"Phantom" Hotels bookable on SPG.com?
May 12, 2012, 2:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: 1K-whatever it worth
Posts: 120
"Phantom" Hotels bookable on SPG.com?
FWIW i have come across a couple of properties that are bookable on spg.com.
Wondering if anybody have seen these. One that disappeared was Carole's Test Property in New York ( you can still see it on search engines). One that is still bookable is Test Galaxy Sheraton in New York http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...opertyID=99900
BTW spg customer service was quite rude and not apologetic about helping me with honoring my reservation at Carol's Test property, i booked it more then a month ago on spg.com, at that time it looked legit, the website said it's a new property and first Eco friendly hotel in the US. I wonder if it common for phantom hotels to come up on spg.con. Are they developing Phantom Collection?
Wondering if anybody have seen these. One that disappeared was Carole's Test Property in New York ( you can still see it on search engines). One that is still bookable is Test Galaxy Sheraton in New York http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin...opertyID=99900
BTW spg customer service was quite rude and not apologetic about helping me with honoring my reservation at Carol's Test property, i booked it more then a month ago on spg.com, at that time it looked legit, the website said it's a new property and first Eco friendly hotel in the US. I wonder if it common for phantom hotels to come up on spg.con. Are they developing Phantom Collection?
May 12, 2012, 5:24 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cincinnati OH
Programs: DL DM/ SPG Double Platinum/ Hyatt Diamond/ HH Gold/ Exec Elite Emerald/ "MATTERHORN VIP" Aspirant
Posts: 46
Test Galaxy Sheraton seems pretty badass... a Cat 2 in NYC with smoking rooms and a casino!! ^
There's a non-descript Sheraton GCM Test Property (presumably developed by Starwood's Austin office based on the fictional property's area code). And "Le Meridien Boardwalk Rst-Test Hotel" has same copy as Carole's.
MY ABSOLUTE FAV though is "San Nicolas Ocean Villas, Mini Towers and Dolphin Nursery"- billed as the "fist and last hotel of its kind."
Give me a tree-top hammock in a remote bonsai forest and a bottomless blue mojito, and I'm sold on this "Phantom Collection!"
There's a non-descript Sheraton GCM Test Property (presumably developed by Starwood's Austin office based on the fictional property's area code). And "Le Meridien Boardwalk Rst-Test Hotel" has same copy as Carole's.
MY ABSOLUTE FAV though is "San Nicolas Ocean Villas, Mini Towers and Dolphin Nursery"- billed as the "fist and last hotel of its kind."
Give me a tree-top hammock in a remote bonsai forest and a bottomless blue mojito, and I'm sold on this "Phantom Collection!"
May 12, 2012, 5:39 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
Test Galaxy Sheraton has 1250 rooms according to their weddings and events page. That's what 5x the number of rooms in a NYC hotel? Guess you need some way to fill up that casino! Just a bit larger than the Waldorf Astoria wikipedia tells me, someone should add it to their page.
May 12, 2012, 7:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2000
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Ambassador/Lifetime Titanium, Accor Silver, Club Carlson Gold, BW Diamond
Posts: 2,432
It's in NYC, but has a Boston phone number. 
May 12, 2012, 10:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Beautiful Atlantic Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Platinum & LFT Gold, Hilton Gold, IHG Silver, Airmiles Onyx, Aeroplan, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,203
Hilarious descriptions...
Banana Boats, Cheese Making, Pet Luggage Assistance & Underwater Parking! LOL
Guests may arrive by air or sea. Our specially-trained dolphins can bring you here in style!
Executive Anchovy Suite Amenities;
Refrigerator Magnets
Lizard Bed
Lizard Brush
Standard Amenities;
All rooms include a dolphin-shaped alarm clock and otter toilet.
Room Features;
Outstanding Beer Can View
Awesome Balcony Sofa
Fancy Iguana Warmer
... Quite the funhouse! LOL
Banana Boats, Cheese Making, Pet Luggage Assistance & Underwater Parking! LOL
Guests may arrive by air or sea. Our specially-trained dolphins can bring you here in style!
Executive Anchovy Suite Amenities;
Refrigerator Magnets
Lizard Bed
Lizard Brush
Standard Amenities;
All rooms include a dolphin-shaped alarm clock and otter toilet.
Room Features;
Outstanding Beer Can View
Awesome Balcony Sofa
Fancy Iguana Warmer
... Quite the funhouse! LOL
Last edited by NBSPGMEMBER; May 14, 2012 at 12:42 pm
May 12, 2012, 10:26 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
Swiimin' at the local mud hole
Cheese Making - fun for the whole family
Golfin' Dolphin
Eat at Me 2 Iguana - Tibetan cuisine, Unpleasant atmosphere and Crowded setting
Dolphin rides
And an Executive Anchovy Suite - stocked with anchovies and an optional canning facility
Sign me up - sounds awesome!
