Photos: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s new executive lounge

The Queen Adelaide Lounge mixes 1930s decor with contemporary touches.

By David Flynn, July 25 2022
Photos: Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s new executive lounge

One of Melbourne’s best five-star hotels hotels – the elegant Hilton Little Queen Street – is now shining a little brighter, with the long-awaited opening of a lounge for Hilton Honors Diamond members and guests in higher-category rooms.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.

Located on the mezzanine level of the hotel’s meticulously restored and renovated Equity Chambers building, the Queen Adelaide lounge aims to channel a ‘members-only club’ vibe through the use of timber panelling, mirrors and curved wall lights.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.

The lounge is split into three zones, include the buffet, but instead of a single clustered dining area, tables are spread through the space, although the lounges’ three ’zones’ each have different decor and finishes.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.

While the Queen Adelaide lounge can be entered through the Hilton Little Queen Street’s lobby, a second dedicated entry from the historic Bourke Street archway also sees the Equity Chambers’ two original 1930s lifts – brought back into service as part of the multi-million dollar hotel restoration – wrapped by a modernist-style heritage staircase leading up to the mezzanine level entry.

“We are delighted to be opening the Queen Adelaide lounge space to our guests, and believe it is one of the most elegant and well-considered offerings for business and leisure travellers in Melbourne,” says Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street General Manager Adrian Teh.

The Queen Adelaide lounge is open daily from 8am to 8pm: tea, coffee and snacks are served from 8am to 5pm, followed by drinks and canapés from 5pm to 7pm.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.

Access to the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s Queen Adelaide lounge is available for Hilton Honors Diamond members and guests staying in King Heritage Rooms, Premium Rooms and above.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street's Queen Adelaide lounge.

Adjacent to the Queen Adelaide lounge are five meeting and event spaces ranging from 24m2 to 143m2.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street has been quick to win favour with visitors to the Victorian capital.

Nestled into the corner of Bourke Street and the lesser-known Little Queen Street, it’s within easy walking distance of  Southern Cross Station and Melbourne’s central shopping district, and a short tram ride away from the Docklands precinct.

The hotel rises behind the heritage-listed Equity Chambers structure from 1931, known for its architectural style and Italian Romanesque and Gothic detailing: restored to its original condition as part of the build.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

Guests will know they've arrived in Melbourne before reaching the check-in counter, with art curated by Melbourne-based collaborative Juddy Roller.

Distinct from the many subtler works is a large and colourful mural by local artists Kitt Bennett and David Lee Pereira, found at the hotel's Little Queen St laneway entrance.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

That artistic approach continues in the guestrooms, displaying works by local photographer Roger Arnall, complemented by a modern design palette incorporating marble stone finishes, and upholstery hues of navy, taupe and royal blue.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

This ethos carries forward into the bathrooms as well, where brass fittings complement the marble stone.

The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.
The Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street.

On the dining front, Luci restaurant serves a modern Australian menu with hints of Italian and broader European influence, while The Douglas Club cocktail bar mixes classic and modern cocktails.

An on-site fitness centre is also at-hand, with multiple meeting and event spaces available for individual booking.

If you have a Hilton stay coming up, and already hold high status with a competing hotel group such as Accor, Marriott, IHG or Hyatt, consider applying for the 2022 Hilton Honors status match, which grants you an immediate 90 days of Hilton Honors Gold while putting you onto a fast track for Gold or Diamond status through to the end of March 2024.