Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
8.8 / 10
Palmprint
Our resort score · out of 10
Strongest on beach and service
Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar at a glance
- Location
- Nungwi
- Guests
- All ages welcome
- The plan
- All-inclusive
- Setting
- Near the coast
- Guest rating
- 4.6 / 5 on Google2,640 reviews
- Best months
- Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
- Pools
- 3 pools
- Airport transfer
- ZNZ
- Dining
- 3 restaurants
Compare rooms & seasonal prices
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Find your time to go
USD / room / night · 2 adults · 7 nights
Checked Sep 22, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026 · Sample details
Dates shown are check-in dates. 2 of 2 rooms across 4 of 4 planned stay dates. Missing prices are not estimates.
Each price is a sampled rate, not a live quote. Select a room name above for its details.
- Jan 10, 2027, room 1: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Jan 10, 2027, room 2: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Apr 11, 2027, room 1: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Apr 11, 2027, room 2: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Jul 11, 2027, room 1: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Jul 11, 2027, room 2: checked Sep 22, 2026
- Oct 10, 2027, room 1: checked Oct 12, 2026
- Oct 10, 2027, room 2: checked Oct 12, 2026
Watch this resort
We check this rate on a rotating schedule. Leave an email and we'll flag a real drop, not a countdown timer.
Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
Things to know
before you go
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.
Strengths from our research
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.
Other considerations from our research
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.
What guests say
Most loved
- Beach and clear water
- Pools and swim-up bar
- Staff friendliness
- Room and suite product
Most complained about
- Neighboring entertainment noise
- Buffet crowding
- Specialty restaurants not always standout
- Family-policy change confusion
From Reddit
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.
What’s included
Included
- Premium & à la carte diningIncluded
RIU official and Expedia details confirm buffet and à la carte meals, snacks and beverages are included.
- Wi-FiIncluded
- In-room minibarIncluded
Expedia states all minibar beverages are included.
Not included
- Spa treatmentsCosts extra
Spa treatments are available but not evidenced as included.
Included with limits
- Top-shelf liquorPartly included
24-hour drinks and cocktails are included, but specific premium-label exclusions should be confirmed by rate.
Per the resort, not yet verified - Non-motorized water sportsPartly included
Expedia lists kayaking and onsite fitness/water activities; exact watersport menu should be confirmed.
Per the resort, not yet verified - Airport transfersPartly included
Airport 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).
Inclusions can vary by room category and season. Confirm your plan before booking. How we verify this
More resort facts
- Rooms and suites
- 100
- Pools
- 3
- Value
- 8.2 out of 10
- Service
- 8.8 out of 10
- Beach
- 9.1 out of 10
- Dining
- 8.3 out of 10
- Rooms
- 8.7 out of 10
- Pools & Spa
- 8.8 out of 10
Confidence is high across the board except value, dining and family, where the evidence is thinner.
Score breakdown, research & sources
How we scored Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
7 categories, scored from official sources and read against what guests actually report. Verified Jul 19, 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.
Everything we read on Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
Restaurants & bars
Palmprint food score 8.3 / 10
- Places to eat
- 3
International buffet · Steakhouse · Mediterranean · Grill
Official RIU gastronomy page confirms a 24-hour all-inclusive concept with buffet, grill/snacks, steakhouse and Mediterranean restaurant; Expedia lists three restaurants.
Venues, opening hours and plan inclusions can change by season. Confirm your choices when booking.
Do you need dinner reservations at Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar?
Official RIU gastronomy page confirms a 24-hour all-inclusive concept with buffet, grill/snacks, steakhouse and Mediterranean restaurant; Expedia lists three restaurants.
Rooms & suites
The rooms in our seasonal price comparison.
| Suite | Occupancy | Bedrooms | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr. SuiteBack to sampled prices | Capacity unverified | Not published | Not published |
| Jr. Suite courtyard viewBack to sampled prices | Capacity unverified | Not published | Not published |
More room options (5)
| Suite | Occupancy | Bedrooms | Aspect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr Suite | Capacity unverified | 1 bedroom | Not published |
| Junior Suite Courtyard View | Capacity unverified | 1 bedroom | Courtyard |
| Superior Ocean Suite | Capacity unverified | 1 bedroom | Ocean |
| Junior Suite Swim-Up | Capacity unverified | 1 bedroom | Not publishedswim-out |
| Villa | Capacity unverified | 1 bedroom | Not published |
Occupancy limits and connecting-room requests should be confirmed for your party before booking.
Pools and the beach
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.
Families & group stays
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.
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, 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.
When to go
Best months: 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°F32°C | 91°F33°C | 91°F33°C | 88°F31°C | 86°F30°C | 84°F29°C | 84°F29°C | 84°F29°C | 86°F30°C | 88°F31°C | 90°F32°C | 90°F32°C |
| 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 |
Average daily highs and monthly rain days. Seasonal averages, not a forecast.
Getting to Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
- Nearest airport
- ZNZ · Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
- Transportation
- Check your package for transfer inclusions and arrangements.
RIU Hotels & Resorts, via RIU Brand Center Source
Your own driver. Possibly a lower price.
A personalized airport pickup could cost less than a taxi or shared shuttle. Compare private transfer prices before you decide.
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Destination essentials & trip planning
Nungwi Rd, Nungwi, North Coast Zanzibar 73107, Tanzania · +255 24 550 1500
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)Our full take on Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar
Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar is a 24-hour all-inclusive on the Nungwi coast, for people who want the island's best swimming beach and a swim-up suite. It has 100 rooms, three pools with a swim-up bar and three restaurants, on the northern tip where the water stays clear and the tide matters less than it does further round the island. Riu's plan runs around the clock, which is the other reason people book it.
Guests praise the beach and the clarity of the water, the pools and the swim-up bar, the staff, and the rooms and suites. The complaints are music carrying over from the Riu Jambo next door, buffet crowding at peak hours, specialty restaurants that do not always stand out, and confusion about whether the resort is adults-only. The thing people wish they had known is that it is family-friendly under current policy, whatever older listings say, and that a quiet room is worth requesting.
The plan covers the buffet and the a la carte restaurants, the snacks, the 24-hour drinks and cocktails, a minibar and Wi-Fi; the spa is extra, the premium labels depend on the rate, the water-sports menu is worth confirming, and the airport transfer is free only for RIU Class members, with other guests paying for the hotel's shuttle, reported at around 80 US dollars one way. The Jr Suite is the value and the Superior Ocean Suite is the room for the view. Anyone who wants silence should ask for a room well away from the neighbouring resort.
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The Mora Zanzibar
Scores higher overall on the same six categories.
Where Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar ranks
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