Polish – in the form of a $25 million renovation project – has restored the luster to a site on San Diego’s Shelter Island that once hosted luminaries such as Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster and President John F. Kennedy.
The project at Kona Kai Resort, which opened in 1953, has given the spot renewed star power with upgraded amenities in the relaxing bay and marina location. The resort, which has 129 updated rooms with aquatic tones to match the harbor views, caters to visitors but also relies on local membership. Of note to golfers, Maderas Golf Club in Poway is now the member golf benefit at Kona Kai. The facility is one of two in San Diego County listed among Golf Digest’s top courses in the country.
Other selling points at Kona Kai are the partly open-air Vessel restaurant and bar, a spa, workout facility, marina and outdoor pool in addition to a private beach that’s perfect for a stroll or solitude with a companion or small group.
Our recent Kona Kai experience started poolside, with an afternoon happy hour and the opportunity to mingle with guests, which was a nice mix of families and foreign visitors. After an afternoon of relaxation, our crew walked to nearby Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites for a bite. After soaking in the harbor’s sunset ambiance, we returned to a bustling bar at Kona Kai, with a bridal party providing a joyous and festive atmosphere.
I awoke to the view of a Dole cargo ship cruising into the harbor before taking a quick jaunt to Kona Kai’s workout facility that is complemented by a spacious Spa Terra. The gym space was clean and stocked with enough cardio and weight equipment to work up a sweat – and an appetite.
So it was back to Vessel for a few mimosas and steak and eggs. For later in the day, I highly recommend the lobster slider, with the lobster mac and cheese a perfect side. You also can’t go wrong with Kona Kai’s pork sliders or salmon and short rib entrees, all of which can be enjoyed on a patio adjacent to the marina.
The pool and pool bar were busy in the afternoon, but the cozy cabanas and a guitar player made it a delightful way to pass the day. When happy hour arrived (again), the pool crowd headed inside and the ebb and flow produced another nice social gathering in the restaurant.
The club was busy the entire weekend but managed to maintain a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere. To ensure that comfort, Kona Kai has capped its membership at 1,000. The resort is, however, accepting new members, with a limited-time offer of three months of dues being waived.
