My wife and I stayed for three nights in February. The hotel is located at the end of Shelter Island, across the street from the San Diego Bay waterfront and a sidewalk / jogging path. The back of the hotel abuts a marina. Parking ($15 a night fee) is between the hotel and the street, and note that the outdoor seating area for many of the standard rooms face the parking lot. The grounds and plantings were well maintained.

Check-in was efficient and the room easy to find. Fortunately, our standard room was in the last building in the complex with a small outdoor seating area overlooking a grassy area, not the parking lot. Although there were a few nice touches, such as a tiled sink area, the room was fairly typical - did not stand out positively or negatively. Carpeting and furnishings were in good shape, although some of the wallpaper in the bathroom was beginning to peel. King bed was comfortable, but not very substantial so that any movement on the bed caused it to shake. The room had a mini-fridge but no coffee maker (a cup of coffee in the restaurant to go was $3). Free wifi worked well. Use of hotel gym was $10/day per person (better off driving 10 minutes to a real gym and spending $15). There was a small 'beach' area facing the marina on the back side of the property, but even if you could swim there, you wouldn't want to with such close proximity to boats and related pollution. If you want to swim in the bay, there is a public beach about a 10 minute walk away. The property does have a nice heated swimming pool with plenty of chaise lounges.

Staff was courteous and helpful. When we reported a burnt out lightbulb and squeaky door, they were fixed the same day.

In short, the Kona Kai is just another hotel by the water. Not a resort and not a lot of charm, but not a bad place to stay if you can get a good rate.

I just recently got back from Afghanistan and i planned on surprising my girlfriend and also proposing. I had the best service at the front desk. I will probably plan on coming back over and over again and possibly plan my wedding here just because of four people who helped me out.Their names are Patrice, Mike, Tina, and Chrissie. These four wonderful people deserve a raise or at least a bonus because if it weren't for them i would have not been able to plan the best night of my life. Thank you!

As the Reunion Chairman for the USS Will Rogers Veterans Association, a Navy submarine crew from the Cold War era, our stay was wonderful. It began with proper planning with helpful reservation staff. This included estimates on number of rooms, banquet facilities, entertainment, activities, transportation, limited mobility considerations, etc.
I never heard one employee use the word "no" or "I'm sorry." Our wishes were carried out and with a smile.
The scenery was magnificent with view of wonderful boats next to their private beach to the East and harbor view to the West side even including across the harbor to the Submarine Base and Coronado (North Island).
While our visit was one of a reunion for a bunch of submarine sailors, I would stay at the Kona Kai if it were just my own family. It is close to everything you could want within a 15-minute drive or less.
Try it; you'll like it. Tell 'em Ed sent you.

Our room in the main building right above front lobby had an extra guest. The lights had a mind of their own, tv wanted to change channels & the dark swirling shadow couldn't be explained away. After 10 hours on the road we just wanted to go to sleep. Late check in found us with a grumpy front desk agent (it was only 10:30pm) a very average room (we are returning, local guests & booked a premium room) not the same layout, view, decor or design of the room we had stayed in during a past visit.

Check out found some confusion about parked vehicles, were told parking would be complementary, then charged for two cars in a near empty lot.

We chose to not move rooms as it was very late. We unplugged everything and that seemed to take care of the electrical "issues" lovely hotel, nice location.. rooms on the far side of the pool overlooking the luau area are far superior to rooms in the main building.