This is the perfect place for a couple or small family getaway. The condo is cozy and comfortable. The lanai is wonderful and we found ourselves sipping Kona coffee in the morning while watching the surfers on Kahalu'u Bay. At night, the hot tub was very popular with our group. Kahalu'u beach is a relatively safe place to snorkel and swim and is right across the street from the unit. Magic Sands, our favorite beach in Kona, is a mile down the road. The sunsets are beautiful from the condo, but just take a walk over to the old Catholic Church on the bay if you really want a show. This is our fourth trip to the Big Island and now that the VOG is gone from the volcano, the Kona sunsets are INCREDIBLE.
The Keahou shopping center is a two minute drive from the condo. We bought a lot of food from KTA. Go in the morning and buy some of their prepared food ("Plate Lunch") and you can eat well and relatively cheap! Most of the fruit is local and very fresh. Longs drugstore is the place to buy knicknacks and gifts. You can buy the same stuff downtown in Kailua but you'll pay way more. Also pretty good deals on Kona coffee at Longs and KTA. Also check out the bookstore there if you want to buy interesting books about Hawaii.
During the school year, the local kids will congregate right outside the unit on the street before school and they can be a little loud. Remember it's THEIR home, not YOURS. Show the locals respect and aloha and you will receive it double in return.
You cannot go wrong in renting this place for your vacation. In our opinion, you are in the best part of Kona (Keahou and Kahalu'u Bay) and only minutes from all the action in downtown Kailua. Just watch your speed on Ali'i Drive!