Scores at a Glance
Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasRoyal Zanzibar Beach Resort
Overall
8.9
8.6
Beach
8.9
9.2
Food
8.8
8.4
Service
9.0
8.8
Rooms
8.7
8.6
Value
8.8
8.2
Romance
8.7
8.8
Scores out of 10 — higher is better
Quick Stats
8.9
Overall Score
8.6
5-star
Star Rating
5-star
4.7 (1,161)
Google Rating
4.5 (1,971)
From $272
Price / Night (pp)
Rates TBD
No
Adults Only
No
Yes
Kids' Club
—
Near coast
Beachfront
Near coast
Mid-size
Resort Size
Mid-size
60 min
Airport Transfer
75 min
All Scores
8.9
Beach
9.2
8.8
Food
8.4
9.0
Service
8.8
8.7
Rooms
8.6
8.4
Pools
9.0
8.8
Value
8.2
8.3
Family
—
8.7
Romance
8.8
7.9
Nightlife
—
Vibes
Yes
Romance
Yes
Yes
Lively
—
Activities
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
Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
- 4 pools
- 2 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
- 75 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 — Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
- Excellent Nungwi beach
- Four-pool setup
- Spacious rooms
- Swim-up bar
- Good beach-and-pool atmosphere
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 — Royal Zanzibar Beach Resort
- Beach vendor pressure
- All-inclusive optional/rate-plan ambiguity
- Spa and transfers extra