Pros and Cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club

Considering Holiday Inn Club Vacations ownership? Well, if you love family-friendly vacations in beautiful locations around the U.S. and Mexico, this top vacation club brand may be for you. Whether you’re an avid theme park goer or outdoor enthusiast, Holiday Inn Club caters to every kind of traveler, all while providing generous accommodations and luxurious amenities. However, Holiday Inn Club Vacations doesn’t just unlock a wealth of vacation possibilities; it also grants you top-tier planning flexibility. Interested to learn more? In this blog, we detail the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club so you can make the best decision based on your traveling and financial needs.

Overview of Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Since 2008, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has been providing families with spectacular getaways in popular locations throughout the U.S. and Mexico. With over two dozen resorts to choose from and a flexible points-based system, members can travel to exciting locations like Orlando, Galveston, Gatlinburg, and more. Moreover, members of Holiday Inn Club Vacations enjoy access to partner networks that extend the scope of their travel to destinations worldwide! But more on this later.

A hallmark of Holiday Inn Club Vacations is its family-friendly orientation. From spacious accommodations with separate bedrooms to fun-filled amenities to ideal resort locations near exciting attractions, resorts in the Holiday Inn portfolio set you up for a comfortable, entertaining vacation every time. So, are you ready to see whether Holiday Inn membership is right for you? Let’s dive into the real pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club.

Pros and Cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club Membership

As with any vacation club, there are upsides and downsides to ownership. Whether you go with Hilton Grand Vacations, Wyndham Destinations, or Disney Vacation Club, there are a variety of factors to consider. However, we feel that the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club make for an easy decision. Let’s start with the pros below.

What Holiday Inn Club Members Love

Of course, members of Holiday Inn Club Vacations love the location of their resorts in the U.S. and Mexico. Unlike a vacation home, which sits empty for most of the year, your ownership sees more use and has more travel variety. After choosing a home resort, the points-based system allows owners to vacation at other resorts in the brand portfolio at any time using their annual allotment of points. Basically, you’re pre-paying for a year’s worth of vacations, but at today’s rate. So, whether you want to take a week-long vacation or a few weekend getaways each year, you have the flexibility to choose. What’s not to like?

But it doesn’t stop there. With over two dozen resorts across more than a dozen states, each destination offers its own unique personality and amenities. Fancy a relaxing week near the Las Vegas Strip or a sun-filled adventure on the coast of Myrtle Beach? You’ll find options for every type of traveler.

Family-Friendly Accommodations and Amenities

Like we mentioned before, the family fun is a big allure for many new members. There’s nothing worse than staying in a cramped hotel room with no exciting amenities to entertain the kids. Luckily, Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts never leave you hanging.

Whichever resort you stay at, you’ll find generous accommodations fit for the whole family. Unwind with spacious villas, featuring separate rooms, plush furnishings, and updated bathrooms. Not to mention, you can expect full kitchens and in-unit laundry/laundry access in your villa, making home-cooked meals and messy spills a breeze during a busy vacation.

Moreover, among the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club, a huge pro is the wealth of exciting amenities resorts offer. Think lazy rivers, mini golf, cozy movie theaters, horseback riding, waterslides, and so much more. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, you’ll find value in these amenities. What’s more, quiet pools, luxury cabanas, poolside bars, and on-site restaurants can be found at many HICV resorts. So, adults can have a bit of an escape, too.

No matter the season, there’s always something happening. Activity Teams host events like fall trick-or-treating, holiday celebrations, and summer games for kids. Plus, you’ll find family-friendly amenities such as mini golf, fitness centers, sparkling pools, and on-site restaurants to keep everyone entertained.

Members also enjoy priority booking and VIP Experiences year-round, as well as vacation package deals, seasonal perks and discounts, and an overall exceptional vacation experience for the whole family.

Unique Destinations

Every Holiday Inn Club Vacations resort brings its own unique flavor, from the peaceful Desert Club Resort just off the Las Vegas Strip to the breezy shores of Myrtle Beach’s South Beach Resort. Looking for adventure in Florida? Enjoy lazy rivers and sun-soaked afternoons at Orange Lake Resort’s private waterpark. If a cozy winter escape is more your style, Lake Geneva Resort offers trolley service straight to the slopes at The Mountain Top ski park.

So whether you’re planning a beach getaway, a mountain retreat, or an urban adventure, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has a destination to match your family’s travel style.

Vacation Exchange Programs Galore

However, what members really love is the access to the two top vacation exchange programs that come with HICV membership. Simply exchange your Club Points and explore! With Interval International and RCI membership, you receive access to thousands of pristine resorts around the world. Think Scotland, France, Australia, Asia, and, of course, hundreds of resorts and hotels across the U.S. and North America. What’s more, IHG, or the Intercontinental Hotels Group, is also available to owners and features over 5,600 IHG hotels worldwide, as well as a loyalty program.

