More from Riu Hotels & Resorts
View all →
Rating8.0Hotel Riu Palace Swahili
Zanzibar, Tanzania
View →
Rating8.1Adults OnlyHotel Riu Palace Macao
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
View →Rating8.0Rating8.1Adults OnlyRating8.0Rating8.1Adults OnlyGood
Based on 6.7k reviews
Exceptional Staff
Guests consistently rave about the warm, friendly, and accommodating service that exceeds expectations, making every stay memorable.
Culinary Delights
The resort offers a superb dining experience with high-quality, varied food across its buffet and themed restaurants, catering to diverse palates.
Pristine Beach & Pools
The direct access to Nungwi's beautiful white sands and the resort's well-maintained pools, including an infinity option, are major draws for relaxation.
Immaculate Cleanliness
The entire property, especially the rooms, receives outstanding commendations for its exceptional cleanliness and upkeep.
Tranquil Ambiance
The adults-only setting (until Nov 2025) provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a romantic or relaxing escape.
Air Conditioning Performance
A few guests have reported occasional issues with the air conditioning not performing optimally in rooms.
Premium Inclusions Clarity
Some confusion may arise regarding which premium drinks or specific à la carte dinners are fully included or require extra charges/reservations.
Future Policy Change
Guests planning future stays should be aware the resort transitions from adults-only to family-friendly starting November 1, 2025.
Aggregate score derived from public review platforms. Category scores reflect our editorial assessment based on analysis of guest reviews. ResortFlock is not affiliated with or endorsed by any review platform.
Nungwi Beach sits on Zanzibar's northernmost point where the Indian Ocean stays calm regardless of tide — no seaweed surge, no rocky drop-offs, just consistent turquoise water and white sand. Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar sits directly on that beach, and the location is the clearest reason to book here over other Zanzibar properties. RIU acquired the original 2012 building and completely refurbished it, reopening in November 2019 with 200 rooms at Palace-brand standards.
Through October 2025, this is an adults-only resort — ages 18 and up, no exceptions. That policy creates a noticeably quieter, more deliberate atmosphere than you'd find at a typical beach resort. It works well for couples, honeymooners, and solo travelers who want the Indian Ocean experience without children's pools dominating the landscape. From November 1, 2025, the property reopens as family-friendly, which will alter the atmosphere substantially — book accordingly if the adult-only environment is part of your decision.
The main honest drawback is the room air conditioning. Multiple guest reviews over 2023–2024 flag inconsistent AC performance in certain rooms, particularly upper floors facing inland. Request a sea-facing room and verify the AC before settling in. A secondary issue: some à la carte restaurants and premium drinks carry charges that guests didn't anticipate at booking — confirm the full inclusions list with staff at check-in.
Practically: 200 rooms and suites ranging from 366 sq ft courtyard-view junior suites to 1,345 sq ft villas with private pools. Four restaurants, five-plus bars including a swim-up bar. Airport transfer from Abeid Amani Karume International runs 55 minutes to just over an hour (50–62 km). The resort sits at the upper end of Zanzibar all-inclusive pricing, with private-pool villas pushing into genuine luxury territory.
