up effortlessly.

Although the room wasn’t awe-inspiring by any means, it was more than adequate, and I found myself comfortable throughout the stay.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Club Lounge

The Queen Adelaide Lounge, situated on the second floor of the hotel’s historic Equity Chambers building, serves as the hotel’s Club Lounge.

The lounge is accessible for Hilton Honors Diamond members and guests staying in the hotel’s King Heritage Rooms, Premium Rooms, and above.

From 8am to 5pm, the lounge offers coffee, tea, and snacks. After 5pm, refreshments and canapés are served until 7pm.

A blend of timber panelling, mirrors, and elegant curved walls imbues the space with sophistication and warmth. Divided into three thoughtfully designed zones, the lounge boasts diverse décor and finishes, each with its own character.

I found that the integration of modern touches within a cherished heritage building balances traditional elements with contemporary design.

I popped by to check out the evening spread, and was fairly impressed by the selection.

Among these were small bites, a salad bar, and an enticing assortment of sweets. To complement these was a combination of cured meats, cheeses, and fresh fruit.

Self-serve specialty coffee and complimentary alcoholic drinks indeed serve as a nice pick-me-up during the evening, and that alone adds some positive marks to the overall experience.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Breakfast

Breakfast at the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is served at Luci, located in the grand hall of Melbourne’s historic Equity Chambers building.

The entrance to the restaurant is accessible through Bourke Street, rather than via the hotel lobby and reception area, with the aim of attracting the general public and nearby workers and not just hotel guests.

Breakfast available from 6:30–10am on Monday through Friday, and from 7–11am on Saturday and Sunday.

The restaurant has an art deco theme that includes marble tables beneath towering, intricately decorated ceilings.

The breakfast consisted of a buffet spread that was attractive, though Diamond members are only entitled to the cold buffet rather than the hot buffet. I wasn’t informed of this until I had selected my items, and while I was allowed to eat the hot buffet items without being charged, it’s certainly something to be aware of.

The cold buffet offers an assortment of items such as muffins, madeleines, various pastries, cereal, yogurt, muesli, and accompaniments. You can also find a selection of fruit juices, coffee, and tea.

Apart from this, there’s a salad bar, cured meats, and cheese for those looking for lighter and more savoury options. Additionally, there are gluten-free choices available.

The hot buffet includes scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, sausages, bacon, baked beans, and even waffles.

While the Diamond breakfast benefit could be improved to include access to the hot buffet, the overall breakfast spread at Luci provides a diverse and satisfying spread.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Dining

In addition to Luci, there’s a stylish cocktail bar called The Douglas Club. The bar is accessible from the ground floor entrance of the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

The Douglas Club boasts two art deco lounge areas flanking the Bourke Street entrance, with dim and intimate lighting that creates a sophisticated environment. The name “The Douglas Club” pays homage to the pioneering Douglas DC-3 propeller airliner from the 1930s, reflecting the bar’s commitment to capturing the style and essence of that era.

Here, you can find a blend of classic cocktails with a contemporary twist, all with a backdrop of historic charm.

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street – Other Facilities

The hotel’s fitness centre is located one floor above the reception area. It features several exercise machines, including treadmills, an elliptical, a rowing machine, and free weights.

It’s worth noting that the hotel doesn’t offer any additional wellness facilities or pool, which could be a major drawback for some.

Conclusion

Overall, the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is a fairly modest Hilton property, yet it holds a certain historical charm and is well-kept, without indulging in extravagance.

Moreover, the hotel enjoys a favourable location near iconic landmarks. Despite the King Guest Room lacking grandeur, it still provides a comfortable and contemporary space for the night.

Regarding breakfast at Luci, it could be more satisfying if Diamond members had access to the hot buffet. However, for Hilton Honors Diamond members, the Club Lounge offers an elegant and sophisticated space, although the somewhat stingy elite breakfast benefit might outweigh its advantages.