You’ve been to Palm Springs, Ojai, La Jolla for your little weekend getaways. But what about San Diego? I honestly in my 25 years in LA cannot remember ever coming to SD and what an awesome treat it was to experience the stunning Kona Kai Resort & Spa directly on the water, overlooking the dock of stunning yachts. With it’s state of the art gym (with a full on class schedule), fantastic pool and jacuzzi, tiki bar, exceptional restaurant and quaint Spa Terre, there is no reason to ever leave the property.
Grab your hubby, wife, lover or family and hole up for what can be a romantic tryst or family weekend. The guests are not your hipster, Hollywood denizens but just “normal” people from what seems like all over. So, so refreshing not to have to overhear chit-chat about the latest scripts in development of how much a film made on opening weekend. I really felt like I was in another town altogether.
As a spa writer, I came for the spa review but fell in love with every aspect of the hotel from the bright, modern, clean decor of the rooms (all turquoise and browns with pops of yellow and great surf photo prints! ) to the service, bloody mary bar (in concept only, I’m on a diet!) and out of control restaurant (The Vessel Restaurant – oh the food!). How about a hang by the pool with a (free!) chair massage by the incredible Pete whose hands are like psychic mits that just hone in on your pain.
Heaven? Yah, I can get used to this.
The Spa Terre is lovely and understated. Just the right amount of charm and comfort. Not over the top lavish but super adorable and pretty. The little spa gift shop sells so many of my favorite products lines, I knew off the bat that this place was organized with great taste in mind (wink wink). Like most hotel spas they offer the gamut of luxury and therapeutic massages and facials, mani + pedis and pregnancy massage. I had, what I think may have been the best massage of my life. I am not kidding. The only problem was I couldn’t fully relax because I was brainstorming how to get this guy Pete to move to LA and work on my and all my friends. He was that good. I’ll be honest, most hotel massages are very frou-frou, understandably, as most people are looking to relax with a lame Swedish massage. I want the works, you know – a deep, therapeutic sports massage that bordelines physical therapy! And that’s what I got. Of course Pete, asked me many questions first ,about what was going on as said, ok, let’s get to work. And he did, with laser like focus on a pinched muscle situation in my neck and shoulder blade. I was blown away.
After that I took a simple steam and shower, nothing fancy, slipped into my favorite spa robe ( I forget the brand but I have actually ordered them before!) and relaxed before slipping into jeans, flip-flops and a sweatshirt (thank you for the casual island-like vibe, San Diego!) and headed to the hotel restaurant (The Vessel Restaurant) for a meal that took me totally by surprise. Let’s face it, hotel restaurants can be pretty mediocre. This place was the opposite. The food was not precious and faux-elegant which I cannot stand. The like plates were like what you would see at Laurel Hardware or something in the hip LA foodie scene. can always tell by the sides what kind of world of food the chef is working in. One peek at the sauteed caramelized kale with bacon and apples, beans & greens with baby green beans, snap peas, edamame, basil and arugula, cast iron carrots with ginger, hazelnut, dried cranberry – I knew I was right in my pocket. We literally tasted everything and not one item disappointed. And yes, I ate some leftover salmon and scallops for breakfast and it was heaven.
I felt like Kona Kai Resort & Spa was a major “find” and so excited to put it into my weekend getaway mix. If I hear “let’s go to Palm Springs” one more time I think I’ll puke.
While I took this opportunity to make this a getaway from kids (no offense kids!) and took my boyfriend, it’s just as cool to come with kids. There is so much to do here (sure, the San Diego zoo has to be close by, I assume!) in the Marina! Boat rentals, and action sports of all kinds. Both mornings, we grabbed coffee from the poolside coffee bar and took a long walk along the gorgeous Marina and watched people hop in boats, kayaks, paddle boards and more.
Be sure to book a room with a Marina view. At night, just a few feet across the walking path on the slip of beach are little bonfire areas with cozy chairs – you can build one and watch the boats as the night sky envelops you.
Time slowed down, the days felt long and languid. The Kona Kai Resort & Spa is a true escape from the Hollywood grind.
Kona Kai Resort & Spa
1551 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
