We headed to the Yucatan to check out a bunch of resorts and hotels for your next family getaway to Cancun. We’re planning on visiting several cities and tons of resorts to give you a great list of the best places to visit with your family. Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya is first on our list and we’re excited to share the full experience with you.

Getting to Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

We drove along the Riviera Maya highway from Tulum to Puerto Morelos, searching for a cute beach town to visit for the day. We passed by the Nickelodeon resort unexpectedly and were blown away by how amazing it looked from the highway. Since we’re renting a condo nearby it was easy for us to get to.

However for you, most likely you’ll be coming from either the Cancun or Tulum Airport. The Nickelodeon resort includes complementary shuttle service to and from the airport so you get to sit back and relax once you arrive.

The Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya Experience

The Hotel is broken up into 3 different sections. The sections are broken into the Lobby area, Aqua Nick and then the Hotel building. All three sections are somewhat scattered throughout the property. We were told that there will be a second phase of expansion of this property with an additional park and hotel so that’s why things are split up like this.

The hotel provides free transportation to and from each location. You’re wait time for each is about 5 minutes but you’re in an Air Conditioned Luxury shuttle and it’s not too inconvenient.

Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Map & Nickelodeon Place (Aqua Nick) Map – Español & English

Before you go familiarize yourself with the property. It can be a little overwhelming the day of. The staff is pretty helpful but this will help you save time in having to wait to find your room or get assistance in finding a certain location. The resort also offers an app to download.

Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts App for Nickelodeon Place and Aqua Nick – Español & English

As U.S. SIM card holders we were not able to download the app. I also tried VPNing, then coming off VPN to use their local WIFI and nothing worked. We also tried multiple phones. Hopefully this gets fixed soon, so if it doesn’t work we provided a PDF download of the Map for your use.

Otherwise from my understanding the App is very nice to use and will give you times with locations of the character meet ups and any activities that may be of interest for you to join. I included the QR codes for both Apple and Android for you to download the Nickelodeon Resort App ahead of time.

Top Things to do at Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

If you’re considering a stay at the hotel with kids and you’re family there will be a lot to do.

Meet Your Favorite Characters!

While in the park, we met several characters. We got to see the Paw Patrol crew and Patrick Star from SpongeBob.

Aqua Nick

Aqua nicks has 5 major water attractions that include: Adventure Bay (20), Bikini Bottom Beach (18), Soak Summit (21), Activity Pool (15), Adventure River (19) and Lazy River (14). More on the experience below.

Getting Slimmed

There are two opportunities to get slimmed at Aqua Nick. One everyday at the Super Sliming (17) and then the Personal Slimings at the Slime Spot (16). If you’re going to be out at night there are other events in the Orange Plaza where you’ll have the opportunity to get slimmed too.

We didn’t get to do this because of our mold issue discussed below so can’t 100% confirm this but I’ve seen photos.

Beach and Pools at the Resort

The resort has a huge pool with a great view of Bikini Bottom Beach. The two swim-up pool bars make for a fantastic afternoon pool experience.

Plaza Orange, Club Nick, and the Main Stage

Club Nick, Plaza Orange, and the Main Stage are all located next to each other. Club Nick is the kids’ club on the property, offering games, crafts, and “unplugged” play for kids ages 4-12.

Plaza Orange and the Main Stage are different venues where you can watch daily shows and enjoy the characters. The shows are upbeat and fun for everyone, featuring dancing, singing, and a light show.

Snick Lounge

The snick lounge is located in the main building with the golden pineapple. The lounge is a place you can enjoy spending time with others or a place to hang out before venturing to the water park. 

They have some cool Nickelodeon inspired couches and a wall of TVs to set the vibe. There’s also a few arcade games and pool table to enjoy in the lounge area. Dont’s forget you can have unlimited adult beverages and drinks so order directly at the bar while you explore the lounge.

Hotel Arcade 

The hotel arcade is just before you enter one of the three restaurants in the hotel building. The arcade has air hockey, basketball and toy claw machines. It’s a bit small with a souvenir shop and options to snag arcade foods like popcorn but it’s fun. The air hockey tables are younger guests sized and adorable.

