If you’ve got kids, chances are that they’re Nickelodeon-obsessed. Nickelodeon is home to all our little ones’ favorite characters and shows, so when we saw that there’s a themed all-inclusive resort on Mexico’s Caribbean coast we just had to go check it out. It’s safe to say that the resort did not disappoint and our entire travel group had a family vacation that we’ll never forget!
This post is about what you can expect from a stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya.
The Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Package
First, let’s look at what the all-inclusive package actually includes. I’ll start by saying that this was five-star service all the way. Even though the resort is largely aimed at youngsters, I assure you that adults will enjoy the experience just as much. Here are some of the highlights:
- The suites are all designed for families and are incredibly luxurious
- The food package is extremely comprehensive and we never found ourselves short of something to eat (even our little picky eaters were happy)
- The same can be said for drinks: the bar staff is fantastic and the list of inclusive premium drinks is seemingly endless. I dare you to try the slime smoothie!
- The private butlers and the concierge team are incredibly attentive and we never had to lift a finger
- Baby gear was supplied, including cribs, strollers, and food, plus babysitting services
- Meeting the characters was a highlight for us and was included in our package
- We had entry to the Aqua Nick Water Park for as long as we liked
- Themed activities suitable for the entire family
- Free Wi-Fi in public areas
Accommodation at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
From the moment we checked in and were shown to our rooms, we were blown away. The suites at this resort are next-level cool and our entire travel group loved them.
Pineapple Suite
Our family went for the Pineapple Suite because the kids are obsessed with Spongebob Squarepants. This rooftop penthouse suite sleeps two adults and up to five children, so there was more than enough space for our family of four.
The main bedroom’s king bed was unbelievably comfortable and gave the kids plenty of space for them to jump in with us in the morning. The double room with two queen beds made the children feel grown up and they loved having their own space. There are two bathrooms in the Pineapple Suite and ours even had a spa-inspired free-standing tub.
The ocean-front terrace was INCREDIBLE. We had our own infinity pool and lots of private outdoor space where we could hang out in the mornings with coffee while the kids played.
What makes this suite extra special is the butler service. Our lovely butlers were able to arrange a never-ending list of special services for us including afternoon tea, aromatherapy, and preferred access to the restaurants and spa. As part of our package, we also received two massages, a Slimulator experience, a character meet and greet (we met Paw Patrol), and a day in a VIP cabana.
Big Kahuna Suite
Our best friends and their kids joined us on this trip and they chose to stay in the Big Kahuna Suite. Their suite was also huge and had the same setup of a king bedroom, double rooms with two queen beds, a living room, and a beachfront terrace with a private pool and an ocean view.
Our friends also received the same butler service which was great as we were able to enjoy the perks together.
Eating and Drinking
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya’s Karisma Gourmet Inclusive package is one of the best all-inclusive experiences we’ve ever had. There were so many food options on offer and even if you’ve got picky eaters in your family you’re sure to find something for everyone.
For drinks, there are two swim-up bars on-site which are great for grabbing refreshments while splashing around. Our kids loved the mocktails whereas I preferred the ice-cold margaritas. Having young children, we also appreciated the 24-hour room service which meant we could eat in our suite when the kids were too tired to go out. It also meant that the hubby and I could enjoy a romantic meal on the balcony one night after the kids had gone to bed. It was bliss!
Here’s a run-down of the restaurants at the hotel:
Yacht Club
Yacht Club was our most visited restaurant during our trip because it offered tons of choices. Fresh dishes from around the world are cooked to order and it’s fun to watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen. There’s also a separate children’s section with its own food display that our kids really liked.
Good Burger
I challenge you not to yell welcome to Good Burger home of the good burger when you walk in. This burger joint serves tasty hamburgers from a retro-style truck that our entire party loved. This was one of our favorite spots and we ate here a few times.
Piazza
The Piazza restaurant has a sophisticated vibe that the adults in our travel party loved. And, in true Nickelodeon style, there are also some fun nods to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The huge pizzas are designed for sharing, and the salads and flatbreads tasted super fresh. We also loved watching the pizzas cooking in the seethrough pizza ovens.
Le Spatula
Named for SpongeBob’s iconic spatula, Le Spatula is a great option for a casual family dinner. Your kids will enjoy the fun oversized decor and the tasty menu of family-friendly international food.
Nick Bistro
With a wide array of food and an open al fresco setting, Nick Bistro is an easy option for breakfast and lunch. For an extra charge, your family can also enjoy ‘character dining’ which will be a meal that your family will never forget.
Bikini Bottom Bar
If you or your children have always dreamed of experiencing a day in the life of SpongeBob, you’ll enjoy Bikini Bottom Bar. The Hawaiian vibe makes it a fun spot to hang out by the Caribbean Sea, and the food and drink on offer are fresh and delicious.
Aqua Bite
These venues are dotted around the property and are ideal for grabbing lunch, snacks, and treats on the go. Choose from a menu of kid-friendly favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizzas, or go for a healthy and fresh poke bowl.
Snick Lounge
For some fun 90s nostalgia, head to Snick Lounge for an evening of drinks and entertainment. The family-friendly games room will bring out your competitive side, and there’s a great lineup of live music acts that we loved singing along to.
