and they have a lot of $$ to spend I hope

'5 star' and 'deal' . . . at Christmas no less . . . are seldom found in the same sentence. What is their budget?

Rainbow tower, Hilton Hawaiian Village, upper floor, Diamond Head side. I don't know if it is a 5 star but the rooms are beautiful and the sunrises amazing.

Check this list. http://www.fivestaralliance.com/luxury-hotels/415/Oahu-HI

Perhaps the most highly rated is the Halekulani - and for old style - the Royal Hawaiian. Trump apparently has one now - but no idea how good that is.

If they have a car - the one out at Kahala is also beautiful, now called the Kahala Hotel? You used to be able to swim with dolphins out there, but not sure if they still do that.

For less expensive? (not sure at Christmas holidays though) - but nice hotels - right on the beach - old style also - try the Moana Surfrider, or down toward Ft. DeRussey - the Outrigger.

What "5 star" hotel?

I think everyone agrees that the Halekulani is the number 1 place in Waikiki. I can't imagine you'll be finding any "deals" over the holidays though.

Once you've BEEN to and stayed in/on Waikiki it's a bit easier to decide whether places like the Halekulani, the Royal, the Moana and others are in "the best place" and believe me, that is subjective.

The Hawaiian Village for example is on the western end of Waikiki; the Moana is more in the middle, and so forth.

In terms of interiors, all of these places vary considerably and over the holidays places like the Hawaiian Village can become a real zoo with a mobbed pool, etc.

I suggest you tell your friends they need to do a little research on their own because there's nothing worse than a "friend" coming back later and giving you the evil eye because of the hotel recommendation they didn't agree with.

The Moana Surfrider is NOT less expensive! It is the oldest, and one of the prettiest hotels in Waikiki. it is also one of the most expensive.
Trump tower is condos, not a hotel.

But "5" is a LOT of stars, I'm not sure even Royal Hawaiian or Moana Surfrider are considered 5-star hotels? Anyone know for sure??

Acording to Expedia, these are the 5 Star rated hotels:

Royal Hawaiian
Trump International "Hotel"
Halekulani
Kahala Hotel and Resort

For the dates OP has listed, none of these show any availability.

A friend of mine of mine traveled to Hawaii - many times on business - and guess he had a corporate rate at the Moana Surfrider, which was his faovrite for old style yet good service/location.

Thanks Marginal, for that post.

I was wondering which ones were actually considered "5 star". That list is no surprise, well except for Trump.

Uno mas, from above:

"Perhaps the most highly rated is the Halekulani - and for old style - the Royal Hawaiian. Trump apparently has one now - but no idea how good that is.

If they have a car - the one out at Kahala is also beautiful, now called the Kahala Hotel? You used to be able to swim with dolphins out there, but not sure if they still do that."

It makes no sense to recommend a hotel if they have no vacancies available during the OP's requested stay.

Looking at Expedia for 4 stars, you can get a room for $649 each plus tax at the Ko Olina. Then you are down to the 3star and not all the rooms are ocean view for about $350 each plus tax.

Marginal's advice is the best. There's no sense wasting time talking hotels that don't have availability for your timeframe.