The different room types at Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

Room Type Selection at Nickelodeon Resort Cancun

The resort offers many room options with complimentary unlimited access to Aqua Nick, and we made a last-minute reservation because the weather was expected to be perfect. It was a bit cloudy in the morning but turned into a sunny, beautiful day by lunchtime and continued the next day.

Deciding between the room types was a little difficult for us, here’s what you need to know to pick the best room type for your vacation to Cancun.

Swim-up Oceanfront King Suite

We booked this room because it has a king bed and plenty of space for the kids. As full-time travelers, we prefer a king bed so we can all spread out and really enjoy our time together. The room had a sofa bed and a Murphy bed, giving us plenty of space for everyone to sleep comfortably.

The rate was set for three adults and one child. If you have older kids, be aware that they often charge adult prices for kids 12 and older but don’t offer adult privileges during the stay. For instance, our teen and younger daughter both needed to be with an adult to access the water park, even though they charged adult pricing for the teen.

We never actually stayed in the king suite, but we booked it and kind of wished we had because there was some drama with the room they gave us.

Swim-Up Oceanfront Pool Deck Level Queen Suite

As we stood at the front desk to check in, they brought the whole family a welcome drink, and we chatted with the hotel staff. When we gave the receptionist our last name for the reservation, she was surprised that we had only booked one night.

The receptionist seemed surprised and offered us a different room. We discussed the pros and cons of the upgrade and agreed to the hotel’s nice gesture of giving us the Swim-Up Oceanfront Pool Deck Level Queen Suite at no extra charge.

When we agreed to the new room, we thought she was offering the upgrade because it was readily available. However, we later found out that wasn’t the case. The room wouldn’t be ready until 4 pm, and there had been a miscommunication when we accepted it. We would not have accepted the queen room because there is more available information on that room type on the internet and would have rather had a variety of content. 

We wanted to get into the room earlier to settle in and take some nice videos and pictures for our readers, but that wasn’t possible. So, we enjoyed the water park until the room was ready.

We enjoyed our day, and here’s where the issue begin. When we finally got to the room, our expectations were high. Having stayed at other themed hotels around the world, I personally expected it to be a bit cheesy for adults, but I knew the kids would be stoked.

All of the swim-up suites felt really spacious, with ocean views and a pool right outside a sliding glass door past the large living area. As I walked in, I noticed the floor had a sheen to it and felt wet. We’ve never been in a room where the tile floor felt wet—it was kind of odd.

Our Mold Issue At The Nickelodeon Resort Mexico

As I was looking at the pictures on the wall, I noticed a piece of tape on the picture frame. There were also some nicks missing from the bottom of the frame. As I looked around more, I noticed a black substance on the wallpaper.

It turned out to be black mold. As we inspected the room more closely to assess the extent of the mold in room 128, we called the front desk. They responded to the situation within 10 minutes. 

We showed them the black mold above both headboards and on the ceiling above the seating area with the sofa sleeper. They agreed that the mold was a problem and said they would move us after the staff inspected the room. Amanda and Addison are allergic to mold, and Addison began sneezing and showing mild signs of an allergic reaction after just a few hours in the room.

Mold is a known issue in the Yucatan, Mexico, due to the warm temperatures and high humidity levels. Given this, air conditioning units with a dehumidifying option should be installed to help manage moisture and prevent mold growth.

I feel that two things might be happening here: Did the maid service clean this room properly, considering the mold was at eye level for someone around 5 feet 8 inches? And did they make us wait until after 4 pm to get into a room as a matter of principle and to follow procedures? No one will know the answers, so we packed up and moved to room 220.

We were pleased with how they handled the situation and acted quickly. I’ll give them a 5 out of 5 stars for that experience, as other locations often take hours to resolve issues.

Swim-Up Oceanfront Double Queen Suite

The room they moved us to was one level up and behind the elevator. It wasn’t the best choice due to the elevator noise from other patrons, but it wasn’t a huge inconvenience. The room was laid out exactly the same but immediately felt drier.

