Premium oceanfront rooms, all-inclusive amenities, and whimsical character experiences make Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya a vacation experience that’s fun for the whole family. And with its location right on the Caribbean coast in the heart of beautiful and tourist-friendly Playa del Carmen, this kid-friendly Mexico all-inclusive resort has plenty to offer parents, too.
Things to Know about Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya
Situated about 30 minutes by car from Cancun’s international airport, Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya is an all-suite resort with rooms featuring fanciful character-themed décor. Standard suites are generously sized and sleep a family of five comfortably, and every room in the resort has ocean views and a swim-up pool. The resort’s deluxe suites rank among the best hotel rooms for kids anywhere in the world.
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The resort is located close to golf clubs, cenotes, shopping, and famous archeological sites, but with so much to do and eat onsite—including a massive outdoor waterpark called Aqua Nick and a themed entertainment hub called Nickelodeon Place—there’s really no reason to leave.
What Families Should Know
As soon as you arrive at Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya, the fun begins. The six-acre Aqua Nick water park is among the largest in Mexico and features 20 wild slides and two lazy rivers. Younger kids will enjoy Paw Patrol Adventure Bay, while teens and tweens will love the Soak Summit Main Tower with slides and incredible views of the Caribbean sea. Daily group and private sliming sessions are a fixture in the water park too.
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Adjacent to Aqua Nick, Nickelodeon Place is the hub for character meet-and-greets, character dinners, and dance parties. Interactive events, including a Nickelodeon game show and the chance to get slimed on the resort’s Main Stage, are part of the daily programming.
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya Reviews
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya earns 8.7 out of 10 stars on Kayak, 8.8 out of 10 on Booking.com, and 8.4 out of 10 on Hotels.com. Guests like the friendly staff, ample activities for kids, and good food. Guests note that because the resort is very large, you sometimes wait a little while for a shuttle to arrive between the different parts of the resort.
Important Details About Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya Location
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It’s situated just off Highway 307 that connects Cancun to Tulum. Multiple vendors provide transportation from the airports to the resort, including private van transfer, taxis, and ride-share services. Car rentals are also available. Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts is located about 30 minutes from Cancun’s international airport.
The Property
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya is a sprawling all-inclusive beachfront property surrounded by lush tropical foliage. The main lobby, Aqua Nick water park, Nickelodeon Place entertainment hub, and a few of the restaurants are grouped together near the front of the resort grounds.
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The ocean-front guest suites, pool area, and beachfront dining options are set apart from Nickelodeon Place and Aqua Nick, and guests utilize free shuttles to move between the two areas. Shuttles run frequently and can bring you from one area to the other in about five minutes.
Standard Suites
At Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya, every guest room is an ocean-front swim-up suite. All accommodations offer plenty of space for the entire family to relax and unwind. Specialty suites include a whopping 3,000 square feet, two bedrooms and two baths; standard queen or king rooms are 581 square feet with a combination of traditional beds, pull-out sofas, and Murphy beds. Some suites can be connected through adjoining doors.
Suites on the first level have walk-out access to the resort’s main pool. Suites on levels two through five have infinity pools directly connected to their balcony.
All guest rooms are decorated with Nickelodeon character themes and offer ample amenities, including gear for babies and toddlers. Changing tables, cribs, bottle warmers, and baby monitors are available upon request.
Specialty Suites
Specialty suites offer plenty of personality and lots of room, making it easy and comfortable to spend a week calling the resort home.
With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle décor, the Lair Suite is the perfect place for a pizza party. The rooftop suite sleeps up to seven guests and features indoor and outdoor living and dining areas. The master suite has a spa-inspired bath, and the two additional bedrooms offer plenty of space for everyone. There’s also an infinity plunge pool.
The Big Kahuna Suite is for old-school Nickelodeon aficionados (you know who you are). Custom pieces are inspired by Rugrats, Ren and Stimpy, and The Loud House. The guest room has a master suite with free-standing tub and rainfall shower. The second bedroom offers two queen beds and an en suite bath. Additionally, there’s a 710-square-foot terrace with cushy lounge furniture and an infinity plunge pool that runs the length of the suite.
Inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants’ underwater home, the Pineapple Suite is the signature accommodation at Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya. Like the Lair Suite, this one includes an oceanfront terrace and plunge pool. Outdoor and indoor living areas offer plenty of options for meals and lounging.
Dining at Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya
The all-inclusive resort has a variety of sit-down and a la carte dining options suited for everyone in the family. Along with 24-hour in-room dining, Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya has a number of themed dining experiences:
- Good Burger, a retro burger joint inspired by the Nickelodeon movie of the same name.
- Piazza, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-themed pizza restaurant.
- Yacht Club, a nautical-themed restaurant with beachfront ocean views.
- Le Spatula, a SpongeBob-inspired space with buffet-style dining.
- Nick Bistro, overlooking the Aqua Nick water park.
- Bikini Bottom, another SpongeBob-themed spot where you can get quick bites and drinks
- Snick Lounge, a space for mingling, arcade games, and live entertainment
There are also two swim-up bars in the seafront pool area, private cabanas with concierge service available at Aqua Nick, and quick Aqua Bite dining venues that serve hamburgers, hot dogs, poke bowls, ice cream, and other casual fare inside the water park.
Activities
Families won’t run out of things to do at Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya. The Aqua Nick water park and Nickelodeon Place entertainment hub are the main attractions, especially for kids, but there’s also a kids club for little ones, an expansive waterfront pool area for the whole family, and a full-service spa for some relaxing adult time. Older kids can chill in the Snick Lounge.
The resort’s downloadable app shows all of the day’s scheduled activities and programming, including evening shows. You can schedule a personal sliming session at the water park, or get lucky and become a contestant in Slime Time Live, a fun Nick-themed show on the Main Stage that incorporates trivia, physical stunts, and audience participation. Win or lose, you’ll probably end up covered in that famous green slime.
