Pros

  • Beachfront location with great views of the water
  • Clean rooms feature minibars and Cuisinart coffeemakers; most have ocean views
  • Five solid on-site dining and snacking options
  • Direct access to beach
  • Large pool with a small waterslide
  • Reasonably priced spa and beauty salon, plus 24-hour gym
  • Game room with PlayStation and playground for kids
  • Free Wi-Fi in common areas (free in rooms for Hilton Honors members)
  • Tennis courts and instructors
  • Several meeting room and wedding venue options
  • Pet-friendly property
See More Pros

Cons

  • Gaudy lobby decor
  • Not within walking distance to Old Town Cartagena
  • Breakfast isn’t always included with room rates
  • Beach isn’t the cleanest, and can be overrun with vendors
See More Cons

Bottom Line

A short drive from the center of Cartagena, the upscale Hilton Cartagena is pricier than most of its competition, but has the benefits of a quieter location and direct access to the beach without being too removed from tourist attractions. Guests can enjoy full or partial views of the Caribbean Sea from most of the 341 rooms, which also come with minibars and Cuisinart coffeemakers. With a pool and waterslide, five dining options, 24-hour fitness center, and kid-friendly game room, the hotel has many resort-like amenities, but dated interiors leave something to be desired, breakfast isn’t always included with room rates, and the beach isn’t the cleanest or quietest. The more modern Hotel Dann Cartagena offers fresher rooms and similar features for lower prices.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Cartagena

Scene

Family-friendly, with scenic views but dated and slightly gaudy interiors

The Caribbean Sea-facing Hilton Cartagena, although massive, isn't exactly upscale where decor is concerned. While the lobby is airy, its teal leather couches, swirled multicolor rug, and diamond patterned tiles all look slightly gaudy and neglected. Pleasant views of the beach can be enjoyed from several common areas, which incorporate more class, but there's an overall dated look to the property. However, the mediocre aesthetics don’t deter a wide variety of guests on business or holiday from staying here -- it’s especially popular with families with children. 

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location in Bocagrande, a 10-minute drive to center of Cartagena

Curved along the tip of the El Laguito Peninsula in the Bocagrande neighborhood, the hotel’s location is a perk for beach lovers and anyone wanting a break from the tourist hub of the city. The surrounding area is still lively enough, with local restaurants and shops within walking distance, but the attractions within Old Town Cartagena, such as the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, or the Plaza Santo Domingo, are a 10- to 20-minute drive away. The Museo del Oro is also 15 minutes away while the shops of Las Bovedas are a 20-minute drive away. Rafael Nunez International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.  

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary rooms with minibars and great views

The rooms look much more contemporary than the lobby. White marble tile floors are an appealing contrast against the light wood furniture and the cool blues and purples on the walls, bedspreads, and blackout drapes. 

Standard rooms have either two queen or single king beds. While they’re labeled as having ocean or city views, even the city view rooms offer some glimpses of the ocean through large windows. All come with air-conditioning, safes, ironing equipment, and 32-inch LCD TVs. Three-pronged outlets on the work desks and bedside tables conveniently eliminate the need for converters. Wi-Fi in all rooms is only free for members of the hotel’s loyalty program, which is free to join. Cuisinart coffeemakers, snacks, and minibars are also available. Suites have private terraces and separate work areas and living areas. Executive Rooms include 42-inch TVs and free breakfast and snacks, along with access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge. 

Bathrooms are clean and well-lit with polished granite counters. Standard varieties have walk-in showers with handheld and rainfall showerheads. Suites and Executive bathrooms have separate bathtubs. All rooms provide Peter Thomas Roth toiletries and hairdryers. 

See More Rooms

Features

Several dining options, direct access to beach, and child-friendly activities

Features cater to a variety of guests. There are three sit-down restaurants on site: Pizza Al Forno serves tasty wood-fired pies on a breezy terrace; the pricier Tinajero Steak & Seafood House has an old-fashioned fine dining environment; colorful Las Chivas Restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, serves a decent buffet breakfast (not always included with rates), plus cooked-to-order items like eggs. Honors program members can also have breakfast in the Executive Lounge on the top floor of the building, which offers fantastic views, refreshments all day, and free Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, the Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, and Tibabuyes Kiosk in the hotel’s gardens serve drinks and snacks to keep dining options extensive for all guests.