Regular Resort Refreshes for Continued Comfort

One common question from prospective members is how often Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts get an update. The good news? The brand is committed to providing modern, fresh environments for your stays. Resorts typically undergo a significant refresh every six to seven years. This proactive approach means you can look forward to enjoying updated furnishings, enhanced amenities, and well-maintained surroundings each time you visit—no outdated vibes here!

These ongoing renovations ensure your vacations don’t just feel like a repeat performance. You’ll come back to improvements—new décor, updated appliances, and sometimes whole new amenities—so your home away from home never loses its charm. Plus, annual dues and maintenance fees help make these regular upgrades possible, keeping each resort experience top-notch for every member.

What Holiday Inn Club Members May Not Love

Now onto the downsides of Holiday Inn Club Vacations vacation ownership. The biggest con, some would say, is the price of ownership. Of course, no one said vacation ownership was cheap. The price of ownership ranges depending on the amount of points you buy. However, there are other costs to consider when budgeting for your ownership. This includes annual maintenance fees and member dues.

When it comes to the initial purchase, the cost of a Holiday Inn Club timeshare can vary widely from person to person. The more points you want—and the more popular the resort—the higher the price tag. Some buyers choose to save money by purchasing a timeshare on the resale market, often finding ads at a much lower cost than buying directly from the developer. And, for those looking to finance their purchase, there are vacation club loan options to help ease the decision.

For HICV, annual maintenance fees go toward renovating, repairing, and enhancing the resorts you know and love. Whether it’s landscaping, maintaining the pool, or adding a new on-site restaurant, these fees go toward keeping resorts beautiful and up to date. Moreover, as an HICV member, you must pay annual member dues. As of today, HICV annual dues are $169 per year to remain a member and access partner networks, priority booking, VIP Experiences, and more.

It’s also important to note that timeshares are not a financial investment. Outside of Disney Vacation Club, should you decide to sell your timeshare/points, you will seldom get back what you paid for it initially. Because of this, it’s important you use your points if you buy them. Or, consider selling your points on the resale market!

Navigating the Pros and Cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club

If you love to travel and do it often, a Holiday Inn Club Vacations membership is for you. If you don’t travel a whole lot, you may end up spending more money than you’d like. However, there’s a great way to save money on your Holiday Inn Club Vacations ownership, and that’s by buying on the resale market. On the resale market, you can find Club Points and other forms of ownership for thousands of dollars less than if you bought retail.

With resale, navigating the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club membership is easy. In fact, you get the same amazing vacation ownership experience for less! It’s important to note that there may be some restrictions on perks when buying resale. Yet, the outcome is largely the same: fantastic vacations at highly sought-after destinations around the world.

What Do Reviews Say About the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Experience?

When it comes to real-world feedback, guests and owners often highlight what makes Holiday Inn Club Vacations stand out. Positive reviews regularly mention the generous size of villa-style suites, ideal for families or groups traveling together. Travelers love not having to squeeze into a standard hotel room—more space means everyone can unwind after a day at the pool or nearby attractions.

Amenities come up frequently as a strong point. From sprawling pools and kid-friendly water play areas to on-site restaurants and activity centers, reviewers point out the variety of options, no matter your age or travel style. Many guests also appreciate that several resorts are nestled close to well-loved vacation hotspots, making it easy to explore Orlando, Galveston’s beaches, or the mountain air of Gatlinburg.

That said, ownership isn’t always a perfect fit for everyone. Some reviewers note that it’s important to understand how the points-based system works to get the most value—doing a bit of homework pays off. 

How Many Points Do You Need?

When it comes to deciding how many points to purchase for your Holiday Inn Club Vacations membership, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it’s all about your personal travel habits and what kind of vacation experiences you’re after.

Here are a few factors to consider:

• Travel Style: If you enjoy quick weekend getaways or tend to travel during less busy times of the year, you’ll require fewer points. Smaller villas and off-peak weeks offer great value.
• Group Size: Traveling with a larger family or group, or prefer to spread out in a spacious multi-bedroom villa? You’ll need a higher points balance to reserve those accommodations.
• Vacation Length: Longer vacations or frequent trips will naturally call for more points in your annual allocation.
• Seasonal Demand: Peak travel times—think holidays and popular summer dates—typically require a higher point investment compared to quieter seasons.

The beauty of the points system is its flexibility. With a little planning, you can tailor your ownership to fit precisely how (and when) you love to travel.

Can You Bank or Borrow Points With Your Holiday Inn Club Vacations Membership?

Absolutely! Flexibility is at the heart of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations experience, and the points system is designed to adapt to your changing travel plans. One common question from new members is whether you can bank or borrow points—and the answer is yes.

• Banking Points: If you’re not planning a big getaway this year, you’re in luck. Instead of letting your points go unused, you can roll them over for a future trip. That means you can save up for that dream vacation next year without any stress.
• Borrowing Points: Say you have your eye on a longer stay or an upgraded villa, but don’t quite have enough points this year. No worries! You can borrow from next year’s points to boost your current vacation plans.

