Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana REVIEW: Is It Worth It for Families?

After visiting the Dominican Republic in May, we couldn’t wait to come back, and this time we were staying at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana. If you’ve been thinking about booking, I’m going to share exactly what our experience was like over the next seven days, including the room, food, entertainment, pools and whether I think it’s worth the money.

Rather than writing one huge review at the end of the holiday, I thought I’d take you along with us day by day so you can see what it’s really like.

@kiddoadventures

AD| 🌴 We spent 7 nights at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana and honestly… I already want to go back. 🇩🇴 If you’re looking for an honest family review, here’s what our week looked like… Every morning started with a huge breakfast buffet before spending our days exploring Aqua Nick Water Park, floating around the lazy river, relaxing in our Swim Up Suite, trying different restaurants, meeting Nickelodeon characters, watching the evening entertainment and making the most of everything the resort had to offer. My daughter made friends from all over the world, loved Club Nick, couldn’t get enough of the pools and was already asking when we could come back before we’d even checked out. As always, this isn’t a “everything was perfect” kind of review. I always share my genuine experience because I know how expensive family holidays are and how important it is to choose the right resort. I’ve written a detailed day by day blog covering everything we did, what’s included in the all inclusive package, the optional extras, what age I think the resort is best suited for, tips before you book and lots more. The biggest compliment I can give Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is that I’m already looking at prices for the Mexico resort next year… this time as a paying customer. 💚 Save this for when you’re planning a family holiday to the Dominican Republic, and follow for more honest family travel reviews, money saving tips and days out with kids. #karismaexperience #NickResortPuntaCana #dominicanasmilesatyou #godomrep #kidshotel

♬ Sunset Circuit – Ink Realm

Flying to Punta Cana with British Airways

We flew direct with British Airways from London Gatwick to Punta Cana. Unfortunately our flight was delayed by around two hours after a passenger refused to wear their seatbelt before take off, which was definitely not the start we were hoping for.

Thankfully, the pilots managed to make up quite a bit of the time during the flight, so we still landed at a reasonable time. Huge credit to the crew because it didn’t feel like we’d lost as much time as we expected.

Arriving at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana

The resort had organised our airport transfer, and it couldn’t have been easier. As soon as we came out after collecting our luggage, we heard someone calling for Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts guests. Luckily my daughter heard them straight away and within a few minutes we were in the transfer.

Around 45 minutes later we arrived at the resort and our holiday officially began.

Check in was quick and before long we were taken to our Pad Swim Up Suite in a buggy! Loved that we didn’t have to walk or take the luggage there ourselves!

Our room was really lovely and honestly I don’t have any complaints about it. It was modern, spacious and had direct access to the pool from our private terrace, which also had a comfortable day bed and seating area. It was such a nice place to relax, especially first thing in the morning or after a busy day around the resort.

Inside, the suite had a king size bed, a pull out sofa bed, a table, a 48 inch Smart TV and a spacious marble bathroom with double sinks, a rain shower and a beautiful freestanding bath. We also had a mini bar that was restocked daily, which was a nice extra.

One feature I thought was particularly clever was the safety gate between the room and the swim up pool. My daughter is 10 now, so it’s not something we personally need anymore, but if you’re visiting with younger children or children with additional needs, it’s a really thoughtful feature that adds extra peace of mind.

The room was spotless when we arrived and had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

Download the Resort App

One of the first things I’d recommend doing is downloading the Krasima Hotels app.

It has pretty much everything you’ll need during your stay, including restaurant menus, daily activity schedules, entertainment times and useful information about the resort. We found ourselves using it throughout the holiday.

Our First Evening

After settling into our room, we headed to Wok Wok for dinner.

The restaurant serves Asian inspired food. If I’m being completely honest, it wasn’t my favourite meal of the trip, although my daughter really enjoyed hers, so I think it will depend on your personal taste.

After dinner we headed over to the Show Lounge where we met the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before watching the evening magic show.