Nice finds, OP and others.
May 12, 2012, 11:13 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
i'm seriously tempted to write a review for the Executive Anchovy Suite at the Hotel GCM Test, Austin!!!
[edit: i posted a review but they need 5 before any are posted. c'mon, we can do it!]
[edit: i posted a review but they need 5 before any are posted. c'mon, we can do it!]
Last edited by BenSenise; May 12, 2012 at 11:24 pm
May 12, 2012, 11:40 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: hyatt
Posts: 203
tried to book 5th nite free.. guess what happened..
May 14, 2012, 1:26 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Nomad
Programs: AA MM EP, QF Gold, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTT, HH Gold, National Exec, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,107
More fun from the GCM:
"We expect your compliance with all of our unique and important policies. Muchos thank you."
"DRESS CODE
Guests must wear blue."
"TAX EXEMPT POLICY
All dolphins are tax exempt by order of General Mariano Escobedo."
"Party Hearty Party Planning Service
We will plan a party that rules.
Available activities include:
Pin the tail on the donkey
Arts and crafts
Pony rides
And so much more!"
"Me 2 Iguana
If you want to be like everybody else, eat at Me 2 Iguana!
ME 2 IGUANA
Cuisine: Tibetan
Atmosphere: Unpleasant
Setting: Crowded
Smoking Permitted: Yes"
"Woodchuck Spa
HOW MUCH CAN YOU CHUCK?
We offer a variety of stinky treatments. We will relieve any congestion, no matter how severe!
Let us pamper you in woody treatments, including:
mulch
wood chips
and much more!
WOODCHUCK SPA
Products: Woodchuck Stuff
FANCY IGUANA WARMER"
"We expect your compliance with all of our unique and important policies. Muchos thank you."
"DRESS CODE
Guests must wear blue."
"TAX EXEMPT POLICY
All dolphins are tax exempt by order of General Mariano Escobedo."
"Party Hearty Party Planning Service
We will plan a party that rules.
Available activities include:
Pin the tail on the donkey
Arts and crafts
Pony rides
And so much more!"
"Me 2 Iguana
If you want to be like everybody else, eat at Me 2 Iguana!
ME 2 IGUANA
Cuisine: Tibetan
Atmosphere: Unpleasant
Setting: Crowded
Smoking Permitted: Yes"
"Woodchuck Spa
HOW MUCH CAN YOU CHUCK?
We offer a variety of stinky treatments. We will relieve any congestion, no matter how severe!
Let us pamper you in woody treatments, including:
mulch
wood chips
and much more!
WOODCHUCK SPA
Products: Woodchuck Stuff
FANCY IGUANA WARMER"
May 14, 2012, 1:40 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,737
So now I know what those webgurus are doing at Starwood, seems like a fun job.
May 14, 2012, 7:41 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: London (UK), Kolkata (India), and a part of the Netherlands you wouldn't like to visit (aka Purmerend)!
Programs: IC Royal Ambassador
Posts: 623
I realise you guys took London Bridge over to Arizona, and reconstructed it there....but the Turnberry Resort to Austin....that's going a little too far!
May 14, 2012, 12:13 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
Posts: 10,167
Great. I hold a reservation on C&P and will see, how my Ambassador will organize the transfer:
Greetings,
Congratulations . You have successfully redeemed your Starpoints .
Your reservation is all set – we’re excited to welcome you to Test Galaxy Sheraton. If there is anything you need as we prepare for your arrival, please just ask.
Stay Well,
David Ashcroft
General Manager
Greetings,
Congratulations . You have successfully redeemed your Starpoints .
Your reservation is all set – we’re excited to welcome you to Test Galaxy Sheraton. If there is anything you need as we prepare for your arrival, please just ask.
Stay Well,
David Ashcroft
General Manager
May 14, 2012, 1:28 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Mike
Fantastic stay! Was recognized at the front desk immediately as a Titanium Level SPG member and upgraded to the Executive Anchovy Suite. I chose the local amenity as my welcome amenity and, only a few minutes later, a plate of Caesar Salad and Pizza was delivered to my suite.
The suite itself was enormous, probably 200 cubic meters. One downside is that there is four feet of water to support the anchovies that still live in the room, but we quickly got past that and discovered that we could sleep and bathe at the same time. Likewise, my wife electrocuted herself while plugging in her hairdryer, but the hotel had an EMT to our room in seconds (They noted that this type of thing happens frequently.).
Would definitely come back.
May 14, 2012, 5:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Marin County, CA
Programs: Marriott LT-TE, United Gold
Posts: 467
Amazing find, can't wait to hear how everyone's stays are! I hope they're not on the short list of non-participating properties for the Be Choosy promo!
May 15, 2012, 1:29 am
#15
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
You are a bunch of fun-loving people.
This has been reported, really.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
This has been reported, really.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd