Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Star rating

The hotel

The Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives takes its name from the Maldivian word for crystal white sand, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Dhonveli is situated on a private island, surrounded by the sparkling turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. A secluded tropical paradise, the resort combines authentic Maldivian design and décor with modern comforts, facilities and amenities, to offer guests the ultimate Maldivian holiday experience. Why not treat yourself to a stay in an Over Water Suite — resting over the shallow waters surrounding the island, they offer privacy and seclusion. They have a spacious bedroom and a living area with glass panel to watch the marine life below, whilst outside a private sun deck has steps directly down into the water.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Snorkelling
  • Honeymoon
  • Bar
  • Hot tub
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

On its own private island in Kaafu Atoll, in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Transfer time from Malé International Airport: 25 minutes by speedboat.

Hotel information

148 rooms. All with balcony or terrace, air conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, iron, safe, and spacious indoor/outdoor bathrooms, some with bathtub and/or separate rainfall shower and bath amenities. Superior Ocean View Rooms are located in two-storey buildings facing the ocean, with 1 king-size bed (2 additional beds on request), sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

All Inclusive packages run from 08:00am–midnight. Any drinks consumed outside of these hours will be charged on consumption.

All Inclusive package: includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Selection of local snacks are serviced between the hours of 10:30am-11:30am, 4:30pm–6:00pm & 10:30pm–11:30pm. Unlimited regular house brands from a selection of spirits and wines (served by the glass only), unlimited cocktails and mocktails from a select menu, selection of draught beer, selection of carbonated soft drinks, canned fruit juice, mineral water plus tea and coffee at all outlets. Access to gym, badminton, tennis, squash courts, table tennis, billiard, snooker, beach volleyball (equipment included).

Virgin All Inclusive: includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. A selection of local and premium branded spirits, wine, beer and cocktails, soft drinks, fresh juices and milkshakes, tea and coffee. Plus one seafood grill steak dinner at the table once per stay, special turndown service with chocolate and mini-bar including soft drinks and beer (replenished once daily). One dolphin watching excursion per stay. Use of fitness centre, badminton, tennis courts, table tennis, billiards and beach volleyball.

Premium All Inclusive package: includes all inclusions of the standard package plus a welcome bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, in-room mini-bar stocked with beer, soft drinks and selection of snacks (replenished daily), premium International brand spirits wines and cocktails, unlimited fresh juice and milkshakes, 2 complimentary excursions from selected list - per person per stay (weather permitting), invitation to two special themed party events organised by the resort, one special dinner on the beach with the option of a mixed seafood grill or steak, signature 60 minute Balinese spa treatment at Mandara Spa once every 5-night stay, turndown service every night and outside the hours of 08:00am–12:00am any drinks consumed (regardless of AI package booked) will be charged on consumption.

Room upgrades

Beach Bungalows are located around the bay, offering stunning views of the glistening Indian Ocean, with 1 king-size bed and separate divan/day bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults and 1 child.

Water Bungalows are located on the southwest side of the island and offer 66 sq m of living space, state-of-the-art entertainment facilities and a spacious private terrace leading out to the lagoon. Each bungalow comes with a Jacuzzi, 1 king-size bed and separate divan/day bed, sleeping maximum adults.

Junior Beach Suites are located on the beach with an outdoor verandah and terrace and an open-air shower or bathtub with 1 king-size bed and separate divan/day bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Over Water Suites are situated on the northwest side of the island and have a total of 85 sq m of living space with a glass floor panel, and a private outdoor terrace, sleeping maximum 3 adults. Over Water Suite guests enjoy exclusive access to the resort’s Rehendhi Restaurant and Bar, serving gourmet buffets and wines from the attached wine cellar, plus an exclusive swimming pool to while away the hours.

Beach Suite with Pool are a 2 story unit with a separate living and bedroom space overlooking the beach front and an outdoor shower with 1 king-size bed and single/day bed on upper floor and the option for a rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Ground Floor Suites have a day bed which can be used as a single bed, sleeping maximum 5 adults and 3 adults and 2 children.

Koimala Main Restaurant (open for buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner; international cuisine), Maakana Restaurant (buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, exclusive for Water Bungalow guests), Tex Mex* (à la carte, Mexican cuisine), Rehendhi Restaurant & Bar (exclusive for guests in Overwater Suites and Beach Suites with Pool). Raalhu Bar (serving a selection of cocktails). Raiyvilla Bar. Beach Bar. Room service*.

Please note: guests staying in Water Bungalows may also dine at Maakana Restaurant and guests staying in Suite categories may dine at the exclusive Rehendhi Restaurant, as well as Koimala or Maakana. Other guests may also dine in Rehendhi with a local surcharge (reservations required, subject to availability).

Wide variety of entertainment and activities including beach parties, cocktail demonstrations, cookery sessions, saxophonist, Balinese dance and live bands. 

Freshwater swimming pool with kids pool, plus exclusive infinity pool for Over Water Suite guests. Chavana Spa* with sauna and aromatherapy bath. Mini-gym. Snorkelling*, windsurfing*, kayaking* and catamaran sailing*. Motorised water sports*. PADI certified scuba diving*. Tennis court, beach volleyball, table tennis (floodlighting*), billiards. Excursions available*, including fishing, island visits and dolphin watching. 

