Holiday Inn Reviews

I should book my resort stay. Again attempted to book a stay in Scottsdale. This time, three months prior to the stay. I wouldn't have a resort to host my granddaughter, but I could stay in the motel and visit her elsewhere. I had to pay $19 to change the previous reservation and pay $39 per night because January is "peak" time, to which I agreed. My granddaughter would not be in school two of the three days, so I asked to fulfill my seminar attendance on the other day. I couldn't do that because it was my arrival day, so I agreed to an 11 a.m. time on another day, but supposedly that time frame was full. At that point, I said, "Keep my $275." I will chalk it up to experience, never go near another Holiday Inn, and spread the word: Don't be sucked into their scam.

Despite paying over $23,000, we still haven’t received clear documentation confirming deeded ownership, raising concerns about legitimacy. Reality, “maintenance fees” equally match offers to non-owners for the same resorts and hotels W/ online reservations. What exactly did our $23,000+ buy us if non-owners can book the same resorts for the same or less?

Worst Experiences: At Timber Creek Resort in Missouri, we discovered a bed bug infestation. Rather than showing empathy, management suggested we were to blame, requiring a day to decontaminating our belongings. Repeatedly subjected to misleading “owner updates” that turned into aggressive sales pitches, pressuring us to additional purchases. Poor accommodations: water leaks, dirty pools, un-cleaned rooms, weak WiFi. Sales staff visits under the guise of a survey, quickly turned into high-pressure sales pitch. This deceptive tactic violates trust and adds to ongoing frustration.

The Breaking Point: After the bed bug incident, they offered a measly 5,000 points compensation - but only if we signed a confidentiality agreement. We refused. Bottom Line: This company preys on families with misleading promises and then traps you in escalating financial obligations. The "ownership" is worthless, the service is terrible, and they'll ruin special family moments with their aggressive tactics. STAY AWAY!

Major Issues:

Booking Problems: Despite repeated attempts, zero availability in Florida or other prime destinations where I actually vacation.

Broken Promises: Was assured of local attraction discounts that I never received.

Misleading Sales Pitch: Told this would be a "worthwhile investment that would grow in value" - completely false.

Inflexible System: Booking process is rigid with no accommodation for member needs.

Poor Destinations: Only trip available was to a location I have no interest in revisiting.

False Advertising: Sales representatives made promises about value, investment potential, and benefits that were never delivered. The reality is ongoing financial burden with no corresponding value.

Bottom Line: This timeshare has been a financial disaster. The company takes your money upfront, then makes it nearly impossible to use what you've paid for while continuously increasing fees. My children want nothing to do with inheriting this burden, which speaks volumes.

We are currently seeking contract cancellation due to company's failure to deliver promised services. I would strongly advise others to avoid this company entirely.

The worst incident involved my daughter's family in Orlando - despite my authorization, they demanded an extra $250 at check-in. The next morning, everyone woke up covered in BED BUG BITES. A detection dog confirmed the infestation, ruining their entire vacation. We were told we "own nothing" while making payments, that others get booking priority despite paying identical fees, and were pressured into buying more points that only created more problems. This company preys on families with emotional manipulation and outright lies. Stay away from ANY timeshare presentation, especially those misrepresenting major hotel chains.

When I called the Holiday Inn directly I was told that only a few rooms were given lodging for Holiday Inn contract and the few reserved were booked over a year in advance. We were told to call 6 months in advance to get lodging. It ended out that we still couldn't reserve any lodging. We called multiple time to say we couldn't reserve lodging but got no reply. After over 18 months of trying and paying I had to cancel my credit card that Holiday Inn was charging because it became obvious we could never reserve lodging. Being we couldn't get a response from Holiday Inn to resolve we enlisted Wesley Foundation to get us out of the the timeshare. We were promised and lied to about availability.

· Called it an "investment" that would appreciate. (Total nonsense.)

When we wanted time to think, they said it was a "special deal" only available RIGHT NOW. After wearing us down for four hours, they rushed us through signing in just 10 minutes, giving us no time to understand the high interest rate or terms. We're heartbroken that a company with Holiday Inn's reputation would prey on elderly people like this. The Disney benefits that convinced us to buy never existed. The maintenance fees keep climbing, hurting our retirement budget.

This was pure deception from start to finish. They lied about the meeting length, made false promises, withheld critical information, and pressured two tired seniors into a decision we deeply regret. STAY AWAY from Holiday Inn Vacation Club! They target vulnerable seniors with lies and high-pressure tactics. We trusted the Holiday Inn name and got scammed.

The problems continued with high-pressure sales tactics throughout multiple meetings and booking difficulties that require over a year of advance planning with frequent unavailability. We were unable to secure desired dates at Royal Sands and Royal Haciendas in Mexico. During required orientation meetings, even staff seemed confused about the purpose of our visit. Outstanding balances prevented bookings, and customer service offered no solution.

Perhaps most concerning were the financial surprises. The $500 annual maintenance fees were disclosed only upon billing with just one week's notice before interest would be added. We weren't told these fees could increase over time or that our children would inherit the debt along with the timeshare. We were even approached by a questionable "Diamond Rentals Club" requiring $1,000 deposits.

After two years of ownership, we've only successfully used the timeshare once. Multiple representatives seemed focused on commissions rather than our needs. The lack of transparency regarding true costs and obligations has been appalling. We're currently seeking contract termination due to misleading representations and our inability to use purchased services as promised. I would not recommend to anyone considering timeshare ownership.

Rising maintenance fees and unnecessary upgrades have caused immense financial strain, leaving us with $35,000 in "equity" that has provided no real benefits. This situation has contributed to our pending divorce, adding to our emotional hardship. Attempts to cancel our contract were met with misleading demands for additional payments, contradicting original promises made during the sales process. We also felt misled into purchasing an additional timeshare in Cancun under the pretense of simplifying our agreements, which only worsened our situation.

Despite repeated efforts to resolve these issues, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has failed to provide solutions, redirecting us to representatives who seem unwilling to help. We feel trapped in a financially unsustainable agreement. We request an investigation into Holiday Inn Club Vacations for possible consumer protection violations. We also ask for the cancellation of our contract without further financial penalties to ensure others are not subjected to these practices. Thank you for your attention. We are happy to provide additional documentation if needed. Sincerely, Rachel & Juan

The lies were extensive. They claimed we could book stays at exclusive Disney-themed properties, promised the timeshare would appreciate in value and generate rental income, and minimized the true costs by hiding exchange fees and booking fees. They created artificial urgency, claiming the offer was only valid that day, and never once mentioned our 7-day right of rescission. Most disturbing, their loan officer pressured us to inflate our income on the application.

Three years later, the promises have proven completely false. Despite paying over $13,000 in loan payments and maintenance fees, we have taken zero trips. Booking is nearly impossible due to limited availability, and maintenance fees continue to increase annually while providing no value whatsoever. This timeshare has become a financial burden that conflicts with our basic needs. We've been forced to stop payments because this "investment" delivers nothing but debt. Please learn from our mistakes. Do not attend their presentation. Holiday Inn Club Vacations uses predatory tactics to trap customers in worthless contracts. Save your money and vacation time.

This company preys on vulnerable customers through high-pressure tactics and misleading representations. They show no human decency when customers face life-altering tragedies. The contract we signed was based on misrepresentation and we never would have agreed if we knew it was a timeshare. I strongly advise avoiding Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Their sales practices are questionable at best, and their customer service is heartless when you need understanding most.

The cruel reality? We've NEVER been able to book a single vacation. Hawaii? Full. California? Full. Even our hometown Yuma, Arizona? NOTHING AVAILABLE. They claim we need "points" - something never mentioned during the original sale. When we complained, they had the audacity to call our $14,000 contract "basically trash."

We've begged them to take it back, let us sell it, anything - but they just say "sorry you feel that way" and refuse to help. They won't even provide contract copies we've repeatedly requested. This company uses high-pressure tactics, outright lies, and bait-and-switch schemes to trap families into contracts they can never use. We're out $14,000 with ZERO vacations to show for it. The emotional stress and financial burden they've caused is devastating. STAY AWAY - they're scam artists in corporate clothing.

To make matters worse, one representative, Wendy **, has been a personal source of harassment. She was consistently argumentative, avoided any and all accountability, and lied to us repeatedly. Worst of all, she would call us just to be rude and offer no help, refusing to respect our time or our frustration. This isn't a simple case of a bad business deal; it's a predatory and manipulative operation. If you are considering doing business with Holiday Inn Club Vacations, I implore you to turn and run the other way. This company is not in the business of providing vacations; they are in the business of fraud.

Major red flags included the 15.95% interest rate hidden until very late in the process, no proper financial disclosure at signing, mandatory sales presentations at every resort visit, additional fees for amenities not disclosed upfront, and misleading claims about member-only access when anyone can actually book these resorts. We paid $837 to Timeshares Only to try selling - zero interest from buyers. The "Horizons program" they promised for exits? Useless. After 10+ years as loyal IHG members, this experience has destroyed our trust. The escalating fees with no member control, combined with impossible booking conditions, make this a financial nightmare we wouldn't wish on anyone. Save your money and book hotels directly. This timeshare is a trap.

