Quality, comfortable, oceanfront (not just ocean view) unit in the very nice Keauhou resort neighborhood.
Close to the touristy hot mess that is Kailua-Kona town (15 minutes) but far enough to feel like a local in a very quiet, well maintained part of the Big Island (beautifully landscaped, fabulous sunsets, and adjacent to a golf course).
About 20-30 minutes south of the KONA airport so very accessible and easy to get to.
Comfortable, clean, tropical-ish interior and furnishings. Spacious and clean throughout.
Excellent restaurants, grocery stores (KTA) and drug store (Longs) in shopping complex nearby (2 minutes). Just be prepared for the relatively high prices on everything since almost everything has to be shipped in from somewhere else. Farmer's market on Saturdays in this complex with lots of great local produce (mac nuts, honey, tropical fruits, etc.). Tip: Just don't get any of the expensive baked goods sold there if you are looking for something tasty - very average (dry and tasteless) and in some cases, downright inedible gloppy messes of saccharine sweet tropical fruit flavored concoctions). However, we bought some of the stuff anyhow to support the locals.
Well-furnished kitchen with all of the amenities and accoutrements to make a great meal.
Close to excellent snorkeling and swimming beaches (5 minutes away), including your own swimming lagoon next door to the complex.
Down the street from where many of the water excursion boats depart (Captain Cook snorkeling, dolphin tours, night manta ray dives).
Clean, refreshing, well-maintained ocean front pool less than 100 yards away if you feel like a quick dip.
Very accommodating and responsive owner/property manager (even offered us a refund if we had wanted to leave early on account of Hurricanes Madeline/Lester).
Well-located for all of your Big Island outdoor excursions (volcanos, cowboy country in Waimea, green sand beach, Waipio black sand beaches, and Hapuna Beach).
Only downside is that you have to pay extra ($25/day plus tax) for air conditioning but we found it totally necessary for sleeping on those hot humid nights where the air is so thick you feel like you can drink the air and everything feels slightly damp including your sheets and body. There were decent ocean breezes at times while we were there in August/early September, but all those did was to blow hot humid air around, so worth getting the air conditioning option.