The 24-acre Nickelodeon Family Suites hotel plunges families into a kid-centric paradise. Originally opened as the flagship Nickelodeon Hotel in June 2005, and an extension of the Holiday Inn family of resorts, as of January 2009 the Nickelodeon Hotel is its own, independent property. And what a property it is. Between daily character breakfasts, nightly interactive game shows in the Studio Nick soundstage, two pool areas with play areas and mega super slides, as well as lots of messy pie-in-your-face fun, parents will be hard-pressed to get their kids to leave.

As our family drove into the hotel's parking lot and caught glimpses of SpongeBob and Jimmy Neutron beckoning us from their posts atop the hotel's bright orange rotunda, my 3- and 7-year-old kids could hardly contain their excitement and bolted from the car as soon as we pulled up to the front entrance.

We were greeted by friendly attendants who took our luggage from the car and kept it at the bell station until our room was ready. Upon entering the lobby, which is flanked by two yellow SpongeBob Square Pants planters, we were instantly struck by its yellow brick floor and a sweet, fresh aroma wafting through the air. Our normally loquacious kids were rendered speechless as they plopped themselves on the lobby's circular couches and stared in wonderment at the massive white balls hanging from the center of the rotunda, and the brightly colored walls, featuring the signature Nickelodeon paint splatters.

While we got in line to check in our kids hung out in the lobby's kid-friendly waiting area, with its a carpeted floor, flat-screen TV playing Nickelodeon programs, and blue velvet bean bags aligned against a mural wall.

The resort is a cartoon episode come to life; as far as the eye can see every square inch of the structure is painted in bright orange and green, with Nickelodeon's signature paint splatters and life-size characters embellishing its facades. The resort is laid out with two large courtyards around two water parks and pools, with its suites interspersed throughout its in 14 buildings, each of which is six stories high.

My kids, who can recite SpongeBob episodes verbatim, and often amuse themselves taking turns reenacting its dialogue were more than content to be buoyed by all the SpongeBob paraphernalia in their midst.
Kid Friendly Outdoor Recreation

Nickelodeon's outdoor Lagoon courtyard features a zero-depth entry heated pool, which anchors a four-story interactive water tower with flumes, slides, climbing nets, water jets, and a 400-gallon dump tank that splashes green gooey slime on guests during the daily mass sliming. Kids fewer than 40 inches tall are not allowed to use the Lagoon slides; rather, they may use the toddler areas which include a kids' wet/dry pre-school play area with a five-foot slide and Nick Jr. branded water activities.

In addition to the pool and water slides the Lagoon courtyard has other recreational activities including a netted basketball court, a nine-hole mini golf course, a mobile kids' spa, at which kids can get hair wraps and other treatments.

The resort's other pool, the Oasis, is an Olympic-sized lap-style heated pool, which provides a somewhat quieter atmosphere. It has a multi-level, interactive water tower with slides and flumes that empty into the Oasis pool. Kids must be 48 inches to ride the Oasis slides without a life jacket. If they are between 40 and 48 inches they may ride with a lifejacket, which are available free at the lifeguard stand. This area also has a kids' play area with pop jets and a splash zone, as well as a sand play area with toys, a slide, and a giant sandbox.

Children who are not potty trained are required to wear swim pants or protective diapers which can be purchased at the Other Stuff convenience store at the Mall or at the pool area's Snacks n' Stuff shop.

%0APrivate one-on-one swim lessons are offered for all ages and are $25 per half hour lesson. Kids ages 10 to 16 can also sign up to be a Nickelodeon Lifeguard for a Day. The program's activities include watching water, shadowing a guard, and learning rescue and first aid skills. The session ends with a picture in the lifeguard chair with a rescue tube. The cost is $50 and includes lunch or dinner.

Although the weather was just slightly above 50 degrees during our visit, my kids never hesitated to jump into the heated pool which felt more like a warm bath. And, my normally cautious 7-year-old tackled the maze of slides like an old pro.

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