Location
As with the Northampton Hilton - the hotel is located just off the dual carrageway ring road.

It's about 10 minutes walk to the Brackmills industrial estate/business park which houses the offices of Barclaycard - this is the main reason that most people are staying in the hotel - my firm probably takes at least 20 rooms a week just by ourselves.

Car parking is free and ample.

It's also located just on the edge of a lake and country park which offers ample opportunities for walking/jogging of an evening around the lake and the park which is nice.

It's a short drive into the centre of town.

Arrival
This has to be one of the most efficient arrival processes ever - no signing anything, no

credit card swipes - just handed an envelope with my key and registration card. It's very busy here on a Monday evening so they're obviously on the ball.

They have something on the reception desk every night to eat or drink (canapes, melon sticks, sangria, etc) so feels a bit more social. As it's nearly Easter I was given an Easter egg as well - I noticed they were only giving them to gold and plat members much to the disgust of my non status holding colleagues!

Reception/Bar
There is no lounge at the hotel and I wasn't given any vouchers for a drink or otherwise. I'd have assumed breakfast would be included in the restaurant instead as with other UK Marriotts but I was on a B&B rate so can't say for sure.

The common areas have all been refurbished recently to the usual "modern" Marriott standard and feels very nice. The staff on the bar and in the restaurant are very friendly and go the extra mile to make it feel a bit more like home - I think they're very used to long term residents here!

The bar is good with a wide selection of local ales to try - feels a bit more "local" than the Hilton with its selection of national brands only. The food is actually very good with the steaks a particular highlight - not cheap really for what you get but if you're on expenses then you feel like you're getting a decent meal.

Breakfast
Good selection at breakfast, 6 or so different cereals and the usual selection of hot food you'd get at a Marriott. Includes smoked salmon as well which again I don't think you get at the Hilton. Also includes a range of home made smoothies to either have at breakfast or take away in the plastic cup provided - handy to drink on your walk to the business park!

Gym/Pool
Afraid I can't speak to this as I was too busy to get down! My collegues say the pool is a "paddling pool" and the serious gym bunnies stay at the Hilton because their gym is better. In the summer though, if you're into running I think the nearby park/lake probably offers a better option anyway!

Rooms
The hotel is on 2 floors with no lifts so if you've got heavy bags you might need to ask for help.

As far as I could tell I wasn't upgraded (as a gold) which was a bit dissapointing but given how full the hotel is with regulars all with status I expect the top rooms got allocated to plats and more regulars than me (at the moment anyway!)

The room was a fairly standard UK Marriott room. Included a queen bed and a sofa with coffee table as well as the usual desk and LG TV (with the hitting 0 multiple times trick to get onto HDMI working!) The carpets/decor were newish but the furniture looked a little dated.

Bathroom was modern with a shower/tub but (again comparing to the Hilton!) an excellent shower not connected to the bath taps which was powerful and hot. Toiletries seemed to be the "new" Italian ones that Marriott have switched to.

Coffee/etc was provided as you'd expect and also included paper cups with lids in case you want to take it with you.

Summary
Your choice of hotel in Northampton for business if you want a chain is quite limited, it's either here, the Hilton or the Park Inn in town. Opinion seems to be divided but for me the location of the Marriott along with the food and common areas gives it the edge, especially in the summer. I note on their website there is a "BBQ menu" which I'm looking forward to enjoying in the summer.