There are a couple of good hotel options in the small but growing town of San Juan del Sur, the lovely hill-top Pelican Eyes / Piedras Y Olas with infinity pool, and Hotel Victoriano downtown at the waterfront.
Just north of San Juan lies Morgan's Rock, a boutique ecolodge set among trees overlooking its own private beach.
A top of the range beach resort near Masachapa and Pochomil offers all the trimmings, including a huge swimming pool, a choice of restaurants, bars, tennis and a casino. It is set on 3km of uninterrupted sand surrounded by towering palms. The beach is good for swimming with a very gradual shelf and a weak current.