Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street Shifts Into Gear With McLaren Mastercard Formula 1® Team For Australian Grand Prix Week
Racing Simulators, Live Street Art By Rory Lynch-Wells And A Limited-Edition Menu Fuel Race Week Fever
Melbourne, Australia – February 2026: To celebrate Hilton’s global partnership with back-to-back Constructors’ Champions, the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1® Team, the lobby of Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street (HMLQS) will transform into a fan-first experience celebrating the highly anticipated return of the 2026 Formula 1® season.
Taking place during F1® Australian Grand Prix Race Week (2-9 March 2026), the hotel will shift gears into race mode, bringing the energy of the track into the heart of the CBD. At the centre of the experience, local street artist Rory Lynch-Wells will host a live art installation on canvas in the hotel's lobby. Capturing Melbourne’s bold creative pulse and the high-performance spirit of McLaren in real time, the artwork will serve as a dynamic tribute to speed, precision and innovation.
Guests will also have the opportunity to test their reflexes on F1® racing simulators, chasing the fastest lap around Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park Circuit. The interactive experience invites fans to step into the driver’s seat and feel the thrill of the race without leaving the hotel lobby.
Complementing the on-ground action, HMLQS will be the HQ for Papaya fans – introducing a limited-edition race week menu that includes a Pole Position cocktail (Hennessy XO, lemon, dry curacao, wild scampi caviar) available to purchase at the hotel’s restaurant in-house bar, The Douglas Club and a Papaya Boost Smoothie (papaya, orange, banana, lime) available at Luci during breakfast service.
The activation reflects a broader shift in travel trends, with sport and entertainment cited as the primary reasons for travel for one in five, according to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report. In Australia, this trend is even more pronounced, with 59% of travellers planning trips around major sporting and entertainment events, and 72% willing to cross borders for experiences such as the Formula 1® Grand Prix.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s F1® Australian Grand Prix activations will be available from Monday, 2 to Monday, 9 March 2026, with open access available to both hotel guests and the public.
Located on the corner of Little Queen and Bourke Streets, the elegant upscale hotel provides easy access to the city’s recreational and cultural attractions while allowing guests to immerse themselves in the hotel’s old-world glamour and modern design.
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street is located at 18 Little Queen Street, Melbourne VIC, 3000. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit melbournelittlequeenstreet.hilton.com or call +61 (0)3 9116 8888.
- Ends -
Notes to Editors:
- Google Drive Image Link
- For more insights into the growing influence of sports tourism on travel across Asia Pacific, read Hilton’s latest research here.
Simulator Schedule (2 - 8 March)
- Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM
- Friday - Sunday: 8 AM - 9 PM (with breaks during the race)
About Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street joins Hilton’s 27 trading and 13 pipeline properties in Australasia across three brands, including Hilton 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 features 244 stylish guest rooms, including five spacious suites, Luci Melbourne restaurant and The Douglas Club bar, a fully equipped gym, and seven 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).
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 26 world-class brands comprising more than 9,100 properties and over 1.3 million rooms, in 143 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 4 billion guests in its more than 100-year history. Named as the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune, Hilton aims to create the best culture for its 500,000 team members around the world. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 243 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s world-class brands comprising 9,100 properties in 143 countries and territories, with more than 243 million members. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits – from the Points & Money slider and exclusive member discounts to no blackout dates and the Fifth Night Free perk on reward stays booked with all Points. Members can earn and redeem Points for free nights, purchases on Amazon, exclusive experiences and charitable contributions, including through select co-branded credit cards. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app, where they can check in, choose and access their room using Digital Key. The next evolution of the Hilton Honors program makes earning elite status even more achievable and rewarding and includes the introduction of the new Diamond Reserve tier. Hilton Honors is free to join, and travelers can enroll online at hiltonhonors.com. Learn more about the program at stories.hilton.com/hiltonhonors, and follow Hilton Honors on Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
For over a century, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has set the benchmark for hospitality around the globe, connecting people, cultures and communities. Offering striking design and vibrant communal spaces—from buzzing lobbies to lively bars, best-in-class restaurants, and iconic gatherings— Hilton Hotels & Resorts is the place to see and be seen in the world’s most sought-after destinations. With more than 600 hotels across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts is where the world comes together, and travelers are masterfully hosted with expertise and care. Experience a legendary stay at Hilton Hotels & Resorts by booking at hiltonhotels.com or through the industry leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/hhr, and follow the brand on Facebook, X and Instagram.
About Rory Lynch-Wells
Rory Lynch-Wells is a visual artist living and operating in South Yarra, Melbourne. He is best known for his collage-like style, in which abstract colours, patterns and references come together to form a larger image. This approach adds depth and meaning to subjects that might otherwise feel ordinary.
Website: rorylynchwells.com
Instagram: @lynchmelbourne