Kamaaina-friendly hotel hosts festive holiday specials

For nearly 25 years, the endlessly elegant Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club has stood tall at Honolulu’s grand entrance into Waikiki, welcoming visitors to Oahu just footsteps away from Ala Wai Harbor, Ala Moana Center and Ala Moana Beach Park. Adding to the hotel’s ideal location, its expansive range of affordably priced yet incredibly upscale dining options has been adored by kamaaina for decades.

Among the hotel’s popular eateries is Japanese restaurant Hakone, which specializes in kaiseki, the finest traditional cuisine of Japan’s imperial court. Prince Court also pleases diners with its contemporary island fare that blends European and Asian culinary influences.

Director of food and beverage Ward Almeida explains that the hotel’s popularity among locals is, in part, thanks to its bountiful holiday events, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day brunch and dinner buffets. With the festive season quickly approaching, he says now is the perfect time to reserve a spot. “Christmas day, we’ll sell out about two months prior.”

In addition to the buffets, Hawaii Prince Hotel presents a multitude of holiday celebrations and year-round feasts to take advantage of. The Pre/Post Holiday Festivities Special caters to those looking to plan any special occasion — holiday-related or not — before or after the rush of the season. When customers book an event for 12 guests or more at Hakone, Prince Court or Bird of Paradise (Hawaii Prince Golf Club’s restaurant in Ewa), to be held prior to Nov. 30 or during the month of January 2015, they’ll receive a 10 percent discount on food (not valid on holidays or during the hotel’s special events).

Hawaii Prince Court already is gearing up for one of its most beloved events, Breakfast with Santa ($35 adults; $15 children 3 to 10 years old), set for the weekend before Christmas, from 9 to 11 a.m. The fifth annual bash will ignite the spirit of the season in keiki, complete with a photo with Santa, as well as a buffet highlighting breakfast pastries and meats, fruits and more.

Inspired by the success of its Thanksgiving-To-Go packages, the hotel is introducing Prince Catered Collections this year, in which gourmet meals may be purchased for pick-up, delivery or full-service on-site catering. Kicking off Dec. 1, this versatile, year-round offering presents delectable and stress-free ways for businesses to treat their staff to a special meal at the office, or for families to host an array of gatherings at any venue.

Longtime patrons of Prince Court’s weekend Seafood Buffet are ecstatic to hear that it soon will be served nightly. The hotel’s loyal patrons also are delighted that the sought-after Mahalo Card membership has reopened for a limited time, along with 30 percent off lunch and dinner at Prince Court through November.

Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki

100 Holomoana St., Waikiki
Reservations at Prince Court and Hakone: 944-4494
Reservations at Bird of Paradise: 952-4784

Prince Court (third floor)
Breakfast: Daily, 6-10:30 a.m.
Brunch: Sunday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Lunch: Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dinner: Monday-Thursday, 6-9:30 p.m.
Seafood Buffet: Friday-Sunday, 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Hakone (third floor)
Dinner: Wednesday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 5-9:30 p.m.

princeresortshawaii.com