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This past weekend we took a little overnight getaway to Shelter Island for some relaxation in the sun at partner, Kona Kai Resort & Spa.
These days I feel like I live in a different timezone every week, and it was nice to have that vacation feel, but only be an hour away from home. What I didn’t expect was the unseasonably warm weather! We leave for Pennsylvania and Virginia tomorrow, so this was a really nice treat before we head back east and experience some cooler spring temperatures.
I had heard wonderful things about Kona Kai Resort & Spa, and the huge revitalization that the property recently went through….it was even better in person!
With only 129 guest rooms and suites it feels more boutique than large resort…
We were welcomed by the very friendly valet staff as soon as we arrived and invited into the chic lobby. Check in took mere moments, and then we made our way to our rooms. The girls had a guestroom with two queen beds. Pete and I had a room right next door with a king sized bed. Both of our rooms had balconies with bay views. The property features multiple connecting rooms making this a great family friendly resort.
Having just returned from Hawaii a couple weeks ago, we loved the tropical vibe and how earth accents were brought inside the resort.
The guest rooms were just stunning. Pete and I thought the colors were both exciting and restful. There are two things I look for when I “judge” a resort… the first is the bed. This one was so comfortable. The linens were very high quality and we all got a really good nights rest.
The other thing that I value in a hotel is the quality of the shower. This one did not disappoint. The water pressure was perfect, the temperature warm, and the rain shower head is just the best. The girls room had a bathtub and shower in one. Pete and I had a walk in shower. The mango spa shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion were my favorite!
This was the view from our balcony… no matter where you stay on the property you will have unrivaled views of San Diego’s glittering skyline, Coronado, or the Kona Kai Marina.
The resort was very well cared for and the landscaping was lush…
Saturday evening we enjoyed dinner at Vessel Restaurant which features California comfort cuisine daily. You can also enjoy their cuisine at an outdoor poolside Tiki bar during those long summer nights.
The bar was hopping that night so we decided to take some pictures the next morning.
All of the food we enjoyed was very fresh and featured some great flavor combinations.
The girls joined us for part of our meal. Their food was served first and after they were done eating they headed back to their room while Pete and I enjoyed our meals together.
We ate out on the patio and watched the sun go down over the marina. The next morning we watched the bay light up as the sun rose.
You probably recognize this picture… One of my favorite parts of the day is always my morning cup of coffee. Thankfully, Kona Kai Resort & Spa has a coffee stand, and I was able to get my soy latte! Pete brought us coffee back to our room and we enjoyed it on our balcony.
After we woke up more, Pete took the girls out for Sunday brunch and I spent the morning at the new SpaTerra. The new 7,020 square-foot spa features private treatments and a wet room, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an extensive menu of treatments and services. I had the most wonderful massage. The combination of the massage itself and the beautiful spa made it one of the best I’ve ever had. Everything was thought of for guest comfort and enjoyment. I just loved the decor!
Afterwards, I rejoined the rest of the family and we headed down to the pool. Ashley and Emmy loved the pool and Maddie enjoyed relaxing on the lounge chairs. Since we travel with such a wide range of ages, we are always looking to make sure there is something for everyone to do, and this was a perfect resort for us. The girls all had as much fun, or relaxation as they wanted.
There is even a private beach with food & beverage service. It is equipped with 40 new chairs, umbrellas, and even bonfire pits for watching cozy sunsets. The resort offers bonfire and s’more kits for an additional fee too. We didn’t find out about that until we were checking out, so be sure to inquire about that when you first get there.
After a late morning of brunching and swimming, I found Emmy on the balcony wrapped in a robe and soaking in the sun and ocean breezes. She didn’t want to leave…
Kona Kai Resort & Spa also features 55,000 square-feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space for meetings, weddings and events. The Kona Kai Marina, the closest marina to open ocean in San Diego, has over 500 slips and is a perfect way to experience the resort by sailing there and docking at one of their slips.
The resort is close to all the touristy attractions too for our of town guests, while still making a great staycation for us locals!
It is obscenely gorgeous there! You know, if you hadn’t tole me that it was in San Diego, I never would have suspected!
WOW! What a beautiful looking place to visit. I might have to drop some hints and share this with my hubby! Lol!
Wow, looks like an awesome resort. I would love to stay there! The views are beautiful.
Nice. This looks like the perfect place to spend a weekend away from home.
This place looks amazing! I would love to stay here!
Kona Kai Resort looks absolutely magical. They did a wonderful job capturing that island vibe.
Oh it looks so beautiful here. I need to take a getaway myself and now I’m actually considering this place. Thank you.
