Housed in the old Italian Romanesque bones of Melbourne’s heritage-listed Equity Chambers, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street has a 16-level tower attached to its hip boasting views of nearby law firms and the Supreme Court to guests who stay.
In the heritage wing, rooms are adorned in natural wood panelling and give off the same dark features and academic grandeur of the State Library. It should then come as no surprise that leading Australian architecture studio Bates Smart (which designed the State Library, among others) took charge and restored the venue.
Carpets match the original tiling of the venue, while grand, white pillars hold the structure together. There are also a few subtle references that nod to the space’s history.
Old barrister’s offices are preserved in time with gold lettering brandishing the names of since-passed officials on glass doors, and meeting rooms now take their place. It’s like visiting the set of a show like Mad Men. A gym lays dormant on-site, ready for executives to make the most of it, and the bespoke rooftop space will be utilised for events in future.
Signature Hilton beds promise a good night’s sleep and the hotel is better suited to those on a work trip rather than those celebrating a milestone event. Or, better yet, for those seeking sanctuary in their own city as it’s a pretty sweet staycation spot in the middle of the city.
When we visited, there were times when the hotel appeared to be like a scene out of a Stephen King novel, not owing to any gore or horror, but the ghostly nature of a near-empty hotel with a skeleton team of staff floating throughout the venue. That being said, it is nice to have your every beck and call answered.
The restaurant in the grand hall, Luci, is helmed by head chef Sam Moore (Pier Rose Bay, Becasse, No.35 at Sofitel Melbourne) and promises Italian-inspired dishes in a setting not dissimilar to a colonial, Great Gatsby-esque hotel you might spot overseas. There’s nothing quite like this in Melbourne.
The Douglas Club is the resident bar that offers an extensive drinks list focussed on cocktails, complete with theatrics like orange rinds lit on fire for a Negroni, or its signature Breakfast Pina Colada featuring ground cinnamon set ablaze mid-air before promptly landing into a creamy, fruit-forward abyss.
Valet parking commandeered by staff adorned in bellboy caps and vests adds to the bygone era of the experience. A giant, colourful and painstakingly hand-painted mural by Kitt Bennett is splashed across the opposing wall of the building portraying quintessential Melbourne (think bikes and coffee).
Attention to detail is the name of the game at the Hilton’s latest instalment, and we think it’s off to a very promising start.