After a long day of travelling, it was the perfect way to end our first evening before heading back to the room for a well deserved night’s sleep.

Our first impressions of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana were really positive, and we couldn’t wait to wake up the next morning and start exploring everything else the resort had to offer.

Day 2 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: Breakfast, Aqua Nick Water Park and Dining with the Ninja Turtles

We were up bright and early for breakfast at 7am, and I’m so glad we made the effort. Breakfast is served buffet style at Explorer’s Table, with a big selection of food. There was everything from doughnuts and pastries to fajitas, seasoned ground beef, eggs, sausages, mushrooms, fresh fruit, cereals and fresh fruit juices.

Going at 7am definitely paid off. Everything was freshly prepared, the restaurant was lovely and quiet, and there was no waiting around. I also prefer going early when it’s a buffet because the food is at its freshest and there’s less chance of cross contamination from lots of guests helping themselves throughout the morning. Realistically, most people don’t want to wake up at 7am on holiday, but I’d happily lose a little bit of sleep for a peaceful breakfast and a full stomach before starting the day.

As someone with a nut allergy, I was really happy with how clearly everything was labelled. Rather than relying on lots of written signs in different languages, they use easy to understand allergy symbols, including pictures of nuts and other allergens. It’s such a smart way of doing it in an international resort because anyone can quickly identify what they can and can’t eat. I found it really easy to work out what was safe for me, which made breakfast completely stress free.

After breakfast we spent the entire day at Nick Place where Aqua Nick, the resort’s incredible water park is located. It’s only a short walk from the main hotel, but if you don’t fancy walking there are complimentary buggies constantly driving guests backwards and forwards throughout the day.

Honestly, this ended up being one of our favourite parts of the resort.

The pools and water slides are brilliant, and there’s something for every age. Aqua Nick was expanded in 2024 with even more attractions, including extra pools, a brand new slide tower, splash play areas and plenty more sunbeds and shaded seating.

One thing I noticed straight away was that although there were lots of families there, it never actually felt overcrowded. There always seemed to be somewhere to sit, and it never felt like we were waiting ages for slides or struggling to find space around the pools.

One of the biggest bonuses is that you don’t have to head back to the main resort whenever you’re hungry. You’ll find Aqua Bite which is a food and drink outlet right inside Aqua Nick, so it’s easy to spend the whole day there without feeling like you need to leave.

As guests staying at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, unlimited access to Aqua Nick is included, with early entry from 10am.

From the relaxing Lazy River to the bigger thrill slides, there really is something for everyone. We watched families getting slimed before the huge Slime experience took over the main pool, and it was honestly so much fun to watch. It looked like everyone was having an amazing time.

This is also where you’ll find Club Nick, the children’s club. We didn’t actually get chance to visit on this day because my daughter quickly made friends with some American children and they spent almost the entire day swimming together. It was so lovely watching them all playing together, and before we knew it the whole day had disappeared.

That evening we had dinner at Nick Bistro with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and if you’ve ever done character dining at Disney, I’d probably compare it to that, but with even more interaction.

The Ninja Turtles don’t just stop by your table for a quick photo. They get everyone involved with games, ninja training, dancing, photos and videos, making it feel much more like an experience than simply meeting the characters.

The food was really good here. I had well seasoned meat with mashed potatoes, which I really enjoyed. There were plenty of other options too, including pizzas, colourful burgers and lots of dishes that younger children would love.

By the end of the day we were absolutely exhausted. We finished the evening by heading to Gourmet Village to enjoy some of the live music before calling it a night.

It had been another brilliant day, and we were already excited to see what Day 3 had in store.

Day 3 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: Pajama Jam Character Breakfast, Aqua Nick and Spacewalker Restaurant

We started Day 3 with the Pajama Jam Character Breakfast at Nick Bistro, and it quickly became one of the highlights of our stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

Breakfast included colourful pancakes, waffles, Nutella, fresh fruit, pastries, doughnuts, poached eggs, sausages, bacon, fresh fruit juices and coffee. The selection wasn’t quite as big as the buffet at Explorer’s Table, but there was still plenty to choose from and everything we tried was really nice.

