We stayed here for two weeks in late October/early November 2005.

On arrival, first impressions are good, as you walk along a lovely old wooden floored corridor to reception. Greeting by staff was warm and friendly, and we were quickly on our way up to our room.

Being an upside down hotel, the lifts/stairs are slightly confusing to start. Reception is on level 3, and our room on level 6 is three floors further down.

Our room was "tired" and needed a good overhaul. The beds and furniture were clean and comfortable enough, but the whole room could do with redecoration and modernisation. Our TV had about 40 - 50 useable channels. A few were fuzzy due to poor reception, but at least there were a few film channels with reasonable films and no extra cost. We read an article on our way home that the whole hotel is being completely refurbished, so this should address these issues. Talking to other guests, some rooms are much better than others, having been more recently renovated. Speak nicely to reception if you aren't happy with your room, and they'll try to accomodate you. Please note though that a few nigths during our stay were fully booked, so a room swap may not be possible on your first night.

Each room has a balcony - get one overlooking the Savannah if you want the sun from around midday onwards. Some have better views than others, due to the high palm trees in the grounds. Good views over the Savannah and Port of Spain from most areas of the hotel.

If you get a suite, or a room on the executive floors (where the rooms are better), then you get access to the executive lounge where you get free breakfast, and also a free bar in the evenings. The staff in the lounge are superb - William Wallace was our host for a few evenings and he was superb, remembering all our drinks orders from a few nights before, and coming with top-ups at just the right time.

Overall, we found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. Not one of them hung around waiting for a tip, although be aware that a 10% service charge applies to mostly everything in the hotel, including food and drinks.

Although the prices were high in the "La Boucan" restaurant, we couldn't really fault the food or the service. Ate there about 5 or 6 times, trying different things. Some were OK/above average, but some meals were superb. Watch out for the 10% service charge and 15% VAT on top of the listed prices though! Not a great problem if you are on business expenses.

We tried room service a few times. The tenderloin/fillet steak was excellent, though slightly overcooked once. Each order took about 30 - 40 minutes to arrive and came complete with a small vase of fresh local flowers.

The pool is fine to use (unheated), but very deep (16ft) at one end, so be careful with small children. It was never busy or crowded during the two weeks we were there.

There is always a plentiful supply of taxis outside, using mostly 70s US cars, though there are some more recent ones. Seems to be a fixed rate of $42TT/$7US for most areas in and around Port of Spain.

There is also a small chemist shop in the arcade next to reception, which sells sweets, postcards, toiletries etc, plus a real estate agent and a hairdresser/beauty salon.

There are two local restaurant worthy of mention, just a 3 minute taxi ride away. Both share the same building. Tamnak Thai serves superb Thai cuisine. Slightly expensive, but excellent service and fantastic food. Wine choice was limited on the evening we were there. Downstairs is Apsara, and Indian resaurant. Good food - watch out for the very hot/spicy condiment with the poppadums. Solid copper plates and cups etc were a nice touch. Garlic naan bread is highly recommended to accompany your meal.

Overall, although tired and sorely needing renovation (should be completed by 2007), the Hilton has plenty of charm and style in a quaint way that is missing from many "clinical" modern hotels. As long as you are aware it's an old hotel with some slightly tired areas, then you probably won't be disappointed. If you are expecting a smart modern hotel, with up to the minute rooms, appliances etc, then you would be best to look elsewhere.

The location is fairly good and central, being just a 5 minute taxi ride form the downtown area. There aren't many people walking around, and security at the hotel is very good. The botanical gardens, zoo and presidents house are just a 5 - 10 minute walk away, though I wouldn't walk anywhere outside the hotel after dark - take a taxi, but during the day it's fine.

We would stay there again if going back, it was much better than the Crown Plaza where the rooms were more modern/stylish, but the noise levels due to the traffic outside were much higher and with rude staff and inedible food.

Stayed there for 3 nights iN February. Overall the experience was not a memorable one. I always stay at Hiltons in most cities, but was definitely surprised at the lack of service and quality. The rooms were okay. The food was nothing to write home about. The service the less said the better. The staff was rude, very very slow and inefficient. Would not stay there again except for its proximity to my business location.

Stayed here on a business trip. The first room the lights did not work and it was very scary being in a foreign country in a pitch dark room!
second room was nicer(barely) but lighted. Hilton used to mean "quality" but not any more!
Staff very nice but hotel needs renovations badly -- outdated guest rooms that are overpriced

I stayed at the POS Hilton July 11-15 with mixed results. The only internet connection is a wireless connection in the lobby, as more people log on it slows to a crawl (not good for business travelers checking email). The lobby and breakfast area roof leaks badly. During the afternoon showers, the carpet in the room became wet. The service at the front desk was fine, the food was good. The lobby and mezzanine bar were exellent (all local beers on draft), service good. Hurricane Emily visited while I was there, the staff handled it well. The Hilton also had a good amount of security. The view of downtown POS simply can't be beat.

The entire hotel is in need of immediate renovations. It looks like it was built in the 60's and never maintained.