Is Nickelodeon Resort Worth It in Riviera Maya? An Honest Family Review
This place has a lot going for it. It opened in August 2021, the suites are genuinely amazing, the water park is fantastic, and the food and drinks are well above all-inclusive average. None of that comes cheap. So before you hand over a pile of money, the real question is: is Nickelodeon Resort worth it in Riviera Maya?
We went, we slimed, we got chased around the water park by a timeshare guy. Here is the honest breakdown of what your money buys.
Is Nickelodeon Resort Worth it?: The Quick Verdict
Short answer: Yes, if you have kids and you snag a reasonable price. It is a 280-suite, all-inclusive, all-suite resort where every room has a swim-up pool and an ocean view, the included Aqua Nick water park is the real draw, and there are Nickelodeon characters everywhere. The beach is forgettable and it is not an adults-only kind of place, but for a family that wants SpongeBob, slime, and a swim-up bar in one trip, it delivers.
- Where: KM 45, Carretera Cancún–Tulum, Riviera Maya (Puerto Morelos / Playa Paraíso area), Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Airport: Cancún International (CUN), roughly a 25–30 minute drive
- Rooms: 280 suites, all with a swim-up pool and ocean view, across about seven suite styles
- Style: All-inclusive (“Gourmet Inclusive by Karisma”)
- Best for: Families with kids of any age. Not for an adults-only escape.
- The honest verdict: Worth it for the right price. Get a deal, lean into the water park, skip the upsells.
Is Nickelodeon Resort Worth it?: Things to Consider
1. Nickelodeon Resort Location
2. Airport Transportation is Free
3. Every Room Has a Swim-Up Pool and an Ocean View
4. Most Food and Alcohol are Included
5. Aqua Nick Admission is Included
6. The Resort Requires Van Transportation to Get Around
7. There Are a Ton of Characters
8. There is a Kids’ Club
9. The Pools Have Swim-Up Bars
10. Wi-Fi is Included
11. There Are Scheduled Nickelodeon Resort Activities Throughout the Day
12. Don’t Miss the Snick Lounge
13. There is Nightly Entertainment
14. It Isn’t Always Crowded
15. The Staff is Great
16. There is a Nickelodeon Riviera Maya Spa
17. Tipping is Not Required
18. There Are Cats
19. The Nickelodeon Resort Gift Shop is a Ripoff
20. You Probably Won’t Be Able to Access Your Room Early
21. Concierge is Code for Timeshare Salesman
22. The Beach is Crap
23. Should I Stay Without Kids?
24. There Are Ways to Save on Nickelodeon Resort Packages
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Is Nickelodeon Resort Worth it?
1. Where is the Nickelodeon Resort?
The resort sits on the Riviera Maya coast south of Cancún, in the Puerto Morelos / Playa Paraíso stretch between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. The address is KM 45 on the Carretera Cancún–Tulum, which tells you most of what you need to know: it exits straight onto a highway, and there is absolutely nothing within walking distance. Book a tour if you want to venture off property.
The nearest airport is Cancún International (CUN), roughly 28 to 38 kilometers away depending on the route, which works out to about a 25 to 30 minute drive. Close enough that you are at a swim-up bar before your phone finishes finding the local cell network.
2. Is Airport Transportation Free?
Round-trip transportation to and from Cancún International Airport is provided through Lomas Travel and is included as a courtesy for resort guests. Be sure to give your flight details to Karisma, the company that operates the resort, before your trip so they can plan the pickup. (If you are booking through a package channel, confirm the transfer is included rather than a paid add-on.)
Pro tip: When you exit the plane, you will need to go through Customs and retrieve your bag. You then begin a long walk through hundreds of people trying to get you to enter their cars. Lomas is all the way at the end of this parade. You have to cross a street to find it. The employees wear teal. Most of the vans are decorated with a Nickelodeon theme, so if you hit a wall of SpongeBob, you found it.
3. Every Nickelodeon Resort Suite Has a Swim-Up Pool and an Ocean View
Why is Nickelodeon Resort so expensive? The rooms are a big reason.
The resort has 280 rooms total, and there is no “standard” room to get stuck with. Every single one is a suite with an ocean view, a swim-up pool, two bathrooms, and a soaking tub. They are spread across roughly seven suite styles, from the oceanfront swim-up suites the average family books up to the over-the-top character suites.
Rooms have a mini-bar with beer, soda, and water included in your rate. Housekeeping restocks it daily.