The food was great, but the real highlight was the experience itself.

There were six Nickelodeon characters in total, including Cosmo and Wanda from The Fairly OddParents, which was such a nostalgic moment for me as I grew up watching the programme. Seeing them brought back so many childhood memories.

Unlike some character dining experiences where everything feels quite rushed, every family had plenty of time with each character. They stopped for photos, danced with everyone and joined in with the activities, making every family feel included. Nothing felt rushed, which made the whole experience feel much more personal.

Throughout breakfast there was a conga line, limbo, dancing and lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved. It felt much more like an interactive show than simply sitting down to eat breakfast.

Honestly, this was one of the best character breakfasts we’ve ever done.

It wasn’t just about taking photos with the characters. The entertainment continued throughout the meal, creating a really fun atmosphere from beginning to end.

The Pajama Jam Character Breakfast is a paid extra, but in my opinion it’s absolutely worth booking if you’re staying at the resort.

One detail I really loved was that all of the characters were dressed in their pyjamas. Guests can wear pyjamas too if they want to join in, although it’s completely optional. It definitely adds to the experience and makes for some really fun family photos.

After breakfast we spent a few hours relaxing around the resort’s main swimming pool, which overlooks the beach.

By now my daughter had made lots of friends, so she happily disappeared off swimming while I enjoyed relaxing by the pool.

One thing I’ve noticed throughout our stay is how much seating there is around the resort. We never struggled to find sunbeds, even later in the morning, which made everything feel much more relaxed.

You can also collect towels whenever you need them without using towel cards. Simply ask one of the attendants, they’ll hand you fresh towels, and when you’re finished you just leave them in one of the towel bins nearby. It’s such a simple system and one less thing to worry about.

For lunch we headed back to Explorer’s Table.

If you know me, you’ll know I love a buffet because I like having plenty of choice, and once again there was something for everyone. There were lots of healthier options alongside plenty of holiday favourites, so it was easy to find something we both enjoyed.

After lunch we headed back to Nick Place for another afternoon at Aqua Nick.

One thing that’s really useful around the resort is the complimentary buggy service. There are shaded buggy stops dotted around where you can sit and wait, or you can walk if you prefer. Considering how hot it gets during the day, we definitely appreciated the buggies. We only waited a couple of minutes before one arrived and within seconds we were back at the water park.

This afternoon my daughter had her Individual Sliming experience booked.

This is an optional paid activity where one child, or even the whole family, can have their own private sliming experience.

It seems to be one of the resort’s most popular extras and my daughter absolutely loved it.

If you don’t want to pay for the Individual Sliming experience, don’t worry because Aqua Nick also hosts a huge public slime event every day where everyone can join in completely free as the giant slime bucket pours over the main pool. It’s brilliant fun to watch and even better if you’re brave enough to stand underneath it.

For dinner we visited Spacewalker Restaurant.

This space themed restaurant offers an à la carte menu rather than a buffet. Instead of traditional menus on the tables, you simply scan a QR code and view everything through the Karisma Hotels app. It’s a clever idea and helps reduce waste, although it’s worth remembering to have your phone with you.

After dinner we spent some time at the Family Disco before heading over to Snick Lounge.

As someone who grew up in the 90s, I absolutely loved the atmosphere here.

Snick Lounge is inspired by classic 90s Nickelodeon and combines a family games room, sports lounge and live music venue all in one. Of course, there’s also the iconic Big Orange Couch, which is perfect for photos.

The arcade games do cost extra, so it’s worth keeping that in mind if you’re visiting with children, but we really enjoyed spending some time here before heading back to our room. It’s open until 1am, making it a great place to end the evening.

Day 4 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: A Relaxing Pool Day, Aqua Bite and BRGRS.PH

After a busy few days exploring everything the resort had to offer, Day 4 was much more relaxed.

