10 Things You Won’t Believe People are Doing at This New Resort

Staff at Nick Punta Cana will tell you that getting slimed is Nickelodeon’s greatest honour, and it’s true - most guests can’t resist the chance for a green-tinted photo opp. Slimings happen daily at the Aqua Nick splash area, where the recently honoured can easily rinse off the accolades, then celebrate with a float down the lazy river. For those who prefer their slime on the inside, slime smoothies are a resort must-try.

It’s all bright sun, sparkling waters and smiles at Aqua Nick, where children shoot their parents (and each other) with water canons, and coax their caregivers to stand just so before pulling strategic levers and dousing them with water. For less energetic guests, a lazy river rims the play area, and the onsite grill serves fresh salads and platters of juicy grilled chicken, perfect for sharing.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora, SpongeBob and the Paw Patrol gang appear regularly at onsite Character Central, but the best way to book extended time with them is through a character breakfast. These entertaining mix-and-mingle meals result in two kinds of kids: super excited children who can’t believe their luck, and star struck little ones, terrified at their first brush with celebrity. For an extra fee, book a character breakfast and find out which kind your kid is.

All the rooms at Nick Punta Cana are nice, but by virtue of having their very own pools right outside the door, the swim-up rooms are some of the nicest. In some areas, ground floor guests can swim straight to the bar, while second floor suites host completely private balcony pools.

Ever wondered what it’s like to live in SpongeBob SquarePants’ pineapple under the sea? Nick Punta Cana hosts exactly one Pineapple Villa, meaning the luckiest guests can tell you what it’s really like to wake up inside a two-bedroom, two-bathroom pineapple, with deluxe, SpongeBob-inspired décor throughout and a private pool outside.

Okay, so they’re not exactly abandoning them, but when the supervised playhouse, Just Kiddin’, is open, you’re liable to spot parents in the spa, or at the posh, splash-pad free oceanfront infinity pool, while kids slide into ball pits, craft the day away or practice their video gaming skills.

Pop quiz: What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think “Nickelodeon”? Maybe it’s slime, or maybe it’s SpongeBob, but it’s probably not gourmet bites served in a swirl of dry ice. But patrons with the foresight to a) make a reservation b) drop the kids off at the Just Kiddin’ kids club, and c) cough up an extra fee, are all over the cool creations at Kitchen 23, a kid-free, high-concept eatery in the Gourmet Inclusive Village pictured here. For families who prefer dining together, there are lots of other options, including the interstellar-themed SpaceWalker, and Brgrs.PH, whose signature dish is the family-sized Machete Burger. There's also a wine bar featuring live musical entertainment.

Tucked into a quiet corner of the resort, Fresco is a food truck-style stop directly across from a swim-up bar, where kids splash contently, adults sip fresh cocktails, and grilled shrimp, fresh salads and ceviche are always on order.

Forget the amenities – vacation purists will tell you that a tropical resort is only as good as its beachfront, and this one delivers, with soft white sands, sparkling aquamarine waters and gently swaying palms, all within view of the spacious infinity pool.

Sure, it’s fun letting them go wild at the donut display before a day of swimming, splashing and hanging with their favourite Nickelodeon celebs, but let’s see what happens to that smile when it’s time to leave…