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.

Board basis options

Full Board option: includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mineral water and regular coffee/tea will be included during meal times only (upon request).

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.

Please note: Virgin All-Inclusive packages are no longer available to book. Rest assured, if you’ve already made a booking, your package remains unchanged and will be honoured.

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
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6865)
  • Very good (1139)
  • Average (293)
  • Poor (107)
  • Terrible (86)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating lovely

Nov 16, 2025 Helen J London, United Kingdom

Amazing trip and resort was lovely. Beach bungalow was great and spacious. We were worried it be all couples, but not at all. Most of them are in oversea bungalows and quite separate from us. Lots to do if you want to- snorkelling, yoga, table tennis, tennis, pool etc. Downside: 2 hour slots for breakfast/lunch/dinner, not ideal for a relaxing… Read more
Amazing trip and resort was lovely. Beach bungalow was great and spacious. We were worried it be all couples, but not at all. Most of them are in oversea bungalows and quite separate from us. Lots to do if you want to- snorkelling, yoga, table tennis, tennis, pool etc. Downside: 2 hour slots for breakfast/lunch/dinner, not ideal for a relaxing holiday. Breakfast finished @ 9.30 am- way too early & dinner starts 7.30 pm (too late). The food is good, but for vegetarians limited. Everyday there be 7/8 main fish and meat dishes and 1 veggie main/curry. Had to request for dishes to me made. Also there do not let you go minute over allocated time, which i have never seen before at any hotel/resort. They come and tell you few times they clearing up, can really be a killjoy when eating and in the flow of conversation. Drinks ok on the package, but disappointed no sparkling wine. Also got bitten alive, take spray, creams, etc as expensive on island. Take beach shoes. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Truly Amazing Week at Cinnamon Dhonveli

Nov 16, 2025 Anton S Wembley, United Kingdom

We’ve just come back to the UK after a 7-night stay at Cinnamon Dhonveli, and honestly, we had an amazing time. We’ve stayed at Cinnamon hotels before, but this one really stands out. From the moment we landed in Malé, everything was easy. We walked over to the Cinnamon counter at the airport and they handled everything straight away. The… Read more
We’ve just come back to the UK after a 7-night stay at Cinnamon Dhonveli, and honestly, we had an amazing time. We’ve stayed at Cinnamon hotels before, but this one really stands out. From the moment we landed in Malé, everything was easy. We walked over to the Cinnamon counter at the airport and they handled everything straight away. The 25-minute speedboat ride was a nice start to the holiday, and when we arrived, the staff were waiting at the jetty with big smiles. Check-in took only a few minutes, and Ren at the front office was brilliant. She explained everything clearly and gave us a fantastic room (712). The island itself is absolutely beautiful. You really do have those “wow” moments just walking around. The place is run incredibly well too, you can tell the staff are trained properly and actually enjoy what they do, because every single person we met was friendly and genuinely helpful. We ate most of our meals at the Rehendi restaurant and loved it. A huge thank you to Head Chef Sanjeewa, who made the effort to speak to us and make sure we were looked after. Also, a big thanks to Ahmed for the warm service every day, Srimanti for organising everything behind the scenes, Khair for the amazing live cooking, Keshala for her lovely salads, and Salia for the shawarma and fried dishes. There was always plenty of choice and the food never felt repetitive. The evening entertainment was one of the highlights for us. DJ Kishor was brilliant — always smiling, playing great tunes and mixing in his own unique style that actually gets people dancing. Whether it was at the beach disco or at the bar, he read the crowd perfectly. It just added a really fun vibe to the evenings. We went for the standard all-inclusive and found it absolutely fine with more than enough drink options. A couple of tips for anyone going: bring beach shoes, take some US dollars for small bits, and pack plenty of suncream. Overall, a huge thank you to the GM and everyone working at the resort. Everything ran smoothly, and the whole team made the stay feel special. We’ll definitely be back. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Anniversary

Nov 15, 2025 Trip44809462206

Sattar has made the days fantastic round the pool. He is is such a joy to see everyday. He leaves the sunbeds with flowers on and can't do enough to help you . What a guy he is
Image of the Tripadvisor rating was very good was very good very quiet very chill and hope so. I hope I get back next year because very lovely people ve

Nov 13, 2025 Alpizar C

Everything is was all good amazing time with the amazing people Rama sunset bar always very friendly and big smiley all the time we make happy for us. I hope you’re gonna be keep here forever thank you.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Our dreams resort

Nov 13, 2025 DanK1898

One of our best holiday ever! Special thanks to the WelcomingTeam, Srimanti, Leem and Sattar for exceptionell service👍❤️