I took my kids to Nickelodeon Punta Cana for five nights in June. Two kids, ages 6 and 9. I’m Kayla, and I care about good food and clean rooms. I also care about happy kids. This place checked many boxes. Not all. But many.
For readers who like every last detail, I also put together a full trip diary on Fortune Hotel—catch it here: Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana: My Real Stay, Slime and All.
Getting there and first look
The drive from the airport took about 40 minutes. Our driver pointed out the beach zones and gave the kids mints. Small thing, but nice.
Check-in was smooth. They handed me a cool towel and a fruity drink. The kids got a bright green “slime” drink. They were sold right then and there. We got our wristbands, a map, and a quick “you’ll need reservations for Spacewalker.” Note to self: book it early.
The lobby smells like citrus. It’s bright, clean, and a bit loud. It felt like summer camp with room service.
Our room: the swim-up life
We stayed in a Swim-Up Suite near Building 6. It was a short walk to the main pool, but quiet at night. The suite had a king bed, a sofa bed, and a sliding door to a long, shared pool. The door had a child lock up high, which made me breathe easier.
- The mini bar had juice, water, beer, and a few sodas. It got restocked each day.
- The shower had strong water pressure. But the floor got slick, so we kept a towel down.
- The swim-up pool was chilly in the morning. By noon it was perfect. I sat on the edge with coffee and watched the kids do “cannonballs” without the splash. They were very proud of the non-splash splash.
Rooms have a bright, Nick vibe—orange pillows, green accents. It’s fun but not tacky. Housekeeping came in the early afternoon and did turndown on request. We asked for extra towels and got them in 10 minutes.
Aqua Nick and the slime
Aqua Nick is the water park area by Nickelodeon Place. It’s not huge, but it’s a blast. My 6-year-old lived at the splash pad. My 9-year-old did the slides, then did them again. And again.
Mass Sliming happens on a schedule. We did it twice. They count down, the green goo pours, and everyone screams like it’s a concert. Bring goggles for the kids. Also, bring water shoes. The ground gets hot by noon, and the walkways can feel like a griddle.
We grabbed towels there and watched the foam party one afternoon. It was silly. It was loud. It was good, clean chaos.
Food and drinks: better than I expected
I came in with low hopes, to be honest. All-inclusive food can be hit or miss. This was more hit.
- Sugarcane (the buffet): Breakfast here was a win. Omelets made to order. Fresh fruit. Good coffee. We sat outside a few mornings and watched little geckos by the bushes. The kids loved the pancake station.
- Spacewalker: This one needs a reservation. It’s space-themed and a bit extra, in a fun way. The staff wear shiny uniforms. The “smoke” mocktails are a show. Food was solid—the short rib was tender, and my son still talks about the glowing dessert. Worth it for the theme alone.
- Wok Wok: Simple, tasty stir-fry and noodles. We asked for mild and got mild, which I appreciated.
- BRGRS.PH: Juicy burgers and big fries. My daughter got a kids’ burger that came in a tiny truck. Yes, it’s a photo moment.
- Zest: We did the character breakfast here. Paw Patrol showed up. The waffles were crisp. The show was just long enough for kids and short enough for grown-ups.
Poolside, Fresco had tacos and ceviche. Nothing fussy, just fresh and quick. The bartenders made my kids virgin piña coladas and limeades. I had a spicy margarita that actually had heat. You know what? That made my afternoon.
Service was kind across the board. Wait times at dinner ran 10–20 minutes if we didn’t have a reservation. Not bad, but the line for Spacewalker reservations looked like a theme park sometimes. Book early if you can.
Beach and pools
The beach is wide and pretty, but the waves were rough some days. Red flag up a few times. We saw seaweed (sargassum), which is common in summer. They cleaned as best they could. Still, my kids chose the main infinity pool most days.
If you’re chasing perfectly calm Caribbean water, you might compare notes with my roundup of six British Virgin Islands hotels—those bays offer a very different vibe.
Chair game: People saved spots early, like 8 a.m. We found seats later but not always in the shade. The pool music had a chill vibe before noon, then got pumped up after. Not club-level, just lively.
Kids club, shows, and characters
The kids club is bright, safe, and easy to check in. My two made slime, painted masks, and played foosball. Staff scanned our bands at pickup, which made me feel good.
Character meets pop up on a schedule in Nickelodeon Place. We met SpongeBob, Patrick, and the Turtles. Photos are for sale. We bought two digital shots. Pricey? Yes. Will I frame the SpongeBob hug? Also yes.
At night, there’s an “Orange Carpet” moment and family shows. We watched a music show and a magic act. Both were just right before bedtime. We grabbed churros afterward and walked back under string lights. It felt cozy.
Service notes that stood out
- Our concierge pinged us on WhatsApp the first day. We booked dinner times and slime slots that way. Fast and simple.
- Housekeeping left cute towel animals and a chocolate on the last night. The kids talked about the elephant towel for days.
- One hiccup: our TV lost sound once. Maintenance came in 15 minutes and fixed it. No fuss.
What I loved
- The slime. It’s silly, messy, and pure joy.
- Room layout for families. The sofa bed worked and didn’t squeak.
- Staff who remember kids’ names. Small touch, big impact.
- Food that felt fresh, not sleepy buffet food.
- Walkable layout with clear signs. I didn’t get lost, and I get lost a lot.
What bugged me a bit
- Spacewalker reservations felt like a race.
- Seaweed on the beach some days (summer thing, but still).
- Mosquitoes at dusk by the water park. Pack spray.
- Early chair saving at the main pool. Not my favorite game.
Who it’s for
- Families with kids ages 3–12 will be thrilled.
- Teens will still have fun, but the themes skew young.
- Couples looking for quiet might want another spot or a villa away from the action.
If you and your partner crave a little grown-ups-only excitement once the kids are asleep, consider browsing MeetnFuck—the site lets you discreetly connect with like-minded adults nearby and set up spontaneous, no-strings-attached meetups to spice up your vacation. And if your travels ever swing through Mississippi (maybe a college football weekend in SEC country before or after your island escape), take a peek at the localized listings on Backpage Starkville where you’ll find current ads and user insights that can help you arrange a quick, hassle-free meet-up with locals.
Quick tips from our stay
- Book Spacewalker and the character breakfast before you arrive.
- Bring water shoes, rash guards, and bug spray.
- Ask for extra hangers and pillows on day one.
- Do Mass Sliming at least once. Wear dark swimwear.
- If your kids nap, ask for a room not facing the main pool.
- June is hot and humid. Freeze water bottles overnight.
- Before booking, scan the latest family packages on the Fortune Hotel website to see if any limited-time perks line up with your dates.
Final take
We left with sandy shoes, sticky hair, and big smiles. The resort feels playful but still cared for. The food is better than many all-inclusive spots I’ve tried. Service is warm without being pushy. It’s not perfect—no place is—but it’s a memory maker.
Thinking of a different island vibe altogether? Peek at my honest take on Les Bahamas Hotel to see how that stacks up before you decide.
Would I go back? With kids, yes. Mine are already asking for the Pineapple Villa next time. I told them we’ll see. But honestly, I’m tempted.