We were advised by your agent that we could use all the facilities at the Sister hotel the Riu Jambo next door. To us this was then the perfect option as both would offer all we wanted from our holiday. This turned out not to be the case..At check in we asked about how we go about using the facilities at the Riu Jambo next door, to be told we are not able to do this. We can only go there for the Friday night party. We explained we had been told we could. They said this option had ceased last year. So now we were in what was a lovely hotel but it did not have everything we had booked for. The Riu Palace only has one evening location open and no swim up bar. It had no other facility you could use in the evening if you wanted to spend time away from the entertainment. The hotel itself aas lovely but really needs another evening bar lounge at the top. Its a steep hill back to the rooms. All the restaurants are at the bottom. The entertainment was a bit repetitive and the last day courtesy room. Small and no air con so you get very hot rushing to get ready . It had a blocked shower when we went to use it. So needed to wait for maintenance. Staff are friendly and restaurant food was good

“Vakantie Zanzibar en Safari in Tanzania”

Zeer mooie vakantie in het RIU Palace Zanzibar in Zanzibar, hotel was zeer goed uiterst vriendelijk en behulpzaam personeel, goed eten en drinken, mooie en schone kamers, een zeer mooi resort. Safari in Tanzania geboekt, s'morgens vroeg opgehaald en naar het vliegveld gebracht, met een vliegtuigje ca. 40 minuten vliegen naar Tanzania en van het vliegveldje direct in een safari-jeep aan de safari begonnen. uiterst deskundige gids begon direct met uitleg omtrent het landschap en de dieren. Heel leerzaam en bijzonder mooi. De excursie naar een specerijen farm was heel interessant en leerzaam alsmede de rondleiding in Stonetown is een aanrader.

Hotel Riu Palace Zanzibar First Class from start to finish Check In – arrived at the hotel 2.30pm after 3 hour delay in Nairobi and travelling for 24 hours from door to door. Was greeted with drinks on arrival, wash cloth and given our room key. I had checked in online before arriving – so the whole process was very smooth and quick. We were advised to go for something to eat as lunch would finish at 3pm (they took us down to the restaurant in the golf buggy to save time). After lunch we went to our room. Room – we were in a junior suite with courtyard view – positioned right up near reception block 300. The room was a lovely size. Loads of wardrobe space. The shower was huge (you could shower a whole family in there!!!). Mini bar replenished daily if needed. Massive bed. TV. Safety deposit box. The house keeping staff kept the room beautiful and immaculate for our whole stay. Flower displays on our bed every day. Could not fault anything about the room. Grounds – the gardens are superb and a joy to walk through. Beautiful trees, bushes and shrubs. A really nice touch – some of the plants had name tags on them so you knew what they were. The gardeners worked really hard to make sure they were immaculate. Not a leaf out of place. Well done gardening team. Restaurant – we only went to the buffet restaurant (even though there were 3 speciality restaurants). The food was fabulous. Great choice (we are both vegetarian) – we had plenty of delicious food to pick from for all 3 meals. You really couldn’t wish for better quality food. There were lots of different stations – soup, bread, fish, meat, Indian, Chinese, vegetarian, salad, pasta, pizza, fruit, desserts, ice cream, chocolate fountain. We really miss it now we are back at home!!! Staff – every single member of staff should be praised. From housekeeping, gardeners, reception, admin, porters, staff working in the pools, bar, restaurant, entertainment, security, shop and spa. Every person you came across talked to you. Everyone was super friendly. First class service from every single one of them. Bar – beautiful bar areas with top quality drinks. Wonderful cocktails, bottled beers, bottled soft drinks. Great table service. Entertainment – we have been to lots of hotels around the world and the entertainment at this hotel was by far the best we’ve seen. The Freedom Dancers on a Monday were particularly good. So captivating and entertaining. There was also African Dancing, Saxophonist, Drumming, Acrobats, Singing, Piano. All brilliant. Gym – my husband and I went to the gym every day. Equipped with lots of equipment – might not be what you have back at home – but it will be adequate. Two treadmills, stair climber, bikes (3), elliptical (2), free weights and machines. Cold water and towels provided. Pools/Ocean/Sun Lounging areas – there were 3 pools. All lovely and clean – but very cold!!!! There were lots of sun loungers around the pool area – many beds available all day long. Parasols available. My husband and I choose the sandy area just before you go down onto the beach. The view from here was stunning. You could never tire of it. It simply was the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen of the ocean. You could see boats, jet skis, ladies fishing in the morning, kayaks, pedalos going back and forth from here too. You will never see ocean like this!!!! It takes your breath away. From here there were just a few wooden steps down to the beach – sun beds available here too. The sand is powder white leading to the beautiful (but very cold ocean). You can see starfish in the water. There isn’t any seaweed. You can walk left or right from here past all the other hotels. It is very safe to walk along – you do get approach by local people selling things – but if you just say you aren’t interested they leave you alone. They are after all trying to make a living – just like all of us. They will invite you to their shops – which are just an area on the beach where they have all their stuff – Zanzibar football shirts, locally made dresses, sarongs, wooden animals – the usual stuff. They will also try to sell you day trips. There are also pool towels provided. Another lovely touch – staff came around with iced water, iced tea, cocktails and fruit skewers whilst you were relaxing. We will never forget our stay at this lovely hotel. From arriving to leaving we were treat like royalty. Well done to everyone who works here. We booked our holiday with Tui. We were on two of their excursions – catamaran and snorkelling tour to Mnemba Marine Park and Tumbatu Island Snorkelling or Diving. Both trips were amazing. Looked after by the crew. Saw amazing fish. The catamaran trip lasted about 8 hours was really great value for money. There were only 12 of us on board so had lots of space, had lunch, all drinks included, we finished with watching the sunset with glass of champagne. The Tumbatu Island snorkelling – there was only me and my husband on board – so we had the boat to ourselves. We were out 5 hours. Had an amazing time.

Food was the same every day based on buffet, Very little entertainment, The beaches were poor with traders trying to sell and overcome by market stalls

“Zanzibar”

Hotel riu palace zanzibar is een topper. Supervriendelijk personeel en heel proper. Kamers en eten altyd top.