Our stay at the Hilton was pleasant.
The good things: great location, great view even if you're not facing the ocean, courteous service, overlapping dark blinds (great if you don't wake up with the sunset), excellent pool and nice private beach.
The bad: humidity! The a/c doesn't remove the humidity thoroughly and our mattresses smelled musty. I'm unsure if this problem was unique to our room but I don't think so. One of the lights was out and the toilet leaked a bit. We placed an order to have these fixed and they didn't. Our coffee supplies were never complete. We were either missing coffee or cream or sugar. The ice machine didn't work in our floor. They were changing phone systems and we didn't get our wake up calls. Good thing we had the iPhones for backup..
I would still recommend the hotel but only if you can get it at a discounted price.

The experienced was special from the very start. The level of politeness, sincerity, and attention was great! They truly understand and exceed the international traveler's needs and expectations. The gym was impeccably clean; and equipped with the latest equipment that would be in a "Lifetime Athletic Club (Houston)". They have (at least) 3 world class tennis courts. They have their own semi-private beach (only guests go there, but they have to call it semi-private anyway). The restaurant "Las Chivas" (there are others buy I never saw them open) has a spectacular Buffett Breakfast, and a menu for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was my favorite meal here, just because I enjoy exploring places in different parts of the city.
There are more than 4 pools and 3 jacuzzis (they don't get very hot). The view is great and the people are sooo nice. There is a kiosk by the pool and they provide you with everything from towels to renting jet-skiis (of which I rented from a very nice person named Jennifer). The kiosk people were genuinely nice. Jennifer made sure I got the jetskii I wanted and took several pictures before walking back to the kiosk. The guy handling the jetskii gave me good pointers on where and how far to go (and what not to do), which came in handy!
I booked a City Tour through the Gema Tours (located downstairs close to the Front Desk) and loved it. The guide spoke great English and spoke passionately about the history of the city (and of the Region).
The Wi-Fi sends a strong signal all throughout the property. I was able to Skype and take care of emails, etc... from the restaurant, the pools, the lobby, the business center, gym, and even in front of the property.
I'm coming back to Hilton Cartagena because it is a "SURE" thing. I don't want to gamble during a vacation stay. I want to be sure that the hotel understands their guests, Hilton Cartagena definitely does!!!
Jairo R.

I booked 2012 New year at the Hitlon for my family (two teenage children) and was not disappointed. The beach at Cartegena is not fantastic so having a pool and a 'sort of' private area of beach is something you'll find important for a family.
The restaurant has fantastic food, Congrats to the chef. We arrived at 3:00 in the afternoon when the service had finished on our first day and the food we ordeered was excellent. The brerakfast are also more than enough and the serving staff kind and pleasant.
The Hilton has everything a big hotel requires and, of course, you have to pay for many little extras like internet and calls to other rooms, the use of the tennis courts etc but for me it wasn't a problem but it would be nice if they didn't charge everything wifi?????
The location is at the ohter end of the city from the old walled area but as it is the Hilton there are lots of taxis' waiting to take you the 10-15 minutes there. The tacis' are cheap too.
When we got to the hotel they reception staff were very helpful in booking a trip to 'las ilhas Rosario' thank you, and they were always there to please.
The rooms were fanatastic. I recommend to choose a ocean view which also overlooks the pool and beach. As we had two rooms the second one wasn't ready when we arrived and the staff offered us another room without a view for our kids. I'm glad we didn't take it and waited an hour for their room to be ready.
The rooms have realllllllllly large double beds. I couldn't find my wife in ours!. TV, lovely modern bathrooms and everything you expect from a high class hotel with a good reputation.
If you are with family, old or young, and unsure of which hotel to get, pay a little more and you won't have a problem in Cartegena.

I spent one week with my family, in the Christmas period. The hotel has been renovated and facilities are good even if a little be crowded, at least in the Christmas period. The service is really good and the restaurant too is not bad at all. The location is really excellent, with nice views and just 10 minutes, by taxi, from the old town, that is really one of the most interesting spots you can find in South America