Has anyone used Marriott points to stay at these "castle" hotels?
http://www.marriott.com/rewards/usepoints/hotelpart.mi
According to the Marriott website, it SEEMS like you order a paper certificate for a certain number of points, and then you can redeem for the "best available room":
International Partner Hotels
Ashford Castle
A majestic vision by the shores of Lough Corrib on the Mayo/Galway border in Ireland, Ashford Castle has been transformed into a luxurious 5-star hotel with modern amenities.
One night accommodations for two persons
in best room available - Off Peak 70,000 Order
One night accommodations for two persons
in best room available - Peak 85,000 Order
Dromoland Castle
This magnificent 16th century Renaissance castle was once the royal seat of the O'Brien clan. Transformed into a luxury hotel, it retains priceless reminders of an historic past.
One night accommodations for two persons
in best room available - Off Peak 75,000 Order
One night accommodations for two persons
in best room available - Peak
100,000 Order
Clicking on "order" brings up a few additional terms, like ordering 4 weeks in advance and some blackout dates, but otherwise seems pretty straightforward, that the certificates can basically used for any room. It doesn't seem like there are capacity controls, etc.
I am wondering if anyone has used Marriott points at these hotels, and if so, how the process works. I'm going to Ireland with family next year and would love to stay at these hotels, but don't want to burn hundreds of thousands of points only to find out that there are some obscure restrictions in place.
Thanks in advance!