The brand-new Nickelodeon Resorts & Hotels Riviera Maya has been open for just over three months, and the resort is already making a huge splash! From the character meet & greet with your kids’ favorite Nick characters (Sponge Bob, of course, Paw Patrol, Dora and Boots, Shimmer and Shine and many more) to Aqua Nick, the six-acre waterpark with every thrill you can envision and the excellent food found throughout the resort, there’s plenty of fun for families to be had. We had a chance to explore the resort, so keep scrolling to get the details.
The Hotel
With its white modern design and iconic Nickelodeon accents, it’s hard to miss this 280-room resort hotel. From the main lobby, you'll take a short shuttle ride down to the oceanfront, and once you’ve been shown to your suite, you’ll have time to enjoy the swim-up pools (every room has one), the patio that offers stunning views of the Mexican Caribbean Sea, and the easy access to the restaurants on the lower level of the property. Nickelodeon-inspired colors and Nick characters adorn the walls and pillows, and there are two bathrooms, which is ideal for families. The hotel also provides items that’ll make traveling with kids easier: strollers, cribs, changing tables, monitors, bottle warmers and even kid-sized bathrobes.
There are three signature rooftop suites. Each one has an oceanfront terrace, private butler service, separate bathrooms with full bathrooms and full dining and living rooms. When you book one of the themed suites, you’ll get several extra perks—two massages, a private character meets & greet, a character dining experience at Nickelodeon Place and more. The crown jewel is Pineapple Suite because, in addition to all these amenities, there’s an interactive pineapple on the terrace, complete with a magic conch shell!
Aqua Nick at Nick Place
Located at Nickelodeon Place, this sprawling six-acre waterpark not only has six thrilling water slides in the Soak Summit main tower but four more slides in Paw Patrol Adventure Bay that are perfect for pint-size visitors. It’s hard not to want to explore the activity pool, which has a wave pool, a climbing wall and a water activity ropes course. Aqua Nick also has two lazy rivers—one is a classic float, and the other is fast-paced with plenty of waves.
Snag a bite at Nick Bistro if you feel like hitting the buffet. You'll find an ample selection of food from freshly-made tacos to salad and kid-friendly offerings like pasta and chicken nuggets. Be sure to visit the soft ice cream station before heading back into the waterpark. There are also several Aqua Bite food stations in the park serving up pizzas, hamburgers, hot dogs and poke bowls.
The Entertainment
From the Meet & Greets to Team Nick performances, there’s never a dull moment at the resort! Getting a picture opp with your kids' fave Nick character is as easy as checking the daily schedule on the Karisma Hotel app. The Snick Lounge, located in the main Lobby, has exciting entertainment every night in addition to arcade games, TVs playing Nick shows and a pool table. The shows range from magic shows and glow parties to live music and other family-friendly fun.
The Character Pajama Jam is especially fun. You’ll get incredible meal options like waffles, parfaits, avocado and smoked salmon toast, smoothies, hash browns, bacon and fresh fruit. Team Nick is on hand with singing and dancing and they’ll bring iconic faces like Dora, Boots, Spong Bob, Shimmer and Shine and many more. Kids get a goodie bag with items they can use to participate in the entertainment.
Kids can also take a cooking class from one of the head chefs. The Yacht Club holds sessions twice a week, and kids can learn to make everything from smoothies to waffles.
The Kids’ Club at Nick Place isn’t open yet, but guests have access to the club at the resort’s sister property next door until it is. You'll also find the Nickelodeon Shop at Nick Place, so be sure to take time to browse through the impressive selection of Nickelodeon souvenirs.
The Restaurants
Bikini Bottom & Gourmet Corner is the first dining establishment you’ll encounter when you head to the ground floor of the hotel. This casual beach-inspired spot has a variety of menu items like shrimp cocktail, tuna poke, ham croquettes and spaghetti for the kids—there’s something for everyone. There’s also a Grab & Go breakfast if you don’t have time to hit the Yacht Club before heading to Aqua Nick! The Yacht Club is open for breakfast and offers made-to-order omelets, sweet and savory waffles, a large selection of fruit, a cheese board, bacon, sausage, yogurt, fresh juices, smoothies and an assortment of bread. Inspired by the original Nick comedy sketch, Good Burger is open for lunch and dinner. The onions rings might be the best you’ve ever had, the burgers are made with high-quality ingredients, and right in the middle of the restaurant lies the ice cream truck that serves up awesome ice cream sundaes.
In the main lobby, you'll find Leo, Raf, Donny and Mikey hanging out and waiting for a slice at Piazza. If you’re lucky, they’ll even have dinner with you! The wood-fired pizza is excellent; the crust is light, and the cheese and sauce are cooked to perfection. Kids can watch the pizza via the see-through ovens; you’ll often be entertained by live singers, and be sure to try the dessert pizza! Le Spatula is a buffet-style restaurant offering tons of authentic Mexican food as well as family-friendly offerings.
—Gabby Cullen
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