Kona Kai Resort & Spa

San Diego, California

Virgin 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 (1621)
  • Very good (452)
  • Average (299)
  • Poor (190)
  • Terrible (172)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Family Vacation

Nov 21, 2024 analyn r

Challenging at first but so far it ended good, family had fun browsing the area, Wonderful and friendly hotel staff.Great location.Enjoying the peace and wonderful scenery! Great food at the vessel restaurant and amazing view at day and night.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic long weekend!

Nov 20, 2024 Norene B

This is a fantastic property located on Shelter island. Close to many restaurants and located right on the water. The staff was wonderful and I would love to stay there again! Also enjoyed having late afternoon cocktails with friends at the restaurant.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ritz Carlton Prices for Motel 6 Level Room

Nov 18, 2024 Mike W Carlsbad, California

Definitely not worht the price. Very basic room with old aluminum sliding doors and very tired curtains. Motel6 level patio furniture. Ocean view rooms facing the street. Heater in room was a motel style unit and gave off a horrible burning smell. No blankets - had to ask to be sent up. If you want to pay Ritz Carlton prices for a Motel6… Read more
Definitely not worht the price. Very basic room with old aluminum sliding doors and very tired curtains. Motel6 level patio furniture. Ocean view rooms facing the street. Heater in room was a motel style unit and gave off a horrible burning smell. No blankets - had to ask to be sent up. If you want to pay Ritz Carlton prices for a Motel6 room this is your place!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great location

Nov 18, 2024 Kimberly B

Beautiful location, hotel was awesome, very restful atmospher with lots of things to do if you want to venture around the property. The food was also good, rooms were light and bright and I loved that you had a balcony to enjoy the breeze and fresh air.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The worst experience ever!

Nov 17, 2024 Matt P

My wife and I recently stayed for our anniversary. We could not have had a worse experience. Winter hours? Seriously? Just an excuse to not provide guests with the experience they are expecting. Everything shuts down at 9pm. Nowhere did I see these details. 10/21/24 False Costco Descrition "The newly transformed (with a rusted sprinkler head… Read more
My wife and I recently stayed for our anniversary. We could not have had a worse experience. Winter hours? Seriously? Just an excuse to not provide guests with the experience they are expecting. Everything shuts down at 9pm. Nowhere did I see these details. 10/21/24 False Costco Descrition "The newly transformed (with a rusted sprinkler head protruding from the ceiling and shower-tub from 1987) and (a non-)expanded Kona Kai San Diego Resort welcomes you to an island escape in the center of San Diego. Laze the day away on your oversized (tiny) balcony looking out over (our parking lot) San Diego Bay while nibbling on local food from the Point Loma (which doesn't exist or is now called Vessel that closes at 8:59pm) restaurant. Enjoy a day on the resorts private beach, sipping specialty drinks from the Tiki Bar (which not ever open) or relax near (far away) the new adults-only pool." They nickel and dime you for everything. Complimentary internet for one device. $9.99 to listen to music through our TV. It's 2024! Complimentary cruiser bike access* (for 2 hours after you download an app and pay $10). Get to the lobby between 4-7am for free coffee* (or pay at the bar starting at 7:01am). The front desk does not provide friendly support and has been well trained on how to respond to concerns and complaints. Reactive. NOT proactive. $70 for 2 breakfast sandwiches and two cups of coffee. Very slow Wi-Fi and one 'complimentary' device each day. Otherwise $9/day. (Current year 2024) "You can expect a non-newly transformed room and a dirty tub-shower." The cleaning staff going out of there way to be load and wake up guests. Fix marketing details to be accurate. Use the term "historic". Built in 1954, this 3-story hotel is part of the Noble House Hotels & Resorts chain. The Kona Kai Club, which opened in 1953, was one of the first developments on Shelter Island and is now considered San Diego's premier marina. Overall a terrible experience. I'll do everything I can to promote the truth for future guests. Read less