RIU Hotels & Resorts has expanded its footprint in East Africa with the opening of Riu Palace Swahili, a five-star, adults-only resort in Nungwi, on the northern tip of Zanzibar.
The launch adds a third RIU property in Tanzania and signals the company’s growing focus on high-end leisure travel in the Indian Ocean market.
The resort opens at a time when Zanzibar continues to draw long-haul travelers seeking beach destinations paired with resort-style service.
For RIU, the project also serves as a test ground for new premium offerings aimed at travelers willing to pay more for privacy, space and tailored service.
Riu Palace Swahili introduces the company’s Elite Club concept to the island.
It also brings the RIU Party format to Tanzania, a weekly event hosted at the nearby Riu Jambo and open to guests across the brand’s Zanzibar properties.
Together, the additions reflect a broader push by global hotel groups to diversify experiences beyond traditional room-and-board stays, blending leisure, entertainment and upgraded service tiers.
Rooms and Elite Club experience
The resort features 505 rooms designed with a modern, coastal style and fitted with amenities that match the Riu Palace standard.
The Elite Club section includes 76 rooms, with 52 offering private pools and 24 facing the ocean.
Guests in this category receive access to a private restaurant, a reserved beach area with Balinese beds, branded drinks at the Elite Club Lounge and a separate check-in area.
In-room touches include aromatherapy items and upgraded service features.
Dining, leisure and wellness
Riu Palace Swahili operates on a 24-hour all-inclusive model. Dining options include the Karibu main restaurant, the Krystal fusion venue, Italian restaurant Duomo, Mediterranean outlet Helios and a steakhouse, alongside Pepe’s Food kiosk for casual bites.
The property also has six bars, two infinity pools overlooking the ocean and a daily schedule of activities and evening shows.
Guests can use the Renova Spa for treatments, steam baths and relaxation areas, while water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding are available at nearby Riu Jambo.
With this opening, RIU strengthens its presence in Zanzibar, where it has operated since 2018.
The company now runs Riu Palace Swahili, Riu Palace Zanzibar and Riu Jambo, reinforcing its position in one of Africa’s fastest-growing leisure destinations
