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. Indulge in aromatherapy, a facial, and a body wrap at the onsite spa. The on-site local cuisine restaurant, Vessel Restaurant and Bar, offers breakfast, brunch, dinner, light fare, and al fresco dining. The gym offers yoga classes and fitness classes; other things to do include boat tours, beach yoga, and kayaking. In addition to a garden and dry cleaning/laundry services, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Located in Point Loma, a neighborhood 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 miles
San Diego Bay
1 min walk - 0.0 miles
San Diego Yacht Club
3 min drive - 1.0 mile
Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
19 min walk - 1.0 mile
Humphreys Backstage Live
2 min drive - 1.2 miles
Getting around
County Center - Little Italy Station
10 min drive
Old Town Transit Center
16 min drive
San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)
12 min drive
Restaurants
Ketch Grill & Taps
3 min drive
Bali Hai Restaurant
19 min walk
Mitch's Seafood
5 min drive
Point Loma Seafoods
4 min drive
McDonald's
5 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 aromatherapy, a facial, or a body wrap at the onsite spa. The on-site local cuisine restaurant, Vessel Restaurant and Bar, offers breakfast, brunch, dinner, light fare, and al fresco dining. The gym offers yoga classes and fitness classes; other things to do include boat tours, beach yoga, and kayaking. 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, sun loungers, and pool umbrellas
Buffet breakfast (surcharge), bike rentals, and self parking (surcharge)
An electric car charging station, a reception hall, and multilingual staff
Smoke-free premises, concierge services, and beach towels
Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All 170 individually furnished rooms include comforts such as premium bedding and pillow menus, as well as amenities like free WiFi and air conditioning.
Other amenities include:
Designer toiletries and hair dryers
42-inch flat-screen TVs with premium channels
Balconies or patios, refrigerators, and coffee/tea makers
Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools. Pool access is from 6:00 AM–10:00 PM.
How much does it cost to stay at Kona Kai San Diego?
As of Oct 25, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Kona Kai San Diego on Nov 1, 2026 start from $289, including 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 65 lbs per pet. There's a fee of USD 113 per accommodation, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
How much is parking?
Self parking is available for USD 54.88 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?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Kona Kai San Diego located?
Located in Point Loma, this beachfront hotel is on the boardwalk/promenade and within 6 mi (10 km) of Old Town San Diego State Park, Cabrillo National Monument, and USS Midway Museum. Balboa Park and Seaport Village are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?
Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select 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 travelers 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
8.6
Cleanliness
8.2
Amenities
8.4
Staff & service
8.4
Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 527 out of 1004 reviews
10 - Excellent
527
Rating 8 - Good. 206 out of 1004 reviews
8 - Good
206
Rating 6 - Okay. 132 out of 1004 reviews
6 - Okay
132
Rating 4 - Poor. 68 out of 1004 reviews
4 - Poor
68
Rating 2 - Terrible. 71 out of 1004 reviews
2 - Terrible
71
Reviews
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Robert
Oct 8, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
The shower was horrible. The front desk staff inn responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
David
Oct 17, 2026
Liked: Amenities
Property was decent but dated, floorboards creaked and cabinets opened as you walked by from that little extra bit of pressure you put on the floor. Parking was fine, room was clean-ish. Bathtub had permanent stains of pink in it and the towels were fried from how many times they’ve been bleached. Staff was nice but nowhere to be seen as far as cleaning for the three days we were there. I wouldn’t stay here again if I visit San Diego again.
We had a great stay at Kona Kai. The front desk staff is very helpful and friendly. We had massages at SpaTerre, which were fabulous. We’d stay here again.
This was our first time staying at Kona Kai. The resort did not disappoint. Room was beautiful, clean and great view. The staff from front desk, restaurant and pool friendly and accommodating. Loved they had 2 pools. One family friendly and the other 21+. Beach with fire pit was a great way to end the day. Definitely will be returning and highly recommend to family and friends.
We loved the location of our room. Close enough to the pool and “beach” but also far enough to not hear all the noises. The staff is super friendly. The only thing I would say about our stay is the high daily parking rate. I’m sure it’s the going rate but paying $400 for our 4 night stay was a little steep. Just our opinion.
We had a wonder visit from the moment we step into the resort. The Front desk staff help out us out with checking in, they even waived the parking fee. The rooms were clean and very comfortable. the views of courtyard and boats were great to see.
We had a wonderful time and can't wait to book another visit.
Enjoyed the service at check-in provided by Bino. After checking in, he help us with the location for our dinner plans . The following evening he provided suggestions for dining on Shelter Island. Service at breakfast was also excellent. Our valet at check in and check out was also excellent.
They charge $48 for overnight parking for each night on top of so many fees. The breakfast buffet was delicious though. The bonfires were great too.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Susan
Feb 6, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great room. Helpful staff. Fabulous location
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review
8/10 Good
Clara
Jun 16, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The hotel is in a beautiful location, and some of the newer rooms are much more comfortable than the older ones. However, the price is higher than what the overall experience justifies.
The common areas could be better maintained, particularly the hot tub, which was not as clean as expected. The service was average and did not consistently meet the standards one would expect at this price point.
The beach view is good but everything else is kind of meh. Overall I thought the resort was very overrated for what it is. There are many other better resorts in SD. That being said shelter island is awesome
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review
8/10 Good
cynthia
Jul 11, 2026
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I loved the location, the private beach, the pool and spa and access to marina frontage, lobby courtyard was simply beautiful! The room however was in need of maintenance. The curtains were hanging off the hooks on arrival. The wall paper was heavily stained from previous water damage and peeling off the wall. The counters were not very clean (dusty). In room coffee bar had only a very minimal coffee mates and stevia (2). So for the $$$ price I paid, I def expected more from the room I was given. Still would stay again if in a room that was maintained and ready for occupants.
Great hotel - just clearly understaffed. Basic needs cant be met - like the front desk being able to answer the phone, or handoff door dash in under 20 minutes. Also, paying for a suite and being given a mobility suite where you cannot hang clothes up to not be on the floor or have 2 people in the bathroom because the shower cannot be contained should be an option at the price. The staff was gracious and the views are great. The bed was very comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Thomas
Jun 21, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
The bed was terrible. The bathroom door did not work or close properly. The outlets on the lamp were broken. There were very few USB ports. A document was provided that they wouldn’t clean every and was upon request, yet kept getting interrupted with housekeeping. The private beach, pools, and fitness center were top notch.
I had such a wonderful stay at this resort! Everything was beautiful, peaceful, and very well taken care of. The staff were kind and welcoming, and the whole atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy every moment. My favorite part was spending the evenings by the fire it was so cozy and calming under the night sky. It truly made the experience feel special. I would definitely love to come back again