Kona Kai San Diego

Property class: 4
Beachfront hotel with spa, near Shelter Island

Choose dates to view prices

Placing you just steps from Shelter Island, Kona Kai San Diego offers a private beach where you can enjoy cabanas, beach umbrellas and beach massages. 2 outdoor pools provide fun for everyone, while guests in the mood for pampering can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, aromatherapy and manicures and pedicures. Offering pool views, Vessel Restaurant and Bar serves local cuisine and is open for breakfast and dinner. Other highlights include 2 poolside bars, a marina and a fitness centre. The helpful staff and location get good marks from fellow travellers.

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Free Wi-Fi
The current price is AU$411
includes taxes & fees
15 Nov - 16 Nov

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 16 of 16 rooms

View all photos for Bayview King

A hotel room with a large bed, a balcony with a view of the sea, and a dining area with outdoor furniture.

Bayview King

7.4 out of 10
Good
(16 reviews)
  • Bay view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Bayview Two Queen

A hotel room with two beds, a view of the sea, and a balcony with a table and chair.

Bayview Two Queen

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(14 reviews)
  • Bay view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Marina View King

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk with a chair, a balcony with a view of the marina, and a patterned wall.

Marina View King

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 reviews)
  • Marina view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Marina View Two Queen

A hotel room with a wooden desk, two patterned chairs, a lamp, a large mirror, and a view of a marina through the window.

Marina View Two Queen

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(9 reviews)
  • Marina view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe King

A hotel room with a large bed, a balcony with a view, a desk, and a chair.

Deluxe King

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(33 reviews)
  • Resort view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Two Queen

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, and a view of the sea.

Deluxe Two Queen

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(14 reviews)
  • Resort view
  • 32 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Junior Suite

A hotel room with a bed, a chair, a desk, and a lamp.

Deluxe Junior Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Resort view
  • 35 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Waterfront Fireplace Junior Suite

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a small table, a lamp, a painting, and a view of the sea.

Waterfront Fireplace Junior Suite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Marina View Junior Suite Two Queen

A hotel room with two beds, a large window with a view of the marina, and a balcony with a table and chairs.

Marina View Junior Suite Two Queen

  • Marina view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Bayview Junior Suite Two Queen

A hotel room with two beds, a large mirror, and a wooden accent wall.

Bayview Junior Suite Two Queen

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Marina View Junior Suite King

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a view of a cityscape through the window.

Marina View Junior Suite King

  • Marina view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Bayview Junior Suite King

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a desk, and a sofa.

Bayview Junior Suite King

7.6 out of 10
Good
(8 reviews)
  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Fire Pit Junior Suite

A hotel room with two beds, a large mirror, and a wooden accent wall.

Fire Pit Junior Suite

  • Resort view
  • 39 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Mobility/Hearing Accessible King

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a bathroom with a shower, and a view of the outdoors.

Mobility/Hearing Accessible King

  • Resort view
  • 29 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Waterview One Bedroom Suite

A hotel room with a large bed, a bathtub, a fireplace, and a balcony with a view of boats.

Waterview One Bedroom Suite

  • Marina view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

View all photos for Kona Kai One Bedroom Suite

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a balcony with curtains.

Kona Kai One Bedroom Suite

  • Marina view
  • 60 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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The price is AU$249
includes taxes & fees
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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About the area

Map
1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106

What's nearby

  • Shelter Island - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • San Diego Bay - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Humphreys Concerts by the Bay - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Humphreys Backstage Live - 2 min drive - 1.9 km
  • San Diego Yacht Club - 3 min drive - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) - 12 min drive
  • San Diego, CA (MYF-Montgomery Field) - 27 min drive
  • San Diego, CA (SEE-Gillespie Field) - 39 min drive
  • Tijuana, Baja California Norte (TIJ-General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Intl.) - 47 min drive
  • Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar) - 49 min drive
  • Old Town Transit Center - 16 min drive
  • San Diego Santa Fe Depot - 20 min drive
  • San Diego Coaster Sorrento Valley Station - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ketch Grill & Taps - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Bali Hai Restaurant - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Mitch's Seafood - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Point Loma Seafoods - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Kona Kai San Diego

  • Placing you just steps from Shelter Island, Kona Kai San Diego offers a private beach where you can enjoy cabanas, beach umbrellas and beach massages. 2 outdoor pools provide fun for everyone, while guests in the mood for pampering can visit the spa to indulge in deep-tissue massages, aromatherapy and manicures and pedicures. Offering pool views, Vessel Restaurant and Bar serves local cuisine and is open for breakfast and dinner. Other highlights include 2 poolside bars, a marina and a fitness centre. The helpful staff and location get good marks from fellow travellers.