Complimentary WiFi for Virgin Holidays' guests.

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 12.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6531)
  • Very good (1116)
  • Average (288)
  • Poor (105)
  • Terrible (84)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best surfing holiday resort in Maldives

Jun 10, 2025 Keolhobeybedoonya

I have visited this resort many times over the years and I can honestly say the experience just gets better and better. The resort is constantly being improved and upgraded to keep abreast of the travellers needs and expectations in a rapidly advancing technical world. To this end they have covered all bases exceedingly well providing the very… Read more
I have visited this resort many times over the years and I can honestly say the experience just gets better and better. The resort is constantly being improved and upgraded to keep abreast of the travellers needs and expectations in a rapidly advancing technical world. To this end they have covered all bases exceedingly well providing the very best of creature comforts coupled with the finest dining restaurants all serviced by super professional and friendly staff. Management have also initiated several environmental and sustainability programs including an organic herb and spice garden to supply their own needs as well as a coral restoration program. The island boasts a world class surf break called Pasta Point managed by the original pioneering surf company Atoll Adventures. Their knowledge, expertise and service is second to none when catering to the travelling surfer. With experienced and friendly surf guides and several boats and crews on hand to provide access to any number of other nearby surfbreaks its hard to beat this kind of package anywhere in the world. I would like thank everyone at Dhonveli and Atoll Adventures for another great surf holiday experience and no doubt see you all again before too long. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Cinnamon was best ❤️❤️❤️

Jun 10, 2025 Mahbubur R

Rfafiqul he provide very good service ro me. Raf he Was make Very nice cocktails on the brach he is the best bar man one tRfafiqul he provide very good service ro me. Raf he Was make Very nice cocktails on the brach he is the best bar man one the island ❤️❤️❤️❤️cinnamon is best he island ❤️❤️❤️❤️cinnamon is best,,
Image of the Tripadvisor rating It is family vacation

Jun 10, 2025 Zhanerke A

We are coming to family vacation for Maldive. We are enjoying so much. This is great place. Food is good. Room is good. Everything super all staff is very friendly. We are allowed to come back again. You are enjoy and relax for the life. We met sattar he gave me a nice flower and took the pictures like it so happy today afternoon we are enjoy so… Read more
We are coming to family vacation for Maldive. We are enjoying so much. This is great place. Food is good. Room is good. Everything super all staff is very friendly. We are allowed to come back again. You are enjoy and relax for the life. We met sattar he gave me a nice flower and took the pictures like it so happy today afternoon we are enjoy so much thank you so much for everything is Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great for the budget travel

Jun 9, 2025 olgad256 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Firstly, I booked a garden villa, but when I arrived and saw the villa I was very disappointed as I didn’t like it. Then the hotel management solved this issue and I moved me to another amazing villa which I really loved. Thanks to them for that, I really appreciated it, as otherwise my vacation would be completely ruined. The beach is very… Read more
Firstly, I booked a garden villa, but when I arrived and saw the villa I was very disappointed as I didn’t like it. Then the hotel management solved this issue and I moved me to another amazing villa which I really loved. Thanks to them for that, I really appreciated it, as otherwise my vacation would be completely ruined. The beach is very beautiful, only one thing which was a bit missing for me is the lack of privacy on the beach. There’s only one area on the whole island where you can swim, and this is a public beach. That’s it, nowhere else to swim without waves and strong current. Water bungalows and suites have private area for swimming, but the current there is very strong, so I didn’t risk it. But this is not the hotel can do something about it, it’s the structure of the island itself. Another thing which was completely intolerable for me is that breakfast was only until 9:30am! And in general, you have only 2 hours for breakfast/lunch/dinner. Breakfast 7:30-9:30 Lunch 12:30-14:30 Dinner 19:30-21:30 That’s why I’m giving 4* review, on a resort I wanna relax and take my time, but not to rush to a restaurant worrying that it will be closed soon and I won’t get a chance to eat. This timing should be adjusted and improved. Really, I couldn’t get on with it and always felt like in a rush and hurry, which was giving me anxiety and worries. Also, the variety of food every day was the same. Which was also a bit depressing. Other than that all were great, very friendly staff, beautiful views. You get what you pay for. Thanks to Mira and Prashan from reception, all restaurant staff who had to bear with me every time as I was leaving restaurants 30 minutes after closure, always 😂 and thanks to yoga teacher, I forgot his name, unfortunately, and I wanted to mention him in my instagram stories for that amazing yoga session which he gave us. THANKS! 🙏 I love Maldives 🩵 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating It is first time holiday, Maldive not last

Jun 9, 2025 Вадим П

We are coming to holiday for first time for cinema don’t believe Maldive so we are so happy to follow this silent we are allowed to so much all the stuff is very friendly but one guy something different sattar he making so happy he gave you a nice flower and he give you the so much smiling and laughing and he took a very nice photo. My husband is… Read more
We are coming to holiday for first time for cinema don’t believe Maldive so we are so happy to follow this silent we are allowed to so much all the stuff is very friendly but one guy something different sattar he making so happy he gave you a nice flower and he give you the so much smiling and laughing and he took a very nice photo. My husband is very happy to hear he with the flower and took the pictures. Thanks a lot for him. We are allowed to come back again. I hope he making everyone is very happy. He is the personality. He’s this is just a while with the customer is very happy. Read less