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 (1680)
  • Very good (460)
  • Average (311)
  • Poor (205)
  • Terrible (181)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An Out-of-This-World Experience at Kona Kai Resort

May 20, 2025 Aiga T Scottsdale, Arizona

Where do I even begin? From the moment my wife and I arrived at Kona Kai San Diego, we were blown away by the warmth, professionalism, and sheer excellence of the entire team. We’ve stayed at Noble House properties before (shout out to Mission Bay!), but discovering that Kona Kai was a sister property made this experience feel even more like a… Read more
Where do I even begin? From the moment my wife and I arrived at Kona Kai San Diego, we were blown away by the warmth, professionalism, and sheer excellence of the entire team. We’ve stayed at Noble House properties before (shout out to Mission Bay!), but discovering that Kona Kai was a sister property made this experience feel even more like a homecoming. As a non-traditional but progressive couple, finding a space that not only accepts us but celebrates us means everything. We felt safe, seen, and sincerely welcomed. Although, Joseph and the Kona Kai team were getting beat up during a busy weekend—Know and understand that you are superb and out of this world! Thank you for being such a bright light and positive influence. Yes, we guests can be a little needy (we know!), but you all made it feel so effortless to relax, recharge, and truly enjoy the fruits of our labor. We left with full hearts, a few new friends, and memories we’ll cherish forever. We can’t wait to come back! Sincerely, Mrs. & Mrs. Solaita Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating My family and I felt so welcomed the moment we walked through the doors. Jesse at the front desk was amazing!!

May 20, 2025 Mary A Lakeside, California

Jesse assisted us when we arrived. He asked all the right questions to make sure our stay was nothing but memorable!! He was very accommodating, friendly and professional. View was perfect. amenities were outstanding .Fire pit by the water with smores was perfect.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excellent, Perfect and Lovely Stay!!!

May 19, 2025 Param P

Nice family oriented resort. Loved the atmosphere and friendly staff, accommodated all the needs we had. Fair discounts for the zoo, aquarium and other activity. Just not happy with pool area as you will find food plates, beer cans and cups around the hot tub and pool area (especially adult pool) and lots beer cups in and around in hot tub in… Read more
Nice family oriented resort. Loved the atmosphere and friendly staff, accommodated all the needs we had. Fair discounts for the zoo, aquarium and other activity. Just not happy with pool area as you will find food plates, beer cans and cups around the hot tub and pool area (especially adult pool) and lots beer cups in and around in hot tub in family pool area also. Stay 100+ Safe 100+ Cleanliness 85 (because of pool area otherwise 100+) I would recommend to some else 100% Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not worth it.

May 18, 2025 Matt T

Overall this hotel is far too expensive for what you get. We arrived 2 hours early and asked if we could be checked in earlier - despite there being very few people there, the man at the front desk said no, we can't check in early, but he will call us when we can and we can stay by the pool. Well what do you know, 2 hours go by and no call. I had… Read more
Overall this hotel is far too expensive for what you get. We arrived 2 hours early and asked if we could be checked in earlier - despite there being very few people there, the man at the front desk said no, we can't check in early, but he will call us when we can and we can stay by the pool. Well what do you know, 2 hours go by and no call. I had to go to the front desk to ask if the room was ready and someone else who was working said "absolutely". Ok fine. great. i'm glad we waited 2 hours for nothing when we could have been in our room. Either way, we get to our room and in the middle of unpacking we find a dirty sock from the previous guests. Not acceptable. My wife calls to reception and fair enough, they upgrade us to a "better room", which was honestly the exact same, but just with a different view. After this I had remembered that the hotel offered "discount tickets to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World", which was perfect because we had our daughter with us and we figured this would add more value to the hotel. WRONG. when I asked the folks at the front desk they said "you're better off just booking on the website, it will be cheaper". Um what? on the website it literally says "discounted tickets to sea world and san diego zoo" so if that isn't actually offered, then that is false advertising. Not to mention all the food/drinks are insanely overpriced and parking at $45/day and the resort fee of $45/day is a total scam because you get literally nothing extra from it. Lastly, housekeeping never came to our room. They realized their mistake and decided to call at 5pm to ask if we still wanted housekeeping after we had been gone all day. No thank you. Very poorly run hotel overall, the employees were pretty rude, and we will not be coming back. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating San Diego has our Hearts thanks to Kona Kai

May 17, 2025 Tyrelle E

Customer service was top tier! From check in, to the Vessel Restaurant, to even just walking by employees. Everyone had a smile on their face & were so friendly. Some things we’d change would be the AC in the room. It turns off when you leave the room so when we came back from a hot day, the room was a little uncomfortable temperature wise. We… Read more
Customer service was top tier! From check in, to the Vessel Restaurant, to even just walking by employees. Everyone had a smile on their face & were so friendly. Some things we’d change would be the AC in the room. It turns off when you leave the room so when we came back from a hot day, the room was a little uncomfortable temperature wise. We think the rooms could be slightly renovated. It felt a little out dated but we still enjoyed our stay & we had so much fun! Read less