Two people walking through Kona Kai's lobby

Press & Awards

Check out the latest press highlights, awards and accolades for our Shelter Island resort and start planning how you’ll fit in all the best of Kona Kai on your next visit.

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Awards & Accolades

U.S. News & World Report 2025 #11 Best Resorts in San Diego
U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Hotels in San Diego
U.S. News & World Report 2025 25 Best Fitness Hotels in San Diego
U.S. News & World Report 2023 #16 Best San Diego Resorts
U.S. News & World Report 2023 #134 Best California Resorts
U.S. News & World Report 2022 #17 Best San Diego Resorts
U.S. News & World Report 2022 #52 Best San Diego Hotels
U.S. News & World Report 2022 #134 Best California Resorts
U.S. News & World Report 2020 #25 Best San Diego Hotels

TripAdvisor 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards
TripAdvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner – Vessel Restaurant + Bar
TripAdvisor 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards
TripAdvisor 2023 Travelers’ Choice Awards
TripAdvisor 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards

Peninsula Beacon 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best Hotel
Peninsula Beacon 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best Day Spa (SpaTerre)
Peninsula Beacon 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards – Best Appetizer (Vessel)

Best of Pt. Loma / O.B. 2024 Readers’ Poll – #1 Best Outdoor Dining Restaurant (Vessel)
Best of Pt. Loma / O.B. 2024 Readers’ Poll – #1 Best Family Restaurant (Vessel)
Best of Pt. Loma / O.B. 2024 Readers’ Poll – #2 Best Hotel

Green Key Eco-Rating Program 2024 3 Green Keys

Green Seal 2024 Bronze Award Winner

Smart Stars Award 2024 Best of the Best

Modern Luxury San Diego 2025 The San Diego Travel Awards – Best Shelter Island Hotel

The Knot 2023 Best of Weddings

Travel + Leisure 2023 Top 500 Hotels in the World

Sunset Travel Awards 2021 Rad Hotel Redesigns

Condé Nast Traveler 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards – #3 Resort in Southern California
Condé Nast Traveler 2018 10 Best Spas in San Diego
Condé Nast Traveler 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards – #17 Top Hotels in Southern California