Amenities include hair dryers, coffee makers, bathrobes, umbrellas, and a scale (as if you want to weigh yourself at an all-inclusive resort).
Pro tip: The resort provides strollers, baby monitors, and changing tables. Confirm availability with the resort before you travel. While you are at it, run through our Nickelodeon Resort packing list so you don’t double-pack what they already supply.
Bonus pro tip: If the phone rings, have your kid answer it. It is probably a character.
As of the time of this writing, the suite options are as follows:
Oceanfront Nickelodeon Resort Swim-Up Suites
The vast majority of the suites fall into this category. They have a master bedroom with a private bathroom, a pullout couch and/or Murphy bed in the living room, and a second full bathroom. You can book these rooms with one king or two queens.
Ground-level rooms have terraces that access the large pools, while upper-level rooms have small private pools that are shared with three other rooms. Note that the private pools are cold.
Prices swing hard depending on your travel dates, the floor, and how far ahead you book, but for a standard swim-up suite expect to spend several hundred dollars per night, and meaningfully more in peak weeks. Check current pricing before you commit, because the range is wide.
Sleeps: 5 (maximum of 4 adults if there are no children)
Size: 581 square feet
Lair Suite
The Lair Suite is larger than most American houses. Modeled after the Ninja Turtles’ home, it has a master bedroom with a private bathroom, a second bedroom with two queens and a bathroom, and a living room with a pullout couch and Murphy bed.
You also get a 700 square foot balcony with an infinity pool and a butler.
This sounds great, but the signature character suites run several times the price of a standard suite, well into four figures a night. Glorious if you can swing it; a lot of money for a room you mostly sleep in if you can’t.
Sleeps: 7 (2 adults and 5 children or 2 adults and 3 teens)
Size: 3,000 square feet
Pineapple Suite
Note: If you have seen the pictures of the private pineapple you can rent at the Punta Cana location, this is not it. That structure is not at this location.
The Pineapple Suite is another massive room. It is similar to the Lair Suite in size and amenities but comes with a SpongeBob theme.
It has a master bedroom with a private bathroom, a second bedroom with two queens and a bathroom, a living room with a pullout couch and Murphy bed, a 700 square-foot balcony with an infinity pool, and a butler.
This suite also commands signature-suite pricing, so expect it to cost several times a standard room.
Sleeps: 7 (2 adults and 5 children or 2 adults and 3 teens)
Size: 3,000 square feet
Big Kahuna Suite
The Big Kahuna Suite is yet another massive room. It is similar to the Lair Suite and Pineapple Suite but seems to have a general Nickelodeon theme.
It has a master bedroom with a private bathroom, a second bedroom with two queens and a bathroom, a living room with a pullout couch and Murphy bed, a 700 square foot balcony with an infinity pool, and a butler.
Like the other signature suites, this one also lands well into four figures a night.
Sleeps: 7 (2 adults and 5 children or 2 adults and 3 teens)
Size: 3,000 square feet
4. Is Nickelodeon Resort All-Inclusive?
Is Nickelodeon Resort all-inclusive? It sure is. The property runs on Karisma’s “Gourmet Inclusive” program, so the vast majority of the food and alcohol are included.
Each restaurant has a unique cocktail menu and a mocktail menu for kids. They’ll even make baby food.
Room service is included and is available 24 hours per day.
Pro tip: The restaurants can accommodate food allergies. Let them know what you need. Several gluten-free options were available at every location.
Bonus pro tip: The Nickelodeon Resort restaurants claim to have a dress code that requires your shoulders to be covered. This is absolutely not enforced in any way. Not only did I see shoulders, but belly buttons and butt cheeks as well.
Extra bonus pro tip: Check out our free Nickelodeon Resort packing list to bring what you need.
As of the time of this writing, dining options are as follows:
Bikini Bottom Bar
Bikini Bottom Bar is a table service restaurant that is open for lunch and some dinners. It serves things like tacos and seafood. It also has a bar where you can grab drinks without sitting down for a meal.
Good Burger
Good Burger, themed after the Nickelodeon show, serves burgers, fries, and awesome corn chowder. A dedicated fryer is used for gluten-free food, and gluten-free buns are available.
The restaurant has an ice cream truck parked in the middle of the dining room. This seemed more exciting than it turned out to be (extremely limited flavor and topping selection), but it did a lot for the theming.
