Best Western Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina

2051 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, California, 92106, United States, San Diego, California, USA

Why We Like It

When it comes to hotels, San Diego has something for everyone. This attractive resort from Best Western Plus offers an island-getaway vibe just 15 minutes from Downtown. With two pools, tennis courts, a private marina, and splendid views of the bay, guests might not even want to leave.

Located on the waterfront of Shelter Island, a thin sliver of land that curls like a finger into the curving west end of San Diego Bay, the Polynesian-style Island Palms Hotel & Marina has city and water views for miles. The resort features a private yacht marina, two bayside pools, tennis courts, jogging paths, an on-site restaurant, and waterfront patio seating. Hints of Polynesian style and lush tropical landscaping give the place an island vibe--indeed, Shelter Island is known as San Diego’s Hawaiian Isle.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Technically, Shelter Island isn’t an island, so you don’t need a bridge or a boat to get there.

room

Guestrooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable, with pale soothing hues, plush armchairs, wood furniture, and either a king-size bed or two doubles. Depending on which building you’re staying in, some rooms feature pitched plank ceilings and island-style design accents like rattan headboards and plantation shutters. Water-view rooms look out on the marina; some have private patios.

BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Double Queen Guest Room
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Double Queen Guest Room
BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Marina View Double Queen Guest Room
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Marina View Double Queen Guest Room
BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Casa Marina King Water View
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Casa Marina King Water View

bathroom

Bathrooms vary by room, featuring granite or cobalt tile counters and a tub-shower combo.

lobby

The modern lobby features a pitched wood-plank ceiling with slatted skylights, natural stone flooring, and comfortable seating.

BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Casa Del Mar King Water View2
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Casa Del Mar King Water View2

pool

The hotel features two bayside swimming pools and hot tubs. It’s also a 15-minute walk to the actual beach.

spa

Guests can book in-room massage therapy services.

gym

The hotel’s fitness center features cardio equipment and weight machines. There are also two tennis courts and guests can borrow bikes or book sailing excursions through the hotel.

BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Grand View Suite Patio
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Grand View Suite Patio

dining

The on-site Blue Wave Bar & Grill overlooks the private marina and serves California coastal cuisine, breakfast through dinner.

BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Grand View Suite Patio
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina - Grand View Suite Patio
BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina-  Island Palms Boardroom
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina- Island Palms Boardroom

drinking

The Blue Wave Bar hosts a daily happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with $7 snacks and $5 drinks.

BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina-  Island Palms Boardroom
Photo: BEST WESTERN Plus Island Palms Hotel & Marina- Island Palms Boardroom

People also liked

Pendry San Diego

The Pendry

$$$

A fairly new arrival to the San Diego scene, The Pendry has a great lo... Read More

Hotel Republic San Diego

$$ | 421 W. B St., San Diego, California, 92101, United States

Hotel Republic, part of the upscale Autograph Collection, is a stylish... Read More

The Westgate Hotel - San Diego iconic jewel of downtown

Westgate Hotel

$$$ | Gaslamp Quarter | 1055 2nd Ave., San Diego, California, 92101, United States

A modern high-rise near Horton Plaza hides San Diego's most opulent ol... Read More

Western Inn–Old Town

$ | Old Town | 3889 Arista St., San Diego, California, 92110, United States

It’s nothing fancy, but the Western Inn offers good value in a conveni... Read More

U.S. Grant

$$ | Gaslamp Quarter | 326 Broadway, San Diego, California, 92101, United States

Built in 1910, the U.S. Grant is straight-up eye candy, from the state... Read More

1906 Lodge at Coronado Beach

$$$ | Coronado | 1060 Adella Ave., Coronado, California, 92118, United States

Charming and romantic, this luxurious Coronado boutique hotel in a his... Read More

LOCATION

Getting Around

If you’re not pulling up by private boat, it’s probably best to have a car, as Shelter Island isn’t the most accessible place without one. The strip of land starts in San Diego’s Point Loma neighborhood, which has its own attractions, including the Cabrillo Monument, but you’ll have to drive north to get to Interstate 8, from which you can pick up Interstate 5. To get Downtown, simply follow the curved bay. The hotel does offer shuttle service to the airport and train station, but some guests say it’s not the most reliable.

Restaurants

Just down the road, also with great marina views, Humphrey’s Restaurant (8-minute walk) is a popular spot for food, particularly Sunday brunch. The restaurant, part of Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn, serves reliably good dishes with creative flavor profiles, like scallops with black truffle and ruby grapefruit, or a New York strip steak with bacon feta grits. At the Kona Kai Club, the Vessel Restaurant + Bar (8-minute walk) makes a striking impression, from the hexagonal bar with a backlit onyx counter to the bayside seating. The food is good, though nothing to write home about, but the setting is gorgeous and the service attentive.

Bars

The mai tai at Shelter Island’s iconic Bali Hai Restaurant (10-minute walk) may not particularly authentic, but it’s tasty and strong. Known for its Polynesian architecture and tiki decor, the Bali Hai is a fun place to down a tropical concoction during happy hour. Situated on the end of a pier, Fathom Bistro, Bait, and Tackle (2-minute walk) is a divey craft beer bar that has a small but worthy selection of suds on tap and a bar menu with housemade sausages and hot dogs; they also serve a weekend brunch menu that features Hawaiian scrambled eggs with rice and spam and a fruit bowl that’s been soaked in wine for 24 hours. Head over to Point Loma for lots more food and drink options.

QUICK FACTS

Hotel
Family, Service, Views
Casual
Near the beach
$$

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 800-922–2336;619-222–0561