Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
What the numbers say
Guests rate this 4.6. It is third from the top of the 16 RIU Hotels & Resorts resorts we track, where the rest run 3.9 to 4.4.
2,548 reviews · Every RIU Hotels & Resorts resort we track, lowest to highest
Last verified July 2026. Value is the weakest mark at 8.2. No resort can pay to change a score. See the full Palmprint file
Dining, pools and the beach
Dining & bars
A few venues take reservations, the rest are walk-in
Official RIU gastronomy page confirms a 24-hour all-inclusive concept with buffet, grill/snacks, steakhouse and Mediterranean restaurant; Expedia lists three restaurants.
Pools & waterplay
Expedia confirms three outdoor pools and a swim-up bar.
The beach itself
Nungwi/Kendwa area is one of Zanzibar's stronger swimming-beach regions, with guest and OTA sources emphasizing fine sand, clear water and beach access.
- Calm water, swimmable straight off the sand
- Gradual entry, shallow a long way out
Counts come from the resort's own published information; the scores are ours, from the Palmprint file below.
Who fits where at Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
All 5 categories, from the resort's own accommodations pages. The figures are the comparison: how many the room takes, against the most this property puts in any one key. Where a category carries no figures, the resort does not publish an occupancy for it, which at villa tier usually means it is set when you book.
| Suite | Occupancy | Bedrooms | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr Suite | Not published | 1 bedroom | Not published |
| Junior Suite Courtyard View | Not published | 1 bedroom | Courtyard |
| Superior Ocean Suite | Not published | 1 bedroom | Ocean |
| Junior Suite Swim-Up | Not published | 1 bedroom | Not publishedswim-out |
| Villa | Not published | 1 bedroom | Not published |
Occupancy is the maximum published occupancy including rollaways, not comfortable occupancy. Categories and occupancy change with renovations, and connecting rooms are usually request-only, so confirm when you book.
= sleeps 0 of 0 max
The dining, in outline
Counts and cuisines from the resort's own pages. We have not verified this property restaurant by restaurant yet, so we are not going to print a list that says nothing.
- Places to eat
- 3
International buffet, Steakhouse, Mediterranean, Grill
Some restaurants take reservations; the rest are walk-in.
Official RIU gastronomy page confirms a 24-hour all-inclusive concept with buffet, grill/snacks, steakhouse and Mediterranean restaurant; Expedia lists three restaurants.
Before you book
Ten things the research turned up about Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar that the brochure does not say.
Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar is a true 24-hour all-inclusive beachfront resort.
It is no longer clearly adults-only in current RIU/OTA positioning, so treat it as family-friendly unless RIU changes policy.
The beach and pools are stronger selling points than nightlife.
Neighboring resort noise and busy buffet periods appear in recent guest feedback.
Hidden tips
Request a quieter room away from neighboring entertainment if sleep matters.
Book specialty restaurants early, especially during high occupancy.
Beach-first travelers should prioritize ocean-view or swim-up categories depending on budget.
Things guests wish they had known
Recent travelers describe it as family-friendly rather than adults-only.
Some rooms may be affected by music from the neighboring Riu Jambo.
The resort is best for beach and pool relaxation rather than a quiet boutique stay.
Most loved
4 themes- Beach and clear water
- Pools and swim-up bar
- Staff friendliness
- Room and suite product
Most complained about
4 themes- Neighboring entertainment noise
- Buffet crowding
- Specialty restaurants not always standout
- Family-policy change confusion
Recent Reddit discussion praises the upscale feel, beach and staff but flags that the resort can feel big and busy, with buffet congestion and late music from neighboring Riu Jambo.
The rate, and where to check it
A checked price with a date on it, not a teaser. Here is the stay we price.
Taxes and fees vary by channel, so compare the final screen, not the first one.
We can place the reservation through an accredited travel agency partner. There is no separate fee for using us, and the resort looks after your stay once it is booked. If you book this way the resort pays us a commission. You are not charged a separate fee. How we are paid.
Or book direct with the resort (opens in a new tab).
Independent reviews
We earn nothing on these links. How we are paid is set out here.
We check this rate on a rotating schedule. Leave an email and we'll flag a real drop, not a countdown timer.
Jun to Oct
Temperature barely moves here across the year, so rain is the whole decision: the wet months run Mar to May.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 84 degrees Fahrenheit | 86 degrees Fahrenheit | 88 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit | 90 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rain days | 5 days | 4 days | 9 days | 15 days | 10 days | 4 days | 3 days | 3 days | 3 days | 5 days | 8 days | 7 days |
| Verdict | Fine | Fine | Wet | Wet | Wet | Best | Best | Best | Best | Best | Wet | Wet |
Getting there
Finding Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
- Nearest airport
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
- Address
- Nungwi Rd, Nungwi, North Coast Zanzibar 73107, Tanzania
- Phone
- +255 24 550 1500
Included, but on their schedule.
Your rate covers a transfer on the resort's timetable, by way of whoever else is on it. A private car leaves when you land and goes straight there.
- The fare
- Fixed when you book. No meter, no surge, no cash at the kerb.
- If you're late
- The driver tracks your flight and waits. Delays don't cost you the ride.
- On arrival
- Your name on a board in arrivals, past customs, before the taxi rank.
