Paradise Point Resort & Spa

Paradise Point Resort San Diego sits on a private island surrounded by a mile-long beach and lovely grounds that feature lush gardens with colorful plants and flowers, bonfire pits (popular for marshmallow roasting), and lagoons (where kids can feed the ducks). The resort was built in the 1960s by a Hollywood movie producer, and several items from movie sets -- such as the porpoise fountain at the main pond, which appeared in the movie "Cleopatra" -- have been incorporated into the design. Guests are greeted in a large, airy lobby with a strong tropical vibe. Stone-like floor tiles, wooden pillars, wood and wicker furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows combine to create an appealing indoor-outdoor feel. This is a sprawling property with no main building, and bungalow-style rooms are grouped into “villages” with outdoor parking (for a fee), gardens, and direct access to at least one pool and/or a restaurant.

The location right next to SeaWorld makes the resort a kid-magnet, which means it can get quite noisy and crowded -- especially at the pools and the restaurants during peak season.

Paradise Point is located on a 44-acre island in Mission Bay with a mile-long stretch of sandy beach, south of San Diego. The island is shared with Ski Beach Park -- which offers lots of grassy areas, jogging paths, picnic space, and a playground -- as well as Vacation Isle Park, with lawns and sandy beaches. It's a five-minute drive to the restaurants and shops in Pacific Beach, and a 15-minute drive to the popular tourist sights in Downtown San Diego. SeaWorld is just four minutes away, while other attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park can be reached in about 15 minutes by car. The San Diego International Airport is also about a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

The resort’s 462 spacious and airy rooms, suites, and bungalows were renovated in 2018-19 and feature stylish contemporary decor with nautical-inspired elements, such as deep-blue accent walls, fishbone paintings, and sailing-themed throw pillows. Wood-slatted headboards and dark brown wood-like floors add elegance. Rooms all have private patios furnished with Adirondack chairs and provide garden, lagoon, or bay views, though entry-level units lack views or overlook the parking lot.

All rooms have flat-screen TVs with cable channels, iPod docks, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Suites and bungalows have wet bars with microwaves, dining and living room areas, and sofa beds. Some have fireplaces and jetted tubs, while Presidential Suites offer full kitchens. Bathrooms are contemporary and cute, with colorful hydraulic tiles, walk-in showers with glass doors and rainfall showerheads (shower/tub combos in units with queen beds), and spacious wood-and-quartz vanities with large mirrors and chrome taps.

The Paradise Point Resort’s location on a lush island affords it a wealth of amenities, including five pools (with one for adults only), plus a mile-long sandy beach and private marina with a variety of water sports on offer (for a fee). Dining options include a fine-dining seafood restaurant, a casual, beachfront bar and grill, alfresco Mexican and cocktails by the pool, as well as pizza. Food in all restaurants gets consistently good reviews, but some guests find it overpriced.

The full-service spa has a private garden courtyard with a whirlpool, nine treatment rooms, steam rooms, and saunas, and offers a wealth of treatments, including hair and nail services. There’s a modern fitness center, as well as an array of outdoor activities including five tennis courts, basketball court, beach volleyball, and an 18-hole putting golf course. Beach cruisers and quadracycles are available for rent. Kids and teens are catered to with many activities including a kids’ club (for ages 4 to 12), a surf academy, and various poolside games and arts and crafts.

Many of the activities -- including the kids’ club -- incur an extra charge however, on top of an obligatory resort fee that is included in the rate. The resort fee covers access to the fitness center as well as Wi-Fi and local and domestic calls, plus daily activities such as yoga, meditation, poolside movies, dance, and kite flying. Additionally, parking incurs a steep daily fee.

The hotel also features 80,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, plus a few shops selling clothes, beach gear, and souvenirs.