We started the morning with breakfast at Explorer’s Table once again and, just like the previous days, there were no complaints.

One thing I really like about the buffet is that although some favourites stay the same each morning, they also change enough dishes to keep things interesting. It never felt repetitive, which is impressive considering we ate here several times during our stay.

We spent almost the entire day at the resort’s main swimming pool overlooking the beach.

By now my daughter had made so many friends that she barely wanted to leave the water, while I was more than happy relaxing with a drink from the swim up bar.

Sometimes the best holiday memories aren’t about constantly rushing from one activity to the next. They’re simply watching your child having the time of their life while you get the chance to properly relax too.

For lunch we grabbed some chicken tacos from Aqua Bite, which is conveniently located near the main pool. It’s ideal if you don’t want to leave the pool area but still want something tasty to eat before getting back in the water.

One thing I found myself doing every day was checking the Karisma Hotels app to see what activities were happening around the resort.

On this afternoon my daughter joined a sandcastle competition on the beach with some of the friends she’d made during the holiday, and she had so much fun taking part.

That evening we had dinner at BRGRS.PH, and this ended up being one of our favourite restaurants at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

My daughter kept things simple with chicken nuggets and fries, while I ordered the blue cheeseburger, which was honestly one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long time.

Everything was cooked really well, the service was great, and it’s definitely somewhere we’d happily eat again.

To finish the evening we headed back to the nightly entertainment.

There was another family disco followed by a character show featuring Dora, Boots and two members of PAW Patrol.

It was such a lovely atmosphere, with all of the children singing, dancing and getting involved. Watching the excitement on everyone’s faces was the perfect way to end another brilliant day at the resort.

By the end of Day 4, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana was already starting to feel like home, and we still had plenty more experiences to look forward to over the rest of our holiday.

Day 5 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: Club Nick, Indoor Play and More Character Fun

We started Day 5 with another early breakfast at Explorer’s Table, and by this point we’d definitely found our morning routine.

As always, there was a huge selection to choose from, including eggs, bacon, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals, pancakes, fresh fruit juices and plenty more. One thing I never expected before coming to the Dominican Republic was how much I’d enjoy having chicken for breakfast. It became part of my morning routine during this holiday and, honestly, it’s something I’m tempted to start doing at home.

After breakfast we finally headed over to Club Nick.

Believe it or not, this was actually our first visit to the kids’ club during the entire trip. Every other day my daughter had been having so much fun in the pools and water park that I could barely persuade her to do anything else. I convinced her to give it a try just once, and I’m so glad we did.

I left her there for a while and I relaxed by the pool, and when I came back to collect her she had the biggest smile on her face. She’d made some lovely new friends and told me she’d had a brilliant time.

Later in the day we returned during one of the Family Open Play sessions, which gives parents the opportunity to explore the kids’ club together with their children.

It was really nice being able to see the facilities for myself.

The space is much bigger than I expected, with plenty of room for children to play, a large ball pit, slide and dedicated areas where all of the organised activities take place throughout the day.

If you’re planning to use Club Nick during your stay, I’d definitely recommend downloading the Karisma Hotels app because it lists the daily activity schedule, making it easy to see what’s happening each day.

As well as being lots of fun, it’s also a great place for children to take a break from the heat while still keeping entertained.

Directly opposite Club Nick you’ll also find a fantastic indoor SpongeBob themed soft play area.

This isn’t somewhere you can leave your children, as parents need to stay with them, but it’s another brilliant option if you’re looking to escape the midday sun for a little while.

The play area is spread over several levels with climbing frames, slides and plenty to explore. My daughter absolutely loved it.

One tip I’d definitely recommend is packing a pair of socks. They’re required to use the soft play, and it’s something I now try to remember whenever we travel because you never know when you’ll come across an indoor play area like this.

For dinner we returned to Spacewalker Restaurant.

