My in-laws will be in Waikiki during Christmas and we'd like to buy them a nice dinner for Christmas Day as a gift. They enjoy luau type shows or Hawaiian music. Just the two of them, in their early 70s, staying at the Ilikai. Any recommendations for good food, pleasant entertainment, and nice Hawaiian Christmas atmosphere? Thanks.

Hmm, no ideas? I don't mean to beg, but I'm at Waikiki now for a couple of days and hope to buy a Christmas Day dinner for my in-laws. Any opinions about the Hilton? Since they're going to be staying at Ilikai, the Hilton would be close. Thanks.

Check out the view of Diamond Head as you ascend up the glass elevator to the 30th floor and the Hanohano Room atop the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. Between the Halekulani and the Royal Hawai'ian hotels. The Hanohano Room may suit your needs. The views are fabulous. They have a Christmas Day menu. Aloha!

Well, since you don't have any replies, I'll take a stab at it...

La Mer at the Halekulani has tables that overlook their Hawaiian show. I'd imagine the hotel is very festive at Christmas & not that far from the Hiton. Talk to the reservations manager there & make sure there is a show on at the time you make their reservations.

Any opinions about the Hilton?

We dined at the HHV as a party of 8, ordering two "Beggar's Chicken", (call in advance), at Golden Dragon. Rainbow Tower, mezzanine level. The service is simply smashing, as the waiter has a member of your party whack the clay that the bird has been baked in with a mallet. Quite the festive feast! (The Mongolian Lamb is also yummy, btw). Aloha!

Gotta trust restaurant advice from someone with the screen name of kaukau. :cool:

A meal at the Golden Dragon is wasted without the Lobster Curry with Deep Fried Haupia. ^

Check out the view of Diamond Head as you ascend up the glass elevator to the 30th floor and the Hanohano Room atop the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. Between the Halekulani and the Royal Hawai'ian hotels. The Hanohano Room may suit your needs. The views are fabulous. They have a Christmas Day menu. Aloha!
The Hanohano Room atop the Sheraton Waikiki is an excellent choice. Been there myself a few times for the Christmas brunch... very good. :)

Thank you! We'll check these out today.

I'll third the recommendation on the Hanohano Room. I had their Christmas Brunch there one year, but I didn't try the dinner. The view is amazing at any hour, but especially sunset as Waikiki and Diamond Head are bathed in the red and orange glow of the setting sun. Advanced reservations for the dinner are probably required.

The view is a show unto itself.

They used to do the daily breakfast buffet up in the "Room", but I think the SW discontinued it some time ago in favor of cramming everyone into the restaurant on the main floor. The Hano breakfast buffet was great and included tasty Japanese options.

For a few years, my morning routine when staying at the SW required a very brisk walk along Kalakaua Ave to Diamond Head and back to undo the damage from breakfast.

So here is the "skinny": the Hanohano Room has a sit down dinner (no buffet), which comes at a very unskinny price.

The following waterview/waterfront dining options are available at the Sheraton Waikiki:

Hanohano Room Christmas Dinner (Eve. and Day.): http://www.sheraton-waikiki.com/de_hhxmas.htm

Ocean Terrace Brunch Buffet
http://www.sheratonwaikiki.com/otxmasdaybrunch.htm

The Moana Surfrider has more dining options available at their Banyan Veranda restaurant, which has a nice water view. There is a Christmas Eve brunch and dinner, and a Christmas Day brunch and dinner. Each of these dining events has a different menu and pricepoint.

Both hotels offer evening musical entertainment that while not 'traditional', is certainly entertaining and a nice accompanyment to dinner or while enjoying a post dinner drink by the water.

The Moana Surfrider has more dining options available at their Banyan Veranda restaurant, which has a nice water view. There is a Christmas Eve brunch and dinner, and a Christmas Day brunch and dinner. Each of these dining events has a different menu and pricepoint.

Thanks again to all. We ended up going with the Surfrider Banyan Veranda for Christmas Eve dinner. It seemed to have what we were looking for in terms of nice surroundings and some live entertainment. By the way, if anyone is looking to make reservations do it now. Many places, including the Surfrider, were sold out for Christmas Day.