What a gorgeous hotel. the food looks amazing too!
I could so use a spa vacation and this resorts looks heavenly. I love that is also a place where you can bring the entire family.
Oh what a nice hotel, a great place to recharge. I would love to visit one day and try that amazing food too!
It does look extremely relaxing. Being able to lay back and watch the sunset from your own balcony would be really nice.
You guys have so much fun. I’m so jealous of all the places that you go but I love reading your articles. It’s clear that you all have an awesome time and as a family sometimes that can be hard to do.
The hotel looks so swanky! I love it – the bathroom is especially gorgeous – what a great location too, love San Diego!
Wow, what a hotel! Next time, can I come too ? Looks like so much fun I would love to stay somewhere like this even for just a day. How lovely.
We are going to San Diego this summer. If I knew this place was there I probably would’ve checked it out a little bit closer. Thanks for the great post I will definitely look like this for the next time we are in San Diego
That restaurant is beautiful and the food looks great! The hotel rooms sound really nice too!
Looks like an incredible place to stay. I will have to bookmark this so that I can book it next time.
The restaurant/bar is so unique. I love it! Thanks for sharing, I’ve never been to San Diego.
Lee
This looks like a no stress vacation for sure! I will have to keep this place in mind when we go on vacation this year!
What an amazing resort to get to stay at!! I love San Deigo the weather seems to always be amazing and so much to do there!
Wow, now that looks like an amazing getaway. We live in San Antonio and we schedule a weekend away every year for Hubby and I. we need that time together.
That’s an awesome way to relieve stress and get some much needed rest and relaxation with the family. I really love the decor of the hotel, in general, from the lobby to the rooms! It’s refreshing to see all those colors!
You had me at spa! But I love the island vibe and the gorgeous color scheme, plus you really cant beat that view.
I have only been to San Diego once but it was definitely a cool city! This hotel looks phenomenal! I would love to be able to experience the hotel and everything else that San Diego has to offer!
What a lovely hotel! I’m sure you enjoyed your time at the spa!
This place looks amazing! I live about an hour from San Diego, I’ll have to check it out.
What a great looking place to stay. Would love to jump in that nice looking pool.
What a fabulous weekend getaway. That food looks to die for. It looks like you and the family had a great time!
Your photos are amazing! I would love to be able to take a vacation anywhere. That resort looks so nice. I think it would be great just to find a beautiful resort like this one. That food looks good too!
Sounds like the Kona Kai Resort & Spa is the place to stay! It’s a gorgeous resort and it looks like everyone really enjoyed their stay.
This resort looks amazing. I’m heading to San Diego in a few weeks. I wonder if I could talk my husband into staying at the Kona Kai. It can’t hurt to try, right? 🙂
Okay seriously – I would never want to leave! The view, the pool, the room, the food, the everything!
This place looks amazing. I need to travel here. I just informed my husband he is taking me here for my birthday.
This seems like a wonderful place to visit. It is so beautiful and well -appointed.
What a gorgeous place to stay. We are in desperate need of a weekend getaway!
The place looks so beautiful. I bet you and your family had a wonderful time there.
Wow! It would be hard to leave the side of that pool! What a gorgeous place to stay!
this place is paradise! now i wanted to vacation too and have a nice massage!
This place has Hawaiian flare to it – very nice.
I love your video, as well as the excellent pictures.
Looks like had so much relaxing and fun vacation. And it also looks like a good place to visit. I really want to go some other places when i have enough money and enough time.
Now that is luxury! What a beautiful place to stay, I could honestly say I would not want to leave!
How BEAUTIFUL! You can’t beat those views, either! Looks like the whole family enjoyed 🙂
How lovely that the girls each had their own queen bed. It does look absolutely inviting and wonderful.
It looks like paradise. Beautiful pictures and the food looks yummy. I am a big fan of warmer weather, seasonable or not…bring on the sun 🙂
omggg this place looks so amazing. i would def love it there. you take some of the best photos. i love it.
Oh my word, what an amazing place to visit! I absolutely have to make it a point to check out Kona Kai for my next getaway!
WOW! What a lovely place to visit. It’s nice that the kids got a chance to go too. Looks like fun.
This resort looks amazing. We stay in hotels around the metroplex occasionally. But it’s not really a resort like this though. I want to do a staycation with my husband this summer for our anniversary.
I love to find places that are close to me to get away to. The Kona Kai Resort & Spa looks amazing.
I would love to get away and go to the Kona Kai Resort & Spa. It is nice to find good places close to home that give you the vacation feeling.
The Kona Kai Resort & Spa looks like a relaxing place to go relax. I love the Spa. I would have a nice massage to start.