I've looked at their website, but am still unsure if they have a property in the Cotswolds. Bath is another option. Am looking to cash in some points. One of their country club properties would be wonderful. Any suggestions?

This is the first post that caused me to laugh out loud in a long time. I suppose the Marriott properties in Leamington Spa or Swindon could be considered close to the Cotswolds. And Bristol is under10 miles from Bath.

I wonder how much Flanneruk would enjoy a Marriott in his Cotswold village?

It all depends on how far you consider the Cotswolds stretches to. Technically, the Cotswolds stretches from near Bath, up to where most tourists visit, ie. Stow on wold,etc.
I to couldn't imagine a Marriott Hotel in the Cotswolds also, its just not proper. Perhaps there might be an "old" hotel, now under Marriott ownership.

>I to couldn't imagine a Marriott Hotel in the Cotswolds also, its just not proper.<

Hmmm...there's a Travel Lodge right off the top of the high street in Burford. Right behind the Little Chef. Not that I'd recommend it.

luvtotravel, There's a Marriott property in Swindon although I have no idea what it's like. Swindon wouldn't be a bad place to base yourself for the Cotswolds if the lodging is free. Maybe 45 minutes drive?

I remember when that Little Chef was a Happy Eater. Until John Major bragged about eating in one and they went bust on the bad publicity!

Well, Ron, I'm glad I was able to give you a laugh. Laughing is good for all of us, and I appreciate any opportunity myself.

Some of the Marriott properties are converted manor houses. I just thought maybe there would be one in the Cotswolds.

Thanks, all, for the advice.

It's not that we wouldn't have Marriott (a bit of professionalism would be very welcome indeed in my local hotels) but that Marriott won't have us.

We simply don't allow new hotel development on the scale (100+ bedrooms) that Marriott needs for its models to work, and there are very few 'olde worlde' houses with that many bedrooms they could buy - but they all come with enough planning restrictions to make Marriott run a couple of thousand miles

Incidentally, although both Swindon and Leamington are only 45 mins drive away from all those towns with multi-barrelled names, both these Marriotts are in, and surrounded by, quite extensive (mostly LegoLand) new building. Much of the drive into the Cotswold proper from them is through miles of regional headquarters, call centres and all the other charms of post-industrial Britain.

Not at all the same experience as walking out of your hotel doorway and into a medieval High Street full of honey-coloured stone buildings.

But I'd say the drive from the Leamington hotel (which is on the convenient side of the town) would be less ugly than the crawl round Swindon's ring road system from the hotel (which is on the wrong side of Swindon for the Cotswolds) .

I second flanneruk's recommendation. If one must use Marriott, then Leamington Spa would be much, MUCH better than Swindon.

But if you are saving a lot by using Marriott points in London, spend a little of that savings on a nice B&B or inn actually IN the Cotswolds . . . . .