The floor didn’t feel or look wet, and the hotel staff freshened it up before we moved in, spraying it with a cinnamon-scented freshener. The view was better from one floor up, and we shared a dip pool with three other units, which felt empty.

The rooms included a ton of amenities, so let’s dive into them

The queen suites didn’t feel like they had Mexican queen-sized beds (59.06” x 74.80”). They seemed much narrower, more like Matrimonial size in Mexico (53.15” x 74.80”), compared to a US queen size (60” x 80”). However, the mattresses were soft, and we woke up without any back pain or issues from sleeping.

The room included two showers, two toilets, three sinks, and one free-standing tub. The bathroom was divided, with one area being more luxurious. This area had a toilet in its own room, a shower stall with its own door, and a large free-standing tub tub in the room with his and hers sinks.

The other bathroom included a sink and vanity, a separate shower, and a separate toilet area. I would call it the kids’ private bathroom, while the more luxurious one was the adults-only bathroom.

They included a safe, plenty of baggage storage, and modern amenities like a flat-screen TV for the adults and one smart tv for the kids to binge-watch Nickelodeon shows. The swim-up rooms are a huge plus, with all rooms featuring an oversized balcony with a drying rack for your wet bathing suits.

The room was supposed to include a wet bar, as the online pictures showed wines, liquors, and beers. However, our room only had a variety of beer. The fridge was stocked with Jumex juice boxes, a few waters, and chocolate milk. The wet bar included a Nespresso machine, a few waters, and some bags of chips.

The room did include a set of pool towels and regular bath towels, as well as Nickelodeon-embroidered robes with matching slippers.

Pineapple Suite, Lair Suite and the Big Kahuna Suite

If you want to live out the fullest SpongeBob SquarePants dream, you can book the Pineapple Suite for the most luxurious experience. This room is at the end of the building and has a full wrap-around porch and a private infinity pool. The suite is 3,000 square feet and features design elements from the show.

The Lair Suite is perfect for kids who love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It offers the same luxury feel and amenities as the Pineapple Suite, with Ninja Turtle elements found throughout the room, from the pillows to the wall art. The living room features a Ninja Turtle chair and a lamp with a Ninja Turtle holding the shade in the opposite corner.

The Big Kahuna Suite combines elements from various Nickelodeon shows, paying tribute to the history of Nickelodeon animation. The artwork celebrating this legacy can be found throughout the expansive 3,000-square-foot signature suite.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya Reviews and Amenity Specifications  

• Free Wi-Fi Speed: The included Wi-Fi was 98 Mbps, the best we’ve ever seen at a hotel or resort. I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars. 
• Early Check-in & Baggage Holding Available: We checked in around 11 am, and they offered to hold our luggage if needed. Since we drove our own car, we left our luggage in the car.
• Wall Sockets for Charging: They have the normal wall socket for the americas. 
• Bed, Sheets, and Furniture Comfort Level: The beds in both queen rooms felt like memory foam mattresses. The sheets and pillows were plentiful, and the couches were great. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars. 
• Water Pressure & Water Temp: The water pressure and temperature were average, nothing out of the ordinary. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
• Shuttle Service: They do not offer a shuttle service from Cancun Airport. The shuttle available only takes you to and from the lobby area, the oceanfront hotel, and Aqua Nick. 
• Customer Service: Overall, the customer service rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Interacting with various staff members was positive and friendly.
• Bell & Maid service: I’d give 2 out of 5 stars for the maid service. They could have cleaned and treated the first room for mold before our arrival. We had to wait all day and missed the 8 pm show while changing rooms.
• Customer Complaint Resolution Experience:  After bringing the mold issue to their attention, their response was very quick and adequate. They also provided a late checkout at no additional cost.

Critique For The Hotel and Recommendations

The last-minute environmental sanitation tax at checkout was off-putting and somewhat odd. They wouldn’t return our bags or car until we paid the fee, which raises the question of why they didn’t charge us for it during check-in.

And why did they act like they were going to hold our bags and car hostage for a measly $2? It would have been better to charge the fee at check-in to avoid it feeling like a hidden charge or include it in the room rate so there are no surprises at the end of the stay.

