RIU opens Riu Palace Swahili as first Elite Club hotel in Zanzibar

International

New adults-only resort in Nungwi marks key milestone for RIU’s luxury expansion in Tanzania

RIU Hotels & Resorts has expanded its presence in the Indian Ocean with the opening of Riu Palace Swahili, its first Elite Club hotel in Zanzibar. Located in the prime area of Nungwi, in the north of the island, the new five-star, adults-only resort is RIU’s third property in Tanzania and introduces two major brand milestones to the destination: the Elite Club service and the launch of RIU Party events.

A new luxury flagship in Nungwi

Riu Palace Swahili features 505 rooms designed in a modern, elegant style and equipped to meet the premium standards of the Riu Palace range. The hotel is positioned as a high-end adults-only retreat, combining beachfront location with an extensive leisure and dining offering.

A key highlight is the introduction of RIU’s Elite Club concept in Zanzibar. The dedicated Elite Club area comprises 76 rooms, including 52 with private swimming pools and 24 with prime sea views. Guests staying in this category benefit from exclusive privileges such as access to the Elite Club Restaurant and Lounge, branded drinks, a reserved beach area with Balinese beds, dedicated drinks service, separate check-in facilities and aromatherapy amenities in the room.

RIU Party debuts in Tanzania

With the opening of Riu Palace Swahili, RIU also brings its RIU Party concept to Tanzania for the first time. The weekly events will take place every Friday at Riu Jambo and will be open to guests from all three RIU hotels on the island, adding a shared entertainment highlight to the destination.

All-inclusive dining and leisure experiences

In line with the Riu Palace brand, the hotel operates on a 24-hour all-inclusive basis. Dining options include the main Karibu restaurant as well as a selection of speciality venues: the fusion-focused Krystal, Italian restaurant Duomo, Mediterranean Helios and a classic Steakhouse. The offer is complemented by Pepe’s Food fast-food kiosk. Extensive terraces allow guests to enjoy the surroundings while dining.

The resort also features six bars with different concepts, including a Lounge Bar, Daiquiri bar, Masai Plaza bar, Konyagi pool bar, Madafu aquatic bar and the Capuchino cake and ice-cream shop. Two large infinity pools are designed to visually blend into the turquoise waters of Nungwi.

Wellness, activities and island experiences

Riu Palace Swahili offers a full daytime activity programme and nightly entertainment with live music. For guests focused on relaxation, the Renova Spa includes a relaxation pool, steam bath and a wide range of treatments. Thanks to its location, guests also have access to water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding at neighbouring Riu Jambo.

Strengthening RIU’s footprint in Zanzibar

RIU has been present in Zanzibar since 2018 and now operates three hotels on the island: Riu Palace Swahili, Riu Palace Zanzibar and Riu Jambo. With this latest opening, the group reinforces its long-term commitment to the destination, further consolidating its position in Nungwi as one of the most attractive resort areas on the African continent.

Further information is available at www.riu.com.