Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Announces New Senior Team Appointments

MELBOURNE, Australia - In preparation for the return of the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand to Melbourne, several key senior appointments have been made to the Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street team prior to its planned Q1 opening in 2021. 

The newly appointed Team Members will bring worldwide experience to the soon to launch hotel and include Kruno Velican as Director of Operations and Sam Moore as Executive Chef.     

Adrian Teh, cluster general manager, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street and DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne - Flinders Street, said, “With the opening date swiftly approaching we are delighted to have an incredibly talented and experienced leadership team in place. We look forward to them joining us in our pre-opening office, and seeing them bring the Hilton experience to life for our guests.” 

Kruno Velican, Director of Operations, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Bringing nearly three decades of hospitality experience to his new role at Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, Velican is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the hotel's operations, including Front Office, Food & Beverage, Kitchen, Housekeeping, Engineering, Security and other relevant operating departments. 

Originally hailing from Croatia, Velican first joined Hilton in 2015 as Executive Chef at Hilton Sydney where he refreshed the food offering during the launch of their Conference & Events space in 2017, and initiated and led the implementation of donations of surplus food through the WOWFood Innerwest Program. His extensive global hospitality experience and passion for innovative community and sustainability programs will see Velican well placed to deliver on Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, which is to cut their environment footprint in half and double their social investment. 

Sam Moore, Executive Chef, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Sam Moore's love of cooking was instantaneous as he first stepped foot in his father's commercial kitchen at the age of five. By 16, Moore had completed his apprenticeship and, a year on, won the title of 'Young Scottish Chef of the Year' while working as a chef de partie. Coincidentally, it was the same year his father received the prestigious 'Scottish Chef of the Year' accolade. A job at the prestigious five-star Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh — a regular feature in UK Top 10 Luxury Hotel lists — followed, after which Moore was drawn to Australia. 

Sharpening his knives in some of the nation's most respected kitchens — Pier (Rose Bay), Becasse, and No.35 at Sofitel Melbourne — prepared Moore to helm the kitchen at Room 81 at Sofitel Gold Coast, where he led the kitchen to achieve a second hat in the Australian Good Food Guide awards, maintaining this for a period of four years. At Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street, Moore will craft Luci Restaurant's contemporary Australian menu, weaving in hints of Melbourne's Italian and European culinary traditions. 

Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is located at 18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. For reservations, visit Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street at melbournelittlequeenstreet.hilton.com or call +61 (0)3 9654 6888.

About Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street

Opening in the first quarter of 2021, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street joins Hilton’s 27 trading and 13 pipeline properties in Australasia across four brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Curio Collection by Hilton. Taking up residency in the historically significant Equity Chambers building – originally built in 1930 – Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street will feature 244 stylish guest rooms, including 10 spacious suites, a restaurant and bar, a fully equipped gym, an executive lounge and five meeting and event spaces. Its central location is well situated for both business and leisure travellers with its proximity to Melbourne’s key business districts and vibrant art, theatre and dining precincts. Visit melbournelittlequeenstreet.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street on Facebook and Instagram (@HiltonMelbourneLQS).