Kona Kai Resort & Spa

San Diego, California

Star rating

Deluxe King Room
Vessel Restaurant
Terrace
Deluxe Queen Room
Marina Terrace
Marina View Junior Suite
Deluxe King Room
Vessel Restaurant
Terrace
Deluxe Queen Room
Marina Terrace
Marina View Junior Suite

The hotel

This iconic California hotel is on Shelter Island, overlooking the famed Kona Kai Marina. With ocean views from every room type, you can laze the days away on your balcony if you fancy - complete with stunning views of San Diego bay. Although with a private beach two waterfront pools, you'll probably want to leave the room to enjoy a leisurely day by the water either way. Embrace true holiday life and head to the poolside bar for a refreshing drink – and take in the views of the marina, or pamper yourself at the spa. If you fancy something a bit more active, explore the island on one of the complimentary beach cruisers or enjoy one of the many water sports activities on offer!

Amenities

  • Bicycle Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Sailing
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

Located on Shelter Island on Kona Kai Marina, minutes from Downtown San Diego and San Diego’s International Airport.

Hotel information

170 rooms, including 41 luxury suites, all with spectacular water viewsfrom the private patio or balcony, as well as flatscreen TV with premium entertainment channels, complimentary coffee, mini-fridge, safe, hairdryer, bathrobes, iron and board. 

Deluxe Guestrooms have 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Premium Rooms offer 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Suites are also available, featuring sophisticated coastal design, spa-inspired bathrooms with bath and rainfall shower, and bay or marina views from an oversized balcony. 

Vessel restaurant (local coastal cuisine, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner). Tiki Bar and adults-only pool bar. Resort pool and adults-only pool. Pool and beach cabanas*. Spa*. Fitness centre. Complimentary fitness classes. Private beach and firepits. Water activity centre* including kayaks and paddle boards. Volleyball. Badminton. Complimentary bikes. Fishing*. Beach parties. Kona Kai Marina with bay cruises* and dinner cruises*. Gift shop. Room service*. WiFi*. Self-parking $34, plus tax per night (payable locally, subject to change)

This hotel has resort fees that are included in the room rate (subject to change)

Resort fee includes: - Daily Newspaper in Lobby - WiFi - Fitness centre and steam room - Towel Service at pool and spa. Resort fee, tax and inclusions are subject to change - please see hotel check-in for current inclusions available to you upon arrival.

*Denotes local charge. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1686)
  • Very good (461)
  • Average (315)
  • Poor (208)
  • Terrible (183)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful sleep in the cloudscape; awesome staff

Jun 9, 2025 FarAway50639595724

Very clean and comfortable. Nice view, although it was foggy and cold. They have no control over that. Housekeeping and front desk staff were wonderful. Many families having a great time, even in the cold. Rooms are spacious and comfortable. Beds and bedding soft, heavenly!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Worse hotel experience my wife and I have ever had.

Jun 7, 2025 Gustavo D Lihue, Hawaii

See my review. Hallway carpet was smelly. Room looks like was renovated recently. It was clean. Air conditioner was loud and recycled often. Sleeping in the room was very difficult. Pillows were very uncomfortable. No extra blankets were provided.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Mixed experience.

Jun 4, 2025 Antoinette M Minneapolis, Minnesota

On the positive side, the grounds are lovely, the staff friendly and helpful. We stayed in the basic guest rooms, which were nice and were similar to what you would get in a Marriott or a Hilton. Each has a patio or balcony. Half the rooms face the marina, separated by a sandy area (“beach”, but no water access) dotted with nice firepits that they… Read more
On the positive side, the grounds are lovely, the staff friendly and helpful. We stayed in the basic guest rooms, which were nice and were similar to what you would get in a Marriott or a Hilton. Each has a patio or balcony. Half the rooms face the marina, separated by a sandy area (“beach”, but no water access) dotted with nice firepits that they light every night. The other half face a parking lot. We had one of each and the experience was definitely better on the marina side. The pools are nice and are heated. The food was decent, albeit expensive. Unless you have a car the hotel is the only convenient location for food. The main negatives: They nickel and dime you. There is a “resort fee” tagged on to every room for things that are free at other hotels—-basic internet (you pay extra for an upgrade), use of the pools, use of gym equipment. $7 for the water bottles in the room, $7 for coffee at the breakfast buffet on top of the buffet cost. There is plenty of parking but it is expensive. Two things were very annoying and would be easy for them to change: The rooms have no microwaves so you can’t heat up leftovers. We had two rooms and both coffee pots were bad—-barely heated the water. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Hotel Kona Kai is a mess

Jun 3, 2025 Gorty50 Santa Barbara, California

The property is in a great location but has been allowed to deteriorate. Our room was a mess. Next to the elevator, ice & vending machine, and housekeeping station. The headboards on the uncomfortable beds were falling off the wall. Filthy carpets. Parking lot access out of order. No friendly or helpful staff.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Anniversary

Jun 1, 2025 Ozell B

Awesone weekend getaway with great friendly staff very nice rooms including great upgrade options!😊 Front desk staff JP & Miles provided amazing customer service. They both helping me celebrate my anniversary & wifey birthday celebration. The adult pool bar staff was also great!!!😊👍🏽