I took my kid to an all-inclusive Nickelodeon resort. Our stay was filled with pleasant surprises, but I’d only return on one condition.

My 3-year-old daughter and I enjoy vacationing at all-inclusive resorts as a worry-free way of bonding.

When activities and dining are included in the upfront fee for the stay, it’s easy to stay flexible — and I like that I don’t need to stress about budgeting as we go.

Since our 2024 trip to Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico was so fun, I wanted to try an all-inclusive stay again this year with a different brand. Since my daughter’s recent obsession is “Paw Patrol,” I chose a Nickelodeon resort in Punta Cana.

In total, I spent just over $2,800 for a four-night stay in a Nest suite on the property. I saved about $900 by booking during the resort’s seasonal promotion.

The resort had a (surprisingly) sophisticated ambiance.

As Nickelodeon is a famous children’s network, I assumed the resort’s aesthetic would be more colorful or kiddie-kitschy — sort of like a Chuck-E-Cheese.

Instead, we were greeted by a mostly white courtyard with colonial-style architecture.

Still, fun touches like a pineapple-shaped building and statues of Nickelodeon characters like SpongeBob Squarepants were peppered throughout the property.

Our simply designed room was perfect for what we needed.

Our suite’s configuration had a king-size bed in one space and a pull-out couch in a living area. It was perfect for me and my child, who took the couch and called it her “big-girl bed.”

Luckily, if she wasn’t comfortable in it, the resort also had complimentary loaner cribs on standby.

The suite’s theming felt subtle and not overly geared toward kids.

Our suite didn’t look overly childish or cartoonish. Instead, it was simple with lots of neutral shades and some pops of that signature Nickelodeon orange throughout.

In particular, the bathroom seemed like one you’d find at a standard, nice hotel with its elegant marble touches, double vanity, and large stand-alone tub.

Unfortunately, being on the ground floor wasn’t ideal for us.

All in all, the suite was spacious, comfortable, and had plenty of closet space.

However, we were on the ground floor of the complex and could could hear the thud of footsteps of the guests above us 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.

The “gourmet” inclusive dining lived up to its name.

We had access to over a dozen restaurants and bars, from upscale eateries with global cuisines to kid-friendly grab-and-go stops.

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

I was shocked at how good the food was throughout our trip, as quality control and consistency can be tricky in large all-inclusive resorts.

The variety also really impressed me. At the Explorer’s Table buffet, for example, I could get anything from freshly caught lobster to mac and cheese.

We especially enjoyed some of the specialty dining experiences, like hanging out with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at dinner. My daughter lit up like a Christmas tree when she got a dance party, one-on-one time, and photos with all the Paw Patrol characters during the brunch buffet.

We found plenty to do on the property.

There was never really a dull moment on our trip.

We spent a lot of our time at Nickelodeon Place, a complex on the property that includes the Aqua Nick water park, Club Nick day care, and Plaza Orange performance venue.

It has a kiddie splash pad and lazy river, plus 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 live evening performances, which featured acrobatics and dance.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to take advantage of the included day-care service.

My stay included access to the property’s supervised Club Nick day care, which includes activities and play areas.

However, children needed to be at least 4 years old (mine is 3 ½) and potty-trained in order to be dropped off at the facility.

In the past, some resorts have been flexible with me regarding their day-care policies when they find out I’m a solo parent, so long as I agree to be nearby to help with diaper changes.

There wasn’t wiggle room when I asked on this trip, but I was grateful my daughter could still experience what Club Nick was like during its Free Play event (under my supervision).

Our visit to the on-property spa cost extra, but was well worth the price.

Even though this was a vacation and I adore bonding with my child, I didn’t get any relaxation or parental breaks this time around.

I was in “mama mode” for the entirety of our trip because we couldn’t use day care, and she refused to take her usual midday nap (which historically has given me a much-needed mental reset).

Thankfully, the property’s spa offered a mom and mini experience that included facials, massages, and pedicures for both of us.

The staff were so gracious and accommodating to our needs. For example, my little one didn’t want her face touched, so they offered to braid her hair instead.

It was expensive at $300, but it was 100% worth it — I felt so refreshed and de-stressed after.

All in all, this resort was fun — but I’d only return after my kid is potty-trained.

I’ve loved the bonding time this resort gave us, as well as the endless variety of activities and dining options.

However, I admit I was unexpectedly more tired on this trip than usual as I wasn’t anticipating my daughter to be so resistant to her typical nap.

Because of all the runaround I did at this resort as a solo parent, I’d be thrilled to return only once she’s potty-trained and a few months older so she could be dropped off at the day care (Club Nick).

That way, I could get a break for an hour or two and enjoy the beautiful property on my own.

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