Hotel Hell Vacation

"The Griswolds are back, but they're not staying."

2010 0h 14m EN

💀

4.8

SKIP

★4.8TMDB · 11

Comedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Clark and Ellen Griswold embark on a trip to visit their son Rusty and his family, but along the way, Clark has planned a romantic getaway where everything turns to disaster.

“The Griswolds are back, but they're not staying.”

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Cast

Chevy Chase
Clark Griswold
Beverly D'Angelo
Ellen Griswold
Travis Greer
Rusty Griswold
Meade Nichol
"Hot Girl"
James Hyde
Motivational Speaker
Seth Kirschner
Valet
Bruce Fine
Claude
Robert Stephenson
Front Desk Receptionist

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Bryan Buckley
Languages: English

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 14-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 16 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo and Travis Greer carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "The Griswolds are back, but they're not staying.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt1600409 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 11 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Bryan Buckley directs. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 14-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 16 years ago.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo and Travis Greer carry the top of the cast.
5Marketing tagline: "The Griswolds are back, but they're not staying.".
6IMDB entry: tt1600409 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 11 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Runtime: 14 min · 0h 14m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: Hotel Hell Vacation (2010)

Also by

Bryan Buckley

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

TheFilmCritics.org2026-08-20
★ 3/10
Some vacations are meant to create memories while others simply remind you why skipping the trip might have been the better option. Vacation Hotel Hell attempts to recapture the charm of the familiar National Lampoon’s Vacation comedy franchise, but this short reunion feels more like a promotional detour than a worthwhile return. The biggest positive is seeing Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo reprise their roles as Clark and Ellen Griswold after 13 years. Watching these familiar characters interact in recognizable situations does provide a small dose of nostalgia, and fans may enjoy the novelty of seeing them back in action. The brief runtime is also a mercy — at only 14 minutes, even viewers who find little to enjoy will not have to endure the experience for long. While Rusty Griswold also makes an appearance, there is an obvious absence of Audrey Griswold, leaving the family reunion feel incomplete. While some jokes do land, others play out like scenarios that feel more like recycled ideas than fresh comedy. A short format can work well for sketches, but the traditional vacation formula depends on buildup, escalating chaos, and a satisfying payoff — elements that are almost impossible to achieve in a short 14 minute format. The production itself raises plenty of questions, especially considering the short had a reported $2.5 million budget. The obvious green-screen on the beach, and lack of visual polish make it difficult to see where the money went. Instead of feeling like a memorable mini-movie, the project often resembles its true purpose: an extended commercial for private vacation rentals over traditional hotels. Ultimately, Vacation Hotel Hell is less a genuine continuation and more a thinly disguised advertisement. While the cast reunion provides a brief spark of nostalgia, there is little reason for anyone beyond absolutely dedicated fans of the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise to seek it out. It is a vacation that ends before it begins, and that may be its greatest saving grace.

Production companies