Scores at a Glance
Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasMeliá Zanzibar
Overall
8.9
8.9
Beach
8.9
9.1
Food
8.8
8.6
Service
9.0
8.8
Rooms
8.7
9.0
Luxury
·
9.1
Value
8.8
7.8
Romance
8.7
9.3
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | Meliá Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Overall Score | 8.9 |
| 5-star | Star Rating | 5-star |
| 4.7 (1,167) | Google Rating | 4.7 (1,909) |
| From $272 | Price / Night (pp) | From $172 (better) |
| No | Adults Only | No |
| Yes | Kids' Club | Yes |
| Near coast | Beachfront | Near coast |
| Mid-size | Resort Size | Mid-size |
| 60 min | Airport Transfer | 50 min (better) |
All Scores
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | Meliá Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Beach | 9.1 (better) |
| (better)8.8 | Food | 8.6 |
| (better)9.0 | Service | 8.8 |
| 8.7 | Rooms | 9.0 (better) |
| 8.4 | Pools | 8.8 (better) |
| – | Luxury | 9.1 |
| (better)8.8 | Value | 7.8 |
| (better)8.3 | Family | 8.2 |
| 8.7 | Romance | 9.3 (better) |
| 7.9 | Nightlife | – |
| – | Wellness | 8.8 |
Of the 10 measures we call, Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas leads on 4 and Meliá Zanzibar leads on 6.
Vibes
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | Meliá Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Romance | Yes |
| Yes | Lively | – |
Activities
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | Meliá Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Spa | Yes |
| Yes | Water sports | Yes |
| Yes | Nightlife | – |
| Yes | Kids | Yes |
Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- 1 pools
- 3 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Overwater bungalows
- 60 min from MLE
Meliá Zanzibar
- 6 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- Butler service
- 50 min from ZNZ
Pros · Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- Strong guest ratings across TripAdvisor, Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.
- 24-hour all-inclusive model is straightforward and value-oriented for the Maldives.
- Modern rooms, including overwater suite categories.
- Guests repeatedly praise food, cleanliness, and friendly staff.
- Access to neighboring RIU Atoll adds activity and dining flexibility.
Pros · Meliá Zanzibar
- Reef-protected 300-meter beach
- Large private-pool villas
- Six restaurants and five bars
- Strong spa and The Level experience
Cons · Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas
- The modern built environment may feel less natural or boutique than older-style Maldives islands.
- Transfer logistics and inclusions need careful verification.
- Some activities are located on or shared with the RIU Atoll side.
- Not ideal for travelers seeking an ultra-secluded, high-design luxury resort.
Cons · Meliá Zanzibar
- Premium inclusions vary by category
- Zanzibar tides affect beach use
- No strong property-specific Reddit source found
- Exact entrance coordinate should be manually verified
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