I’d enjoyed my meal so much on our previous visit that I ordered the Slow Braised Short Rib again, served with aerated yuca purée.

The meat was cooked perfectly and simply melted apart with every bite.

I’d never even heard of yuca purée before this trip, so of course I had to Google it. It was absolutely delicious and, although I don’t enjoy cooking very much, it’s actually something I’d consider trying to make at home.

In the evening we met SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick before watching their live show in the Show Lounge.

It was another brilliant evening of family entertainment, and seeing how excited all of the children were made it even more special.

Although Day 5 was a little more relaxed than some of the others, it was another fantastic day at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana. Between Club Nick, the indoor play area, great food and more character experiences, there was never a shortage of things to do.

Day 6 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: Aqua Nick, The Sweetery and the Orange Carpet

By now you’ll probably be able to guess where we started the day.

Yep… another 7am breakfast at Explorer’s Table.

We’d definitely settled into a routine by this point. Having breakfast early meant we could head back to our swim up suite for a little while before Aqua Nick opened at 10am.

As always, my daughter couldn’t wait to get back to Nick Place. She spent some more time enjoying the water park before popping into Club Nick to see some of the friends she’d made during the holiday.

After a few hours we headed over to the resort’s infinity pool overlooking the beach.

Although it’s not actually a long walk from Nick Place, the complimentary buggy service definitely comes in handy when the Caribbean heat starts to catch up with you. We jumped on one of the buggies and were there within a couple of minutes.

For lunch we stayed by the pool and ordered from the smaller Aqua Bite outlet nearby.

I went for the mushroom quesadillas, which were absolutely delicious and perfect for a light lunch before another afternoon by the pool.

Of course, no holiday is complete without ice cream, so afterwards we stopped by The Sweetery.

This colourful Nickelodeon themed café is the perfect place to grab a coffee, sandwich, ice cream or something sweet. It’s a really fun space with lots of bright colours and Garfield themed décor, making it just as enjoyable to look around as it is to grab a snack.

That evening we headed back to Explorer’s Table for dinner before making our way over to Nick Place for one of our favourite evening events of the holiday.

The Orange Carpet takes place after Aqua Nick closes for the evening, with the front area of the water park transformed into an entertainment area filled with music, dancing and plenty of Nickelodeon characters.

It was such a lovely atmosphere.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora, SpongeBob and Patrick all came out to dance with the children, pose for photos and get everyone involved.

I never thought I’d see Nickelodeon characters doing the Cha Cha Slide, but it was honestly hilarious to watch and all of the children absolutely loved it.

It was another brilliant way to finish the day and showed that the entertainment doesn’t stop once the pools close.

Day 7 at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: Slime Balloons, PAW Patrol and One Last Full Day

It was hard to believe we were already on our final full day at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

After another early breakfast at Explorer’s Table, we made a quick stop at Club Nick because we’d spotted someone we’d been hoping to meet all week.

Squidward!

He’d been appearing at different times throughout our stay, but somehow we’d always been busy doing something else. This time we weren’t going to miss our chance.

We finally managed to grab a photo with everyone’s favourite grumpy squid before my daughter headed into Club Nick to spend some more time with the friends she’d made during the holiday.

One thing I really liked about the resort was how easy it was to use the Karisma Hotels app to see what was happening throughout the day.

While checking the schedule, I spotted an activity called Slime Balloons.

Neither of us had any idea what to expect, but it sounded fun, so we decided to head over and see what it was all about.

The entertainment team filled balloons with Nickelodeon slime before inviting a few brave volunteers to the front.

Instead of throwing the balloons, they popped them directly over the children’s heads, covering them in slime.

The kids absolutely loved it and couldn’t stop laughing.

It’s another brilliant way to experience Nickelodeon slime without paying for the Individual Sliming experience, and it’s well worth checking the daily schedule so you don’t miss it.

Later in the afternoon we headed over to the main pool by the beach where the entertainment team organised water balloon games.

It quickly turned into boys versus girls, and everyone became surprisingly competitive.

