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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-018002.txt : 20040913
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-018002.hdr.sgml : 20040913
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040913185727
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-018002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040910
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040913
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040913

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HUCKESTEIN DIETER H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001188273

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03427
		FILM NUMBER:		041028363

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O HILTON HOTELS CORP
		STREET 2:		9336 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HILTON HOTELS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000047580
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	HOTELS & MOTELS [7011]
		IRS NUMBER:				362058176
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9336 CIVIC CTR DR
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3102784321

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9336 CIVIC CENTER DR
		CITY:			BEVERLY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000047580</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HILTON HOTELS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HLT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001188273</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HUCKESTEIN DIETER H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>9336 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEVERLY HILLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90210</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>282</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.09</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>330691</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents stock units under the Corporation's Supplemental Retirement and Retention Plan (&quot;SRRP&quot;) attributable to dividend equivalent rights.  Stock units under the SRRP settle for common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes stock units attributable to participant's accounts under the SRRP and the Corporation's 2004 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, which settle for common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Dieter Huckestein, By Bryan S. White, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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