Their locations aren't "exclusive, private resorts" only for contract holders - completely false. They pitch it as a real estate investment that would appreciate in value. It's actually a promissory note for a worthless point system that actually impacts your credit score... They don’t give you your own access to their website until well outside the 10-day backout period, only to discover nearly nothing is available. The “same points, different name” with RCI? Turns out you only get access to the scraps with near-zero availability. The Horizons exit program? Only available after paying the entire promissory note plus all fees; over $50,000!

Annual maintenance fees increase 6% every year FOREVER and transfer to our heirs upon death. So over $50,000 for basically one week annually - that's $972 per night! Had we seen this beforehand, we never would have signed. By the time we could access their website to see the pathetic inventory and poor availability, our cancellation period had expired. When we tried contacting Quality Assurance, we were ignored. Since signing, we've been bombarded with spam calls - they clearly sold our information. After finding out Horizons was a half-hearted option, they referred us to a third-party resale company with terrible BBB ratings. This company preys on people. Stay away.

Despite explaining our financial struggles and recent loss, the sales team preyed on our vulnerability, assuring us that purchasing their points would guarantee discounts and provide everything our grieving family needed to heal together. The betrayal deepened during our stay in Kissimmee, where what was advertised as a simple property tour became another high-pressure sales marathon designed to extract more money from us. We were manipulated into upgrading with promises that our mortgage payments would barely increase and that we could rent our unit to cover expenses. Instead, our monthly payments skyrocketed from $203 to $500 - a crushing blow to our already strained budget.

HICV deliberately concealed critical information including special assessment fees, the fact that our children would inherit this burden along with maintenance fees, cancellation periods, and additional RCI fees that we discovered on our own. The constant pressure to buy more points, pay fees to use unused time, or pay to sell points has made this contract a source of endless stress and financial hardship. This company has taken advantage of our grief, manipulated our trust, and trapped us in a perpetual cycle of debt that feels impossible to escape. No family should endure what HICV has put us through. We just want out of this contract without having to go through foreclosure!!

When we decided to terminate our membership and requested a refund for the unused portion, we were informed of a $1,200 cancellation fee. This fee was not clearly disclosed at the time of purchase and feels excessive, especially given the program’s failure to deliver on its promises. We believe this practice is unfair and predatory, placing an unreasonable financial burden on members who wish to exit a misleading program. We are requesting Consumer Affairs investigate Holiday Inn Club Vacations for these deceptive practices. Specifically, we seek the waiver of the $1,200 cancellation fee and a refund for the unused portion of our membership. Thank you for your time and assistance. Sincerely, Tony ** Roberto **

Throughout our membership, we have observed a troubling pattern that includes constant pressure to upgrade our membership at every opportunity and difficulty securing reservations at desirable locations. Required attendance at sales presentations during our limited vacation time, combined with steadily increasing maintenance fees that far exceed the "minimal increases" we were promised. The accommodation has frequently failed to meet the quality standards represented during sales presentations. What a horrible investment and money pit.

Mr. & Mrs. Victor & Stella **

When I checked in on Friday, July 4, I was informed that there was only one reservation, the standard rate one, and that the reservation made with points was missing. Despite presenting my confirmation, the front desk clerk insisted there was no record of that reservation and stated that all rooms were fully booked, which forced us to share a single room. Sharing a room with my adult daughter was unacceptable, so I had to seek alternative accommodations for one of us.

After reviewing my IHG account, I saw that my points had been deducted but were later refunded. When I contacted IHG customer service about the points return and the cancellation of my reservation without prior notice, I was told that using points for rooms on the Fourth of July weekend was not allowed. I asked why I was able to book it online despite this restriction, and the representative explained that booking online using points must have been a mistake on the IHG website.

The IHG website allowed me to book a room using points, but IHG/Holiday Inn later deemed this booking impermissible for that weekend. My reservation was canceled without notification, and IHG/Holiday Inn did not take adequate steps to resolve the situation. The only response from customer service was, "Sorry that happened, but there was a suite available that I would have to pay half price for, and it was only available for one night."

It is hard for me to believe that the hotel was entirely full, especially since the parking lot was nearly empty. As a loyal IHG member since 2002, I have never encountered a situation like this. I am extremely dissatisfied with how IHG/Holiday Inn handled this matter—canceling my reservation, failing to inform me of the cancellation, not honoring my reservation, and making no attempt to resolve the issue apart from offering a paid room that was only available for one night. Because of this experience, I will no longer stay at any IHG locations and will be canceling my IHG membership.

In our efforts to sell or transfer the membership, we’ve found it nearly impossible to find interested buyers due to the ongoing fees tied to ownership. Even when offering the membership for free, there is no interest from potential buyers. This has left us trapped in an endless cycle of paying for a service we neither want nor use, with no reasonable resolution provided by Holiday Inn Club Vacations.

We believe we were misled into signing a contract that lacks transparency and fairness. The company’s refusal to provide a straightforward exit process, combined with the burdensome and unavoidable fees, represents predatory and exploitative business practices. We urge Consumer Affairs to investigate this matter and hold Holiday Inn Club Vacations accountable for these unethical practices. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Sincerely, Bryan and Charlotte

I was charged half when I checked out and upon returning home, saw that they had charged my card twice and my roommate's not at all. This is the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW that I've had the same issue, which is why I put everything in writing before my stay. I don't know if the staff can't read, can't listen or truly don't care about their guests, but the result is the same. Although this is the host hotel for the conference I am seriously considering choosing another hotel and simply attending the conference activities.

Additionally, I have made multiple attempts to terminate the contract, but the process has been nearly impossible. This lack of transparency and inability to exit the agreement feels exploitative and unfair. I request that Consumer Affairs investigate the company's sales practices and contract policies to prevent others from enduring the same issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Juan

Melissa

Their exit process is a complete joke. After numerous ignored calls and emails, they finally responded only to tell me I'm on my own to find a buyer - they'll just handle the paperwork afterward. So much for their "comprehensive exit solution." The maintenance fees are the final insult - continually rising with no end in sight. Passing this financial burden to my children would be cruel, not the "legacy" I was promised. What parent would willingly saddle their kids with escalating fees they can't escape? Don't fall for the friendly presentation and empty promises. This "private club" is nothing but a financial trap with no realistic escape.

Additionally, maintenance fees have skyrocketed beyond reason— From $663.02 at the time of my initial agreement to $5,649.99 as of January 1, 2025. This was never disclosed or even hinted at during the initial or subsequent sales presentations. Their “owner update” meetings—are where I and others are manipulated into purchasing more points under the guise that it would improve usability and increase benefits. Despite reaching Premier Platinum status, I still could not get the usage I wanted or the customer service I needed. Instead, I was repeatedly told that I needed more points to make the system work effectively for me and my family. This experience has taken a significant financial and emotional toll. It is unconscionable that an organization would target senior citizens with such misleading tactics, then bind them to contracts under terms that were never transparently explained.

When we attended the new member meeting during our stay and expressed our dissatisfaction with the program and our desire to terminate the agreement. Instead of being supported, we were encouraged to purchase additional points to avoid future booking issues. Feeling defeated, we returned home without a clear resolution. In February, we called IHG once again about terminating our agreement. We were told that we could not be helped until the mortgage was paid in full. Our only other option would be trying to sell the timeshare on our own.  We’ve continued making our payments, though it has become increasingly difficult given our fixed income as we are fully retired.

Booking availability has proven to be limited and complicated, with additional rules and hidden expenses that were never properly explained. We genuinely believed there would be a way to cancel this agreement if needed, but that does not appear to be the case. The trust we gave to these salespeople was taken advantage of. We were told that the company had a buyback program, which gave us a false sense of security and had hoped we would not need it, they need to honor these dishonest salespeople’s promises! This experience has caused us significant emotional stress and has negatively affected our health. Protect yourselves from this predatory company.

An actual illegal action taken was the misrepresented rescission period: we were falsely told our rescission period was only 24 hours, when Massachusetts state law provides 72 hours. This critical misrepresentation effectively denied us our legal right to cancel. Even more egregiously, we never received the public offering statement that outlines our cancellation rights, as required by law.

During the sales presentation despite attempting to leave the sales presentation multiple times, the representatives continued to present more options to sell us on and we were unable to leave. When we finally relented, making a purchase based on LIES, the pain only doubled when we realized the lack of resale value: despite HICV's recommendation to sell our timeshare through Timesharesonly.com, where we paid $1,037.92 for a listing and despite lowering our asking price from $7,999.00 to $5,500.00, we have received no interest since listing it. We've also learned people are paying others to take their timeshares off their hands. This completely contradicts the "investment" claims made during the sales presentation and reveals the true negative value of what we were sold.

The sales process was manipulative from start to finish. We were rushed through signing with "special offers" that would "disappear" if we didn't act immediately. Critical details about true ownership costs were glossed over. They claimed we could easily sell or transfer the timeshare if needed—completely false, as we've discovered there's virtually no resale market.

Our financial situation has deteriorated since signing. My husband lost his job and remains unemployed despite his best efforts. I've only recently returned to part-time work, barely covering our basic needs. To make matters worse, I recently lost my brother, incurring over $8,000 in unexpected funeral expenses that depleted our savings. Each monthly payment pushes us closer to bankruptcy. We've requested cancellation due to financial hardship and misrepresentation, but Holiday Inn Vacations continues to demand payment rather than offering any compassionate solution.

I'm writing this review not just to warn others, but in hopes that Holiday Inn Vacations might recognize the human cost of their predatory sales tactics. A vacation club shouldn't leave families choosing between making timeshare payments or putting food on the table. If you're considering a Holiday Inn Vacations timeshare, please learn from our mistake. What they promise in the sales presentation bears little resemblance to what you'll receive, and once you're locked in, there's virtually no escape.

