Yes, Starwood definitely has many more "exotic locales" than Marriott.

Besides who would want to travel halfway around the world.... to end up in a Marriott Courtyard? Eww...

But in all seriousness, if you take a look at any of the remote locations you are looking at going... I bet that Starwood would have a property there. And most likely in a more ideal location than Marriott.

My current point strategy is to rack up enough points, so that when we go on vacation in a foreign country we're paying with all points (or cash & points) -- and therefore, don't have to worry about the foreign transaction % fee (or worry less).