After the mold issue, they did grant us a late checkout. However, on our way to breakfast, the concierge/front desk staff only activated one wristband for the extended checkout time, making only one person able to open the door. We were granted late checkout until 6 pm, but it would have been better if everyone had access from the start. He only provided access to the adults, so we didn’t push the issue further.

We couldn’t download the Nickelodeon app for some reason. We’re not sure if it was because we didn’t have a Mexican SIM card or phone, or if there was another issue.

I think the issue might be because Karisma Hotels is not working with Grupo Lomas. During the timeshare presentation, we learned that they are splitting ties as the contract is ending in about two months.

The Best Time to Visit & Things to Know About Visiting Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya 

Best Weather to visit Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

The best time for pleasant weather depends on your preferences, but if you’re aiming for mid-80s temperatures with less humidity, mid to late spring—specifically March, April, and May—is ideal. Keep in mind that this period often coincides with some of the priciest nights at the resort.

Best Time of Year to Get the Best Rates & Costs

For the best rates, aim for hurricane season and the regular school year. Room rates are generally cheaper from August to December and again from January to March.

Pro Tips: Using a VPN to book from Mexico can save you around $100 to $200 on hotel costs. With those savings, you could spend the extra money on a late checkout or a day pass that includes access to the water park, the lobby area, and food.

This late checkout costs about 1,000 pesos (around $57) per person to use Aqua Nick for the entire day, including dinner at the buffet in the lobby. This option is most useful if you’re staying locally or switching resorts and want to make the most of your time at Nickelodeon.

Major Tip for Getting Cheaper Rates to the Hotel with Aqua Nick Access

It’s cheaper to book a 1-night stay at Generations Riviera Maya Resort Hotel for around $500-$800 than to buy a day pass with the snack food option. Since Generations is part of the Lomas Group, like Nickelodeon Riviera Maya Resort and Spa, you get unlimited access to the Aqua Nick water park. I found rates for the Generations Resort around $800 a night in mid-January, which is the off-season for the Yucatán.

To enjoy all the Aqua Nick snack shops, Nick Bistro, premium drinks, and admission to the water park, it will cost you about the same amount of money to book a room at the resort if you have four people in your party, like we do. The cost of a water park ticket with all-inclusive amenities is $256 per adult, and the Lomas Travel website does not list a kids’ price.

Where to eat at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya

Good Burger

I grew up watching Good Burger and had an awesome time at the restaurant. It’s really cool inside, with fun decorations, and finding a table was super easy.

They have a bunch of different burgers on the menu. I tried the Popper Burger, and we ordered a few other burgers too. The meat was a bit dry, but the onion rings and fries were spot on.

Bikini Bottom Bar

We grabbed lunch at Bikini Bottom Bar before hitting the water park. The place was decorated like a cool beach bar with surfboards and jellyfish hanging from the ceiling. They had tasty snacks and good drinks. 

The staff was really good about asking if we had any allergies or dietary restrictions. Just a heads up: the bar doesn’t have air conditioning, and the tacos came in pairs instead of the usual three.

Le Spatula

If you’re a big SpongeBob fan, you’ve got to eat here! We had breakfast at this place, and they served a bunch of beautifully crafted dishes.

Nick Bistro

The Nick Bistro, located above Club Nick in the water park area, was hands down the best food we had at the resort. A fellow guest from the States tipped us off that it was the best spot, and he was on his third day there, so we definitely had to check it out.

I was really impressed by the variety and quantity of food at Nick Bistro. It’s one of the best all-inclusive buffets we’ve ever tried.

The bistro had a kids’ station with meal items like tater tots and a counter set at a lower height, so little ones could reach everything easily. The ice cream station was a hit, offering over 15 toppings, including sprinkles and gummy bears.

They had a salad bar, a meat and taco bar, seafood options, and a variety of Mexican side dishes, including roasted poblanos in cream sauce (our favorite). There were so many delicious items to choose from!

This place was massive, and everything we tried was incredibly tasty. You definitely have to eat here to sample all the amazing options they offer!

