I stayed 2 nights in Hotel San Martin in Bocagrande then went to the old city to a hotel of similar quality. In both there was Wifi, hot water, nice tiled bathrooms with glass showers, AC, TV, and hot breakfast. I paid my bill at San Martin then was shocked to see the hotel bill in the walled city - it was exactly twice the price.

If you really want to spend most of your time in the old city, a cab ride of 3 dollars or a walk of 15 minutes will get you there. Personally, I enjoyed the beaches and long bike/walkway around the peninsula. There is lots of shopping for great colombian fashions as well.
It's TOTALLY safe and the walkway has charming lights and security guards every block for evening strolls. It has a distinctive COLOMBIAN feel rather than the TOURIST feel of the old city.

I've read many websites dismissing Bocagrande as destination of interest but I'm glad I went to see for myself. On my next trip - I'll be staying at Hotel San Martin in Bocagrande.

Big spacious rooms, enormous and very comfortable bed. But, no warm water for our stay was a tad disappointing.
Hotel seemed to be popular with young groups, so in the morning and evenings could be a bit noisey, but very quiet at night.

Just stayed here for 4 nights, from April 30th to May 4th. My dad and I had a double room, which was very spacious, complete with 2 LARGE beds, a table with 2 chairs, a flatscreen tv, and well-stocked mini-fridge. Bathrooms were extremely clean, and water pressure was very good (though, as is usually the case on the Colombian coast, there was no hot water.) The hotel had wifi, as well as an internet-ready computer in the lobby available for guest use.

As other reviewers have mentioned, it was really the service that set this hotel apart. The staff was extremely friendly, knowledgeable about the area and always willing to be of assistance in any way they could. They booked tours for us and arranged my transportation back to Barranquilla (where I currently live.) When my father asked about typical Colombian liquor, he was even treated to free shots of Ron Medellin and Aguardiente by the bartender!

The location was good, barely 2 blocks from the beach and an easy cab ride to the old town. I was also happy to have a Crepes & Waffles (one of my favorite restaurants and ice cream parlors) right across the street.

I spent 4 nights here with my infant son while searching for an apartment for an extended stay. To save money I got a single room, which had a queen size bed and a desk and tv with an adjoining bathroom. There wasn't much room to move around and the window looked out onto the outside passageway of the hotel, so remained curtained off most of the time for privacy. That said, it was clean with good a/c and free wifi, but I would take a double room for the extra space next time. The staff was absolutely wonderful and the location is very convenient to the beach, restaurants and shops in Bocogrande and a quick taxi ride to the old city. Breakfast is included which was good, but nothing wonderful. There are some real dives out there for more money so this was a great value.