Le Spatula
Le Spatula is a buffet serving breakfast and an occasional specialty dinner. The breakfast is quite good.
There are a million choices, lots of cheese and raw fish, made-to-order omelets, heavily themed kid food, and a mimosa bar. Gluten-free muffins are available. Two big thumbs up for this one.
Nick Bistro
Nick Bistro is a small buffet located within the Aqua Nick water park for hotel guests only. It has salads, soups, proteins, Mexican food, and a kids’ section.
Pro tip: You can pay extra for a character meal here. Don’t. You get free food and character interactions in plenty of other places.
Piazza
Piazza is an Italian restaurant that wants to be elegant. It is the only place that requires a reservation at the hotel. Entertainers sing the same song that Brennan sang at the Catalina Wine Mixer on a staircase. There is lots of glass.
There are also Ninja Turtles. Like actual, Ninja Turtle statues taking up table space.
Pro tip: This restaurant has gluten-free pasta, pizza crust, and untoasted white bread slices rolls. You get your own pizza cutter to avoid cross-contamination.
Yacht Club
Yacht Club is only open when attendance warrants. When it is available, it serves world cuisine and a sit-down breakfast. Check the menu in the app at the time of your visit.
You’ll also find a handful of bars and lounges scattered around the property, including the Cosmo and Wanda swim-up bars, the Main Stage Bar, and the Snick Lounge (more on that below).
5. Nickelodeon Resort Water Park Admission is Included
Aqua Nick is the reason most families book this place, and unlimited admission is included for hotel guests. Day passes cost a small fortune for people staying elsewhere, so the included access is a genuine value when you do the math on a multi-day stay.
The water park sprawls across roughly six acres and packs in a lot: Soak Summit, a tower with a cluster of slides, an Activity Pool with a rock climbing wall, adventure and lazy rivers, and PAW Patrol Adventure Bay for the little ones. There is plenty here to fill multiple days without repeating yourself.
Pro tip: Hotel guests get in before the general public. Be sure to take advantage of that uncrowded morning window. For the full rundown of every slide and which kid it suits, see our Aqua Nick water park guide.
6. The Resort is Not Walkable
The resort covers a lot of ground, most of which has nothing for guests. One building holds the guest rooms and some restaurants, another building houses the lobby, some restaurants, and a lounge, and a third area has the water park, kids’ club, and stage. You can walk pretty easily between the water park and lobby, but the walk to your hotel room would be a long one down a dark road.
Vans transport guests where they want to go for free. We never waited long. Visiting at an off time would certainly cut down on the competition for transportation.
Pro tip: Check out the Nickelodeon Riviera Maya Resort map before you go.
7. There Are a Ton of Characters
The resort is swimming with Nickelodeon characters. Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol pups, and SpongeBob’s friends turn up in the lobby and at the water park on the regular.
Pro tip: The schedule for characters, activities, and dining, as well as menus for the restaurants, are all posted in the hotel’s app. Be sure to download it before you go.
Note: There is a paid character breakfast (marketed as “Pajama Jam”). Skip it. There is no shortage of opportunities to meet characters and eat free food.
8. There is a Kids’ Club (That is Not Exciting)
Club Nick is a free kids’ club. You can stay or drop your kids off and come back later. It has a small play structure, a TV, and some organized activities. Characters make appearances. The majority of the offerings appeal to younger children.
If you’re used to the clubs on cruise ships with long hours and a lot to do, this will disappoint. The hours are limited and it is really only open when you’d be at Aqua Nick anyway. Check the current Club Nick hours and the minimum age to drop kids off in the app or with the front desk, since these can change.
While we make good use of kids’ clubs elsewhere, other than one spin down the slide, we didn’t use this one at all.
Pro tip: If you want to go out at night without the kids, you can pay for a private babysitter through the hotel.
9. The Pools Have Swim-Up Bars
There are a couple of pools at the resort with swim-up bars and views of the beach. They aren’t crowded during the day because most people hang out at the water park.
Note: The pools at the hotel are accessible from the terraces of first-floor guests. This seems cool, but people are constantly swimming in front of your window unless you close the blinds. Is easy access to the pool worth a lack of privacy? If not, pick a higher floor that will have a more private pool on the balcony.
10. Wi-Fi is Free
Wi-Fi is included with your stay, which is good because you need it for the app, and the app is how you find out where everything is and when it’s happening.
