Kona Kai San Diego

Kona Kai was a fantastic destination for the conference I attended. The location was perfect and a great view of the harbour. Staff were friendly and helpful. Rooms are on the smaller side but very nice overall.

I had a wonderful experience at Kona Kai
The facilities and amenities are top notch. I felt like I walked into a showroom when I opened the door to my room.
Location, Location, Location.

I had the best room, with a breathtaking view of the marina that woke me up each morning. Stepping out, it felt like I was in Hawaii. The tropical plants and relaxed, quiet atmosphere made it perfect for my family of four. My sons enjoyed the pool, the games in the communal garden area, and the fire pits.

I arrived at this resort feeling completely drained and emotionally overwhelmed, but I left feeling renewed. What sets this place apart is not just the luxury, but the profound sense of emotional comfort provided by the staff. From the moment I checked in, the team seemed to sense both my family and I needed peace and a moment to recollect ourselves. They handled everything with a quiet, gentle efficiency that made me feel instantly welcomed and secure.
The room was a masterpiece with incredibly comfortable linens, and a view that felt like a private slice of heaven. It is rare to find a business that treats you like a human being rather than just a reservation number. If you are looking for a place to heal, to breathe, and to feel genuinely cared for, this resort is an absolute gem. They don't just provide a bed, they provide a sanctuary.

First, I would like to say that I don’t usually write hotel reviews but the Kona Kai Resort in San Diego deserved this one!!!
Our family will forever be grateful for the kindness and compassion we experienced at Kona Kai Resort on Shelter Island during one of the hardest moments of our lives. We were in San Diego to attend a family member’s funeral, and from the very first moments at check-in, we felt genuinely cared for. The General Manager Joseph personally welcomed our family. During check in, the hotel supervisor remembered why we were there, offered her heartfelt condolences, and reassured us that we were supported throughout our stay. That level of thoughtfulness meant more to us than words can express.
We booked eight rooms, and every single one was clean, comfortable, and filled with beautiful water views that brought a sense of peace during such an emotional time. We were especially thankful for the convenience of parking close to our rooms, which made things so much easier for our large family.
In the evenings, the fire pits became a place of comfort and healing for us—a calm, quiet space where we could gather together, reflect, and find moments of peace. Our children found joy in the swimming pool and the fire pit in the swim area, and it meant everything to us as parents to know they were in a safe, welcoming environment where they could relax and just be kids.
On our final morning, we shared breakfast at the hotel buffet, and once again, the staff’s kindness and attentiveness did not go unnoticed. The food was wonderful, especially the eggs Benedict and crepes, which were a bright spot and a comforting way to end our stay.
Kona Kai was so much more than a place to sleep. It was a place of comfort, compassion, and care when our family needed it most. We are deeply thankful to Joseph Taumua and his entire Kona Kai team and would highly recommend this property to anyone visiting San Diego—especially families looking for a truly supportive and welcoming environment.

We recently spent a weekend at Kona Kai Resort in San Diego and had an amazing experience. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Our kids had an absolute blast enjoying the pool, the private beach, and making s’mores at the bonfire pits. The restaurant was delicious, and the staff was consistently attentive and professional. Our room was very clean and well maintained, which made our stay even more comfortable.

A special shoutout to Joseph, the General Manager, who truly went above and beyond. He took exceptional care of our family from the moment we checked in until checkout, making us feel genuinely welcomed and ensuring all our needs were met. Thanks to him and the wonderful team, our stay was seamless and memorable. We will absolutely be returning for a future stay.

It was a beautiful location and a comfortable bed. Our grandkids had fun in the pool and making smores around the firepit. Overall very relaxing

Great resort with great amenities and helpful amazing staff. Plus it was super clean. The beds were OK but everything else was fantastic!

Love the place very clean. Friendly , close to everything. I definitely go back. I will recommend to friends and Family.

Loved sitting out by the fire. Will stay here again. It was a lovely area with the pool and hot tub and the rooms were so clean and cute!

I had a very enjoyable stay at Kona Kai Resort & Spa and would happily recommend it. This was my first visit, and the property made a strong impression with its beautiful waterfront setting, relaxing atmosphere, and resort-style layout. It feels like a true getaway while still being convenient to the city.

Kona Kai San Diego Resort is a little island of paradise at the end of Shelter Island. We had a fantastic one night stay - the staff made us feel incredibly welcome, the facilities are very well-maintained, and the location is excellent as a base to relax or explore San Diego. We’re looking forward to a longer return stay!

We had a wonderful experience. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Loved the fire on the beach every evening. Very peaceful in the off-season.

We did not want to leave after 3 days. Had a marina view. The breakfast variety was plentiful andvery delicious and views while eating are incredible. Very relaxing. Loved the pool which was impeccably clean. Beds very comfortable. The staff is very friendly. Nice touches like free coffee in the morning and lovely cucumber beverage in afternoon. We turned off the heater at night because it was very noisy and going on and off would wake us up. Walls are thin but luckily we had quiet neighbors. Very quiet part of San Diego.

It’s a very beautiful hotel however they need to serve coffee till at least 9 AM. You only serve it till 7 AM who wakes up at 7 AM on the weekends when you’re on vacation?

I booked a two-night stay at Kona Kai through Chase Travel because the rate included a $100 dining credit.

On the second night, I returned to the hotel planning to use it and discovered the restaurant had been closed the entire first night and was also closed that evening. I was never told this at check-in and had already passed other restaurants specifically to use the on-property credit. Because of my schedule I couldn’t use the spa credit either, and breakfast was already included — meaning the $100 credit I paid for was completely unusable.

I immediately requested a refund. Over the following weeks I exchanged multiple texts and emails with hotel management, including Joseph Taumua, who apologized and said he would ensure I was compensated. I still have not been reimbursed.

Afterward I noticed many TripAdvisor reviews describing the same issue, several personally responded to by Joseph. Had I seen those beforehand, I would not have stayed here.

Beyond that, the “hot tub” was barely warm, the breakfast buffet was only decent after the families cleared out (and they charge extra for cappuccinos), and on two occasions there was no one to be found at the front desk.

The problem isn’t just the closed restaurant — it’s the lack of transparency and failure to resolve a simple $100 refund. I won’t be staying here again, and I’d strongly caution others to confirm advertised credits are actually usable.

Very nice location, but the five star cost is more like a three star experience. The outdoor fire pits ought the beach were very nice.

Nice property. I received a s'more kit upon check in that I enjoyed at one of the beach fire pits. I liked that they have an adults only pool but that bar was not open. Had to go over to family friendly pool to catch that bar tender before he closed up.
I had a Bay view room and woke up to a beautiful sunrise in the morning. The room was clean and most things were up to par.
There is no elevator or escalator to second floor. The window air unit has a sign that says use the wall thermostat to adjust temp but the wall unit did not work. I suffered through a cool night (I got back to my room kinda late) only to be told at checkout that I should have used the window unit.
Overall decent experience.

Marina views and manicured lawns look perfect… in the brochure.

Room smelled like acetone/sewer. Moved to second room.

Bathroom door handle fell off, shower head green, walls paper-thin.

Staff polite but condescending; our $700 room = “baby room.”

Pools and grounds are nice, but don’t confuse pretty for luxury.

Food and breakfast: better on Instagram than reality.

Fine resort? Nope. Chase Edit hype ≠ actual stay. Buyer beware.

I was in San Diego to attend a wedding. The overall location was absolutely phenomenal. The room was gorgeous. The atmosphere of the Hotel felt like a true summer vacation. Even in the middle of January. Big shout out to the front desk, team, Ray, and Jesse