Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Star rating

Superior Room Ocean View
Superior Room Ocean View
Beach Bungalow
Beach Bungalow
Beach Bungalow
Water Bungalow
Junior Beach Suite
Beach Suite with pool
Beach Suite with pool
Beach Suite with pool
Junior Beach Suite
Over Water Suite
Over Water Suite
Over Water Suite
Private Pool for Over Water Suite guests
Beach Bar
Welcome lounge
Koimala Restaurant
Raiyvilla Bar
Raiyvilla Bar
Romantic dining on the beach
Superior Room Ocean View
Superior Room Ocean View
Beach Bungalow
Beach Bungalow
Beach Bungalow
Water Bungalow
Junior Beach Suite
Beach Suite with pool
Beach Suite with pool
Beach Suite with pool
Junior Beach Suite
Over Water Suite
Over Water Suite
Over Water Suite
Private Pool for Over Water Suite guests
Beach Bar
Welcome lounge
Koimala Restaurant
Raiyvilla Bar
Raiyvilla Bar
Romantic dining on the beach

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
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6903)
  • Very good (1145)
  • Average (293)
  • Poor (108)
  • Terrible (86)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful setting, awkward rules

Dec 2, 2025 Teresa L Dublin, Ireland

The setting is fantastic. It’s a compact island with everything you need . It’s eco friendly and well maintained. The junior suite villa by the beach is fantastic. Especially the outdoor bathrooms! The staff are very helpful. The only downside is the extensive rules and restrictions. Different rules apply to different packages. We were forced… Read more
The setting is fantastic. It’s a compact island with everything you need . It’s eco friendly and well maintained. The junior suite villa by the beach is fantastic. Especially the outdoor bathrooms! The staff are very helpful. The only downside is the extensive rules and restrictions. Different rules apply to different packages. We were forced to eat in a restaurant that required taking a golf buggy , while there was a perfectly lovely restaurant 3 min walk away. This is particularly inconvenient when there’s a baby and stroller involved. Also there are early speed boat transfers available but you don’t find out until arrival that you can’t order food until 10am .. or 10:30am if you are on a different “package”. All these rules and conditions are too much to follow when you’re seeking a tropical island setting where you can allow your brain to switch off! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Honeymoon staycation

Dec 1, 2025 Julnar H

Everything is amazing we had the best time! Great place for couples and families as well Special thanks to Mr Sattar for pictures and he also gave us a frame as a gift ! Best service !
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Unforgettable

Dec 1, 2025 Ahmad D

Amazing experience and an amazing staff. It's a great place for honey moons or a couple journey. Sattar was very friendly and helpful. He also took a lot of pictures for us and made a frame for us . And that's all free of charge!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A stunning and friendly paradise

Nov 30, 2025 timlewington Ruthin, United Kingdom

A beautiful place. Staff great especially Osi and Lasaan. Slight mis happ made was corrected wonderfully by the very supportive manager. Want to go again.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A lovely place with excellent service.

Nov 29, 2025 870ht East Midlands, United Kingdom

Overall we were very impressed with the resort, it was our 1st trip to The Maldives and the location is stunning. We were in a water bungalow and all inclusive. Pros - Breakfast, lunch and dinner were good, lots and lots of variety. The facilities were very good, everything was clean and well maintained. Staff could not have been more helpful,… Read more
Overall we were very impressed with the resort, it was our 1st trip to The Maldives and the location is stunning. We were in a water bungalow and all inclusive. Pros - Breakfast, lunch and dinner were good, lots and lots of variety. The facilities were very good, everything was clean and well maintained. Staff could not have been more helpful, service everywhere on the resort was excellent. The bungalow was lovely, picture windows onto the sea, a large bathroom with a huge shower and excellent AC in the bedroom (but not the bathroom), everything you could need, they even filled the minibar with our preferred soft drink rather than the variety of items it would usually have and called us the following day to make sure this had been done. There was a large shower. The outside space of our accommodation consisted of a deck area with 2 good sun lounges, outside lights and steps to a swimming area. Regarding location, it is only a 30 minutes speed boat ride from Male airport, you are collected at the door and the welcome on the island is very good. If you’ve had a long flight I would recommend jotting down the information you are given (especially about restaurants etc) at the welcome as I was very tired and forgot most of what they said, however, everyone was so helpful it wasn’t a problem to ask again. Cons - The snacks on offer during the day were OK if you wanted burger and fries but was limited as there were few healthy options such as fruit, low fat/low carb options. In the bathroom there was a jacuzzi corner bath which at first appeared a lovely addition but unfortunately the hot water systems in the bungalows are not big enough to make it useable, it took 3 to 4 tanks to get enough water to soak and by the time the 4th tank went in the 1st and 2nd tanks were getting cold. Nice idea but not practical with the plumbing system. WiFi was available everywhere but band width wasn’t great, devices wouldn’t sync, large files would not download and streaming on personal devices was hit and miss. Extra activities such as jet ski hire were very very expensive. In summary if you would like a holiday in The Maldives I would recommend Cinnamon Dhonveli. Read less