The great thing about IHG’s Category 6 is that lots of Holiday Inn Club Vacation properties start to appear on the list. At 35,000 points per night, these properties are a great value for families. There are also instances where Intercontinental hotels are outranked by Hotel Indigo and Crowne Plaza hotels, which makes you really think twice about going straight for the Intercontinental hotels on the IHG PointBreaks list. Here are the best redemptions for Category 6:
- Best Category 1 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Best Category 2 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Category 3 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Best Category 4 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Best Category 5 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Category 7 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Best Category 8 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
- Best Category 9 IHG Rewards Club Hotels
North America
West Coast
Holiday Inn Express Monterey – Cannery Row (Monterey, CA)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: Guests who book a standard King room get a ton of freebies: Free local calls, internet, daily buffet breakfast, and snacks/drinks at the daily cocktail hour.
Location: If you’re not staying at the upscale Intercontinental Cannery Row, this hotel is a great secondary option in the same area at 35,000 points per night. The Holiday Inn Express is just a block from Cannery Row, within walking distance of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The 17 Mile Drive is pretty overrated, but if you want to experience it for yourself, the starting point is just 3 miles from the hotel.
Honorable Mention:
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
- Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort Hotel
East Coast
Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square (New York City, New York)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: A standard award gets you into a nonsmoking leisure room with either a King or Double bed. The rooms are in much better condition than the other Category 6 properties in the city, with ergonomic chair accompanying the work desk. The room also comes equipped with an easy chair and ottoman for extra comfort.
The Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square is close to Times Square, which for some folks is reason to avoid it. If you want the tourist experience, this is a good base to do it from. You can walk to the Empire State Building, Broadway, and a bit further out, Central Park.
Honorable Mention:
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations Ascutney Mountain Resort
- Holiday Inn Express NYC – Madison Square Garden
- Candlewood Suites New York City Times Square
- Holiday Inn Express New York City Fifth Ave
- Holiday Inn NYC – Manhattan 6th Avenue – Chelsea
Midwest
Holiday Inn Chicago – Mart Plaza (Chicago, IL)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: The Holiday Inn Mart Plaza recently underwent a $20 million renovation, resulting in sleek new rooms with contemporary furniture. Standard rooms feature views of the city.
Location: The hotel is located in the River North area of downtown Chicago, just a mile from Millenium Park, the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier and other notable attractions.
Honorable Mention: Hotel Indigo Chicago Downtown
South
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Gatlinburg – Smoky Mountain (Gatlinburg, TN)
Source: Hotel Website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: A standard award is a bargain at 35,000 points per night. Guests get a 1-bedroom villa with a King bed and sofa bed, which sleeps up to 4 guests. Each room also has a private patio, where you can take in the stunning scenery. This resort is designed for families, with a kitchen, a living room with a fireplace, and washer/dryer.
Location: The resort is located near Smoky Mountains National Park, allowing you to explore the park during the day and enjoy the comforts of a resort at night – perfect if you want to experience the great outdoors without having to pitch a tent.
There is no shortage of amusement parks and family activities in the area. Head to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park, which is open year round. Thrill seekers can take a tour of The Mysterious Mansion. If you’re renting a car, you can head to the most famous of amusement parks in the area: Dollywood is just 6 miles up the road.
Honorable Mention:
- Holiday Inn Express Savannah – Historic District
- Hotel Indigo Nashville
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orlando – Orange Lake Resort
- Holiday Inn Club Vacations Myrtle Beach – South Beach
Europe
Western Europe
Intercontinental Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #21 Top 25 Hotels for Romance – Hungary
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #23 Top 25 Hotels in Hungary
Accommodations: Classic standard rooms have a King bed and include complimentary tea and coffee. Guests also have access to a pillow menu.
Location: The hotel’s location is ideal for sightseeing. Within seven miles of the Intercontinental, you’ll find Buda Castle, Hospital in the Rock, Momento Park, Széchenyi Thermal Bath and other attractions.
Honorable Mention:
Eastern Europe
Intercontinental Warsaw (Warsaw, Poland)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #4 Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Poland
- Traveler’s Choice 2014: #4 Top 25 Hotels in Poland
- Tripadvisor #1 Hotel in Warsaw
Accommodations: Standard rooms are located on floors 22 to 33 and offer views of the city. Bathrooms have separate baths and walk-in showers. Rooms are spacious at 365 sqft and guests get complimentary tea and coffee. The hotel gets high marks for overall room comfort, service, and location.
Location: The Intercontinental Warsaw is one of the tallest buildings in the city, located in the financial district across from the Palace of Culture and Science, and close to Old Town Warsaw.
Honorable Mention: Intercontinental Moscow
Mediterranean
Holiday Inn Paris – Notre Dame (Paris, France)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: Guests booking a standard award can choose between a Leisure room with a Queen bed or two Twin beds. This eco-friendly hotel was a former government building, though you wouldn’t know it from the vibrant and contemporary interior design. Notable for a Holiday Inn property, the hotel offers guests a pillow menu.
Location: The hotel gets praise for its location, steps from Notre Dame Cathedral as well as a short walk from the Saint Michel Metro station, making it easy to get around the city and explore it’s most famous sights.
Honorable Mention:
Asia
Intercontinental Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand)
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: Guests can choose between a 484 sqft Standard or Deluxe room. Deluxe rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the city. The room comes equipped with a writing desk, a seating area, a 50 inch LCD TV, iPod docking station, and other amenities. The marble bathroom has a separate shower and tub.
Location: The Intercontinental Bangkok is in the Ratchaprasong District of the city, close to Sukhumvit Road. You’ll find several shopping malls within walking distance and Lumpini Park two miles away. The hotel is 16 miles from Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is easily accessible thanks to a nearby Skytrain station.
Honorable Mention:
- Intercontinental Shenzhen
- Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre (Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice 2014: #15 Top 25 Asia Hotels for Families)
Intercontinental Bali Resort (Bali, Indonesia)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions:
- Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
- Triapdvisor #7 Hotel in Jimbaran
Accommodations: A standard award gets you in into a 527 sqft Resort Classic room with a private terrace overlooking the gardens. Rooms are beautifully outfitted with hand-crafted furniture, hardwood floors, and traditional Balinese artwork. Guests get access to daily tea, coffee, and bottled mineral water provisions. The bathroom has a separate shower and tub, and is stocked with Agraria amenities. All guests get complimentary access to wifi, the on-site fitness center, and use of the Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room at the spa.
Location: The hotel is located in Jimbaran Bay, surrounded by other upscale resorts, and just five miles from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Honorable Mention:
Pacific
Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach – Sydney (Sydney, Australia)
Source: Hotel website
Distinctions: Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013
Accommodations: A standard award gets you into a room with either a King or two Double beds with views of Coogee Village. The rooms are decorated in a mix of neutral and vibrant colors reflective of the scenery outside the hotel.
Location: The hotel has a vibrant location just steps from Coogee Beach, where guests can go surfing, snorkeling, or take a whale watching tour during the right season. The world famous Bondi Beach is just under two miles away, along with the Westfield shopping center. Even tourist attractions like the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, and the city’s shopping district are a mere 5 miles away.
Honorable Mention:
Thoughts or questions about this list? Please share in the comment section.
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check out ic osaka. new hotel that opened last year where i stayed. i’m amazed it’s a cat6 35k property. it’s cat9 50k worthy, relative to some other ic hotels in that same level.