We searched Trip Advisor for the best place to stay in Playa Grande and read some great reviews for Sugar's Monkey. Right off the bat we had a great experience - the online availability/booking system on their site let's you see which rooms are available and everyone there is super responsive by email. They helped us book a shuttle from the airport and even responded immediately once we were at the airport and looking for the driver. We booked one of the rooms with a kitchenette, and small patio area, which is perfect for making breakfast or lunch and eating on your private terrace. The room had a/c plus two ceiling fans and was always cool. The entire place is very clean and there is always someone nearby to answer questions or share information about what's happening in the area. The kitchenette is set up with a 2-burner hotplate, fridge, microwave, coffee maker, frying pans, utensils, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses. It's everything you need, but remember to stop for oil/butter, salt/pepper/spices if that's your thing for cooking. All the tap water is drinkable but sugar's monkey also has a water tap with additional filters in the common area - great to refill your water bottle and avoid lugging bottled water around.
We did not bring a rental car and we never needed it. There is a great little mini market within 10 minutes' walk with drinks, fruit, eggs, bacon, bread, condiments, yogurt, milk, etc - virtually everything you will need. There is a larger market down the beach at Palm Beach Estates with a few additional things (such as diet Pepsi, when the mini market only has the sugary version; and also tampons, whereas the mini market has pads only).
Everything you read in the other reviews about the proximity to the beach is true - there is a lovely shaded path right in front of Sugar's Monkey that takes you to the beach in minutes. It makes it very easy to go back and forth throughout the day. Definitely recommend bringing collapsible camping chairs for the beach (you can buy or rent larger ones but bringing small ones was a great convenience), and a thermos or small cooler to keep your drinks cold at the beach (again you can buy Styrofoam coolers at the palm beach market, but they are pricier and probably too big to bring home with you). As other reviews have said, there isn't any shade at the beach but it's easy to go back to Sugar's Monkey and rest by the pool in the shade during the hottest times of day.
They also serve breakfast 8-10 every morning (we didn't try it). Some great restaurants are right next door (Marejada, Rip Jack's) or a comfortable walk away (El Huerto, the bagel stand, and of course the beach-side taco stand!) You can walk either way on the beach for a fun adventure (north to Playa Ventanas, playa carbon, or south to Tamarindo) - if you want a relaxing holiday you must stay at Sugar's Monkey (and you don't need a car!)
Finally, the hotel organized surf lessons for us with an amazing instructor (thanks Gabriel!) And rented boards after we got the hang of it. They just add this to the room bill so everything is super easy. Can't say enough great things about this hotel and playa grande in general.
