Magical reason people love Turkey's new Nickelodeon Land - and the one thing it gets wrong

Daily Mirror

28-04-2025

The receptionist hands me a room key adorned with a certain yellow, porous protagonist. I've journeyed to Turkey's sun-drenched Antalya coast—not for the ancient ruins or the crystal-clear Mediterranean. I've come here to answer the question: can an all-inclusive hotel built around a talking sponge actually deliver luxury, or is it just a gimmick that would make Squidward roll his eyes?
Walking into my SpongeBob -themed Deluxe Room (starting at £349 per night) feels like I've tumbled through my television and landed in Bikini Bottom. The sign above the king-size bed proclaims "Home Sweet Pineapple" in cheerful lettering, while pretend portholes dot the walls.
Think nautical blues, strategic pops of yellow, and character touches that stop just short of having Patrick tucked under your pillow. It's a room that would make even Squidward crack a reluctant smile. The rooms are sure to make children squeal with delight while allowing parents to relax (as long as you don't mind the colour yellow).
Even the mini-fridge is disguised as a giant pineapple. I wonder briefly if it contains Krabby Patties before discovering something far more welcome – a selection of beverages that don't require a secret formula.
The rooms themselves are surprisingly practical underneath the cartoon sparkle. Alongside the themed décor, you'll find modern comforts like fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs (where you can of course watch Nickelodeon all day long) USB charging ports, and thoughtful touches for little ones like child-sized robes and step stools in the bathroom.
Nickelodeon Land officially opened on 1 March 2025 - forming a partnership with the The Land of Legends theme park resort and water park. The Rixos hotel features 238 rooms spread across seven floors. You can stay in themed rooms based on PAW Patrol, Dora the Explorer, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and of course- SpongeBob SquarePants.
As I step onto the balcony of my room, I'm greeted not by the depths of the ocean but by a bird's-eye view of the new theme park area; Nickelodeon Land. It means you can literally watch your offspring carting around a Paw Patrol helicopter ride while sipping coffee from the comfort of your balcony. Helicopter parenting has never been so literal – or so relaxing.
Also in view is the new indoor SpongeBob Universe - which is as close to being in the show as you can get (beyond your bedroom). From character meet and greets to spinning round on the "Jellyfish Jam" swings - it's fun that may have even the grown-ups answering, 'Aye-aye, captain!'
Guests also get complimentary access to Aqua Land, part of the wider Land of Legends theme park. It's a sprawling water world packed with high-speed slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and aquatic shows.
While Nickelodeon Land hits the mark for themed fun if your kids love Spongebob, Paw Patrol or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, those raised on Disney's brand of magic might find it a little less spellbinding — the attention to detail and immersive storytelling don't quite reach the same heights, though it still delivers plenty of joy for younger fans.
The real genius however is that when you're ready to trade cartoon characters for coastal charm, the resort brilliantly delivers on both fronts. The resort offers a complimentary shuttle service to another Rixos property - Rixos Premium Belek, where guests can enjoy access to some stunning pools and beach club., among pine and walnut forests. A nice reminder that yes, you are actually in Turkey, not merely inside a cartoon. Because even SpongeBob occasionally needs a day above water.
And one thing that certainly hits the spot is the food. Back at the Nickelodeon hotel, I head to Le Spatula restaurant, named after our yellow hero's favorite kitchen tool. The all-day dining venue offers a buffet with everything from traditional Turkish fare (the best baklava) to yummy stews.
The all-inclusive nature of the resort means entertainment options abound. Club Nick provides supervised activities for children, operating with themes that rotate daily, as well as an outdoor heated splash park. Meanwhile, parents can sneak off to Anjana Spa, offering treatments that will have you feeling more relaxed than Patrick on a Sunday afternoon.
So, can a hotel inspired by a talking sponge deliver on luxury? Surprisingly, yes. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Antalya walks the tightrope between chaos and calm with surprising grace—offering sugar-fuelled fun for the kids and enough grown-up perks to keep parents sane.
To book, visit the Land of Legends' website. Rooms are available from £349 per night in a Themed Deluxe Room.