We loved staying at the Tropical Garden Cottage. The cottage was very comfortable, in a great location, and Margaret was an excellent host. It had everything! A small kitchen area (perfect for quick meals), lots of space for luggage (we brought our snorkel gear), and a comfy bed.
We would walk to the local Hawaiian deli on the way to the beach and get breakfast ( the breakfast burrito is fabulous, and so is the coffee). There is a clothesline across the lanai for wet stuff, and the pool seemed nice. BUT ... it's only a 10 minute walk to the best swimming beach, Kailua!
The location is a short drive to everything on the south end of the island, so it's very convenient. Downtown Kailua, which has a sweet downtown, is a 5 minute walk the other way ... with everything you could want.