Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort, San Diego ~ Reviews, Room Choices & Prices 2025

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About the Resort

1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California, United States, 92106

Kona Kai Resort & Spa is an iconic destination located on Shelter Island in San Diego, celebrated for its rich history and exclusive beachfront. The resort seamlessly blends modern luxury with the charm of Southern California, offering expansive views of San Diego Bay and Point Loma. Its design embraces SoCal energy, with recent renovations infusing vibrant colors and elegant aesthetics. Known for its commitment to guest comfort, the resort also provides services catering to guests with disabilities, ensuring all visitors enjoy their stay.

Location

Kona Kai Resort is conveniently situated less than 10 minutes from San Diego International Airport, making it easily accessible for travelers. The resort's position on Shelter Island allows guests to explore nearby attractions such as the San Diego Zoo and Cabrillo National Monument, and the vibrant neighborhoods of Point Loma and Little Italy. This scenic area complements the resort's tranquil atmosphere, providing beautiful coastal views.

Rooms

The resort features a variety of luxurious accommodations including Deluxe King rooms and Waterfront Fireplace Junior Suites. Each room provides private balconies with stunning views of the marina or garden. Notable amenities include air conditioning, mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Eat & Drink

Onsite dining is offered at the Vessel Restaurant + Bar, known for its fresh New American cuisine and panoramic marina views. Guests can enjoy breakfast options along with specialty dishes showcasing local ingredients. The Tiki Bar complements the dining experience, providing tropical cocktails poolside.

Leisure & Business

The resort boasts a full-service spa, SpaTerre, which offers various treatments including massages and facials designed to promote relaxation. Guests can enjoy recreational activities at the private beach, two pools, and the onsite Action Water Sports rental center featuring kayaks and paddleboards. Evening bonfires on the beach provide a relaxing conclusion to busy days.

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Select your room type

The resort provides a range of accommodations, including double rooms, family rooms, and suites, all with breakfast, free cancellations, and exclusive deals.

Junior Suite Balcony

Max:

4 persons

36 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Bathtub

Balcony

room details

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Junior Suite

Max:

3 persons

36 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Bathtub

Balcony

room details

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

30 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Balcony

room details

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Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Centre

San Diego 7.2 km

Airports

San Diego International (SAN) 6.2 km

El Cajon (CJN) 34.7 km

Train

Coaster Santa Fe Station 5.9 km

Bus

Bus stop700 m

Facilities

Enjoy a range of amenities at the resort designed for your comfortable stay and remarkable experiences.

Accessible Amenities

“The resort offered excellent accessible amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for all its guests.” view full review

Beautiful Room Views

“My room had stunning water views on both sides, providing a breathtaking backdrop for my stay.” view full review

Relaxing Pool Vibes

“The adults-only pool was a serene retreat, perfect for unwinding after a busy day.” view full review

Spotless Cleanliness

“My bathroom was impeccably clean and well-maintained, enhancing my overall relaxation during the stay.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Locker room
Private beach
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Water sports
Cycling
Yoga class
Fishing

Services

Pet amenities available
Housekeeping
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

Restaurant
Poolside snack bar
Outdoor dining area

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Board games
Children's menu

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Heated swimming pool
Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Spa & wellness centre
Steam room
Jacuzzi
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Body wraps
Back massage
Full body massage
Foot massage
Pool with view
Shallow end
Make up services

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Garden furniture
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Bathtub
Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Parquet floor

Location

1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California, United States, 92106

Map view

1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, California, United States, 92106