The beach can be directly accessed from the property, but isn’t entirely private. While there are fewer vendors here than other beaches, guests have noted that they can still be disruptive and the sand gets dirty. The large outdoor pool, which includes a small waterslide, is more popular. Other wellness features include a 24-hour fitness center, reasonably-priced spa, and beauty salon, along with a tennis court where instructors are available on request.

Several child-friendly amenities are a plus, including kids’ menus and a game room featuring a PlayStation, foosball and table tennis, and a ball pit with a slide. 

There’s a huge range of mobility features, from accessible ramps to audible alarms and visual alerts in common areas. 

As a popular wedding and business conference venue, the hotel includes several meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment rental, banquet halls, and outdoor event spaces, plus a business center. Free self-parking is available in the outdoor lot, and Wi-Fi in common areas is also free. Pets are welcome.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Hilton Cartagena

Scene

Family-friendly, with scenic views but dated and slightly gaudy interiors

The Caribbean Sea-facing Hilton Cartagena, although massive, isn't exactly upscale where decor is concerned. While the lobby is airy, its teal leather couches, swirled multicolor rug, and diamond patterned tiles all look slightly gaudy and neglected. Pleasant views of the beach can be enjoyed from several common areas, which incorporate more class, but there's an overall dated look to the property. However, the mediocre aesthetics don’t deter a wide variety of guests on business or holiday from staying here -- it’s especially popular with families with children. 

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location in Bocagrande, a 10-minute drive to center of Cartagena

Curved along the tip of the El Laguito Peninsula in the Bocagrande neighborhood, the hotel’s location is a perk for beach lovers and anyone wanting a break from the tourist hub of the city. The surrounding area is still lively enough, with local restaurants and shops within walking distance, but the attractions within Old Town Cartagena, such as the San Felipe de Barajas Castle, or the Plaza Santo Domingo, are a 10- to 20-minute drive away. The Museo del Oro is also 15 minutes away while the shops of Las Bovedas are a 20-minute drive away. Rafael Nunez International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.  

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary rooms with minibars and great views

The rooms look much more contemporary than the lobby. White marble tile floors are an appealing contrast against the light wood furniture and the cool blues and purples on the walls, bedspreads, and blackout drapes. 

Standard rooms have either two queen or single king beds. While they’re labeled as having ocean or city views, even the city view rooms offer some glimpses of the ocean through large windows. All come with air-conditioning, safes, ironing equipment, and 32-inch LCD TVs. Three-pronged outlets on the work desks and bedside tables conveniently eliminate the need for converters. Wi-Fi in all rooms is only free for members of the hotel’s loyalty program, which is free to join. Cuisinart coffeemakers, snacks, and minibars are also available. Suites have private terraces and separate work areas and living areas. Executive Rooms include 42-inch TVs and free breakfast and snacks, along with access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge. 

Bathrooms are clean and well-lit with polished granite counters. Standard varieties have walk-in showers with handheld and rainfall showerheads. Suites and Executive bathrooms have separate bathtubs. All rooms provide Peter Thomas Roth toiletries and hairdryers. 

See More Rooms

Features

Several dining options, direct access to beach, and child-friendly activities

Features cater to a variety of guests. There are three sit-down restaurants on site: Pizza Al Forno serves tasty wood-fired pies on a breezy terrace; the pricier Tinajero Steak & Seafood House has an old-fashioned fine dining environment; colorful Las Chivas Restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, serves a decent buffet breakfast (not always included with rates), plus cooked-to-order items like eggs. Honors program members can also have breakfast in the Executive Lounge on the top floor of the building, which offers fantastic views, refreshments all day, and free Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, the Lobby Bar, Pool Bar, and Tibabuyes Kiosk in the hotel’s gardens serve drinks and snacks to keep dining options extensive for all guests.

The beach can be directly accessed from the property, but isn’t entirely private. While there are fewer vendors here than other beaches, guests have noted that they can still be disruptive and the sand gets dirty. The large outdoor pool, which includes a small waterslide, is more popular. Other wellness features include a 24-hour fitness center, reasonably-priced spa, and beauty salon, along with a tennis court where instructors are available on request.

Several child-friendly amenities are a plus, including kids’ menus and a game room featuring a PlayStation, foosball and table tennis, and a ball pit with a slide. 

There’s a huge range of mobility features, from accessible ramps to audible alarms and visual alerts in common areas. 

As a popular wedding and business conference venue, the hotel includes several meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment rental, banquet halls, and outdoor event spaces, plus a business center. Free self-parking is available in the outdoor lot, and Wi-Fi in common areas is also free. Pets are welcome.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.