Watching all the children laughing, running around and making new friends was one of my favourite parts of the holiday.

For our final dinner we chose Explorer’s Table once again.

We could easily have booked one of the à la carte restaurants, but if you know me, you’ll know I’ll almost always choose a buffet. I like being able to see everything that’s available before deciding what I fancy, and Explorer’s Table never disappointed throughout our stay.

After dinner we met Skye from PAW Patrol before watching the evening PAW Patrol show in the Show Lounge.

It was the perfect way to round off our final full day at the resort.

Departure Day

Before we knew it, it was time to head home.

Our flight wasn’t until 4.35pm, so we had a relaxed morning before checking out.

The resort is around a 45 minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport, which meant we still had plenty of time to enjoy the facilities before leaving.

My daughter squeezed in one last visit to Club Nick while I enjoyed a final wander around the resort before we checked out at around midday.

Our airport transfer arrived shortly afterwards and we made our way back to Punta Cana International Airport.

I wanted to arrive quite early after our previous experience flying from Punta Cana, I didn’t want to take any chances. The security queues can be extremely long, so I’d always recommend allowing yourself plenty of extra time.

As we left, we were already talking about when we could come back.

It had been an unforgettable week filled with brilliant entertainment, good food (and cocktails!), amazing pools, plenty of character experiences and memories that we’ll both treasure for years to come.

Now, before I finish this review, there are a few more things I think you should know before booking your stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

What Age Is Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Best For?

One of the questions I can imagine parents asking is whether Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is only really suitable for younger children.

Personally, I don’t think that’s the case at all.

Yes, if you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers, they’re going to absolutely love it. Between the character experiences, Aqua Nick, Club Nick and all of the entertainment, there’s so much designed with younger children in mind.

However, my daughter is 10 years old and she had the most amazing time.

I know every child is different, and not all 10 year olds enjoy the same things. My daughter still loves playing with Barbies, cuddling her soft toys and using her imagination, so this resort was absolutely perfect for her. She made lots of friends, spent hours in the pools and water park, loved meeting the characters and genuinely didn’t want to leave.

I can appreciate that some older children or teenagers might feel they’re a little too old for some of the character experiences, but I think it really comes down to the individual child rather than their age.

There’s also plenty for adults to enjoy. I’m 32 years old and I had an amazing time too. Seeing characters I grew up watching, relaxing by the pools, enjoying the food and simply watching my daughter make memories made this one of our favourite family holidays.

If your children still enjoy water parks, character experiences and being active from morning until night, I think there’s a very good chance they’ll love Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, regardless of whether they’re five or ten.

Is Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana All Inclusive?

Yes, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is an all inclusive resort, meaning your accommodation, meals, snacks, drinks and most activities are included in the price of your stay.

During our visit, we never felt like we had to keep spending money to enjoy the resort. There was plenty included, from the restaurants and entertainment to Aqua Nick and the daily activities, so you could easily have an amazing holiday without paying anything extra.

That said, there are a few optional experiences available if you’d like to make your stay even more memorable.

One of the most popular upgrades is the Floating Breakfast, which can be booked if you’re staying in one of the swim up suites. There are also premium character dining experiences, including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Dinner and the Pajama Jam Character Breakfast. Both cost extra, but we genuinely thought they were worth it.

If you’ve ever wanted to be covered in Nickelodeon slime, you can also book a Personal Sliming experience for yourself or the whole family. If you’d rather not pay, don’t worry because the resort also hosts a free daily slime event at Aqua Nick where everyone can join in.

The Vassa Spa also offers a range of optional treatments for both adults and children. I was surprised to see they even have family friendly experiences, including children’s massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, as well as fun spa packages designed for children aged 4 to 12. It’s a lovely option if your little ones enjoy a bit of pampering during their holiday.

If you choose to dine at one of the resort’s à la carte restaurants, almost everything on the menu is included. The only exception is a handful of premium dishes, such as lobster, which come with an additional charge. These are clearly marked on the menu, so there are no unexpected surprises.