The pressure continued until 2018, when we attended another "mandatory presentation" at Orange Lake Resort. This 4-hour ordeal—not the promised 90 minutes—ended with us purchasing a timeshare for over $11,000. The salespeople, including their "Quality Assurance Officer," used car dealership tactics and even threatened us with additional charges for our current stay if we didn't sign. We were misled about property ownership, value appreciation, and booking ease. They concealed that maintenance fees would skyrocket and potentially burden our children. Despite promises of easy booking, we rarely found available dates and have barely used the timeshare in seven years. This entire experience has been nothing but deception and regret. We urgently need to terminate this contract.

The harsh reality: I'm now trapped in contracts costing approximately $250,000 in principal and interest over 20 years, with maintenance fees exceeding $10,000 annually thereafter. This isn't a "lifestyle asset" or "investment" as pitched—it's financial quicksand. I later discovered Holiday Inn Club Vacations faces multiple lawsuits for similar predatory tactics. The resorts themselves are often in disrepair with limited availability, making their "value" proposition completely false.

Their sales tactics are shameful: misrepresentation, pressure, and exploitation. They target vacationers when they're most vulnerable and relaxed, turning a vacation into a financial trap that leaves you feeling bamboozled and ashamed. Save yourself the heartache and financial ruin. Holiday Inn Club Resorts doesn't sell vacations—they sell regret.

I urge Consumer Affairs to investigate the sales practices of Holiday Inn Club Vacations. It is unacceptable for consumers to be pressured and misled into decisions they later regret. Practices like these need to be stopped to ensure others aren’t subjected to the same experience. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Matt **

Contract # 62—-

Despite spending thousands, I couldn't even book a stay when I tried! Now I'm stuck with escalating maintenance fees and a contract designed to burden my heirs forever. STAY AWAY from these con artists who masquerade as a respected hospitality brand while employing deceptive, unethical sales practices that should be illegal.

I believe these practices are unethical, predatory, and in violation of consumer protection standards. I respectfully request your assistance in investigating this matter and holding Holiday Inn Club Vacations accountable for their misleading and unfair practices. Thank you for your attention to this issue. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Glenn and Kathleen **.

Ramon and Raquel **

Most disturbing was the blatant misrepresentation of my cancellation rights. I was told I had 60 days to review my decision, only to discover Florida law allows just 10 days - information deliberately distorted during the high-pressure sales session. This is merely the culmination of years of disappointment since upgrading to the points system in 2015. The promised Puerto Rico resorts? Never available. Attempting to book units with our points? Mysteriously always "full." Meanwhile, maintenance fees and "club costs" climb relentlessly.

After nearly four decades of loyalty spanning generations, I expected fair treatment. Instead, I've been exploited by increasingly deceptive practices. What began as my parents' dream of affordable family vacations has devolved into a financial nightmare of misrepresentation and hidden costs. The company that once valued multi-generational relationships now views its long-term owners as nothing more than targets for predatory sales tactics. My family's four-decade relationship with Holiday Inn Club Vacations deserves better than this betrayal of trust.

I feel that I was misled during the initial presentation. During the signing of the purchase the staff sped us through a 15-minute contract signing, not explaining what we were signing. We were never told that we had the right to cancel this contract. The membership terms were not adequately explained in the sales or contract signing. We have not received the benefits that were initially promised as the membership was sold to us through misleading sales ploys and confusing language. It is sad that there are people out there that will lie just to make a quick buck!

During a follow-up "member update" that turned into another sales pitch, representatives made fraudulent offers about eliminating down payments to entice us to upgrade. Most critically, we were never informed of our legal right of rescission. I strongly advise potential customers to avoid this company and their deceptive practices.

We were told that as members, we would receive points to spend on vacation packages, allowing us to stay at five-star hotels and resorts with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. These points would give us access to exclusive member benefits, such as room upgrades. Since we enjoy traveling, we decided to give it a try—after all, what did we have to lose? To be clear, the ONLY reason we moved forward was because of the frequently repeated lies about benefits, and the assurance that we could cancel at any time without penalty. 

They assured us repeatedly that if we signed up that day, we could start enjoying these benefits immediately. We’d have access to special, members-only destinations. And if we later decided the program wasn’t for us, they’d cancel our membership and buy back any unused points. But we had to sign "right now." So, we did. HOWEVER, now we find that this timeshare was ours—apparently, forever. This is unacceptable on multiple levels, and we will not rest until they have eliminated this burden from our lives. We want out of this miserable one-sided contract immediately! We are not asking for our money back, they can keep that, we just want out. So far, we have paid nearly $8,000 for 0 VACATIONS!

The deception continued when I was shown luxurious accommodations that I was assured would be available with my membership. Reality struck when I attempted to book these same rooms only to find them perpetually unavailable. This bait-and-switch tactic was deeply frustrating. At $387.94 per night, my "investment" costs significantly more than simply booking the same accommodations online. The restricted access to contract details and delay in receiving documentation effectively nullified my cancellation rights. Holiday Inn Club Vacations' sales process relies on pressure, misinformation, and limited disclosure—tactics that ultimately undermine consumer trust and create financial hardship for families like mine who were simply looking for vacation options.

If that information had been disclosed, we would not have entered into this agreement. There were several pages of the contract where we were told that it was just boilerplate language, and we were hurried along telling us just to initial or sign and move on. We later discovered many of these pages included financial information or fees that we were not told about and were very material to our decision to continue. In early 2024, major health issues arose that rendered vacations impossible for us both. We are both in our late 70’s now.

We ended up moving into an assisted senior living community in Virginia and called Holiday Inn to explain the situation and our need to terminate our membership due to our physical inability to use the resorts. We were told this would not be possible under any circumstances and that our heirs would be held responsible for continuing the payments after our deaths. We are in our late 70’s and that should have been the first thing discussed at the initial presentation instead of presenting the timeshare as a three-year membership and later a five-year membership during the second presentation. It is, frankly, unethical and disgusting behavior.

Overall, this environment left us feeling uncomfortable and on edge the entire time we were there. The sales staff said things like owning their timeshare is akin to owning real estate - telling us that we would have a mortgage and if we were to default, this would result in foreclosure. Using verbiage like 'purchase price', 'escrow', 'deed', 'lender', 'foreclosure', and 'loan', only furthers this lie that we were purchasing a piece of actual real estate, like a vacation home. STOP THE GASLIGHTING!!! Holiday Inn Vacation Club’s methodology from a marketing and sales perspective is nothing less than fraudulent if not illegal.

Upon arrival, I found that I was responsible for additional costs that were never disclosed. Either way, I met my obligation to attend what turned out to be a hard cord sale presentation as opposed to a “briefing”. Due to the massive misrepresentation of what they were selling, I succumbed to the pressure and made the purchase of their product. Since, I have been disappointed by several issues I have encountered since entering into the contract. At this point, I am extremely dissatisfied with the repeated misinformation, the unfulfilled promises, and the ongoing difficulty in using my timeshare.

I also have serious concerns about the way the property is being handled, particularly regarding my deeded week and the booking process, which seems to prioritize those who attend additional sales presentations over the deed owner. AND the maintenance costs were significantly higher than I was told they would be. I have written the President of the company, however as of today, the only communications I am receiving is about a bill that I have no intention of paying without a resolution to my documented complaints.

Reality has fallen drastically short of promises. Despite paying $319.96 monthly since February 2024 on an $18,750.43 mortgage at 16.50% interest (plus $2,084 in credit card debt for the down payment), we've only managed to use the timeshare once in 12 months. The supposed hotel discounts are more expensive than booking through third-party sites—often $50 more per night for the same rooms.

Our 100,000 points proved insufficient for our needs, contrary to what was presented during the sales pitch. The promised international vacation options and cruise discounts turned out to be no better than standard rates. Availability has been extremely limited, forcing us to work around the resort's schedule rather than our own. Adding to our frustration, we've been plagued by scam calls from people claiming to be HICV representatives, attempting to exploit our membership. When we reported this to HICV, they offered no assistance. For anyone considering an HICV timeshare, I strongly advise against it. The high costs, limited availability, and misleading sales tactics make this investment far more burden than benefit. What was presented as an elite, cost-saving travel solution has become a financial strain with minimal practical value.

I let the sales representative know I was very stressed at the time and needed some time to think about that, but they let me know I did not have time to think about it and had to make a decision right then and made it out to be that we could not leave until we signed up for a timeshare. DO NOT AGREE TO PURCHASE A TIMESHARE OR EVEN ATTEND A PRESENTATION FOR THIS COMPANY!!!!

Diana ** and Jose **

Our 1.5-hour presentation quickly turned into an entire afternoon of negotiation. After being worn down from 5 hours of pressure and declining several offers, we felt defeated and reluctantly agreed to a proposal. We became confused about the number of points being included and ended up with less than we initially thought. Adding to a stressful situation, we were told the computers were down, and we’d have to wait an additional hour before we completed the process.

We were led to believe that we were purchasing property and an investment to share with, and eventually pass on to, our children. However, we were not informed that our children would be responsible for the ongoing and escalating maintenance fees. Additionally, we were told that the company had resorts in many locations, and when we specifically asked about Minnesota and North Carolina, where our children live, they assured us that they had resorts in both states. That was a complete lie!

