Hotel Riu Palace Swahili is an adults-only, 24-hour all inclusive hotel on Nungwi Beach, in the northwest of Zanzibar, rated 4.8 out of 5 on TripAdvisor. Only guests over 18 stay, so you can expect a calm, grown-up atmosphere within a vast 20,000 square metre garden. A short staircase leads from the grounds to the beach, and the surroundings are wild, with turquoise water and white sand. It suits couples looking for a peaceful, well organised holiday where the details are already taken care of.

Every room is a Junior Suite of 37 square metres with a balcony or terrace and a shower. Choose garden view, partial sea view or full sea view, or move up to Elite Club by RIU, where the Junior Suites face the ocean and the Swim Up suites have a private pool. Elite Club adds a reserved beach area with drink service, a lounge, an exclusive pool area, a dedicated restaurant, late check-out, a welcome gift and an upgraded minibar.

RIU Fit runs instructor-led yoga, step, TRX and dance classes, while water activities include paddleboarding, pedalo rides, kayaking and introductory diving lessons in the pool. A daytime programme for adults sits alongside outdoor sports. In the evening, live music, shows and entertainment take place, and the Masai bar terrace and stage suit a lively afternoon of performances.

Three freshwater infinity pools are the centrepiece, each with umbrellas, sunbeds and towels, and one has a swim-up bar serving soft drinks, juices and cocktails. The spa offers treatments, massages, thermal water circuits, heated pools and steam baths, while a fully equipped gym sits alongside the RIU Fit programme. Free sun loungers and umbrellas are set out on the beach, and conference rooms are available for meetings.

Seven restaurants and eight bars sit within the 24-hour all inclusive service. Karibu is the main buffet restaurant, with live cooking stations, vegetarian options and two themed dinner nights a week. Krystal is the gourmet restaurant, Steak House serves pasta, meat and fish, Helios cooks Mediterranean recipes and Duomo is Italian. Bars include the Madafu swim-up bar, Konyagi poolside bar, Capuchino patisserie, Masai bar with its terrace and stage, Lounge Bar for signature cocktails and the Daiquiri lobby bar.

The hotel offers tours and activities organised by local guides and businesses, and shares information on local ecosystems, heritage and culture, so you can explore Zanzibar beyond the garden. Nungwi Beach lies in the northwest of the island, with the turquoise water and white sand of the Zanzibar coast at your door.