You're right: There are no good lodging options between San Jose and the southern Caribbean coast. There's nothing wrong with Le Cameleon. It just isn't at all typical of the Caribbean coast. Nothing says you have to be authentic about it. It is a very nice place.
Before Le Cameleon arrived, the two most upscale places in PV were:
Shawandha Lodge
www.shawandhalodge.com
Cariblue Hotel
www.cariblue.com
Both consist of bungalows scattered over their respective properties. Shawandha is quieter; Cariblue is more lively.
What time of day will you be setting out from the airport? The first 45 minutes of driving north of San Jose (not from the airport, but north of the city) is a winding, twisting highway that takes you through a cloud forest over the mountains and down to the lowlands. That stretch frequently begins to fog over by mid-afternoon.