We were also told about the numerous opportunities to use RCI and IHG, but the details of those programs were never fully explained to us, leaving us uncertain about how they worked. When we later tried to make reservations, we found that none of our top three choices were available. This has been a complete nightmare!

After two years of payments, we've discovered that most promised locations don't exist in their network, and our points aren't sufficient for the vacations we were promised. They also falsely claimed our dogs could stay at their properties, when in fact only service animals are allowed. These are just some of the things they have lied about. UNACCEPTABLE!! Save yourself the trouble and avoid their timeshare presentations. The product was completely misrepresented, and their sales tactics were manipulative and unethical. We're currently seeking contract cancellation due to these fraudulent practices so save yourself the trouble and do not give them your business.

My biggest regret is allowing the sales team to have me sign the contract without reading in detail the fees and extra charges. I’m telling you these people are so good at skipping this sort of information until you realize it’s too late for you to do anything about it. Do not allow their workers to sucker you into a timeshare. Fees are outrageous and they say their members are priority when booking reservations but there is nothing ever available when you want it. This company is fraud, and they should be shut down. Don’t even give them an ear and avoid them entirely. It’s much cheaper to save and travel rather than pay an outrageous amount of money for something that you can’t even use when desired.

The deception reached its peak when Fatima pitched a Diamond Club membership, promising 4 million points and significant benefits, including maintenance fee offsets and discounted hotel stays. Not only did these promises prove false, but we were explicitly instructed to withhold information during our closing meeting – a clear red flag. The final insult came when we discovered $19,200 in unexpected maintenance fees and only half the promised points.

Their business model appears to rely on misleading presentations, hidden fees, and unfulfilled promises. The sales team's tactics border on harassment, turning what should be relaxing vacations into stressful sales confrontations. After nearly two decades of membership, we've concluded that this company's practices are fundamentally dishonest and predatory. Potential customers should seriously reconsider any involvement with this organization.

After we attempted to legally cancel our contract through proper channels, sending cancellation letter via Fed-Ex, the resort has done nothing but dodge our legitimate request for termination and refund. They received our cancellation on 5/30/24 and have since stonewalled every attempt to resolve this issue, proving they care nothing for customers' rights or ethical business practices. To anyone considering a timeshare with Orange Lake Resorts: RUN!! Save yourselves the financial nightmare, emotional stress, and hours of frustration we've endured, this company is a predatory trap designed to steal your money and peace of mind with salespeople who will stop at nothing to make a sale!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

Initially, we were excited to hear that we could book hotels for just $69 for 3–4-night stays. As snowbirds, this could save us a lot. We made sure to ask our salesperson about this several times to make sure we understood correctly as this was the reason we were making this purchase. Unfortunately, we learned the hard way that this promise was NOT true.

On the odd occasion we actually got someone on the phone, we often find ourselves transferred multiple times. This is extremely frustrating, especially when we learned that the cost for using the clubs is far greater than us booking on our own. The salespeople told us that Holiday Inn Clubs were private and exclusive resorts that can only be used by members and owners. This is false. Anyone can book a stay there, regardless of whether they are a member.

We were also told that timeshare was an investment that we could leave to our children in our wills and that this real estate investment would gain equity and value. They did not tell us that our kids could get stuck with it, whether they wanted it or not. When we called to ask how much the maintenance fees would be, we were told that they DIDN'T KNOW but that we'd receive a bill in November, due in January. We still do not know how much we are responsible for. We were also never informed that these fees would increase annually or that our heirs would be responsible for them forever.

We made our purchase in February 2024, but didn't receive our contract until late August 2024. The salespeople made this timeshare sound like it is a little bit of paradise. WE HAVE FOUND OUR DEALINGS WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION TO BE DISHONEST, CONFUSING AND FRUSTRATING. Being in our golden years, we do not need this to be a burden.

Now we have filed complaint to attorney general and we got response from timeshare that due to our account being past due (just their fees) that they will send it to foreclosure or we need to file bankruptcy. This makes me livid and so mad. There needs to better way to get out of these and timeshare needs to be gone for their false advertising and pressure.

I've also faced some cleanliness issues at some resorts. For example, during a stay in Massachusetts, I found ants in the kitchen. This was uncomfortable and raised health concerns. Promptly addressing such issues should be a priority for any hospitality service, and the lack of action contributed to a negative experience. I even lent my timeshare to a friend who wasn't happy with the unit, which was embarrassing and disappointing. The quality needs to match certain standards; otherwise, it makes the timeshare investment seem pointless. The mix of rising fees, cleanliness issues, and safety concerns during the pandemic has left me really unhappy with my timeshare experience at Holiday Inn. I hope the company can improve transparency about costs, enhance cleaning protocols, and ensure all properties maintain a consistent quality. Investing in customer satisfaction will protect the brand's reputation and build lasting loyalty.

When we arrived, we quickly learned that this wasn’t the location of the Wolf’s Lodge waterpark, but rather the address for a Silverleaf property. We were then told that to receive the waterpark tickets we would need to sit through a sales presentation. Not at all what the agent represented when we agreed to the “free” tickets. The primary salesman we dealt with made ownership with Silverleaf sound like a dream, emphasizing that it was a sound investment and that it would benefit our family in the form of savings for future vacations. Everything that the salesperson told us sounded good, but we declined his offer. Instead of letting us leave though we were held for several hours and told that we needed to listen to everything to procure the tickets and receive our ID’s back from the check-in desk.

By the end of the day, we were so exhausted and hungry that we begrudgingly agreed to purchase a timeshare. We had asked for some time to think the offer over but were told that this would not be possible. The pressure was intense! Perhaps the most insidious claim though was being told we could sell back the timeshare to Silverleaf if we were dissatisfied with it. This gave us a false sense of security and forced us to lower our guard. It is unfathomable that none of these sales or contract employees would alert us of this crucial detail. In addition to those claims we were never told about our rescission period, which we certainly would have exercised shortly upon returning home. We have been utterly ripped off.

I have called corporate a number of times, was told someone would call me in one to two hours without that happening. My bank has given me proof of all these transactions and has shut that card down giving me another one. I have called the hotel a number of times the people had changed yet again in sales and the catering departments. Over the years we have had reunions with banquets all over the country and at various hotels without problems, our numbers have been more than 130 family members, never had a problem like this. We are working on our 2025 reunion Myrtle Beach and I can promise you, we shall never deal with a Holiday Inn establishment again!

Holiday Inn Club Vacations was not transparent with these critical details. Had we known, we would never have purchased something that could accumulate debt for our children, push us into financial trouble, or become an ongoing burden. The representative assured us that this "upgrade" would enhance our ability to make reservations and secure bookings at these "exclusive resorts." Additionally, we were told that we could rent out our unused points to make money. It seemed like they were trying to accommodate us, but the process felt rushed, especially with our children becoming restless. Multiple agents were brought over to explain the benefits and share convincing stories, which later turned out to be untrue. Needless to say, the upgrade did nothing to help the situation.

The Total Interest Percentage (TIP) was never disclosed to us, a critical piece of information that was conspicuously absent from our discussions and the documentation process. This lack of transparency is deceptive, to say the least. Furthermore, key product-related fees were omitted from our conversation, leading to unexpected financial burdens that we were not prepared to take on. These deceptive practices led us to make a commitment under false pretenses, without the necessary information needed to make an informed decision. As a direct result of being misled, we have never used the timeshare and have no intention of doing so. We feel deeply wronged by Holiday Inn Vacation Club employees and are seeking redress for the unethical and fraudulent practices we were subjected to by your employees.

After much negotiations, they agreed to a half price with payment then. I then received a confirmation for a different hotel not near the area we had originally booked. Upon talking to them, I was assured it was a "lovely hotel" even if not in a great/safe location. I was then given the offer of a different hotel in a worse location and farther from my destination. After much back and forth and the involvement of supervisors/managers (and "full transparency"), they were not able to get me a second room at the original location. They had stated they would refund my money paid for the second money, but it hasn't come through my bank yet. They agreed to cancel my reservation and refund the $199 originally paid. This is not customer service or integrity on the part of Holiday Inn. I'm very ashamed of their selling a "bill of goods" twice and not following through on their commitment. Shameful and a sham.

After enduring hours of relentless pressure, I finally gave in and agreed to purchase the timeshare. Exhausted and just wanting it to be over, I was taken to another office where the woman, who oversaw the contract signing, had me sign and initial numerous pages in about 15-20 minutes. The whole experience felt like a whirlwind, and I left with a stack of paperwork and lingering doubts. The costs seemed to keep accumulating with no end in sight. To date, I have spent thousands of dollars with virtually nothing to show for it. The annual fees keep increasing, and this entire experience has been both financially and emotionally draining. The sales presentations were overwhelming with so much information being communicated so quickly, while the contract signing was hurried and rushed. I feel trapped and deceived by the promises and tactics used to sell the timeshare.

We dealt with the manager at one point, who promised us very low prices and even said we could make money renting the timeshare. We talked to 3 different salespeople, each one with a different angle, just bombarding us with an overwhelming amount of information. We had already declined more than 4 times, but HIVC employees were not budging on their quest to find us a deal that would work for us. We got up at various points to leave but were physically stopped and told that the presentation was not over yet. This caused my condition to worsen and my symptoms to become more pronounced.