Tanzania
- Language
- Swahili & English (English widely used in tourism)
- Currency
- Tanzanian shilling (TZS); USD widely accepted
- Power
- 230V, Type G (UK-style) plugs – bring an adapter
- Driving
- On the left
- Main airport
- Zanzibar / Abeid Amani Karume (ZNZ)
- Flight time
- ~16–19h+ from the US, with a connection
Who it suits
One of the 7 categories we score in the Palmprint file for Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar; the full set is above.
What we'd book around it
Affiliate · commission at no cost to youInsurance
Storms move flights in season, and the cheapest rates are usually non-refundable.
Compare cover (opens in a new tab)Data
An eSIM for the flight and the beach; Wi-Fi is included on the resort but stops at the gate.
Get an eSIM (opens in a new tab)How we scored Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
7 categories, scored from official sources and read against what guests actually report. Verified 19 July 2026 under Palmprint methodology 1.0.
The six that set the score
And 1 more we track
Confidence is high across the board except value, dining and family, where the evidence is thinner.
Open a category
Value8.2Medium confidence
- Beach Score
- 9.1
- Service Score
- 8.8
- Noise Crowding Penalty
- 6.8
- All Inclusive 24h Support
- 1.0
Service8.8High confidence
- Expedia Staff Score
- 9.4
- Guest Service Signal
- 8.8
Beach9.1High confidence
- Sand Quality
- 9.1
- Swimmability
- 9.1
- Beachfront Support
- 1.0
- Clear Water Signal
- 9.2
Dining8.3Medium confidence
- Restaurant Count
- 3.0
- Guest Food Signal
- 8.0
- Buffet Crowding Penalty
- 6.8
- All Inclusive 24h Support
- 1.0
Rooms8.7High confidence
- Room Count
- 100.0
- Guest Room Signal
- 8.7
- Suite Category Count
- 5.0
- Swim Up Suite Support
- 1.0
Pools & Spa8.8High confidence
- Guest Pool Signal
- 8.8
- Outdoor Pool Count
- 3.0
- Swim Up Bar Support
- 1.0
Family7.2Medium confidence
- Beach Score
- 9.1
- Kids Club Support
- 0.0
- Children Allowed Support
- 1.0
- Adjacent Family Resort Signal
- 1.0
What it does best
- True 24-hour RIU all-inclusive model.
- Strong Nungwi beachfront setting.
- Three-pool setup with swim-up bar.
- Good suite and swim-up room options.
Where it costs you
- Neighboring resort noise can affect quiet.
- Buffet periods may feel busy.
- Kids-club evidence is not verified despite family-friendly positioning.
- Coordinates are not verified as the exact main entrance.
Room intelligence
- Rooms To Avoid
- Rooms closest to neighboring Riu Jambo entertainment if quiet is importantRecent Reddit feedback mentions music from the neighboring resort carrying late at night.
- Best Value Room
- Jr SuiteBest value if guests plan to spend most of the stay on the beach, at pools and dining around the resort.
- Best Room Category
- Superior Ocean SuiteBest broad-fit category for travelers prioritizing the ocean-view Zanzibar beach experience.
In the plan, or on the bill
Where the line sits at Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar, item by item, with what we checked it against.
| What you'd expect to pay for | Status |
|---|---|
| Premium & à la carte diningRIU official and Expedia details confirm buffet and à la carte meals, snacks and beverages are included. | Included |
| Top-shelf liquor24-hour drinks and cocktails are included, but specific premium-label exclusions should be confirmed by rate.Per the resort, not yet verified | Partly included |
| Wi-Fi | Included |
| In-room minibarExpedia states all minibar beverages are included. | Included |
| Non-motorized water sportsExpedia lists kayaking and onsite fitness/water activities; exact watersport menu should be confirmed.Per the resort, not yet verified | Partly included |
| Spa treatmentsSpa treatments are available but not evidenced as included. | Costs extra |
| Airport transfersAirport transfers are not part of the standard all-inclusive rate: they are provided free only to RIU Class loyalty members, while other guests pay for the hotel arranged shuttle (guests report around USD 80 one way). | Partly included |
Inclusions change and vary by room category and season, so confirm with the resort before booking. How we verify this
Bringing the kids to Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
What decides whether a resort works with children in tow, answered from what the resort publishes rather than from the brochure.
- Beach for young swimmers
- Gradual, calm entry: toddler-friendly
- Dinner reservations
- Needed at some restaurants
- Is the beach at Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar good for young children?
- The water in front is typically calm, and the entry is a gradual walk-in a young child can stand in.
- Do you need dinner reservations at Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar?
- At some restaurants: book the à la carte venues early in your stay and keep the buffet as the no-plan fallback for meltdown nights.
Taking a group
Upscale beachfront RIU with access to a livelier wider Nungwi resort zone; recent guests note music from neighboring Riu Jambo can affect quiet.
- Nightlife
- Low-key, quiet by late evening
Tell us the trip, we'll tell you the resort
Tell us your dates, budget, home airport, and who's traveling, and we'll point you to the best-fit resorts. Free, no obligation.
Kids' club hours, teen programs and group availability all move with the season. Confirm the specifics with the resort for your dates.
Similar all-inclusives to Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
The Palms Zanzibar
Dream of Zanzibar Resort & Spa
Compare Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar with Dream of Zanzibar Resort & Spa
The Mora Zanzibar
Scores higher overall on the same six categories.