Connected to the historical San Francisco church two blocks from the cathedral and central park, this could be Nicaragua’s most beautiful hotel. A ground-up restoration of the 17th century Convent of San Francisco, this charming hotel has 31 quality rooms around a gorgeous traditional interior garden and is decorated with antiques made in Nicaragua and Peru (made from imported Nicaraguan wood). The rooms all have A/C, private bath with hot water, cable TV and direct phones. The hotel has two restaurants both with view of the garden and features homemade ice cream from Nicaragua’s tropical fruits. León’s best hotel.