1551 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, California, United States | (251) 219-4428
Relaxed location on Shelter Island sits on a sandy beach
Private marina has speedboat, kayak, and paddleboat rentals
Colorful rooms feature views of the marina or bay
All rooms are ADA compliant
Outdoor lap pool and hot tub are large and well-maintained
Trendy restaurant and bar serves coastal cuisine
Attractive meeting spaces available
Large indoor and outdoor event venues on-site
Full-service spa and salon offers various treatments and services
Well-equipped fitness center with modern equipment
Free Wi-Fi
Resort fee
Rooms have mix of dated and modern decor
Fee for parking
With its own beach, private marina, and updated
spa, the Kona Kai feels more like a vacation resort than anything else. It's also farther down on the Shelter Island strip, making for
a quieter, more relaxing spot than other area hotels -- with little to spoil the
views from the gorgeous outdoor pool. Outfitted with small private balconies or
patios, rooms are colorful enough to cover up the fact that some furnishings are worn. Still, boating enthusiasts, couples, and families willing to
overlook a pesky resort fee can find plenty of amenities here, and business travelers
will be close to the airport.
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Scene
Old Spanish Colonial on the outside, trendy and airy on the inside
Many of the hotels on Shelter Island have a
dated look compared to the more timeless exteriors of the Kona Kai. A big 2014
renovation left the Spanish Colonial-style red tile roofs and archways
intact while completely updating the interiors with trendy, colorful
decor. The fully outfitted, spacious lobby has a tranquil, balanced vibe.
Bright white and blue furnishings stand out against faux vintage-looking wood
backgrounds and dark floors. Artwork is hung above the area fireplace and abstract sculptures inconspicuously inhabit the terrain. Outside, the seagulls
are as much of a constant as the sailboats docked in the marina.
Location
On Shelter Island, close to the airport and area attractions
Located at the southern end of Shelter
Island, Kona Kai Resort sits on the main drag between the marina and the
broader San Diego Bay. A jogging path runs along the waterfront nearby, with a
playground and several restaurants within walking distance. The resort is
about 20 minutes by car from major attractions like Balboa Park and the
National History Museum, as well as a couple of beaches (including Coronado Beach) and
the lively bars and restaurants of downtown's Gaslamp Quarter. San Diego
International Airport is only a 10-minute drive northeast.
Rooms
Punchy island decor with iPod docks and large flat-screens
The property’s 2014 renovations carried
over into its rooms, where brown and cream palates were updated with leafy,
bright teal wallpaper. A mix of older furnishings remain, varying widely in
style, from mundane beige bedside tables to dark wood desks to chairs with wild
blue and white prints. Lamps shaped like pineapples and occasional bamboo headboards add to an overall island
vibe. All units also have flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and mini-fridges. Small private balconies or patios have views overlooking the bay,
marina, or pool. The blue and white tiled bathrooms have striped yellow
wallpaper and average shower/tub combos.
Features
Private marina, sandy beach, and outdoor pool -- along with a restaurant and event space
Kona
Kai Marina has 520 boat slips that accommodate a range of boats from 30 to
250 feet. Guests can rent sailboats, speedboats, kayaks, and paddleboats right
from the hotel. A sandy beach fronting the marina has cushioned sun loungers
with fire pits spaced between them, accompanied by wicker pod-style chairs near
the water's edge. The outdoor pool area also has captivating views of the
marina from its sun deck, which is covered in lounge chairs and thatched-roof
cabanas. The big, oddly shaped pool has three lap lanes, with a hot
tub available as well. SpaTerre offers a wide range of treatments and massages, while the spacious fitness center has free weights, machines, towels, and locker rooms. For travelers
with an agenda beyond being pampered, the hotel has 11,000 square feet of indoor
event space, including a beautiful ballroom. That excludes its
expansive outdoor venue space with views of the water. For foodies, Vessel Restaurant
serves New American and coastal cuisine with local and seasonal
ingredients. The venue has a chic 360-degree bar with a glowing marble top and outdoor
terrace seating.