For us, the all inclusive package offered excellent value. We never felt pressured to spend extra money, and all of the paid experiences were completely optional. They’re there if you want to treat yourself, but you certainly won’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t.

Do you need to leave the resort?

One question I always ask myself before booking an all inclusive holiday is whether I’ll end up feeling bored after a few days. Some resorts almost expect you to book excursions because there isn’t loads going on. That definitely wasn’t the case here.

Of course, you can book excursions through the hotel if you want to explore more of the Dominican Republic, but honestly, it never even crossed our minds to leave.

Every single day there was something happening. From character meet and greets and games around the resort to the amazing water parks, swimming pools and entertainment, we were completely occupied from morning until night. There was so much we wanted to do that we didn’t want to miss anything by spending a day away from the resort.

For us, that says a lot about how good it is. We never once felt bored or thought, “What shall we do now?” There was always another activity, another character appearance or somewhere new to explore.

I genuinely think this has become one of my top three family resorts. I’d come back in a heartbeat, and I’d also love to try Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya in Mexico. I’ve stayed at a lot of family resorts over the years, but I’ve honestly never experienced one with so much going on from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.

Sargassum at Nickelodeon Punta Cana: What You Need to Know

One thing I think is really important to mention if you’re thinking about booking a Caribbean holiday is sargassum.

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that naturally grows in the Atlantic Ocean. At certain times of the year, ocean currents and winds wash large amounts of it onto beaches across parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. It can affect destinations including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Saint Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Belize and parts of Florida.

To be completely honest, we haven’t really spent much time on the beach because of it. It’s not exactly inviting if you’re hoping for crystal clear water and a swim.

That said, I don’t think it should put you off booking a Caribbean holiday. It’s a completely natural occurrence and something no hotel can control. Resorts work incredibly hard to clear as much as they can each day, but when large amounts wash ashore, there’s only so much they can do.

For me, it’s just something to be aware of before you book. If relaxing on the beach and swimming in the sea is the main reason you’re travelling, it’s worth checking the time of year you’re planing to visit and looking at recent beach conditions. If, like us, you’re staying at a resort with amazing pools, water parks and plenty of activities, it probably won’t have a huge impact on your holiday.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana?

This is probably one of the questions I’ll be asked the most, but unfortunately I can’t give you an exact price because it all depends on when you’re travelling, how many people are in your party, which room you choose and where you’re flying from.

If you’re looking at package holidays, you’ll find them through a number of travel companies. Personally, I wouldn’t book through TUI again based on my own experience with them. Their customer service let me down, so I wouldn’t choose to travel with them in the future.

Another option is to book your flights and hotel separately, which is something I always recommend comparing before you book.

For the hotel, I’d check the official Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts website first. In my experience, booking direct often gives you access to the best offers, and it’s worth following them on social media or signing up to their emails in case they release any special promotions.

For flights, we flew direct with British Airways from London Gatwick. If you’re already collecting Avios, don’t forget to factor those in because they can make your flights much more affordable.

My biggest piece of advice is to shop around before booking. Compare package holidays with booking everything separately, check the official hotel website and don’t forget to look at flight prices too. Spending a little extra time comparing your options could save you a significant amount of money.

Is Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Worth It?

Honestly, we had the best time at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana.

As always, I’ve kept this review completely honest. We were invited to experience the resort, but if there had been anything I didn’t like, I would have said so.

The biggest compliment I can give this hotel is that it has genuinely made me want to come back. Many of you know I don’t like to visit the same place twice! I’ve already been online looking at prices for Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya in Mexico for next year!

From Aqua Nick and the character experiences to the food, pools and entertainment, there was so much for families to enjoy. My daughter had an amazing time, I actually got the chance to relax, and we both left wanting to experience it all again.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is definitely somewhere I would recommend to families looking for a fun all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, especially if your children love water parks, character experiences and having plenty to do from morning until night.

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