Hilton’s flagship brand is back in business in Melbourne, today opening the doors to its new location in the Victorian capital and welcoming its first crop of guests in five years.
The 244-room Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street marks the return of the brand, around five years since its original site at South Wharf was acquired by UOL Group and transformed into what is today Pan Pacific Melbourne.
Hilton’s newest site in the Melbourne CBD marks the start of a significant boom period both for the brand and the wider company as a whole in the coming years, with several new sites currently in development for a variety of its brands. Hilton Australasia Vice President, Operations, Heidi Kunkel, said she was overjoyed at being able to open the new hotel.
“The hotel is set to be an icon of Melbourne’s CBD with its reimagining of the heritage Equity Chambers building,” Kunkel said.
“Melbourne is a priority destination for Hilton and the hotel joins DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne – Flinders Street, also owned by valued business partners M&L Hospitality. Our commitment to the city is further evidenced by our development pipeline, which includes Hilton Garden Inn Bundoora, expected in 2022, DoubleTree by Hilton Box Hill and Hilton Melbourne Square, both expected in 2024,” she added.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street will reside within the city’s 1930-built and heritage listed Equity Chambers following a grand internal redesign by owner M&L Hospitality, carried out by leading interior design firm, Bates Smart.
The hotel is located between the Docklands precinct and what is known as the ‘Paris end’ of the city, on the corner of Little Queen Street and Bourke Street. Alongside 244 rooms and suites, guest facilities include the signature ‘Luci’ restaurant and bar, featuring a modern Australian menu with touches of European culinary traditions.
A stylish bar, known as The Douglas Club, is a classic cocktail bar emblematic of the golden age of travel. Guests can also access a fitness centre and seven flexible meeting rooms.