When I tell people I'm going on a "Holiday Inn vacation," they picture a sad beige room next to a highway off-ramp with a continental breakfast consisting of stale muffins and a waffle maker that hasn't been cleaned since the Obama administration. And honestly? That mental image isn't entirely wrong for regular Holiday Inns. But Holiday Inn Club Vacations? That's a completely different animal.
HICV (their abbreviation, not mine — I would have gone with something catchier) is IHG's timeshare resort brand, and it's genuinly one of the best-kept secrets in the vacation deal world. These properties have waterparks, spacious villas, activity programs for kids, and resort-quality pools. It's like someone took a Holiday Inn and gave it a Red Bull and a makeover.
1. What Is Holiday Inn Club Vacations?
HICV is a timeshare resort brand owned by a partnership between IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) and Orange Lake Resorts. They operate about 30 resort properties across the U.S., concentrated in Florida, the Carolinas, Las Vegas, and the Smoky Mountains. The brand is positioned as family-friendly and mid-range — nicer than Westgate, more affordable than Marriott.
Their signature property is Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, which is basically a small city with four pool complexes, an 80-acre lake, an 18-hole golf course, and a shopping village. It's the kind of place where you check in and don't leave the property for three days because why would you?
2. HICV Deal Pricing
| Package | Price | Nights | Typical Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getaway Special | $99-$149 | 3 nights | Villa + waterpark access |
| Family Package | $149-$199 | 4-5 nights | Villa + activities + dining credit |
| Premium Escape | $199-$299 | 5-7 nights | Villa + activities + tickets |
The pricing sits comfortably in the middle of the market. You're paying more than Westgate's rock-bottom $49 deals, but you're getting noticeably better properties. The sweet spot is the Family Package at $149-$199 — enough nights for a real vacation, and the included activities keep the kids entertained (which, as any parent knows, is worth its weight in gold).
3. Best HICV Properties
Orange Lake Resort, Orlando: The flagship property and the one most deals are for. It's massive — 1,450 acres with four different "villages," each with its own pool complex. The River Island section has the best waterpark, including a lazy river, water slides, and a splash zone. Pro tip: request River Island when you check in.
Myrtle Beach — South Beach Resort: Oceanfront with a rooftop pool and great views. The rooms are modern and spacious. It's in a quieter section of Myrtle Beach, which is either a pro or a con depending on whether you like the chaos of the main strip.
Gatlinburg — Smoky Mountain Resort: Mountain views, cozy cabins, indoor pool. Perfect for fall trips when the mountains are putting on their annual leaf fashion show. The property is close to downtown Gatlinburg but far enough to feel secluded.
Cape Canaveral — Cape Canaveral Beach Resort: Literally on the beach. Like, walk out the door and your toes are in sand. Great for families who want a beach vacation without the South Beach vibe. Also close to Kennedy Space Center, which is a fun day trip.
4. The HICV Presentation Experience
HICV presentations are on the milder end of the spectrum. The salespeople are friendly (sometimes a little TOO friendly — one guy tried to be my best friend for 90 minutes straight), and the pressure is moderate. They use the standard playbook: tour, pitch, "manager special," closing attempt. But the overall tone is more "helpful advisor" than "used car salesman."
One thing I appreciate about HICV presentations is that they actually let you experience the resort before the pitch. At Orange Lake, they gave us waterpark wristbands before the presentation, so we could enjoy the resort first and then sit down for the sales talk. Smart move on their part — hard to say no when you're already having a blast.
5. IHG One Rewards Connection
One underappreciated perk of HICV is the connection to IHG One Rewards, the loyalty program for Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, InterContinental, and other IHG brands. HICV owners earn IHG points, and even presentation deal guests can link their IHG account to earn points for their stay.
Is it as prestigious as Hilton Honors Gold? No. But IHG One Rewards is a solid mid-tier loyalty program with properties worldwide, and free points are free points.
6. Qualification Requirements
- Ages 25-70
- Married or cohabiting (both attend)
- Household income $50,000+
- Valid credit card
- U.S. resident
- No HICV presentation in the past 12 months
Standard requirements across the board. Nothing unusuall here. The $50K income requirement keeps it accessible for most working families, which aligns with their mid-range positioning.
7. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent family-friendly amenities (waterparks, kids clubs)
- IHG brand backing and loyalty program integration
- Spacious villas with full kitchens
- Less aggressive sales presentations
- Orange Lake Resort is genuinely outstanding
- Moderate pricing that delivers good value
Cons:
- Limited to ~30 properties (fewer options than Wyndham or HGV)
- Primarily U.S. domestic — no international properties
- Some older properties need refreshing
- Not as "luxurious" as Marriott or Hilton timeshare brands
- Availability can be tight during Florida school breaks
8. How to Book HICV Deals
HICV deals are available through their website (orangelake.com), third-party brokers, and social media ads. Their direct deals are actually competitive with broker prices, which isn't always the case with timeshare brands. Check BookVIP and other brokers for comparison, but don't sleep on HICV's own promotional offers.
9. HICV vs. Other Family Brands
For families specifically, HICV is one of the best options in the timeshare deal space. Their waterparks and activity programs put them ahead of Westgate and Wyndham for family appeal. Bluegreen is a close competitor in the family-friendly category but has fewer resort amenities. The only brand that truly competes with HICV on the family front is Great Wolf Lodge, which isn't a timeshare company at all.
10. Final Verdict
Holiday Inn Club Vacations is the smart family pick. You get resort-quality amenities, spacious villas, and solid deal pricing without the aggressive sales pressure of budget brands. If you're traveling with kids and want a vacation where the resort itself is a destination, HICV should be at the top of your list. Browse our deals page to see what's currently available.