The Main Attraction: Aqua Nick 

When you book a room at Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya, you get free access to the Aqua Nick Water Park. We got there early and were allowed to enjoy the themed water park since our room wasn’t ready yet—we arrived a few hours before check-in time in anticipation of starting our day at the water park early.

The park is open from 10 am to 6 pm, but the Nickelodeon resort website says guests get “Unlimited Early Access to Aqua Nick & Nickelodeon Place.” Since we didn’t get to try this, we’re not sure when early access starts. but we were able to access the park and inclusive food by arriving before check-in time.

When you enter the park, look out for the big green dinosaur. As you pass the Main Stage area, remember that they do a show here every night at 8 pm. This is part of the Plaza Orange Entertainment Venue.

The water park has a main pool, a tower with lots of water slides, and Paw Patrol Adventure Bay slides for younger kids. It’s the perfect place to relax on beach chairs or float along the lazy river. The beach chairs are first come first serve so if you want a guaranteed spot we recommend paying for a cabana. If you decide you’ll want to rent a cabana reserve it ASAP as they do sell out of them. You can also find seating in the very back of the adventure area (grey area behind section 15) that’s more of a walk to get to.

Where to Eat and Drink in Aqua Nick

Nick Bistro 

Nick Bistro is the best place to eat in the park. They have a huge buffet with lots of family-friendly food selections. We tried a bunch of different things, including seafood and three kinds of ceviche.

Everything tasted great and looked amazing. This is definitely the spot to eat while you’re at the park and they are open from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM. (Photos Above)

Aqua Bites

The Aqua Bites spots serve a variety of foods, and each one is different. You can find pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and poke bowls. When you see the SpongeBob statue holding a huge ice cream cone, you’ve found the spot that serves ice cream.

The pizza is pretty decent for an amusement park. It’s not as good as Tokyo Disney’s, but it comes close.

Premium Drinks

We found two bars and premium drink stations in the park. One bar was right next to the Nickelodeon blimp pool. They had all kinds of drinks, including beer, margaritas, and Cuba Libres.

The other bar was by the adventure pool. They served smoothies and frosted drinks for the kids, had a full bar with mixed drinks, and a soda fountain on the side.

Here Are our Pro Tips for Aqua Nick

While we were at the park, we noticed that all the food places and premium drink stations closed around 5 pm. So, the last call for food and drinks is around 4:30 pm.

Enjoy the Paw Patrol water park area until 5:30 pm. They turn off the water here and at other pool areas around this time. They leave the main pool on until closing time. 

During the private slime event, they changed the camera settings and turned off live photos on one of our devices. Make sure your phone settings won’t be changed, or tell the slime associates not to adjust them.

Frequently Asked Questions on visiting Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya

Is Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya all inclusive or just breakfast?

This hotel is all-inclusive, so all your meals, drinks, and alcoholic beverages are covered. 

Does Hotel Nickelodeon Riviera Maya have a beach?

Yes, the hotel has a beach and has lifeguards on duty during the day. 

Does Mexico have a Nickelodeon resort?

Yes they do and is located on the Caribbean Side of Mexico in the Yucatan?

What age is Nickelodeon Riviera Maya for?

The resort is geared towards kids aged 4-12, but our 16-year-old had a blast there as well.

Who owns the Nickelodeon resort and spa?

Mrs. Dolores López Lira and her husband, Mr. José Luis Martínez Alday, own and operate Grupo Lomas, which includes the Nickelodeon resort.

Should I stay here while on a vacation to the Yucatan with my family?

We had an amazing time at the Nickelodeon Resort in Mexico! In just 24 hours on the property, we packed in so many fun activities—it was a whirlwind day. We loved everything they had to offer and highly recommend it, especially if you want to meet Nickelodeon characters and enjoy the premium vacation experience.

If you’re worn out from a full day at the water park, you can relax on the beach and enjoy a meal at one of the three restaurants in the hotel.

The resort’s all-inclusive rooms start around $1200 USD per night for the inclusive experience. If it’s within your budget, you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks at Aqua Nick or take advantage of  24-hour in-room dining  for a fantastic getaway.