At a glance

Hotel size

    • 170 rooms
    • Arranged over 3 floors

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 2:00 AM
    • Late check-in subject to availability
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
    • Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

    • An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
    • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Required at check-in

    • Credit card required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18

Children

    • Up to 2 children (17 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room using existing bedding

Pets

    • Pets allowed (dogs only, 2 total, up to 29 kg per pet)*
    • Service animals welcome
    • Food and water bowls available

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

    • On-site self-parking (USD 54.88 per night; includes in/out privileges)
    • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
    • Electric vehicle charging point on site

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

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Reviews

Kona Kai San Diego Reviews

8.2

Very good

8.6

Cleanliness

8.2

Amenities

8.4

Staff & service

8.4

Property conditions & facilities

Guest review summary

What guests liked

  • The private beach area offered a lovely atmosphere with fire pits, lounge seats, and a beautiful view. (17 reviews)
  • The pool areas were amazing, safe for non-swimmers, and offered a great experience for all guests. (33 reviews)
  • The spa at this property is wonderful, offering fabulous massages and a great experience. (14 reviews)
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From real guest reviews summarized by AI.
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Popular mentions

Room
Service staff
Location
View
Restaurant
Food
Amenities
Parking
Bay
Fees

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Such a beautiful property with very friendly staff ! Adult pool & family pool! The gym & private beach were such a nice perk!
Verified review

2/10 Poor

Clean room
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Went here to celebrate my wife’s birthday and stayed two nights.This older property was well maintained. We had a clean and quiet bayside room with a balcony. The staff was great.We enjoyed pool and jacuzzi time, took a complimentary bike ride and hot sauna. My wife had a massage and the filet mignon from the onsite Vessel restaurant was to die for! The drinks were pricey, but good. Really couldn’t have asked for too much more.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We had a great stay at Kona Kai. The front desk staff is very helpful and friendly. We had massages at SpaTerre, which were fabulous. We’d stay here again.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We had a very pleasant stay! Beautiful views! If we ever are in the area again, we will likely stay here again.Thank you!
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Pools were nice.. Staff was friendly and view were great!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

This place is great. Excellent and very clean. The fire pits with s’mores were fun.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

This property has an excellent location. Our beds were very comfortable and the room decor is very nice. My only complaint is that it smells a bit musty inside and they try to cover it up with an air freshener that is way to floral for my liking. The housekeeping staff and maintenance does an excellent job taking care of the guest rooms and common areas. We were disappointed with the breakfast buffet. For the price, it wasn’t that great and the service was a bit lacking, unfortunately. The breakfast would have been overpriced even if it was half what I paid. Plus they automatically add 20% for the service fee. So, for two people we spent almost a hundred on a mediocre meal and I had to get my own water refill, twice. Trust me, I am a patient and understanding person. The service was just bad.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

We loved the location of our room. Close enough to the pool and “beach” but also far enough to not hear all the noises. The staff is super friendly. The only thing I would say about our stay is the high daily parking rate. I’m sure it’s the going rate but paying $400 for our 4 night stay was a little steep. Just our opinion.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

We had a wonder visit from the moment we step into the resort. The Front desk staff help out us out with checking in, they even waived the parking fee. The rooms were clean and very comfortable. the views of courtyard and boats were great to see. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to book another visit.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Enjoyed the service at check-in provided by Bino. After checking in, he help us with the location for our dinner plans . The following evening he provided suggestions for dining on Shelter Island. Service at breakfast was also excellent. Our valet at check in and check out was also excellent.
Verified review

6/10 Good

They charge $48 for overnight parking for each night on top of so many fees. The breakfast buffet was delicious though. The bonfires were great too.
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great room. Helpful staff. Fabulous location
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

It is very good clean!!
Verified review

8/10 Very good

The hotel is in a beautiful location, and some of the newer rooms are much more comfortable than the older ones. However, the price is higher than what the overall experience justifies. The common areas could be better maintained, particularly the hot tub, which was not as clean as expected. The service was average and did not consistently meet the standards one would expect at this price point.
Verified review

6/10 Good

The beach view is good but everything else is kind of meh. Overall I thought the resort was very overrated for what it is. There are many other better resorts in SD. That being said shelter island is awesome
Verified review

8/10 Very good

I loved the location, the private beach, the pool and spa and access to marina frontage, lobby courtyard was simply beautiful! The room however was in need of maintenance. The curtains were hanging off the hooks on arrival. The wall paper was heavily stained from previous water damage and peeling off the wall. The counters were not very clean (dusty). In room coffee bar had only a very minimal coffee mates and stevia (2). So for the $$$ price I paid, I def expected more from the room I was given. Still would stay again if in a room that was maintained and ready for occupants.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Great hotel - just clearly understaffed. Basic needs cant be met - like the front desk being able to answer the phone, or handoff door dash in under 20 minutes. Also, paying for a suite and being given a mobility suite where you cannot hang clothes up to not be on the floor or have 2 people in the bathroom because the shower cannot be contained should be an option at the price. The staff was gracious and the views are great. The bed was very comfortable
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

I had such a wonderful stay at this resort! Everything was beautiful, peaceful, and very well taken care of. The staff were kind and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy every moment. My favorite part was spending the evenings by the fire it was so cozy and calming under the night sky. It truly made the experience feel special. I would definitely love to come back again
Verified review

6/10 Good

The bed was terrible. The bathroom door did not work or close properly. The outlets on the lamp were broken. There were very few USB ports. A document was provided that they wouldn’t clean every and was upon request, yet kept getting interrupted with housekeeping. The private beach, pools, and fitness center were top notch.
Verified review

8/10 Very good

Nice staff
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Kona Kai is a beautiful resort. My family had a great time there. Definitely want to stay there again!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

The staff was great. I got “stuck” an extra day due to east coast weather and they were so helpful!
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Room nicely appointed. Great view of boats. Service and food at conference was very good. I had a very enjoyable stay
Verified review

10/10 Exceptional

Great location