11. Activities Are Scheduled Throughout the Day
The resort runs scheduled activities throughout the day. Some options include dance parties, pool games, and organized events in the kids’ club. There is at least one mass sliming per day. Check the schedule in the app.
Note: You can book a private sliming session at an extra charge. Save your money. The mass sliming comes with a show and without the awkward experience of strangers staring at you.
12. Don’t Miss the Snick Lounge in the Afternoon
The Snick Lounge is a 90s-themed bar in the lobby. It has one pool table and a grand total of four arcade games. All are free to use. Why do I emphasize the total number of games? Because four is not a lot of games.
The Snick Lounge is a great place to hang out and have a drink during the afternoon before it gets crowded. It becomes dramatically less ideal as the night goes on.
13. There is Nightly Entertainment
Each night, the resort offers some kind of entertainment. Options may include magicians, movies, shows with characters, and live music.
Note: A lot of this entertainment will be in Spanish.
14. When is the Best Time to Visit?
The resort is crowded during peak times. When it is crowded, you will wait in long lines at the water park, transportation will take longer than it otherwise would, and rates will be higher.
If you have the luxury of choice, visit while most schools are in session.
Pro tip: The resort has historically closed for an annual maintenance period. Call the resort to confirm whether and when that is happening, and if it is, book your trip for dates right after it reopens. It will be a virtual ghost town for the first few days of your stay.
15. The Staff is Great
The staff at this resort is great. They may not always give you the correct answer, but they are super nice when they attempt it. Every encounter we had, even the one with the timeshare salesman Concierge (see below), was positive and pleasant.
16. There is a Nickelodeon Resort Spa
If you need a break from the kids, there is a spa on site (now branded NÁAY SPA). You can book services like massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures. All services are at an extra charge.
Pro tip: There is a fitness center in this area in case all those trips up the stairs at the water park aren’t enough cardio.
17. Tipping is Not Required
Gratuities are included with your hotel rate. I asked about the tipping protocol when I checked in. The person with whom I spoke said we could leave a couple of dollars if we wanted but it was not expected. No one ever declined our tips, but leaving money is optional.
18. Don’t Miss the Resident Cats
The resort has several stray cats that roam the property, all named Nicky. They boldly approach guests with food. Consider yourself warned, and also consider it a perk.
19. Avoid the Gift Shop Like the Plague
There is a small gift shop in the lobby. It is not special and stupid expensive. Avoid. Avoid. Really. Avoid.
20. What Time is Check-In?
Check-in time begins at 4:00 p.m. We arrived well before then. Although the resort was eerily empty and I am certain our room was ready, we couldn’t get in before official check-in time.
This policy is a big negative for me. Given the room rate, I would expect guests to be allowed in early if their rooms are ready. Your mileage may vary, but I would not bank on seeing your room before 4:00 p.m.
Pro tip: The porters will hold your luggage before your room is ready and after you check out, so you can still hit the water park on arrival day.
Bonus pro tip: Don’t forget sunscreen in your carry-on.
21. Your Concierge Representative Will Try to Sell You Something
When you check in, you are assigned a concierge. This person can make reservations for you at Piazza, book services, and field your requests. The concierge is also clearly tasked with coordinating timeshare presentations.
We are low maintenance, only requesting that he make the dining reservation we couldn’t make ourselves. I thought a five-minute meeting would be our only encounter. That was until he chased me down at the water park explaining that he had been looking for me all week (and wouldn’t I like to attend a presentation?).
I politely declined and thanked him for the invitation. Rather than picking up on basic social cues, he doubled down by offering me a gift shop credit for attending (as if that is a sufficient incentive). I told him I didn’t want to waste vacation time sitting through a timeshare presentation. He said it wasn’t a timeshare (it absolutely was).
A less assertive person would have found him or herself in that meeting. Don’t fold under the pressure. You paid a lot of money. Don’t waste time doing something you don’t want to do.
22. The Beach is Crap
While the view of the water from your balcony is bliss, the beach itself is teeny tiny, rocky, windy, and has almost no chairs. It is only open until 6:00 p.m., and no food is allowed. They don’t seem to actually expect guests to spend time on it.
This resort is all about the water park. If you want a real beach day, this isn’t your spot. For a coastline that actually delivers, we’d point you toward a place like Hilton Waikoloa Village or a Disney cruise instead.
23. For What Age is the Nickelodeon Resort Best?
Is the resort good for an adults-only trip? God. No. There are plenty of all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya that don’t allow kids. Pick one. You will have a much better time at any of them.
