Getting drenched with a strange green liquid isn’t usually the highlight of a Mexico resort vacation, but at the new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, it’s one of the biggest sources of smiles among guests.
Anyone familiar with Nickelodeon’s television programming, of course, knows that the emerald-hued substance is called slime, and the daily “sliming” that takes place at the resort’s massive waterpark is an interactive re-creation of one of the TV network’s most legendary traditions.
At the new Nickelodeon resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the green substance is decidedly more practical than on TV — it’s more like green-dyed water than messy goo, so guests who stand beneath the giant sprayer can easily wash off the slime with water.
Sliming, which takes place every day at the hotel’s 6-acre Aqua Nick waterpark, is just one example of how guests can connect with Nickelodeon culture at this 280-room, all-inclusive resort, which opened in August as the second Nickelodeon-branded property in the Karisma Hotels & Resorts portfolio (and the first in Mexico).
The Aqua Nick waterpark at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Credit: 2021 LatinFlyer.comLocated about 25 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya provides a lively and engaging family vacation experience, especially for fans of Nickelodeon’s renowned children’s programming. During my three-night stay, I enjoyed countless photo opportunities and delightful pop-culture visuals that can easily appeal to adults and children alike.
It was clear that I’d arrived at a Nickelodeon-branded property as soon as I got out of the Lincoln Navigator airport transfer vehicle (roundtrip transfers are included in all room rates). A towering SpongeBob SquarePants pineapple sits squarely in the lobby, complemented by the resort’s signature cheery colors and well-placed Nick-themed decor. Even the wristbands, which also serve as room keys, are festively decorated with Nick-inspired visuals (my key fob was yellow and had the eye of SpongeBob SquarePants — one of the few times I’ve actually wanted to keep wearing an all-inclusive wristband after checkout).
Festive Ambiance Spans Resort Suites, Dining and Waterpark
All accommodations at this new Nickelodeon resort are billed as swim-up suites, which is an impressive feat, especially considering that rooms are spread across six floors. These are especially well-designed spaces for families; all suites accommodate a minimum of five people, thanks to strategically placed sofa beds and Murphy beds in some rooms. Even the smallest suites, which measure an impressive 581 square feet, have two full bathrooms and direct access to long, infinity plunge pools that run along each floor.
Infinity plunge pools are found outside each guestroom.
Credit: 2021 LatinFlyer.comGuestrooms feature colorful decor that includes framed illustrations of various Nickelodeon characters. I was also impressed with the ingenious design of the balcony access; in addition to standard sliding glass doors, my room also had a Dutch-style half-door, which helps nervous parents prevent smaller children from wandering unaccompanied onto the balcony, while still allowing lots of light and fresh Caribbean breezes to enter the living/sleeping area.
While my suite with a king bed was spacious, vibrantly decorated and comfy, families looking to splurge should consider reserving one of the fabulous, 3,000-square-foot signature suites, each of which features unique themes, living/dining rooms, 710-square-foot balconies and private infinity plunge pools. I was wowed by the Pineapple Suite, a gloriously retro space inspired by the underwater home of SpongeBob SquarePants, complete with a giant pineapple hut on the balcony that serves as a whimsical television lounge.
The aptly named Pineapple Suite, inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants
Credit: 2021 LatinFlyer.comFans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, meanwhile, should consider The Lair, a spectacularly green-hued suite that is the first of its kind for the Nickelodeon resort brand, complete with a vintage video game machine and decor depicting various incarnations of the legendary turtles from the past decades.
Nickelodeon characters even work their way into mealtime experiences, with the Ninja Turtles staking a presence at Piazza Tavola, a spacious Italian eatery that reminds guests of the brothers’ penchant for pizza; and Good Burger, which serves tasty hamburgers in the guise of the eponymously titled Nickelodeon comedy sketch and movie. Guests can also take advantage of 24-hour room service.
However, the most exciting dining experience, especially for kids, is the character breakfast, which is included with the room rate and takes place every morning at the Nick Bistro, a casual eatery inside the park. A variety of costumed performers make the rounds from table to table, patiently and energetically posing for photos with guests, who can also enjoy a bountiful breakfast that includes everything from pancakes and fruit to scrambled eggs, tacos and quesadillas.
Speaking of photo opportunities, families will find lots of memorable ways to document their visit at the Aqua Nick waterpark, which has 2,000 square feet of waterslides, 1,820 square feet of river rides and multiple food and beverage outlets. I spent a wonderfully lazy afternoon in a VIP cabana, which features large sofas, a ceiling fan, a television, a minifridge and attentive waiter service.
The recently opened resort continues to add new features; soon to debut are the Naay Spa and fitness center, as well as a larger Club Nick children’s club, which will open soon within the waterpark (for now, kids’ club services operate from a festively decorated lounge in the lobby building).
Guests who can’t bear to leave the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya without a souvenir, by the way, will find plenty of options; the property has multiple gift shops, including a 6,000-square-foot store inside the water park that’s chock full of Nickelodeon-themed gift ideas.
The Details
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