Aqua Nick
One of the main reasons that we chose to come to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya is for Aqua Nick Water Park. Our entire travel group loves waterslides and this park didn’t disappoint. The moment we arrived we headed straight to Soak Summit Tower to tackle the gnarly waterslides. We loved the duo raft slide and my husband couldn’t resist giving The Big Plunge a try (it was way too scary for the rest of us).
The smaller kids in our group loved Paw Patrol Adventure Bay and its slides and characters. Bikini Bottom beach water playground and activity pool was our base for most of the day. There was plenty there to keep the youngsters entertained while the adults enjoyed the sun while keeping an eye on them. We ended our day trying out the adventure and lazy rivers. The adventure river is fast-paced and wave-assisted, whereas the lazy river moves slowly and is incredibly relaxing.
Aqua Nick Activities and Facilities
If you go to a Nickelodeon hotel, you have to get slimed. My husband and I went for the kids but to be honest we both loved it as much as the little ones. The Super Slimming event is a free-flowing slime event so anyone can join in. It was so good that next time we visit the hotel we’ll upgrade to the Personal Sliming Sesh and get some fun family photos of the experience.
The facilities at Aqua Nick are fantastic and include sun loungers and umbrellas, towel service, floats, and lockers. There are also plenty of food and drink options available. Overall, Aqua Nick was a perfect vacation adventure for our family. In fact, we couldn’t just go one and found ourselves returning for more water slide action during our trip.
Cabana Service at Aqua Nick
If you’re really looking to slash out on your vacation, it’s well worth hiring a cabana for the day. The cabanas are on the Aqua Nick grounds and have a daybed, a fully-stocked minibar, smart TV, and a safety deposit box. You also have your own butler on hand to serve food and drink from a special upgraded menu. This service does incur an additional fee but it’s great value for the private space and personalized service that you receive.
Other Facilities at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Náay Spa
Náay Spa is the resort’s own private wellness center and is heaven on Earth. The space is huge and is designed in a traditionally Mayan way. There’s a tranquil relaxation lounge, lots of treatment suites, a sauna and steam room, plus a beauty salon. We had a lovely girls’ pamper day and between our group, we tried an anti-stress massage, a deep-cleansing facial, a thermal mud massage, and a mani and pedi. The staff were so sweet to us and we felt truly looked after. Don’t miss the thermal mud massage: that was the highlight for us.
There’s also a fitness center if you like to stay active during your trip, with great equipment and classes including pilates and aerobics. However, dashing around after the kids was enough of a workout for us on this vacation!
Swimming Pools
There are two huge outdoor swimming pools at the resort, which is where we spent most of our time hanging out. The pools are designed to be kid-friendly and there are plenty of seats around the pool where we could keep an eye on them.
One of the big bonuses of this resort is that every suite has swim-up access to either shared pools or private pools. If you’ve got water babies in your family, they won’t be able to get enough of this feature.
Club Nick
Club Nick is the kids club at the resort and our rugrats loved it. It’s open for free play as well as structured activities and has a huge ball pit and two-story slide. There’s a daily schedule of fun that your kids can pop along to. Ours particularly loved the cooking classes and science experiments. As you’d expect, all of their favorite characters were there to join in the fun, too. The club is located in Nickelodeon Place and is suitable for kids aged 4-12 years old.
Where is Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya Located?
The Nickelodeon hotel is located in Puerto Morelos in Quintana Roo. This part of the Riviera Maya coastline is around 20 miles south of Cancun and is a great spot for families with kids.
Puerto Morelos is a sleepy fishing town so it’s a little quieter than some of the bigger cities and towns on the Yucatan Peninsula such as Tulum and Playa del Carmen, so it feels safe and easy to explore.
There’s so much to do at the hotel that you might not be able to tear yourself away. But if you do fancy a change of scenery during your vacation, I’d recommend the following activities for you and your rugrats.
Visit a Cenote
Cenotes are natural underground watering holes and no visit to Riviera Maya is complete without visiting one. Boca del Puma is the best cenote in Puerto Morelos and the open caves with clear blue water are ideal for family adventures.
Swim with Whale Sharks
Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. They can be found from mid-May to September and swimming with them is a safe and unforgettable experience. If you plan to do this activity, make sure you choose an ethical tour company that works to protect the animals (ask the hotel’s front desk staff for recommendations).
Snorkel or Scuba Dive
If your kids love being in the water, take them on an afternoon excursion to the National Reef Park. This area has fantastic scuba and snorkeling conditions and an incredible array of fish (and turtles if you’re lucky).
Visit Jardin Botanico
If you prefer to have your fun on dry land, head to Jardin Botanico. Since it opened in the 1980s, the gardens have been popular with visitors. We loved seeing the cacti and learning about natural plant medicine. There’s also a Mayan archeological site at the gardens which gave us a glimpse of Mexico’s rich history without going further afield to Chichen Itza or one of the other better-known Mayan ruins.
Why Stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
From check-in to check-out, our stay at the Nickelodeon all-inclusive resort was a dream. Our whole family loved the resort and we agreed that it was one of the best trips we’re ever taken together. The staff are unbeatable and hospitable and the facilities were second to none.
If you’re looking for a fun, action-packed family vacation without losing out on the luxury of a Riviera Maya resort, you simply have to check this place out. We’ll be back for sure, so we might see you there!
Book your next vacation at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya.
