Scores at a Glance
Hotel Riu Palace MaldivasThe Palms Zanzibar
Overall
8.9
9.4
Beach
8.9
8.5
Food
8.8
9.1
Service
9.0
9.6
Rooms
8.7
9.5
Luxury
·
9.5
Value
8.8
8.2
Romance
8.7
9.7
Scores out of 10 · higher is better
Quick Stats
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | The Palms Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Overall Score | 9.4 (better) |
| 5-star | Star Rating | 5-star |
| 4.7 (1,167) | Google Rating | 5.0 (61) (better) |
| 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 | – |
All Scores
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | The Palms Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| (better)8.9 | Beach | 8.5 |
| 8.8 | Food | 9.1 (better) |
| 9.0 | Service | 9.6 (better) |
| 8.7 | Rooms | 9.5 (better) |
| 8.4 | Pools | 8.8 (better) |
| – | Luxury | 9.5 |
| (better)8.8 | Value | 8.2 |
| (better)8.3 | Family | 6.8 |
| 8.7 | Romance | 9.7 (better) |
| (better)7.9 | Nightlife | 3.5 |
| – | Quiet | 9.7 |
| – | Wellness | 8.7 |
Of the 11 measures we call, Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas leads on 4 and The Palms Zanzibar leads on 7.
Vibes
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | The Palms Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Romance | Yes |
| Yes | Lively | – |
| – | Quiet | Yes |
Activities
| Hotel Riu Palace Maldivas | Measure | The Palms 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
The Palms Zanzibar
- 2 pools
- 1 restaurants & bars
- Full-service spa
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 · The Palms Zanzibar
- Extremely intimate seven-villa setting.
- Strong luxury, service and romance sentiment.
- Private plunge pools and large villas.
- All-inclusive positioning is strongly verified.
- Quiet beach retreat with access to wider Zanzibar Collection facilities.
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 · The Palms Zanzibar
- Very limited nightlife.
- Restaurant variety is naturally limited at the core property.
- East-coast tides can affect swimming.
- Review volume is smaller than large resort benchmarks.
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