Location was perfect ! The all inclusive was amazing , all food was extremely good and good variety of stuff served ! Drinks,cocktails! I loved the fact that you could walk over to their sister hotel which is the riu jumbo and also get served food and drinks ! Their staff were also very nice and friendly! We will definitely be visiting again

Nothing!

The food is very tasty, very diverse on the same day, but throughout the week the menu doesn’t change at all. The staff is nice but could improve…

housekeeping entered the room when it was "don't disturb"

The beach was amazing - white sand and crystal blue water. There are a few locals selling things but they generally don't heckle in an unpleasant way. The room was comfortable. Bathroom was nice but could be updated. The main buffet was excellent - decent range and quality of food compared to many other 5-star hotels. The buffet service was great. We were celebrating our honeymoon, and received a nice bottle of sparkling which was a nice extra touch.

We didn't love using the app all the time. It took away from the 5-star feeling of the resort and made it feel like we were signing up for gym classes or something. Front reception service could be warmer.

The hotel is fully stocked. Food, drink, entertainment, it's all at your fingertips. The staff were auper attentive and welcoming. I felt very spoiled and well taken care of. I also appreciated how vast the property was. Although there were other guests around, it never felt busy or overcrowded.

Clear communications about what is included. For example, they never mentioned free access to nearby Riu Jambo was part of our package. I only learned about this from other guest reviews. Also, ironically, the quality of the food at the main restaurant was better than at the speciality restaurant (Krystals was a huge letdown). Finally...and not the hotel's fault, beware of hawkers at the ocean front. They really disturbed my tranquillity because I kept getting harassed every 2 steps when walking on the beach.

The staff was actually outstanding from the check in onwards, regardless if we were at the restaurant, the bar, the beach …. The whole resort is lovely with all the big garden areas between the nice arranged housing blocks. Especially compared to the beaches at other hotels and resorts at this stretch, the beach of Riu Palace Zanzibar is one of the best. At least in the morning the beach was cleaned by the staff, so we had no rubbish from the excursion boats and no sea weed. We ate only at the main restaurant, as it was very good every day, with a good range of different dishes. The drinks and small bites at the all bars leave nothing to be desired. Last but not least the very good spa, Renova Spa has to be mentioned. We had in total 5 treatments and every one was worth the money. At Renova Spa the staff was excellent as well. … guess it’s no surprise, that we highly recommend this resort!

Unfortunately it was highly common during our whole stay, that guests went to the pool and the sun loungers & parasols areas early in the morning and blocked sunbeds, but didn’t show up until midday. On most days all sunbeds were reservated before 8 am. So we highly recommend to the management, that, as in other hotels, there should be implemented and executed some rules regarding this issue.

The resort is superb all round.. The food was exceptional. The specialty restaurants were superb. We must mention Ms Ines who was exceptional at solving a small problem we had at the end of our stay. Her professionalism was exemplary.

If I had to comment about anything, I would say that an upgrade of the facilities on the beach would help. Most of the umbrellas were damaged and if you are not on the beach early enough you got a cranky beach-bed. Also the resort has no F & B service on the beach itself so one has to walk to the hotel beach next door (RIU Jumbo) for service.

During our stay at the resort, we were truly impressed by the exceptional level of service and hospitality provided by the staff. The friendly and attentive team at Riu Palace Zanzibar made us feel welcomed from the moment we arrived until the day of our departure. Their professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond exceeded my expectations. Moreover, the resort's facilities are truly top-notch. The exquisite cuisine served at the restaurants was a culinary delight, and we must say that the food was nothing short of amazing. The variety and quality of the meals offered left us thoroughly satisfied, and we enjoyed every dining experience during our stay. Furthermore, the facilities at Riu Palace Zanzibar are unparalleled. From the luxurious accommodations to the stunning swiiming pools and beachfront location, every aspect of the resort exudes excellence. The attention to detail and the level of comfort provided made our stay truly memorable. We commend Riu Palace Zanzibar for creating a truly exceptional resort experience. We have no hesitation in recommending this resort to anyone looking for a luxurious and unforgettable getaway. Thank you once again to the entire team at Riu Palace Zanzibar for making our stay a truly memorable one. We look forward to returning in the near future.

I had a great time at the hotel! It’s an ideal place to relax. The staff are very attentive and always ready to help. The food was above average for an all-inclusive resort. The beach is stunning, and the sea temperature is perfect—so pleasant that you can easily spend hours in the water.

I stayed in the northern section of the hotel property (room 322). Unfortunately, this area is located next to the electric generator and a workshop where metal is cut, resulting in unpleasant noise as early as 7am. The hotel did offer me a room change, but be aware: if you stay in this area, you may be woken up early by the noise. In a country with high poverty rates, the beach area presents a striking contrast. Beach vendors can be persistent and often harass tourists.

Honestly, everything! From the moment I arrived, the experience was seamless and exceptional. The staff were incredibly warm, professional, and attentive — they made me feel genuinely welcomed. The room was spotless, stylish, and thoughtfully arranged for comfort. Every detail, from the amenities to the service, was beyond expectations. The food was delicious, the atmosphere serene, and the location perfect. It truly felt like a home away from home — but even better. I can’t wait to return!

Absolutely nothing. Everything was handled with such care and attention to detail that I genuinely have no complaints. It was one of those rare experiences where everything just felt right.

Food was excellent with a huge choice in the buffet restaurant each day. Plenty of pools, loungers to accomodate all guests at the hotel. Good selection of free activities at the local Scuba Caribe centre, with additional paid trips/scuba available too.

The booking system for speciality restaurants through the app is tricky as we found every restaurant was booked up when we arrived. However we later found time slots only released two days in advance to book. This could have been communicated better but we managed to get reservations through reception desk. (just a heads up for anyone visiting)