Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort | San Diego ★ Book Spa Rooms, Wellness Deals & Guest Reviews

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Key details

About the Hotel

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

Kona Kai Resort & Spa, A Noble House Resort, is a 4-star San Diego hotel offering a private beach, luxurious spa treatments, and vibrant dining options. This resort features spacious guest rooms with private balconies, making it suitable for both families and adults seeking relaxation.

Rooms & Amenities

Accommodations at Kona Kai Resort & Spa include recently-renovated guest rooms and suites with private balconies that provide bay or marina views. Amenities in each room feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-bars.

Dining Options

The Vessel Restaurant + Bar at Kona Kai offers New American cuisine with panoramic waterfront views, and guests can enjoy drinks at the Tiki Bar or Paloma Bar while lounging by the pool. Daily happy hour is available with sunset marina views.

Leisure & Activities

Guests can access a full-service Shelter Island spa for various treatments and relax by the adults-only pool or the family-friendly pool with beach access and poolside service. Activities include complimentary bike rentals and water sports from the onsite rental center.

Services & Local Area

Kona Kai Resort & Spa is pet-friendly, accommodating four-legged guests with special amenities and local pet-friendly activities. The resort is less than 10 minutes from the airport and nearby public transportation options include local bus services.

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Choose your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite Balcony

Max:

4 persons

390 sq. feet

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Bathtub

Balcony

room details

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Junior Suite

Max:

3 persons

390 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Bathtub

Balcony

room details

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Standard King Room

Max:

2 persons

325 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Balcony

room details

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Price and Room Availability

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Getting around

Comprehensive guide to transport options for seamless travel

City Centre

San Diego 4.5 mi

Airports

San Diego International (SAN) 3.9 mi

El Cajon (CJN) 21.6 mi

Train

Coaster Santa Fe Station 3.7 mi

Bus

Bus stop2300 ft

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Fantastic Food

“I had an very nice dining experience at the Vessel restaurant. The mushroom flatbread was amazing, and I highly recommend trying the lobster quesadilla. Every meal we had was bursting with flavor, and the service was perfect. I found myself dining here all weekend long, which is a testament to how great everything was!” view full review

Relaxing Spa Treatments

“The spa experience was truly rejuvenating. I enjoyed a well-deserved pedicure that was perfectly relaxing and lasted for weeks, even with my swimming routine. The atmosphere was lovely, and I felt pampered throughout my visit. It's definitely a must-try if you're looking to unwind during your stay.” view full review

Stunning Room

“My room was nothing short of stellar. It had amazing views, a spacious layout, and the bed was extraordinarily comfortable. I also appreciated the unique touch of a rubber duck in the bathroom. The cleanliness and attention to detail made my stay even more enjoyable.” view full review

Great Fitness Center

“The health club at Kona Kai is well-equipped and inviting. I took full advantage of the facilities during my stay. The steam rooms were an added bonus, providing a refreshing way to relax after a good workout. Overall, it’s a fantastic space to maintain your fitness routine while on vacation.” view full review

General

Non-smoking property
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Luggage storage
Private beach
Lift
Gift/Newsstand
Hairdresser
Fireplace

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Tubing
Fitness studio

Guest Parking

Refrigerator

Services

Paid valet parking
Room service
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Tours/Ticket assistance
Wedding services
Bell staff/Porter
Computer connection

Dining

Paid breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Outdoor dining area

Business

Business centre

Children

Cots
Kids club
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach umbrellas
Beach towels
Sun loungers
Ballroom
Garden area
Paid cabanas
Spa & wellness centre
Turkish bath
Steam room
Treatment room

Room features

Air conditioning
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Patio
Terrace
Balcony
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Refrigerator

Media

Flat-screen TV
Telephone
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

2200 ft

Park

Shelter Island Park Shoreline

1800 ft

Church

Saint Agnes Catholic Church

5000 ft

Museum

USS Midway Museum

3.3 mi

2200 Shelter Island Dr

Shoreline Park

4200 ft

Laurel Street

Sefton Plaza

4000 ft

University

Point Loma Nazarene College

1.2 mi

North Harbor Island Drive

Spanish Landing Park

2.0 mi

Monument

Cabrillo National Monument

2.5 mi

2558 1/3 Laning Rd N Harbor Dr

USS Recruit

1.6 mi

Park

Harbor Island Park

1.8 mi

Amusement Park

SeaWorld San Diego

3.8 mi

Park

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

2.2 mi

Beach

Smuggler's Cove

1.7 mi

Sunset Cliffs

2.0 mi

Zuniga Point

1.9 mi

Gallery

Visions Art Museum

2.2 mi

Museum

Women's Museum of California

2.3 mi

North Island

2.1 mi

Point Loma

2.4 mi

Lighthouse

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

2.7 mi

Park

Ingram Plaza

2.2 mi

Cushing Road at Roosevelt

52 Boats Memorial

2.2 mi

Gallery

San Diego Comic Art Gallery

2.4 mi

Beach

Breakers Beach

2.2 mi

Museum

New Americans Museum

2.2 mi

Market

Liberty Public Market

2.4 mi

Nearby

1401 Shelter Island Dr Shelter Island

Japanese Friendship Bell

900 ft

1500 Shelter Island Dr

Friendship Bell

900 ft

1718 Shelter Island Dr

Tunaman's Memorial

1700 ft

Restaurants

Blue Wave Bar & Grill

2200 ft

2051 Shelter Island Dr

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews from guests about their experience.

