Staying at an All-Inclusive Nickelodeon Resort with a Toddler: Review

Nickelodeon is a well-known children’s network, so I expected the resort’s aesthetic to be more colorful or kid-friendly kitschy, i.e. chuck cheese.

Instead, we were greeted by an almost white courtyard with colonial architecture.

Still, there were fun touches sprinkled throughout the grounds, including pineapple-shaped buildings and statues of Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants.

The configuration of our suite was one king size bed in one space and a pull out couch in the living area. It was perfect for me and my child, who referred to the sofa as her “big girl bed.”

Luckily, the resort also had a free crib on standby in case she wasn’t comfortable.

Our suite wasn’t overly childish or cartoonish. Instead, it was simple with neutral colors and pops of Nickelodeon’s iconic orange throughout.

The bathroom in particular was what you’d find in a standard nice hotel, with elegant marble touches, double vanities, and a large separate tub.

Overall, the suite was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of closet space.

However, since we were on the ground floor of the complex, we could hear the footsteps of guests upstairs throughout our stay.

It wasn’t a huge deal, but if you’re a light sleeper, I recommend requesting a room on the top floor of the resort.

More than a dozen restaurants and bars were available, ranging from fine dining restaurants serving international cuisine to grab-and-go places for the kids.

The resort’s site describes on-site dining as “gourmet” and it was easy to see why.

Quality control and consistency can be difficult at large all-inclusive resorts, so we were shocked at how delicious the food was throughout our trip.

I was also really impressed with the diversity. For example, at the Explorer’s Table buffet, you could get everything from freshly caught lobster to macaroni and cheese.

We especially enjoyed some special dining experiences, including hanging out with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for dinner. My daughter lit up like a Christmas tree as she enjoyed dance parties, one-on-one time, and took pictures with all the Paw Patrol characters during the brunch buffet.

There was never a dull moment on our trip.

We spent a lot of time at Nickelodeon Place, the on-site complex that includes the Aqua Nick water park, Club Nick daycare, and Plaza Orange performance venue.

There’s a splash pad and lazy river for kids, as well as regular meet-and-greets and dance parties featuring classic characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer.

My daughter and I especially loved watching the nightly live performances featuring acrobatics and dancing.

My stay included access to the facility-managed Club Nick daycare, which features activities and a play area.

However, my child had to be at least 4 years old (mine was 3 1/2 years old) and potty trained to be placed in a facility.

In the past, some resorts have been flexible with their child care policies when they found out I was a single parent, as long as I agreed to be nearby to help change diapers.

Although I didn’t have the luxury of it on this trip when I asked, I was grateful that my daughter was able to experience what Club Nik is like during a free play event (under my supervision).

We loved the bonding time this resort gave us, as well as the countless activities and dining options.

However, I will admit that I was unexpectedly more tired than usual on this trip, as I did not expect my daughter to be so resistant to her usual naps.

I’ve done a lot of running around at this resort as a single parent, so I’m looking forward to returning once she’s potty trained and a few months older so I can leave her at day care (Club Nik).

That way I could take a break for an hour or two and enjoy the beautiful grounds to myself.