If you are looking for a sunny Colombian holiday with upscale resort amenities, the Hilton Cartagena won’t let you down. At the tip of the El Laguito Peninsula, the hotel has one of the best locations in the city.
It sits at the mouth of Cartagena Bay, by Boca Grande, and looks out at the sparkling water of the Caribbean Sea. From here, the sunsets are magnificent.
There are many accommodation options in Cartagena but the Hilton Cartagena does a bang up job of delivering resort amenities to its guests.
Rooms and Amenities at the Hilton Cartagena
The 341-room property offers a variety of rooms, with one King or two Queen beds and, a city or water view. Some rooms have parlor seating (two chairs and a small table) with sea views.
Amenities include free Wi-fi, room service, and free parking. The hotel is pet-friendly and will admit fur babies of up to 50 lbs.
Pools and Activities
For sun worshippers, there’s a beach with loung chairs. Lots of chairs surround the pool complex, as well. It has three outdoor options, including one with a water slide. Jacuzzis are scattered throughout the area if you’re feeling like a bubble massage. Plus, there’s a pool bar and lots of attendants who stroll by, ready to take your order.
I was there in February and the hotel was hopping with families and international guests but it never felt crowded.
You can be as active, or inactive, as you please. There’s a fully equipped fitness center that’s open 24/7. Along with free weights, there are treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and various circuit training devices. My one observation while working out was that the air conditioning was weak. Hopefully that was a temporary malfunction.
If you are into racquet sports, you can book a match at one of the three tennis courts.
Behind the resort is a small lagoon ringed by a footpath that attracts joggers in the morning.
One of the Best Breakfasts in Town
Breakfast is not to be missed at Hilton Cartagena. Make sure you include it in your room rate. It’s worth the extra charge (around $15USD).
Served in Las Chivas restaurant, the breakfast buffet includes Colombian fresh fruit that is sweet and plentiful. I gorged on mangos, pineapple, and melons every morning.
In addition, there was a selection of bread and pastries, yogurt, scrambled eggs, sausage, French toast and pancakes. Colombia specialties such as arepas, and beef rib soup (caldo de costilla) were also available.
In one corner there were “healthy” options with raw vegetables and cereals. Juices included delicious deep reddish/purple corozo made from the fruit of wild palms. And, no morning is complete without rich Colombian coffee.
Other Food and Beverage Options at the Hilton Cartagena
In the evening Las Chivas turns into a fine dining room. Weekends often have special event meals in El Tinajero, a restaurant space in front of Las Chivas. When I was there the hotel was offering Sábado de Carne y Carbon, a three-course lunch with Argentinean barbecue, live music, and a tango show for around USD 30.
The Hilton Cartagena also has a pizza oven and casual bites can be ordered poolside from Kiosco Tibabuyes.
A great place to unwind is the Society Bar, just off the lobby. And, if you have booked an Executive Room, there’s a lounge on the 10th floor that offers finger foods, wine, beer, and soft drinks at 6 p.m. every night.
Weddings, Parties and Conventions
The hotel is well-equipped for gatherings of all kinds, from weddings to conventions. There are 13 dedicated meeting rooms and a 25,000-square-foot convention center. The Gran Salon Bolivar ballroom can accommodate up to 1,500 people. In addition, there is a 24-hour business center, freight elevator, and exhibition hall.
Savvy Shopping
In need of a little retail therapy? On the main floor, just off the lobby, is a winding hallway filled with high-end boutiques. Colombian emeralds, gold jewelry, resort wear, handicrafts, and a money exchange make for convenient souvenir shopping.
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Rates at the Hilton Cartagena
From $199US per night for 1 King or 2 Queen beds, city view. Oceanview is $207US. Executive City views from $232. A 2 Queen beds with city views and Parlor starts around $341, 1 King with parlor ocean view is $341. The city view includes a lagoon to one side of the hotel. For a pet-friendly room there is a $50, non-refundable charge. Make your reservations directly at the hotel website, or through a site like Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. ProColombia arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