84%

loved their spa retreat and can’t wait to return.

8.4/10

Great

Rooms

8.2

Location

8.2

Service

9.8

Dining

8.6

4/5 based on 1996 reviews

#68 of 283 hotels in San Diego based on Tripadvisor

Scarlett

United Kingdom, March 2025

7.4/10

Kona Kai is a lovely resort with stunning views and friendly staff, making it a decent choice for a relaxing getaway. The rooms are comfortable, although a bit small, and the dining options are good, especially with the happy hour. However, some amenities are limited, and it's a bit isolated, which might inflate the costs for food and drinks if you don't come prepared.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were clean and comfortable, boasting beautiful views from the balcony. However, they felt a bit small for larger groups.

Service

9.0

The staff was very accommodating and eager to help, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere during my stay.

Location

6.0

The hotel is located in a serene area right by the marina and close enough to access downtown with a short ride, although it's not within walking distance to many attractions.

Dining

8.0

The food was delicious, and I really enjoyed the happy hour prices, especially for beer and wine. However, options outside the single restaurant were limited.

Facilities

7.0

The resort offered nice amenities like fire pits on the beach and a clean pool area. However, the closure of the bar early was a bit of a bummer.

William

United Kingdom, February 2025

8.0/10

My experience at the hotel was a mixed bag. On one hand, the service we received was exceptional, with welcoming staff who went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. Unfortunately, our initial room situation was less than ideal as we ended up with a view of the parking lot. The amenities and overall comfort made up for it, but I wish the dining options were more varied.

Rooms

8.0

We had a bay view room that turned out to be much nicer than we expected. While it initially overlooked a parking lot, the view of the bay was beautiful and compensated for it. The room was cozy, feeling modern and spacious.

Service

10.0

The service was outstanding! Sean at the front desk made us feel immediately welcome and took the time to check in on us throughout our stay. The staff, including Bree and Reese, really made our experience special.

Location

7.0

The hotel is located right on the bay, providing gorgeous views and a peaceful atmosphere. However, it can be a bit far from other attractions, which might not be ideal for everyone.

Dining

7.0

The dining experience was enjoyable, with good food but limited breakfast options. We appreciated the One dinner we had, especially the scenic view while we ate.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were well-maintained, with lovely fire pits around the property. However, the access to the main building could be improved as it's a bit of a trek from some rooms.

Mike

United Kingdom, January 2025

8.8/10

I recently enjoyed a fantastic getaway at this hotel! The beauty of the property and its stunning ocean views were truly breathtaking. The staff was always available and eager to assist, making my stay feel extra special. However, the parking situation could be improved, as it was a bit of a hassle at times. Overall, it was an excellent experience with many amenities, but parking was a notable downside.

Rooms

8.0

The room I stayed in was quite comfortable and had a lovely view of the marina. It met all my needs, although it felt a bit snug for three people.

Service

10.0

The service was outstanding! The staff went above and beyond, even surprising us with a complimentary bottle of bubbles and chocolates to celebrate our occasion.

Location

9.0

This hotel is in a great location, surrounded by water on three sides. It offered easy access to activities and stunning bayside views.

Dining

9.0

The dining options were fantastic, especially breakfast. I ordered room service one morning, and it was delicious with a stunning view of the sailboats.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were excellent, with a gorgeous main pool and spa area. However, be prepared for weekend crowding if you're visiting during peak times.

Grace

United Kingdom, November 2024

9.2/10

This hotel offered a stunning resort experience with breathtaking views while being conveniently close to the city's attractions. The staff was incredibly welcoming, making every moment special. The dining experience stood out, especially with room service, but there were a few small letdowns, notably the limited pool area. Overall, it's a delightful place to unwind, though the price point reflects its luxurious nature.

Rooms

9.0

Our room was super clean, spacious, and extremely comfortable, providing a perfect retreat after a day out.

Service

10.0

The service was warm and welcoming, with every staff member going out of their way to make us feel special.

Location

10.0

Located near all the major attractions and restaurants, the views from the hotel were absolutely spectacular, offering both bay and marina views.

Dining

9.0

Dining was excellent with a fantastic restaurant on-site, and I couldn't recommend the room service enough-it truly complemented our stay.

Facilities

8.0

The facilities were impressive, with two pools catering to different needs, though the pool area could use some more space.

Mason

United Kingdom, November 2024

9.4/10

My stay at Kona Kai was incredibly memorable, especially for my husband's 40th birthday celebration. The staff went above and beyond to make our experience special, from room decorations to a celebratory Prosecco. The grounds were stunning and the activities plentiful, although we did face an issue with the air conditioning one night. Overall, it felt like a tropical oasis, and I can't wait to return!

Rooms

9.0

The rooms were beautifully decorated and immaculate, which added to our lovely experience. However, there was a brief inconvenience with the air conditioning that was promptly addressed by the staff.

Service

10.0

The service was stellar, with attentive and caring staff who truly made our stay enjoyable. They even replaced our faulty air conditioning while we were out for breakfast!

Location

9.0

The location was beautiful and serene, perfect for a relaxing getaway. It felt like we were on a tropical island, yet conveniently close to town for other activities.

Dining

10.0

Dining at Vessel was fantastic. Chef Roy's dishes were delightful and the atmosphere was lovely, making our meals a highlight of our stay.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities were excellent, with two lovely pools that catered to both families and adults. The well-kept grounds also contributed to a relaxing environment.