While I wouldn’t stay here with adults only, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay with kids of any age. This resort caters to all kids, from toddlers to teens. Young kids will love the characters and PAW Patrol Adventure Bay in the water park. Teens will be happy with the bigger waterslides and unlimited food. If you’re traveling with little ones, our tips for traveling with kids will save you some headaches getting there.
24. How Can I Save on Nickelodeon Riviera Maya Packages?
How much is Nickelodeon Resort? A lot. Standard swim-up suites generally start at several hundred dollars per night and climb steeply from there in peak weeks and for the signature suites. The good news is there are real ways to bring that number down.
Check for Direct Booking Nickelodeon Resort Deals
The resort offers specials. Check to see what is available at the time of your visit.
Note: The reservation process can be a little sketchy. You may encounter unexpected fees and not get what you think you’re getting. Take screenshots. If you have to speak to someone over the phone, ask them to email you the confirmation and read it BEFORE you hang up. We had to pay a nominal fee upon checkout, and I’m still not entirely sure why.
Pro tip: If your package includes a resort credit, read the fine print. More than likely, it will be a credit that requires you to spend more. If you weren’t going to spend that money anyway, that isn’t a good deal. Make sure you are getting the best deal for what your family actually wants to do.
Visit at an Off Time for Nickelodeon Resort Discounts
If you aren’t bound by a school schedule, try to visit when most schools are in session. Rates will be cheaper, and crowds will be lighter. If your kids have a random long weekend that isn’t connected to a holiday, it would likely be a great time to go.
Pro tip: Consider both American and Mexican school schedules when picking your dates.
Third-Party Providers
You may be able to find deals and/or incentives to book on sites like Booking.com, Hotellook, Tripadvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Travelocity.
Nickelodeon Resort Groupon Deals
You can sometimes find deals on Groupon. Be sure to do the math here. Groupon doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper.
Use Miles and Points
Travel credit cards are a great way to put a huge dent in the cost. If you’re new to this, start with our guide to the best miles and points credit cards for beginners before you book.
American Express
This hotel can be booked using American Express Membership Rewards Points through the American Express travel portal. These points can be earned with several cards.
Capital One
The Venture line of credit cards lets you erase travel expenses from your statement. Book directly with the hotel, then erase the charge from your statement.
Nickelodeon Resort FAQ
Is the Nickelodeon Resort in Riviera Maya still open?
Yes. The resort opened in August 2021 and is still operating under the Nickelodeon brand, developed and run by Karisma Hotels & Resorts under license for the Nickelodeon characters. It is no longer the brand-new property it was at launch, but nothing has closed or rebranded.
Is Nickelodeon Resort all-inclusive?
Yes. It runs on Karisma’s “Gourmet Inclusive” program, so meals, snacks, most drinks (including alcohol), 24-hour room service, the mini-bar restock, and unlimited Aqua Nick water park access are all included. A few things cost extra: spa services, the paid character breakfast, private sliming, and private babysitting.
How far is the Nickelodeon Resort from the Cancún airport?
Roughly 28 to 38 kilometers, or about a 25 to 30 minute drive from Cancún International Airport (CUN). Round-trip transfers through Lomas Travel are provided as a courtesy for guests, so confirm your flight details with the resort ahead of time.
Is the Nickelodeon Resort good for toddlers and little kids?
Very. PAW Patrol Adventure Bay, the splash pad, the daily slimings, and constant character appearances are aimed right at the toddler-to-tween crowd. Older kids and teens get the bigger slides at Soak Summit and unlimited food. It is genuinely a “kids of any age” property, but it is not the place for an adults-only escape.
Does the Nickelodeon Resort have a good beach?
No. The beach is small, rocky, windy, short on chairs, closes at 6:00 p.m., and doesn’t allow food. The view from your balcony is lovely; the beach itself is an afterthought. Come for the water park, not the sand.
Final Thoughts – Is Nickelodeon Resort Worth it in Riviera Maya?
Is Nickelodeon Resort worth it in Riviera Maya? For the right price, absolutely. The suites are amazing, the water park is awesome, and the food and drinks are well above average. Just go in knowing the beach is a dud and the concierge wants to sell you a timeshare. Get a good deal, lean into Aqua Nick, ignore the upsells, and make some memories with your family.
It looks like an absolutely perfect place to go with kids. I will put it on my list and when my baby is a bit older will go and check it out!