This system gives you more control, whether you’re chasing the sun in Galveston this spring or holding out for a family adventure in Gatlinburg next fall. You don’t have to be locked into a single routine each year—the points program lets you shape each vacation to fit your life, not the other way around.

Top Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resorts

So, are you ready to take a look at some of Holiday Inn Club Vacations’ top resorts? Sure, there may be pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club, but these resorts make the experience worth the cost. From the neon light of Las Vegas to the quaint streets of Brownsville, Vermont, there are vacations for every kind of traveler in the HICV portfolio. Check out a few of our favorites below.

Desert Club Resort — Las Vegas, NV

The stunning Desert Club Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, brings you just one block from the famous Las Vegas Boulevard and five minutes from the iconic Sphere. With multiple heated pools, you can spend the day soaking up the sun and letting the kids make a splash. Moreover, poolside, you’ll find the Gold Mine Bar & Grill. So, you can watch the game or listen to the nearby waterfall without the trouble of leaving the resort. And whether you settle into a one-bedroom villa or two-bedroom villa, the whole family will rest easy after a day in Sin City.

Amenities

Orange Lake Resort — Orlando, FL

Travel to sunny Orlando, Florida, and book your stay at Orange Lake Resort. As Holiday Inn Club Vacations’ flagship resort, Orange Lake Resort impresses and entertains with a sprawling resort property consisting of four villages: East Village, West Village, North Village, and River Island. Not only are there a wealth of luxurious resort amenities, including an 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course and 1,200-foot lazy river, but there’s also a handful of delicious on-site dining opportunities. What’s more, this timeshare resort is ideally located near Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney Springs, and I-Drive. So, the magic of Orlando is around every corner. Of course, the cherry on top is the studio, one-, two-, three-, and even four-bedroom villas ready to welcome your family.

Amenities

South Beach Resort — Myrtle Beach, SC

Ready for some fun in the sun? The South Beach Resort in beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is settled just one block from the glittering Atlantic and a few minutes from the famous Boardwalk on the Beach, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Brookgreen Gardens. However, excitement can be found right on resort property. When you’re not relaxing on the gold sand beaches of the Grand Strand, let the kids run wild at Splash Cove, featuring water features and waterslides, as well as a lazy river. Indulge in a tropical cocktail at Captain Cliff’s Lagoon Bar, or work up a sweat at the fitness center. Later, fall into bed in a studio, one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom villa, then wake up and happily do it all over again.

Amenities

Cape Canaveral Beach Resort — Cape Canaveral, FL

Where else could you take a trip to spend time at the beach and watch a rocket launch? At Cape Canaveral Beach Resort, get the best of both worlds! Florida’s Space Coast brings you beachside and minutes from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can get up close and personal with spacecraft and mementos of science and history. However, amenities on-site provide just as much thrill. Whisk down the four-story waterslide, dine at the Cape Grill & Bar, or score a hole in one at the mini golf course. What’s more, you can also relax with a luxurious massage with Massage by Morakot on-site, or simply resign to your two- or four-bedroom villa for a cozy night’s sleep. This resort is certainly one to note when considering the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club.

Amenities

Smoky Mountains Resort — Gatlinburg, TN

If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, this next resort is for you. The Smoky Mountains Resort is nestled in enchanting Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and ten miles from Pigeon Forge. With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Gatlinburg SkyBridge both just a half-mile away, you can hike, bike, and sight-see to your heart’s desire. Not to mention, seek thrills on the Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, less than two miles away, or sip moonshine at Ole Smoky Moonshine, also a half-mile away. Moreover, on-site at the resort, you’ll find the Splash Hollow indoor water park and multiple pools for splashing no matter the season. And when it comes to accommodations, you’ll sink right into your homelike one-, two-, three-, or four-bedroom villa.

Amenities

Buy Vacation Ownership with Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Feel like you’ve weighed out the pros and cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club? Well, if you’ve decided that HICV ownership is for you, we have good news. You can save thousands on your ownership when you buy resale instead of retail! Our resale market has Holiday Inn Club Vacation listings, as well as listings from other top vacation club brands, for a fraction of the price of retail. Browse our HICV resales below, and start expecting more from your vacations!

Test the Pros and Cons of Holiday Inn Vacation Club with Rentals

It’s always smart to try before you buy, especially when it comes to vacation ownership. If you’d like to see if Holiday Inn Club Vacations is right for you, consider renting! Renting a timeshare at a HICV resort that catches your eye can give you a great idea of some of the benefits of ownership. Browse Holiday Inn Club Vacations rentals today, or browse our entire rentals market.

How Can You Sell a Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timeshare If You No Longer Want it?

If you’re thinking about selling, rest assured that there are reputable resale options available to help guide you through the process, such as Timeshares Only. We are the Featured Reseller of ARDA’s Coalition for Responsible Exit and have been assisting Holiday Inn owners for 25+ years with selling their timeshare. Click the button below to learn more!