What a wonderful stay my husband and I had at this fantastic apartment. The direct proximity to the ocean was the bonus to staying here. Sitting on the lanai and staring at the water, hearing the waves, and taking in nature was a great way to start and end the day. It is a view that can't be beat and would cost a fortune at a hotel.
If you like to stay in and cook, this is the place for you. Eating out in Kona is very expensive so cooking meals in can really keep a budget in check. There were plenty of pans and cooking utensils to make meals in. Additionally, there was a small cooler and some ice packs so that a lunch could be taken along to the beach for the day. If you plan to travel around the island and catch all the great snorkeling spots, packing a lunch is the way to go! You can stock up at Costco and then head to the KTA for other food needs. Go early to KTA as the meat section gets really picked over by early evening.
You really need a car if you want to get out and see everything. If you love to snorkel, you need a car to get to all of the great little hide aways! Yet, you are able to walk right into Kona town. It is less than a mile to Don's Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Kona (highly recommend for a great mai tai at a great ocean front outdoor bar). *Bring a flashlight for the walk home at night; the street is not highly lit, but is very safe.
If you just want to unplug, have a great place to just relax, than Nancy's unit is for you. The grounds are gorgeous and the location is perfect. I will caution-if you are a pool person, you will not be able to fully relax. It was very very crowded with lots of kids when we attempted to go. It also was very heavy with chlorine. We decided that we would rather chill at the beach (all you need is in the apartment-chairs, boogie board, bamboo mats, and a beach umbrella) and indulge in the warm waters of Hawaii.
FYI: don't drag 100 pounds of stuff with you like my husband and I did. There is a fast acting washer and dryer to do your washing in. I ended up wearing the same three comfortable outfits the whole 10 days. We wore about 10 pounds of what we dragged along with us. Keep it simple as Kona is a really simple and laid back place.