Post #793340 by mokan-tiki on Thu, Feb 21, 2019 12:04 PM

I recently came across a brochure for the Bel Air Hilton. The hotel ownership franchised operations to the Hilton Brand in Dec. 1974. This brochure was probably from 1977 as they reference the new convention center, which was built that year.

It has several photos of the Trader Vic's located there that I have never seen before including one of the entryway flanked by two of the three Barney West tikis.

There's another photo on the back of the brochure which is small, but it appears as if the far left tiki has been removed to me, or perhaps it's hding behind the greenery.

There's some interior dining room photos that I have never seen along with a nice color photo of award winning executive chef DuBouis Chen.

Also, two photos of the Mayan Room, which was a banquet hall room serviced by the restaurant, frequently rented out for special events.

One last photo is that of a stairwell with a good view of the New Guinea deer sculpture wall. The hotel was always advertised as having a large selection of South Seas/Primitive art, which has a lot to do with the involvement of co-owner, Morton May, a St. Louis businessman and philanthropist who donated a sizable collection of primitive and south seas art to the St. Louis Art Museum.

Thank you to all who've contributed your photos and material, prior to me, of a treasured Tiki locale from my hometown.

[ Edited by: mokan-tiki 2019-02-21 15:26 ]