Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island, an IHG Hotel

The honest review

Here's the honest take: Holiday Inn Resort Catalina Island is exactly what the FamilyFactor numbers suggest—a B-plus property that doesn't pretend to be luxury and doesn't fumble the basics either. Kid amenities and rooms both score 72, which means you're getting pools, activities, and family-size sleeping arrangements, but they're not going to feel like the draw. What actually moves the needle is location (74)—you're on Catalina, which means the island itself is your best amenity, and that matters way more than whatever's happening on resort grounds.

The price-to-value equation is worth the math. At the $$ tier on an island destination like Catalina, you're not paying premium prices, which counts for something. Pricing scores 69—a bit tight, but realistic given where you're staying. Safety and location round out the stronger scores (both 74), so you're not worried about your kids running around, and the property's positioned well to get onto the water or into town.

Here's the tradeoff: parent recovery is the soft spot (69), and it shows. You're not getting a spa, a quiet bar scene, or much in the way of adult-only space. This is a property built around keeping kids occupied, not giving parents a break. If you're bringing grandparents or rotating childcare, that's fine. If you're banking on sneaking away for a massage while the kids are entertained, you'll be disappointed.

It's the right pick for families with elementary-age kids or tweens who want to be outside anyway, and for multi-gen trips where the resort is a base camp, not the destination itself. Don't expect Four Seasons polish or a kids-club that runs dawn to dusk. Expect a clean, functional resort where you'll spend minimal time indoors.