After more than 4 hours of being stuck in that room with them, we were coerced into signing a contract, hoping to escape the situation. Despite my attempts to cancel the contract within the stipulated period, my efforts were met with evasion and misinformation. After multiple failed attempts to get in touch with someone via telephone in South Carolina, by leaving messages requesting to cancel the contract, I decided to mail a cancellation letter to the address on the contract as well as the corporate address. I mailed both letters by certified mail through the USPS on August 28, 2023 (the 4th of 5 days of rescission per SC law) and they were ignored.

At the end of our first year, we had surplus points and had to pay a fee to bank them. Additionally, we discovered that even after paying to bank points, they were only valid for a limited time. The numbers discussed during the presentation were different from those we signed up for, resulting in a cost that tripled instead of doubled when we traded our one-bedroom for a three-bedroom. Critical aspects such as inflation were not adequately covered, and the promised exclusivity and priority booking were not honored. We were also misled into believing we could sell the timeshare after it was paid off. Additionally, we were signed up for an IHG credit card on the spot to cover the down payment, and many details of that transaction were unclear.

From the start, we informed the sales representative that our time was limited, and we were not interested in altering our original contract. When he asked why, we explained our dissatisfaction and concern about being trapped in the agreement despite the changes in policies promised when we were sold the timeshare. He quickly assured us that a new clause in the contracts allowed owners and beneficiaries to exit the agreement once it was paid off. However, he was misleading about the interest rates and maintenance fees we would incur and falsely claimed that the loan could easily be refinanced through our bank.

Out of frustration, we haven’t used the Holiday Inn Club Vacation services since signing the new contracts. Now that we’ve recently retired at 62, we are extremely disappointed to realize we were misled into upgrading and signing new contracts that did not honor the promises made. We are demanding that our contracts be terminated at once.

Our experience from the inception of our contract has been fraught with misinformation, high-pressure sales tactics, and a complete disregard for ethical conduct. We would be remiss if we did not highlight the fact that this experience has not only been financially draining but emotionally taxing as well. As a military veteran, I am appalled at the lack of respect and integrity shown by HIVC employees. We have demanded immediate action to rectify this situation, including a full refund of all monies paid towards the timeshare purchases, along with a release from all future obligations. Should these issues not be resolved to our satisfaction, we are prepared to take legal action, including reporting these practices to the appropriate consumer protection and veteran affairs agencies.

We never realized that we had been misled into believing that our timeshares were a secure investment. Even more shocking was the revelation that if our children inherited the burden of our timeshares upon our passing, they would be required to continue payments forever. Neither the Silverleaf nor Holiday Inn staff had ever communicated this to us. What started as a hopeful journey has turned into a complete nightmare for us. As such, we are asking the Executive Leadership to help us cancel this contract. HVIC staff told us, multiple times, that there were options for us to rid ourselves of our timeshare obligations and they should honor that promise.

The only booking we managed with our points was a disappointing stay in Vermont, far from the luxurious accommodation we were shown and promised was how all the resorts looked and were maintained. This experience has been nothing short of a nightmare for us. The deceitful practices and high-pressure sales tactics employed by Holiday Inn Vacation Club representatives have not only caused us significant financial strain but have also added unnecessary stress and emotional turmoil during an already challenging time in our lives.

Their claims that we were investing in real estate, that we would be able to travel anywhere with certain availability, and that we could use this timeshare to earn rental income highly influenced our decision to sign. They even told us that purchasing this timeshare would grant us exclusive access to theme parks, like Disney, all around the world. Unfortunately, all the claims made by your salespeople were completely fictitious.

Once we fully understood the extent of the misrepresentations, we reached out to the company. The response was shocking! We were told by an employee that they had reviewed our account and determined what options are available to us. “Per the active mortgage on your account, you would need to sell the contract for the balance still owed. Once you find a buyer, we can assist you with the title transfer. The title transfer can happen once the mortgage is paid off. Holiday Inn Club Vacations does not have an internal resale department or buy-back program, so as an alternative you may proceed with the following option which may help you. Be advised, this is only a suggestion we provide for owners to help them during this process. Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Incorporated is not affiliated with this company.” We are reading this as we are on the hook to a) pay off the mortgage only to or b) find another sucker to buy it off us. UNBELIEVABLE!

I called right away to make my reservation and was told there was a $400+ upgrade fee for this resort. An hour of my time wasted on this whole situation just to find another "bait and switch" tactic. I was even told by the reservationist that if they honored the pricing, they would not honor the $100 back at check-in as well as 20K points. I told them that if they did not honor the deal that I would expect a refund. But it still does not make up for the time taken and the hope that since the call was recorded and I did everything I needed to ensure that this deal was legit, just to get my hopes crushed.... Was this a way to honor me as a rewards member? SMH.... I feel so taken!

Bad business practices and by the way... Everyone in the reservations department insisted there was no complaints department or legal department this would go through, so I'm taking it to the public. They should know never to trust these deals no matter if they do everything right and ask all the right questions because IHG will never honor what their salespeople sold. I guess that is why they leave it open for 2 years, so they can say “oh, it no longer covers this hotel”, or “there’s an upgrade to stay here” or who knows what other “excuse” they will have to offer for “being such a loyal member”.

When we arrived, we were bombarded with aggressive and coercive sales tactics. They told us this “vacation package” would grant us the ability to travel to any Holiday Inn-affiliated hotel whenever we wanted. When we declined, we expected to be able to leave, but the employees would not allow us and continued with the pressure. We requested the night to think it over, but we were told that this deal would be gone tomorrow. After two more hours of negotiation, they finally allowed us the night to think over their offer.

The following day we agreed to purchase the least expensive package. Immediately we were met with a whirlwind of chaos. The first guy walked us through the benefits of this package, the second talked so fast that we could barely understand what he was saying, and the third quickly talked us through our contract. Luckily, we noticed that he was trying to sell us a different, more expensive contract, it was corrected immediately.

The salesmen led us to believe this was an investment in our family’s future and was the same as purchasing a vacation home. We were told that we would be able to receive access and discounts on Disney vacations. They failed to disclose our Total Interest %, and that our interest rate would be 1.599%, but in reality, our interest rate is 15.99%, which we never would have agreed to. They didn’t provide a public offering statement or tell us we could rescind our contract within a certain timeframe. We didn’t even receive copies of the contract documents until 5 months after we signed. We were severely misled regarding the total cost of this endeavor and were wholly taken advantage of.

Despite our reservations, the presentation continued, with multiple representatives and a video highlighting potential vacation spots. The final push came from a senior representative, who emphasized the benefits for our family, particularly the prospect of vacationing with our grandchildren. This notion was enticing, as the idea of providing such experiences for our family was appealing. The aggressive and deceptive sales tactics employed by the Holiday Inn sales team added significantly to our distressing experience. From the outset, the nature of the sales approach was overwhelmingly pushy, designed to pressure us into accepting deals without fully understanding the implications. Throughout the process, multiple salespeople ambushed us, each more insistent than the last, employing a variety of strategies aimed at wearing us down.

This relentless pressure was not only uncomfortable but also highly deceptive, as critical information regarding the financial commitments and limitations of the vacation package was completely omitted or glossed over. The sales team's approach was not just about making a sale; it was about pushing us into a decision through a barrage of persuasive tactics and misleading promises. This experience left us feeling misled and taken advantage of, quite different from the enjoyable vacation planning we had envisioned.

Led by a persuasive ** presenter, we were coerced into upgrading our membership despite our protests. Assurances of nominal monthly payments and the illusion of equity covering additional points masked the true cost, leaving us deceived and financially burdened. Critical information regarding total interest percentages and increased payments were withheld, compounding our frustration over continued booking difficulties. Ultimately, our experiences with Holiday Inn Club Vacations have been marred by deceptive practices and regrettable decisions.

Sales rep stated this was standard practice. Finance department for HICV is not allowed to contact Quality Assurance Department as they are separate entities. Multiply finance representatives expressed deep concern for my situation but only could provide a phone number to QA Department and is not able to make a phone call on behalf of a client. This company allows and employs sales reps that are dishonest, unethical and not working in the best interest of their clients. Repeat do not invest. Scam Alert.

We started with a unit for week 23 which worked for us. Later, during another vacation, we had our owners meeting and was presented with an opportunity to purchase another week, with the salesperson promising tickets to shows, dinners, vacations to other countries, so we purchased another week 6-11-2013. As time went on, making reservations at other locations that were owned by the company were very hard to book during the times we could take vacations. Places like Hawaii and locations in Europe were next to impossible to book. Fees continue to increase and vacation booking began to change….become harder to get locations of choice within the United States.

During another sales meeting we were told Orange lake would be going to a point system. We were excited as we were told that our properties would increase in value and would be easy to resell, which we found to be untrue. We became aware that the vacation home is in perpetuity and our children would have to take on responsibility of maintenance fees and other associated cost upon the death of my wife and I. We were never told our children would be responsible for the maintenance and other fees. There is no one in our family who can take on this debt!

We were led to believe that we had an investment that would have future value to us and our family. What we found is we can’t visit where we want and when we are able to travel. This is not an investment for us or our family. Any family member we have is not capable of taking on this ‘investment’ that has an ongoing cost in maintenance and fees into perpetuity.