City landmarks

Island

Shelter Island

650 m

Park

Shelter Island Park Shoreline

540 m

Church

Saint Agnes Catholic Church

1.5 km

Museum

USS Midway Museum

5.3 km

2200 Shelter Island Dr

Shoreline Park

1.3 km

Laurel Street

Sefton Plaza

1.2 km

University

Point Loma Nazarene College

2.0 km

North Harbor Island Drive

Spanish Landing Park

3.2 km

Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

4.0 km

2558 1/3 Laning Rd N Harbor Dr

USS Recruit

2.6 km

Park

Harbor Island Park

3.0 km

Amusement Park

SeaWorld San Diego

6.2 km

Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

3.5 km

Beach

Smuggler's Cove

2.7 km

Sunset Cliffs

3.2 km

Zuniga Point

3.0 km

Gallery

Visions Art Museum

3.6 km

Museum

Women's Museum of California

3.7 km

North Island

3.4 km

Point Loma

3.8 km

Lighthouse

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

4.3 km

Park

Ingram Plaza

3.5 km

Cushing Road at Roosevelt

52 Boats Memorial

3.5 km

Gallery

San Diego Comic Art Gallery

3.8 km

Beach

Breakers Beach

3.6 km

Museum

New Americans Museum

3.6 km

Market

Liberty Public Market

3.9 km

Nearby

1401 Shelter Island Dr Shelter Island

Japanese Friendship Bell

250 m

1500 Shelter Island Dr

Friendship Bell

270 m

1718 Shelter Island Dr

Tunaman's Memorial

500 m

Restaurants

Blue Wave Bar & Grill

650 m

2051 Shelter Island Dr

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience. <br />

60%

liked the resort and would come back

6.0/10

Guest rating

Rooms

5.0

Location

7.8

Service

6.5

Dining

6.0

4/5 based on 1996 reviews

#68 of 283 hotels in San Diego based on Tripadvisor

Kelly

United States, October 2024

6.6/10

The hotel had beautiful amenities and excellent service, making for an enjoyable stay. While the food was good, it felt pricey for what was offered. I did face some issues with room suitability and additional promises that weren't honored, which certainly impacted the overall experience. Unfortunately, the value for what I paid didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Rooms

5.0

The bay view junior suite left much to be desired, as our view was blocked by the parking lot and the room felt cramped for four people. It was mostly clean aside from some stains on the chairs. Additionally, the noisy headboards made it difficult to sleep.

Service

9.0

The service was commendable, with staff being courteous and attentive. They resolved my initial room cleanliness issue by moving me to another room and even surprised us with celebratory decorations and chilled Prosecco.

Location

8.0

The location was a standout feature, situated near the water with easy access to downtown without much traffic noise. However, it could be tough for those without a car to find dining options.

Dining

5.0

The restaurant experience was disappointing; the menu lacked variety and quality. Although we were expecting something special for a birthday celebration, nothing complementary was offered.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had lovely amenities, including beautiful outdoor spaces, but they became less appealing when not all activities were accessible, such as the fire pits.

George

United States, October 2024

5.0/10

This hotel has a mixed bag of experiences. The rooms I stayed in were lacking in cleanliness and amenities, which was disappointing for the price. However, I did encounter good service from one staff member regarding my lost items. The location offers some nice views, but not without its challenges, especially with events closing off areas. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place based on my experience.

Rooms

5.0

I found the rooms in a sad state of disrepair. The first 'marina view' room was obstructed by a cabana, and the second had mold and holes in the linens.

Service

5.0

While one manager was helpful in retrieving my lost items, the overall service left much to be desired, especially at the front desk.

Location

5.0

The views could be stunning, but with events blocking access to areas, it was frustrating. It’s also close to the airport but has its noise issues.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was underwhelming, with long wait times that really tested my patience.

Facilities

5.0

Facilities like the pool were closed off during my stay due to a wedding, which was quite inconvenient.

Johnny

United States, October 2024

6.4/10

My stay was truly a mix of paradise and frustration. The hotel had stunning views and offered a variety of activities to enjoy right on the property. However, my experience was tainted by some major issues with the room service and cleanliness, which really wasn’t ideal. The location is picturesque, providing a beautiful escape, but be mindful that it’s somewhat remote from downtown attractions.

Rooms

5.0

The rooms needed better attention to cleanliness and had some maintenance issues.

Service

5.0

There were significant problems with room service and the responsiveness of management.

Location

8.0

The location is beautiful and perfect for a relaxing getaway, but quite far from the city center.

Dining

6.0

Dining options were okay, but we opted to eat out most days due to limited breakfast options.

Facilities

9.0

The resort offers a great range of facilities like pools and fire pits, which were well enjoyed.

Russell

United States, September 2024

5.2/10

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Facilities

John

United States, August 2024

8.6/10

My stay at Kona Kai was lovely overall. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, and the food was quite tasty. I enjoyed a beautiful view of the bay from my room. However, there were some concerns with cleanliness, as my feet got dirty shortly after entering my room, and there were issues with housekeeping that were disappointing. Overall, it had a nice vibe but could improve on maintenance.

Rooms

7.0

The room was bright and nicely decorated, offering a lovely view of the bay, but cleanliness was definitely an issue.

Service

9.0

The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the head of housekeeping made an effort to resolve my issue.

Location

10.0

The location was beautiful and relaxing, with a view of the bay that was truly enjoyable.

Dining

9.0

Dining was exceptional, with delicious food and a lovely atmosphere to enjoy while watching the boats.