Kona Kai San Diego, near Cabrillo National Monument, offers a peaceful getaway with a private beach, two poolside bars, beach massages, yoga classes, and cabanas. The eco-certified hotel features an on-site spa and Vessel Restaurant serving local dishes all day.
Located in Point Loma, a neighbourhood in San Diego, Kona Kai San Diego is near the airport and on a private beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Old Town San Diego State Park and Balboa Park, while Cabrillo National Monument and USS Midway Museum are cultural highlights. Don't miss out on a visit to San Diego Zoo. Windsurfing and surfing/body boarding offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our San Diego travel guide
1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106
What's nearby
Shelter Island
1 min walk - 0.0 km
San Diego Bay
1 min walk - 0.0 km
San Diego Yacht Club
2 min drive - 1.5 km
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
15 min walk - 1.3 km
USS Recruit
4 min drive - 2.7 km
Getting around
County Center - Little Italy Station
10 min drive
Old Town Transit Center
16 min drive
San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
15 min drive
Restaurants
Bali Hai Restaurant
18 min walk
Better Buzz Coffee
5 min drive
Mitch's Seafood
4 min drive
Point Loma Seafoods
4 min drive
Point Break Cafe
7 min drive
About this property
Kona Kai San Diego
Upscale hotel near Old Town San Diego State Park
Located close to Cabrillo National Monument, Kona Kai San Diego provides a marina, 2 poolside bars and a terrace. With a private beach, beach cabanas and beach massages, this hotel is the perfect place to soak up some sun. Treat yourself to a manicure/pedicure, a hot stone massage or aromatherapy at the on-site spa. The on-site local cuisine restaurant, Vessel Restaurant and Bar, offers breakfast, brunch, dinner, light fare and al fresco dining. The gym offers fitness classes and yoga classes; other things to do include kayaking, sailing and boat tours. In addition to a garden and dry cleaning/laundry services, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Additional perks include:
2 outdoor pools along with cabanas, sunloungers and pool umbrellas
Buffet breakfast (surcharge), bike hire and self-parking (surcharge)
An electric car charging station, a lift and a 24-hour front desk
Motorised watercraft on-site, a porter/bellboy and concierge services
Guest reviews give top marks for the helpful staff
Room features
All 170 individually furnished rooms boast thoughtful touches such as premium bedding and pillow menus, as well as amenities such as free WiFi and air conditioning.
Extra amenities include:
Designer toiletries and hairdryers
42-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels
Balconies or patios, fridges and coffee/tea makers
Awards and affiliations
Eco-certified property
This property participates in Green Key Global – a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Parking on site (USD 46 per night; includes in/out privileges)
Limited on-site self parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking available
Food and drink
Buffet breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on weekends; USD 33 to 100 per person
2 bars/lounges
2 poolside bars
A restaurant
Snack bar/deli
Restaurants on site
Paloma Pool Bar
Tiki Bar
Vessel Restaurant and Bar
Things to do
2 outdoor pools
Beach yoga
Bicycle rentals
Boat tours
Fitness classes
Full-service spa
Gym
Hot tub
Kayaking
Personal motorised watercraft
Sailing
Steam room
Family friendly
2 outdoor pools
In-room refrigerator
Snack bar/deli
Conveniences
24-hour front desk
ATM
Gift shop/newsstand
Luggage storage
Guest services
Concierge services
Dry cleaning/laundry service
Housekeeping (daily)
Multilingual staff
Porter/bellhop
Proposal/romance packages
Tour and ticket assistance
Wedding services
Business services
24-hour business centre
5 meeting rooms
Computer station
Conference centre (56,000 square foot of space)
Outdoors
Beach cabanas (surcharge)
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Beach umbrellas
Garden
Marina
On a private beach
On the bay
On the boardwalk/promenade
Pool cabanas (surcharge)
Pool loungers
Pool umbrellas
Terrace
Full-service spa
6 treatment rooms
Aromatherapy
Body scrubs
Body wraps
Couples treatment rooms
Deep-tissue massages
Facials
Hot stone massages
Hot tub
Manicures/pedicures
Prenatal massages
Spa open daily
Sports massages
Steam room
Swedish massages
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Braille/raised signage
Lift
Stair-free path to entrance
Well-lit path to entrance
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible business centre
Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
Wheelchair-accessible gym
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
Wheelchair-accessible pool
Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
Wheelchair-accessible spa
More
3 floors
8 buildings
Ballroom
Built in 1959
Fireplace in lobby
Reception hall
Smoke-free property
Traditional architecture
Room amenities
Bedroom
Blackout drapes
Pillow menu
Premium bedding
Bathroom
Designer toiletries
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Entertainment
42-inch flat-screen TV with premium digital channels
IPod dock
Pay films
Food and drink
Champagne service
Coffee/tea maker
Minibar
Refrigerator
More
Access via exterior corridors
Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
Connecting rooms available
Desk
Free local calls
Heating (climate-controlled)
Individual decor
Individual furnishings
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Safe
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 2:00 AM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Staffed front desk
Pets
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of USD 113 per accommodation, per stay (maximum USD 170 per stay)
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 29 kg per pet)
Food and water bowls are available
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
2 children, up to the age of 17 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per night.