They kept us in the dark with important information, such as the ever-increasing maintenance fees, as an example. We spent over $190,000 dollars and counting. We were sold this under false pretense and now were trying to figure out what to do to get out of this nightmare. Don’t buy a timeshare, you’ll end up paying more money than their product is worth. Save yourselves the trouble and save up for your vacations and purchase them online or through a travel agency. It isn’t worth paying an arm and leg for something you can only use every so often, if at best there is any availability.

When we purchased the timeshare, we were convinced and under the impression that we would not have a separate maintenance fee. We were sold the timeshare as if it private resort exclusive to owners, which turned out to be false. We were told that it was easy to sell should we decide, or we can no longer afford it or want it, but I came to find out that people don’t even want to buy the timeshare. I can’t travel anymore, and this has really affected me financially. I just want to help anyone who is considering buying a timeshare to think about it twice. We were promised so many benefits that ultimately were never received.

Empty Promises: Despite glossy brochures and convincing sales pitches promising a premier vacation experience, the actual offerings were a shadow of what was advertised. Promised amenities like exclusive pools, gourmet dining options, and special activities for children were either unavailable or grossly inadequate.

Scam-Like Sales Tactics: Our initial encounter was dominated by aggressive sales pitches disguised as a welcome meeting. What was supposed to be a brief introduction turned into hours of manipulative talks, pushing us towards upgrading our package under the threat of missing out on 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities.

Inadequate Services: The level of service provided was disappointing. For instance, the on-site restaurant was understaffed, leading to long waiting times and several meal disruptions. Promised daily housekeeping was sporadic, leaving our accommodations in less-than-ideal conditions throughout our stay.

Poorly Managed and Maintained Facilities: The condition of the facilities was a far cry from the polished images shown in their marketing materials. The fitness center featured several out-of-order machines, the pool area was often littered with uncollected towels and trash, and the guest rooms showed signs of neglect with peeling paint and malfunctioning appliances. This neglect not only disappointed but also raised concerns about the overall management's effectiveness.

Worst Customer Service: Customer service was notably subpar. Requests for basic services like extra bedding or maintenance to address a leaking air conditioner were met with delayed responses. Complaints were either ignored or passed around without resolution, creating a feeling of frustration and neglect among us as guests.

Conclusion: The Holiday Inn Vacation Club failed to fulfill its promises on almost every front. What was supposed to be a worry-free holiday option turned into a stress-filled ordeal, marked by inadequate services, poorly maintained facilities, and some of the worst customer service I have encountered in the hospitality industry.

Final Thoughts: I strongly advise against investing in a timeshare with Holiday Inn Vacation Club. Numerous other vacation options are available that genuinely value customer satisfaction and deliver on their promises. Thorough research and consideration of independent reviews are crucial before committing to any timeshare investment.

During the presentation, which turned out to be a timeshare presentation, the questions they asked were designed to manipulate my answers and coerce me into believing that their program was the best solution for my travel desires. The sales rep made grand promises about the benefits of the timeshare, such as staying in luxurious resorts and paying for everything I’d need for the vacation, including plane tickets and various gift cards, with points.

The presentation overwhelmed me and left me feeling uncertain about the details of the plan. Even after declining an offer several times, they continued to put on the pressure and come back with different offers. At one point, I mentioned that I had financial responsibilities as a result of my divorce, and they used that against me by telling me the timeshare was my ticket to taking life by the reigns and getting back in control and enjoying the world.

There was always a constant sense of urgency and pressure to make immediate decisions and an implication that if I didn’t take their offer, I was being stupid. This pressure made me feel uncomfortable and forced into making decisions that I later regretted. I trusted that they were trying to help me make this plan work for my situation. Instead, I was told what I wanted to hear, instead of the things that I needed to know. Overall, my experience has been a nightmare. The financial burden, the wasted time in presentations, the constant stress, and anxiety have taken a toll on my well-being. Learn from me, don’t take that free trip—that “free” trip was one of the worst decisions that I have ever made.

We were also told that we could sell our trips to make more money and that we would be receiving discounted rates for purchasing the timeshare. I never received anything we were promised and when I tried calling to cancel, I spoke to Alexandra ** who told me I was 3 days late to be able to cancel, they never even told us about a cancelation policy. They rushed us through signing and left out so much information, it’s ridiculous. We never used our timeshare because booking availability is nearly impossible. These people are criminals and should be held accountable for how they do business. DO NOT SIGN FOR A TIMESHARE!!! SAVE YOURSELF FROM A LIFETIME OF NEVER-ENDING PAYMENTS!!!

They told us that that we would be able to use our points to visit Nigeria, but in reality, this was not even an option to us. Additionally, we were told that we could sell or rent out our timeshare to cover some of the costs, this was also a lie. They failed to mention that the maintenance fees were forever and our kids would inherit that debt. We have already paid thousands of dollars into this, and we have been unable to book anything, even though we were told how easy it would be to book a vacation. To whoever reads this, don’t go to that free or discounted trip if you have to go to a sales presentation. That presentation is a trap and if you read other reviews, you will see how similar our stories are.

Throughout the presentation, our host emphasized the seemingly boundless benefits, repeatedly highlighting the absence of out-of-pocket expenses, making it clear that everything was covered by points. One of the sales representatives began by talking fast and incorporating industry-specific jargon that made no sense to us. We were not interested, and the salesman became rude. He and his boss together started pressuring us into signing up.

As they ratcheted up the pressure, they claimed these points would gain us access to Disney resorts and parks. They promised us Disney Gift cards in exchange for purchasing a timeshare although these gift cards were never received. The term “real estate investment” was used often during this 6-hour ordeal. They used that term to lead us to believe this would be a smart way to spend our money to retain and grow its value. They also espoused the massive availability of reservations, stating that we would have abundant options and would never have issue making reservations at any Holiday Inn with our points. This has been proven to be a lie, every time we have attempted to utilize these points there is virtually nothing available but there is inventory on 3rd party travel sites for non-owners. We are asking for this membership to be cancelled, we are not even asking for a refund of our hard-earned monies paid to date.

They thanked me for being a Platinum Elite Member since 1987 though many times during my multiple calls. In the end, me the customer took the financial hit. NEVER AGAIN WILL I STAY AT A HOLIDAY INN or ANY IHG PROPERTIES. This experience taught me a lesson, "There are way better choices to than IHG to stay on business or holiday."

We have tried to use this timeshare but have had little luck finding availability. If we found a room, we were forced to pay an enormous fee that reduced any form of cost savings. We are close to retirement age, and have worked so hard all our lives, and all we wanted was an affordable alternative to taking vacations! None of the benefits promised have been delivered on. We have written to the company demanding that our contract be ended and have heard nothing back. We continue to make payments while receiving nothing in return. Shame on you, Holiday Inn Vacation Club, for taking advantage of us and swindling us out of our hard-earned money.

Regrettably, these representations turned out to be far from the truth. From the initial presentation to the signing of the contract, it has felt like a fraud. Essential information about maintenance fees, resort fees, and limitations on vacation locations were not adequately disclosed. The pressure applied to make a quick decision left us feeling coerced, especially given our vulnerable state as parents, worried about our children in the hotel room. The misstatements and lies about the nature of the timeshare, coupled with the financial burden on our family, have had a lasting negative impact on our lives. We are still struggling with the repercussions of this decision. We are firm in our belief that these misrepresentations were deliberate in nature and seek relief immediately.

It was never made clear that we could independently book stays at Holiday Inn Club Resorts without the need for their membership. We were assured that our investment in Holiday Inn Club Vacations would control future vacation costs and could be deeded to our children if desired. However, the hidden fees associated with booking, exchanges, and maintenance were not explained, leaving us feeling deceived.

Furthermore, the potential for maintenance fees to rise over the years, with no clear limitations outlined in the contract, raises significant concerns for us. Accordingly, we have not utilized any vacation opportunities with Holiday Inn, and we do not intend to do so due to the financial strain it would place on us. The general cost comparatively is staggering; a stay in a 1-bedroom unit at the Smoky Mountains resort in March is $154 per night compared to 6,900 Holiday Inn Club points per night. I contacted Holiday Inn Club Vacations in early November 2023 seeking guidance on how to exit the contract, only to be informed that it was not possible. Truly, this feels like the makings of a lawsuit.

If you want to keep throwing your money away this is the definition of greed and corporate sleaze. The managers won't help you and keep telling you they can't do anything, there is no one there who will help you or try to be reasonable. It's like talking to a wall of indifference, I've never met such disappointing and useless staff who go out of their way to be rude and smug knowing they don't have to do anything to help. I will discourage every person I know and every person who I don't know who is looking for a vacation or hotel stay to avoid Holiday Inn, absolutely the worst worst worst program and hotel group on the planet without question and without comparison. The definition of corporate malfeasance, greed and corruption. Worst people on earth.

Misleading information about bonus points, the expiration of points, and unfulfilled promises of the Horizon cancellation service were sold to us. Our trust has been shattered. Discovering that the Orange Lake Resort's location did not offer the promised convenience for accessing Disney activities only added to the mounting disappointments, revealing a lack of transparency and honesty in the agreement. We want no association with this company, and we urge others to research before succumbing to their false promises. The emotional and financial strain has become unbearable, and we hope that Holiday Inn Resorts will honor the private request we sent them about a month ago.

Transitioning to their points system only added to the disappointment, failing to deliver the promised flexibility and availability. I am constantly pressured into purchasing more points and upgrades, making myself feel exploited and financially burdened.

