Located about 7 miles south of downtown Kona, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay is positioned to offer travelers a wonderful vacation experience. Perched on craggy lava rock overlooking the ocean and bay, every room provides outstanding views. The sunsets are incredible.
At night, a bright light shines beneath the Sheraton's Crystal Blue lounge, attracting plankton, which happens to be the primary diet of manta rays. These graceful giants seem to fly through the water, putting on an amazing show nightly. The Crystal Blue also features some excellent musicians who perform gentle music. 
Many families gravitate to Crystal Blue for dinner, enjoying a diverse menu at reasonable prices. Crystal Blue has an extended happy hour with $5 Martinis, including a delicious Kona Coffee Martini made with vodka, Kahlua, Bailey's Irish Cream and coffee. Like the lobby, the Crystal Blue has elegant furnishings inside open walls, which brings the outside in.
The recently remodeled pool area is another "wow" attraction at the resort. The multi-level pool meanders past a lava rock waterfall, under a bridge, past a cabana bar and out to panoramic ocean views. The 200 foot long waterslide and ample deck seating completes the experience.
Nearby Kahalu'u Beach Park is a quick destination for snorkeling, with a wide variety of colorful fish that are not only plentiful but unusually large. Several turtles also make this their home. Perhaps the best snorkeling spot we have ever been, however, is about 15 miles south of the Sheraton at Honaunau Bay's "Place of Refuge," which I will detail more in my next post.