Payment types at the property
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
Deposit: USD 110.00 per night
Resort fee: USD 60 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
Beach access
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Business centre/computer access
Fitness centre access
Fitness/yoga classes
In-room coffee
In-room safe
Newspaper
Phone calls
Pool access
Spa access
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 33.00 to 100 per person
Self-parking fee: USD 46 per night (in/out privileges)
Pet fee: USD 113 per accommodation, per stay (maximum USD170 per stay)
Service animals are exempt from fees
Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per night
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
We should mention
Pool access available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa
Property is also known as
Kona Kai Resort & Marina San Diego
Kona Kai Hotel San Diego
Kona Kai Resort Spa San Diego
Kona Kai Resort Spa
Kona Kai Spa San Diego
Kona Kai Spa
Kona Kai Resort San Diego
Frequently asked questions
Does Kona Kai San Diego have a pool?
Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools. Pool access is from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
How much does it cost to stay at Kona Kai San Diego?
As of 9 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Kona Kai San Diego on 6 Apr 2026 start from ฿7,624, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Kona Kai San Diego pet-friendly?
Yes, this hotel allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 29 kg per pet. There's a fee of USD 113 per accommodation, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
How much is parking at Kona Kai San Diego?
Self-parking is available for USD 46 per night.
What time is check-in at Kona Kai San Diego?
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 2:00 AM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Kona Kai San Diego?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Kona Kai San Diego located?
Located in Point Loma, this beachfront hotel is on the boardwalk and within 6 mi (10 km) of Old Town San Diego State Park, Cabrillo National Monument and USS Midway Museum. Seaport Village and Balboa Park are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.
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Reviews
Kona Kai San Diego Reviews
8.2
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
We were on our Honeymoon and we fully enjoyed our stay. It was clean and convenient with so many amenities. We are totally going back for our next San Diego trip.
Toilet seat wasn’t attached to the bowl, and there was a lot of banging around in the morning. Other than that property was great and staff were all very kind.
I loved staying at this property on shelter Island in San Diego. The Bay trail that’s nearby overlooking the bay, and the city itself was just beautiful. The hotel property was well appointed love the amenities like the pool and spa. The food was very good
The rooms were good sized. Their products smelled amazing. The property had a great courtyard with games and a variety of sitting areas. The breakfast was very expensive and they had 25% in additional surcharges. We won’t eat there again however we will stay there again.
It is a beautiful area in and out and everyone is so friendly. I only gave it a 4 because its expensive and i didnt see the reason for it except I guess the view..
When we travel to San Diego, we always stay on Shelter Island because we like the area. The staff was very friendly and helpful. For the price, Kona Kai is not worth the amount of money you pay to stay there. The resort was nice, but the cost of the rooms and resort fees are excessive. I believe the other hotels on the island are just as nice and far more affordable. Other issues: the bar at the adult pool closed at 5pm on Thursday, the hair dryer in our room was sticking with hair on it, the bathroom door was a barn door and did not lock- very little privacy, and the room was a bit dusty. My family enjoyed the fire pits at night fall and our view of the marina was nice.
This location worked very well for us. Check in was a little strange, our room wasn't ready at 4pm and we had to remind them that we were still waiting at 5:30pm. Even though they said they would call us when the room was available.
Quiet room - very comfortable, great waterfront trail, onsite restaurant and nearby restaurants. The spa was wonderful and the staff were all great. Hope to visit again!