In the end, I paid a substantial amount to Holiday Inn/Orange Lake Resort, only to be asked for more money for what turned out to be a scam. This experience has shattered my trust in the company, and I deserve better treatment and transparency. I truly hope that Holiday Inn takes accountability for their actions and undoes the problems their salespeople have created for me.

I arrived the next day to check out and found my room unsecured, Management had stuffed a piece of cardboard in between the lock and door frame so anyone could have walked in and stolen my things. And when I asked for the Manager, the ghetto desk clerk was very rude and unprofessional to me. Never got to speak to management (claimed they wasnt there) and STILL charged me for that night, even though I had no access to my room! As a Automation Engineer for a Big Three automotive manufacturer, which has a facility in the area, I will inform my HR department not to use this horrible chain for business lodging. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!!!

The lies and deceit from Holiday Inn Club Vacations are beyond comprehension. We were fed blatant falsehoods: the timeshare was touted as a sound real estate investment, but it turned out to be utterly worthless. We were promised a buy-back program if dissatisfied, yet that option mysteriously vanished when we sought it. The assurance of wide availability? Try booking anything – it's nearly impossible. We were rushed through the signing process, denied the right to cancel within the stipulated period, and misled about the possibility of renting out the timeshare for profit. Seven years have passed, and despite shelling out over $30,000, we haven't taken a single vacation due to the absurd restrictions and availability issues!

The last straw was discovering a clause that burdens our heirs with financial responsibilities after we're gone, a detail conveniently skipped during our transactions. Also, we were told we'd need to pay upfront in cash due to our Canadian debt ceiling or get our children to borrow & we pay, a shady workaround proposed by a senior salesman (Jose **). We refused to involve our children in such a dishonest scheme! The promise of our purchases appreciating in value turned out to be a sham. Holiday Inn timeshares are now being practically given away online (look for yourself), rendering our “investments” virtually worthless. And surprise, surprise, always a need for more points to accommodate our family's needs was conveniently left out during sales talks.

Despite "Diamond Elite" status, accessing desired amenities proved to be a challenge. Also glossed over, is the astronomical cost of the borrowing and of ongoing maintenance fees paid over 10-20 years. This future $ commitment and ALL other above crucial information is not CLEARLY disclosed by sales people or separate “Notary” (employee), raising serious concerns about sales practices. This isn’t an honest company, it’s a shame that they’re able to get away with lying, cheating (defrauding?) people out of their budget and/or retirement money. The US/Canadian Government(s) (police) need to get involved & have them investigated.

1. Profitable Rental Opportunity: I was told that as a timeshare owner, I would have the opportunity to rent my timeshare to friends, associates, or the general public, and this would be a lucrative venture. Sadly, the reality was quite different, as I have found it incredibly difficult to rent out my timeshare and make any significant profit.

2. Hidden Fees and Charges: The sales representatives assured me that there would be no hidden fees or additional charges when booking or reserving rooms. This could not be further from the truth. I've encountered numerous unexpected fees, from maintenance fees to booking fees, which have significantly increased the overall cost of ownership.

3. Guaranteed Availability for Owners: One of the most blatant misrepresentations was the promise of guaranteed availability for owners all year round. The reality is that securing reservations, especially during peak vacation times, has proven to be a frustrating and near-impossible task.

4. Insufficient Points for Desired Vacation: When I expressed interest in a Utah ski vacation, the salesperson assured me that the points I was purchasing were "more than enough" to book that vacation. It turned out that the points were nowhere close to enough, and I had to invest significantly more to make the trip a reality.

5. Buyback Program Misleading: Lastly, I was informed about a "buyback program" that would supposedly guarantee my satisfaction with the timeshare. However, the terms and conditions of this program were so convoluted and restrictive that it effectively proved to be nothing more than a false promise.

In conclusion, my experience with Holiday Inn Club Vacations has been very disappointing and disheartening. I would strongly caution anyone considering a timeshare to be extremely skeptical and to carefully examine all the fine print before making a commitment.

During the contract signing we were rushed through the review, and important financial information went undisclosed. For example, we were never informed of our rescission period, and I don’t recall receiving a public offering statement. Instead of being made aware of the total costs associated with the timeshare, we were just told that we were making a smart investment for our family. In the end, we purchased the timeshare for $2,600/year, and were told that this arrangement would be perfect for us to travel with. We did not even receive copies of the contract until 2 weeks later. By then we were outside of the rescission period. We have paid them thousands of dollars since 2021 and they have given us nothing in return. Holiday Inn fully took advantage of us and our lack of knowledge of timeshare schemes.

We left well after 6 pm. But when we tried to book trips, it was all a sham. Availability was always an issue. The "worldwide" promise was a lie. We're beyond disappointed. We feel conned and completely ripped off. We used our retirement fund for this mess! Had their staff been honest and told us about the cancellation period, we wouldn't be stuck. Treat customers fairly and transparently. It's unjust to make us pay for something we can't use or want! May our experience be a warning to everyone, do not engage with Holiday Inn, it’s a scam. They’re getting away with fraud and they should be investigated by the cops! Don’t let them take advantage of you. I can’t wait to see them be shut down for sales fraud. It’s obvious this is being done on a huge scale! ZERO STARS!

This is a warning to all: steer clear of Holiday Inn Vacation Club. We want nothing to do with this horrible company and we’re actively seeking to be released from the legal documents we signed. This was sold under false pretenses and Holiday Inn needs to come clean! This is a consistent scam they’re pulling on thousands of unsuspecting people. It’s very obvious that they are doing something illegal to sell timeshare points. Holiday Inn Club Vacations, where 'relaxation' feels more like a hostage situation and 'vacation' is just a fancy word for a never-ending sales pitch. We demand our money back and we refuse to continue to be taken advantage of by Holiday Inn!

I cannot begin to describe the severe impact this has had on our holiday plans, not to mention the emotional distress we have had to endure as a result of Holiday Inn Resorts' deplorable conduct. It is unacceptable that a company with such a large customer base would treat their patrons in such a callous and apathetic manner. I implore anyone who cares about quality customer service to avoid this establishment at all costs. The way they have treated us is a testament to their utter lack of professionalism and disregard for customer satisfaction. Do not make the same mistake we did - stay far away from Holiday Inn Resorts.

Eric and Tracy **

The quick contract signing with Lucinda ** added to my skepticism. Reality hit hard after the upgrade. Booking trips, especially to Greece and Hawaii, proved nearly impossible due to availability issues. Worse, the "Horizons" buyback program, promised as a safety net, doesn't exist. This experience shattered my trust in Holiday Inn. I'm deeply disappointed by their deceptive tactics and unfulfilled promises. Potential customers should be cautious, as my rights as a consumer were disregarded. If this isn't resolved promptly, I'll have to take further steps to protect those rights. Holiday Inn's practices have left me regretful and bitter.

The so-called benefits associated with this contract, such as wide-open availability, rental income, and tax benefits, were completely fabricated lies. The financial side of the deal was equally deceptive. We were kept in the dark and unaware of the true cost of the purchase over time. What truly shocked me was how your salespeople took advantage of my husband, a 69-year-old disabled veteran suffering from serious health issues, including memory loss and Lewy body dementia. It is deplorable that this company preys on people in such vulnerable states, all in the pursuit of profit. To make matters worse, the contract lacked any credible debt waiver for loss of life, despite my husband’s health condition.

The financial burden imposed by this deceitful contract is simply too much to bear. Hidden fees and ever-increasing payments have left us struggling to keep up. My cries for help have been ignored with no offers of a solution. I would strongly advise anyone considering a timeshare with Holiday Inn to stay far away to avoid being their next victim.

We could pass this on to family members as a gift. At no point did they tell us our heirs would be FORCED to take over the contract and pay the remainder of whatever fees Holiday Inn decides to make up.

There is no feeling in the world like getting scammed, so if you don’t want the same feeling steer clear of Holiday Inn.

We have been paying for this contract for over a decade and have not received any of the promised benefits. We have never taken a single vacation. If there was ever any mention of having to book 6-12 months in advance, we’d never have done this. Our work schedules alone make that impossible. In the last 11 years, we have paid well over $30,000 for nothing! We feel deceived and manipulated and want to end our relationship with Holiday Inn and Orange Lake.

Despite declining several times, we were coerced with false promises of profitability and belittled for not providing our children with extensive Disney vacations! The constant ringing of a bell and fabricated urgency further manipulated us. All smoke and mirrors with Holiday Inn. The reality of our timeshare ownership didn't align with the promises, at all. Booking vacations became a nightmare of insufficient points, forcing us to purchase more points repeatedly. The pandemic worsened the situation. Despite being assured of “deeded property”, we couldn't stay anywhere during Covid while still making payments. When travel restrictions eased, the resorts were either inaccessible or drastically deteriorated. The once-reputable brand of Holiday Inn has been tarnished by their lack of honesty and decency. I urge anyone considering a Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare to beware and avoid this heart-wrenching and financially draining experience.

The pressure to make a purchase intensified with more than 2 persons joining the pitch. I was shown a villa but the actual resort I stayed at was far from what was advertised & resembled something you could book online for $79.00 a night. To add insult to injury I was not allowed access to the entire resort area amenities. My stay was underwhelming and fell far short of what was advertised. Attempts to seek clarification & resolution were met with deaf ears. A paid new owner orientation intended to shed light on my purchase was abruptly cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances due to the pandemic. The lack of transparency became evident when I discovered the exorbitant mortgage payment of nearly $300 a month & over $900 annual maintenance fees.

