The IHG Point Breaks list for Q3 2017 has just come out for Q3 2017. You can always access the current map and list of IHG Point Breaks hotels that PWaC keeps updated:

Current IHG Point Breaks map and sortable table (Updated July 28th 2017 for Q3)

If you’re not familiar with Point Breaks, it is a quarterly list of about 100 hotels that go on “sale” by IHG for only 5,000 points per night! However, inventory at these reduced prices is limited, so if you want to take advantage of Point Breaks, make sure you book on Monday, July 31, the day it opens! Booking typically goes live about noon EST. The best hotels typically sell out *very* quickly.

After looking over the list, I’ve come up with a few hotels that stand out to me. It’s rare that any *really* nice hotels are on the list, but there is typically one InterContinental or Hotel Indigo, and maybe a few Crowne Plaza hotels on the list. The rest are lower tier IHG brands, many of which are airport or freeway hotels in the U.S. BUT…there are often a few great options that may fit into your travel plans. Here are 7 of the better ones I’ve identified:

Intercontinental Bandung Dago Pakar

This makes the list simply for being the only Intercontinental hotel available during this Point Breaks. Any InterContinental is a steal at 5,000 points. Cash rates actually start at only $60 or so before taxes, so you *are* getting a deal, just not an insane one. Indonesia is a very cheap country to visit in general.

I have no idea what else there is to do or see in Bandung. But if you’re in to chasing cheap 5-star hotel stays, this one is for you. 🙂

Holiday Inn Express London Croydon

It’s cool to see a London hotel on the Point Breaks list, as London is generally one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit. The Holiday Inn Express London Croydon typically goes for about £50, or 25,000 IHG points, so 5,000 points is definitely a deal.

The hotel is a decent distance from the city centre, but you have easy access to the Overground at the West Croydon station, which is a 5 minute walk from the hotel. You can be in the heart of London within an hour.

Holiday Inn Sacramento Rancho Cordova

As a native Californian, I can tell you that basically any hotel in California on Point Breaks will be a deal. Prices are generally high across the board. The Holiday Inn Rancho Cordova typically goes for about $100 per night, so you’ll be getting 2 cents per IHG point, which is fantastic. Typical points rates aren’t terrible at 15,000 points per night.

Although there isn’t a lot right near the hotel to do and see, you’re within driving distance of a number of places. South Lake Tahoe is only a little over an hour away. Or maybe go rafting on the American River. Or take a drive along historic Highway 49 through Gold Country. Dan recently visited California with his whole family (SEE: How a family of 8 went to California for a week for under $600).

Crowne Plaza Asuncion

One of the more interesting options to me in the southern hemisphere is the Crowne Plaza Asuncion. Come enjoy a nice hotel in the heart of the Paraguayan capital for cheap. Cash rates normally start about $80, and normal rewards nights start at 20,000 IHG points.

I figured this might be a good option for visiting Iguazu Falls, but it turns out that Asuncion is a bit further away from Iguazu than I imagined. The drive is about 5 hours. Still, it would be easy enough to plan a trip to visit both Asuncion and the Falls.

Crowne Plaza Annapolis

If you’re interested in visiting the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Point Breaks has you covered. You can stay close to Annapolis for a mere 5,000 points per night. Cash rates at the Crowne Plaza typically run over $100 per night before taxes.

Washington D.C. is also still within an easy day drive, as is Baltimore. You could also consider taking a longer adventure and drive out to Cape May over in New Jersey.

Holiday Inn Express Puerto Montt – Patagonia

This is another interesting option in South America. Patagonia is on my list of places to visit, but getting there can be a bit difficult. Puerto Montt is the jumping off point for many of the flights and tours that head south into the spectacular parks of the southern Andes.

It’s doubtful that you’d need to spend more than a night or two in Puerto Montt during a trip to Patagonia, but at least Point Breaks has you covered!

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Swansea

The Holiday Inn Express and Suites Swansea is a great option if you want to visit New England this autumn. The hotel normally runs over $100 per night, so it is a great use of 5,000 IHG points. It is within easy driving distance of Providence, Cape Cod, and even Boston.

Out of all the domestic Point Breaks hotels that I’m eyeing for a trip, this one is high on the list.

Conclusion

Nothing really stood out to me this time that would be worth planning a trip around. There are definitely some great deals on the list, but nothing that is both that perfect intersection of fantastic deal *and* perfect location/destination. If I had plans to go to London, I’d be all over the HIE there. The options in Asia and the Pacific are terrible this year, with the exception of the Intercontinental. In my opinion, South America got a bit of love with a couple interesting choices. Europe is pretty meh (except for the London option).

Honestly, I find that one of the best uses is for one night airport and/or road trip stays in the U.S., if your travels are taking you anywhere near one of the many domestic hotels listed.

Hope you can make good use of Point Breaks this quarter!

Lake Tahoe image courtesy of Michael under CC 2.0 license. Intercontinental image courtesy of hotel website. 

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