Who
is Mr. Neal Prince? Mr. Prince is a trained
Architect from Rice University, an Art Historian,
Art Collector and a person with a vast passion for
Motion Pictures and Theatre History, especially
Set Designs. These elements came together to build
a foundation to Mr. Prince's skills, which later
became recognized as his ability for designing
Hotel and Restaurant Interiors. Mr. Prince
incorporated his own passions of above, into an
International branding philosophy that remains as
strong today as it was when he developed his
philosophy of Hotel and Restaurant Designs, which
is visible today, in Hotels worldwide. But what
makes Mr. Prince different? He was a pioneer
within this Industry, along with Dale and Pat
Keller, of Hong Kong, in designing Hotels in
countries that never had an International Hotel
presence. Mr. Prince, along with Kenneth Smith
(Interior Designer), Charles Alvey (Graphic
Designer), Richard Simpson (Graphic Designer),
William Embury (Interior Designer), Joe Grusczak
(Interior Designer), James Ray Baker (Interior
Designer) and Irene D'Alessio (Interior Designer)
and many others were the first, to sent the
standards for International Hotel Interiors. And
what is incredible is that he did not have the
grand budgets that most designers have today. Mr.
Prince used local talents and products, when
available and appropriate, to augment his designs,
which, in return, allowed local Artist, Gallery
Owners, Merchants and vendors to view
InterContinental not as an invader, but as a
partner in creating new sources of commence within
the local economy. What is even more unique in Mr.
Prince being different, was that Mr. Prince has
always credited his success, not in the terms of
"I", but "WE". Mr. Prince, being from Corsicana,
Texas, has always remained modest and respectful
and always have contributed his success due to the
fact that designing hotels is a "TEAM" effort,
from his Departmental Staff to his Professional
Associate Designers that he had brought on to do a
certain project for the vast inventory of
InterContinental Hotel holdings. This website is
to bring together the collections, resources,
stories and images documenting a period of time,
before computers, mobile phones, fax's or video
conferencing. This website is to recapture the
time when International Hotel Design Industry
remained in its infancy before the growth and
development into what we have today as multi
billion dollar companies. Each Hotel on this
website will encompass how Mr. Prince and his
Staff and Professional Associates overcame the
troubles of designing Hotels, from a historic
point of view, to what was necessary to open the
Hotels, maintain the Hotels, and what lessons were
learned to be applied for the next project.
-webmaster
Hotel:
Taharaa InterContinental Hotel
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Location:
Papeete, Tahiti,
French Polynesia
Architect:
Lead Interior Designer:
Neal A. Prince, R.A., A.S.I.D, Lead Designer
V.P. of Graphic and Interior Design Department,
InterContinental Hotel Group 1960-1985
Rooms:
The Hotel was built into a wonderful hillside,
overlooking the bay with a wonderful view of
the Moorea Bay. It was the largest guest rooms
of any hotel in the South Pacific, at the time.
Each Guestroom with air conditioned, with a
dressing room, bathroom and spacious terrace.
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Pool -
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Restaurants/Lounges:
Captain Cook Restaurant - Tahiti's outstanding
gourmet restaurant.
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Lounge and Bar -
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
Coffee House Cafe -
Photograph courtesy of Arie de Zanger, IHC
Photographer
The decor were designed by Neal Prince, and
manufactured by the "Oceanic Arts -
Tropical Decor" Company, located out of
12414 Whittier, Blvd, Whittier, California
90602. Their contact number is (562) 698-6960.
Meeting Facilities:
Comments:
Mr. Prince designed the
interiors of the Hotel. During this time, no
one on the island had the skills or the know
how to carve a Tikis. Thus, Mr. Prince hired
the Oceanic Arts Inc., of Whittier, California
(USA) to
produce Mr. Prince's sketches. The owners of
said firm, Leroy Schmaitz and Robert Van
OOsting produced the 21-foot Tiki for Mr.
Prince. When the Tiki was delivered, the Tiki
was to be placed in the lobby of the Hotel.
However, due to the weight and height of the
Tiki, it was not able to fit. So, the telephone
Mr. Prince and inquire what to do with the
Tiki. Mr. Prince asked where the Tiki is now,
and the Mr. Crissman noted that it is currently
located in the front of the hotel, which Mr.
Prince replied, "Great, then leave it right
there!!". And so, it remain an icon of the
Hotel for many years until the Hotel closed.
The Tiki were designed
and manufactured by the "Oceanic Arts -
Tropical Decor" Company for Mr. Prince.
They are located out of 12414 Whittier, Blvd,
Whittier, California 90602. Their contact
number is (562) 698-6960. There are reports
that this Tiki remains standing today, even
though the Hotel has been closed and the
property has been abandon for many years.
However, this Tiki has become an International
known tourist destination, as a marvel of
craftsmanship of its self.
Images held by the Collection:
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