Thanksgiving in Honolulu
 

Hi there-

We will be arriving in Honolulu at 6:45 PM on Thanksgiving night. That being the case, I was wondering about what to do for Thanksgiving dinner.

We'll be staying at the Sheraton-Waikiki ($99/night thanks to Priceline). I'm assuming if my plane lands at 6:45, I'll be at the hotel around 8:00 or 8:30 (after waiting for baggage and getting the rental car). I would like to have a decent Thanksgiving dinner, but can't really make reservations since I don't know exactly when we'll be arriving. Does the Hano Hano restaurant in the Sheraton-Waikiki require reservations for Thanksgiving? Does the Royal Hawaiian have dining next door that would be good and, again, not require reservations?

I'm not looking for La Mer type quality. I just want something that will be "nice", but not food-court or Denny's type offerings either, and that's close to our hotel since I suspect we'll be exhausted from traveling all day.

So that being said, what do you think?

ttt

We liked the dining options at the
Outrigger Waikiki. We ate a nice meal at Chuck's Steak House (nice traditional meal) and 3 times at Duke's. This is about a 7? minute walk on the side walk. Or you can cover it on the beach. Just head towards Diamond head! Have fun!!

I think reservations are recommended on Thanksgiving for the restaurants in the hotel. Can you call/email the hotel to explain your situation, and they can work out the timing (or have the restaurant cut you some slack)? The Sheraton has such good customer service that I can't imagine they would force you into a rigid timetable, especially if you are a hotel guest.

Almost all the hotels do something, although you do need reservations.

Thanks for your replies so far.

Does anyone know if the majority of restaurants would be open on Thanksgiving or just a portion? I'd be interested in possibly trying Duke's, or the Halekulane "House without a Key", or even Orchids (anyone tried that for dinner?) but can't imagine that they would all be open that evening.

Of course, I'm still interested in the Hano Hano room at the Sheraton - Waikiki, but heard that it is spectacular due to the view. Since it will be dark when we get there, I would think that the atmosphere of the place would be fairly wasted...

Any thoughts?

Why don't you try calling the hotels and ask them these questions?
(regarding hours,reservations, etc)
Most of the people on the board probably don't know the exact hours
restaruants are open. It's best just to get facts direct. It's possible it's too early for the hotels to be thinking about T-day!

Waikiki doesn't usually shut down for holidays. Honohono (sp?) would still be nice. It's a fancy place with fancy food. Still I would pick either the HHV or one of the Sheraton's.

I ate at Duke's last Thanksgiving. Just call them, they take reservations about 2 months in advance. POst if you have more questions!

The view is SPECTACULAR!

Don't owrry, all the restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving.

I believe House Without a Key stops serving dinner around 9:00pm so that probably won't work for you.

Make reservations allowing lots of time to get from the airport and check in. If you are extremely late they will give your reservation away and you will be in the same position as if you never made reservations.

lschrage....I would like to suggest that you call the Sheraton Waikiki a couple of days before departing..I have read recently that rooms booked via Priceline end up to be rooms in the Manor Wing of the hotel, a dreadful place to stay...there was a post regarding the ManorWing yesterday and I responded as did another poster...its not too far down maybe the next 50 or so...just a precaution...If you call Priceline, they will adamantly deny this.If you call the hotel, they will confirm it!! Just a heads up......S

Most hotels have buffets. Then there is Sam Choy's Waikiki. The Pagoda - www.pagodarestaurant.com If anyone is by the north shore Molly's Smokehouse is making dinners to go. 808-621-4858

Hanohano Room at the Sheraton-Waikiki is closed for renovation -- expected to reopen in early 2004.

All of the dining rooms of the major hotels require reservations for holiday dining -- and often are booked full, well in advance.

Even if you arrive too late to have a real Thanksgiving dinner, you should be able to at least get room service. If all else fails, McDonald's is within walking distance. :-)

-- auntie maria

-- auntie maria

Thanks for the info!

I started making calls last week and discovered that I did, indeed, wait a little too long to make reservations. I tried Orchid's at the Halekulani and they were booked. Tried the place at the Royal Hawaiian (can't remember the name...Surf Room, maybe?), and they were booked. Ended up making reservations at the Banyan Verandah at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. They are having a Thanksgiving buffet that's around $35/person. Hopefully it will be pretty decent. At least it's significantly cheaper than Orchid's $60/person Thanksgiving buffet...

While I had the reservation "bug", I also called and made reservations for Alan Wong's and Tiki's that weekend as well. Now I just need to figure out how I can manage to squeeze in some Dim Sum from Chinatown as well as Shrimp from the Shrimp Trucks! I feel like I've gained 5 pounds just planning my meals....

Rest assured that Chinatown never closes except for the Chinese Lunar New Year. My sister and I are Chinese, but she did not think that Chinatown was going to be open on Christmas Day. I said "Are you kidding? Given a choice between observing an alien custom of GIVING presents to everyone or MAKING A BUCK, the choice is clear!" Sure enough, everything was open: herbalists, noodle shops, jewelers, food markets, and yes, dim sum parlors.

I'm surprised that you didn't consult with the Sheraton concierge about your situation. They could have, at the least, cleared up any doubt about the Sheraton venues such as the Surf Room,
Hanohano Room, etc.