Holiday Inn Resorts timeshares has been marred by misleading sales tactics, unfulfilled promises & a significant disparity between what was advertised and what was delivered. I strongly advise potential buyers to approach these timeshares with caution and conduct thorough research before committing to any agreements. You're better off at a regular hotel! This isn't the investment they described..,This is an expensive RIP OFF!!!

We finally did some research only to find how their "2 hour" sales pitch turns into an entire day being effectively held hostage until you pay your own ransom by buying a timeshare. I'll note here that in their original sales call for the vacation package they made a big deal out of how you're supposed to get paid for the tour, because what actually happens is they won't pay you until you sign up. After having our entire package "accidentally" modified to a different week at a different location, we had had enough and canceled the trip.

When I called to cancel, the agent tried to slip an additional "rebooking fee" into the cancellation because he assumed I'd be rescheduling the trip. After I said to cancel the package multiple times. Please be very cautious with this predatory company. Their entire business is built on one of the worst industries already as a timeshare company, but their sales agents are all awful as well. I really can’t tell if their agents are stupid, or really that monstrous. Do not get suckered in; avoid at all costs.

So, when I go to make the Reservation at the Cape Canaveral Beach Resort I am told that I will need to pay an additional $399.01. When I question why I need to pay more, I am told because the initial $249 is only good for a reservation at the Hotel, NOT the Resort. I then say “If you are trying to sell me the Resort, why would you put me in a Hotel?” The response was dumbfounding! “We will take you to the Resort and do a tour to show you the facility” I decide to stay at the Resort for the additional $399.01 thinking when I get the $149 back at the presentation it will still be worth it, as it would cost me about $500 for a mini vacation.

The day I was scheduled to hear the Marketing Presentation I receive a phone call telling me that because of where I live I am not eligible to participate in the HICV program. I was both thankful and relieved as after staying at the resort I would never go to another Holiday Inn Resort and neither should you. After being at Disney and Sheraton Resorts, Holiday Inn is so inferior to other properties that I could never imagine going back. In the end it was a $650 expense, but it wasn’t worth it. From the outset it was a lie since they had no intention of putting me in a Resort. I am just happy I am done with them!

They said that this would pay for itself, and it’s incredibly easy to sell points, none of which is true. They also failed to inform me that the maintenance fees would increase yearly, so how is it even legal to withhold so much important information? I want my contract CANCELLED like yesterday. I want nothing to do with Holiday Inn Vacations Club, and I will never use a property owned by them again!!

Then the problem started that we should be and would not want to hear no. He was completely ignoring my wife’s and my reasoning at all. Just told what do you expect being invited to a sales meeting. We told him we work with a professional sales organization. But he kept going on and we left, we felt sorry for person that did the introduction and wanted to write review for her. That was denied including the promised gift etc. Because we should listen more to him. So we told where to put the gift and went for nice late lunch after 3 hours. Never go or participate in any of that club vacations and even thinking to cancel my 20+ years with IHG.

I’ll tell you why…so they can use YOUR points that YOU paid with YOUR money so they can rent them out online to every travel website and take OTHER people’s money. One thing I have learned about Holiday Inn since being an owner with them is that they will do anything and say anything to get a sale. Be warned and avoid them like the plague!

Instead of respecting our decision, the sales team continued to push us, offering lower prices, and making false promises about building our credit and profiting from real estate. After hours of intense pressure and manipulation, we reluctantly signed a contract, thinking it would be a cost-effective way to vacation. Little did we know that our troubles were just beginning.

We soon discovered that the availability of dates, locations, and points was extremely limited. The promised flexibility and options turned out to be a mirage. Desperate to salvage something from this debacle, we ended up paying a fee to transfer our points to IHG, but we lost a significant portion of their value in the process. Throughout the year, we were forced to pay for vacations out of pocket because our timeshare proved to be utterly useless. The financial burden keeps piling up with monthly payments, maintenance fees, and hidden membership fees!

To add insult to injury, when we attended what we were told was a member update, the meeting was just another round of sales pitches and false assurances. We were coerced into signing another contract, with no transparency about the total cost after years of interest and fees. The promised benefits never materialized, and our points fell short once again, leaving us feeling betrayed and deceived. Every attempt to get this resolved has led nowhere. This whole experience has caused immense stress and negatively impacted our mental health. Holiday Inn Club Vacations: Where dreams of affordable vacations go to be crushed by pushy salespeople and disappearing points!

We were told the resorts were private but later found that we could book units for much less than it costs us as “owner” on dates and at locations that were not even available through our ownership. We have had this thing for 7 years and have only been successful in getting reservations with our points 2 times, yet we try many times each year only to be told nothing is available. Their customer service is non-existent, and they have totally ignored our requests to make this right. Holiday Inn is not a company to be trusted!

During this meeting, they attempted to sell us many packages, including one that cost more than both of our salaries combined. Absolutely ridiculous. Since they were not taking no for an answer and will not let us go until we had purchased something, we decided to pursue this real estate investment. We were told our purchase would let us vacation 4 weeks per year, that we could use it at any resort in the United States, and even exchange our points through RCI to travel internationally. To our surprise, it was all bald-faced lies, from a shady company that employs shady people.

We were never informed of our legal right to rescind the contract or given a public offering statement, which is necessary for a “real estate” transaction. To add insult to injury, the maintenance fees have continued to rise despite our inability to utilize the timeshare. We have tried to sell back our membership but have discovered it's not possible. We have demanded the immediate termination of our contract! This company seems to have mastered the art of selling phony timeshares, they promise vacations around the world but deliver disappointment and an empty wallet! They don’t deserve a single star rating - in fact, they should be given a rating of negative five!!!

They boasted that access to Disney World would be an ownership perk and we could rent out the unit for extra income. These were all lies! It was all just a marketing ploy. After hours of intense pressure to make a purchase, we caved and bought the smallest package available. We immediately regretted our decision and tried to cancel, but unfortunately, the sales manager and quality assurance officer were nowhere to be found. We made dozens of calls and sent countless emails, but they ignored us. For nine years, we've been stuck with this timeshare, paying outrageous hidden fees.

We've attended numerous "owner update" meetings, which are just high-pressure sales pitches in disguise. It's been a constant reminder that we were defrauded and taken advantage of. If you ever encounter anyone from Holiday Inn, I urge you to walk away and never look back. Do not fall for their timeshare scam. Save your money and spend it on a real vacation, not a nightmare that lasts for years!

On top of this, Holiday Inn Club has been constantly changing the rules without informing us. We can only stay at one resort unless we pay extra fees, never had to do this before, promised anywhere in the world essentially. Now not true!!! We just want to get out of our timeshare as soon as possible and discourage anyone from buying one - it is simply not worth it! The amount of money and time my family has wasted on this purchase is devastating. Please take my advice and avoid a timeshare purchase with Holiday Inn Club. It has been an incredibly frustrating experience and we wish that we had never entered into the purchase agreement in the first place. We hope this review will help others save their money and steer clear of this awful experience!

vacation stay were too few for what we had to pay. All the requested items weren't available when we stayed, we couldn’t even get a basic hotel crib. The resort amenities were not even open or accessible. What is the point in buying into a vacation spot if it is nothing more than a dingy dirty room? Plus, their timeshare was way too expensive for the poor quality that they offered - it wasn't luxurious, easy, or affordable at all.

We are so fed up with our experience at Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and we can't recommend them to anyone. Stay away from this place if you want a pleasant vacation experience! It's just not worth it. We don't have anything good to say or good memories of our stay at Holiday Inn Club Vacations; it was nothing but lies and disappointment. Don't be fooled by their false promises – you deserve better. Avoid Holiday Inn Club Vacations all costs!

Eventually, I found that everything I was told was completely fabricated. The option to refinance for a better interest rate is non-existent. No bank will even CONSIDER refinancing a timeshare. Now, I am stuck with nearly $70,000 in debt, rather than the $36,000 purchase price I agreed to. Then there was the potential to MAKE money by renting or selling my points. Again, untrue. There is no way that this is an investment as the salespeople claimed. All of this MIGHT be tolerable, except I cannot even use the points! Availability is extremely scarce. The main place that intrigued me was Panama City Beach, FL, yet I have never been able to secure a reservation there, no matter how hard I try. I am tired of dishing out money and getting nothing in return. If any other type of company had this business model, they’d be shut down!

On top of that, using Interval International or RCI was a nightmare. It was more complicated than solving a Rubik's cube blindfolded! And even after all the hassle, we found that their timeshare actually cost more than if we booked online. It's a complete rip-off! What's worse is that there is never anything available when we need it to be. What's the point of having a timeshare if we can't even use it when we need it the most? We feel completely cheated and want nothing more to do with Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Overall, we are extremely dissatisfied with our experience with this company. They made promises they couldn't keep and we demand to be released from our contract immediately. Do not fall for their smooth talking and false promises. Stay away from Holiday Inn Club Vacations!

The Holiday Inn Club Vacations does not have your best interest and they would stick you with as many mortgages as they could sell to you. I decided to give back my timeshare and in exchange for doing that, they reported a foreclosure on my credit report. My account went into Nov 2018 and according to the Nevada law, will remain on my report until Nov 2025. My timeshare was resold according to the Nevada court records. Holiday Inn Club Vacations I would not recommend at all. If you buy a timeshare, this debt could carry over to your beneficiaries if you pass.