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.

  • Booking Bonus: Book by 28 Feb '26 to receive up to 20% off certain room types between 1 Dec '25 –31 Oct '26. Terms and conditions apply. Any applicable offers have already been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable. Blackout dates apply.

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 (6919)
  • Very good (1146)
  • Average (293)
  • Poor (110)
  • Terrible (86)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Bliss

Dec 9, 2025 jinks1 Peterborough, United Kingdom

Tagged two days on the end of a work trip and it was utter bliss. Felt very comfortable on my own and well looked after by the staff. Staff were very kind and attentive. Had an amazing massage in the spa and really enjoyed the yoga session. Could hardly believe how many big fish I could see snorkeling from the beach and baby sharks swimming around… Read more
Tagged two days on the end of a work trip and it was utter bliss. Felt very comfortable on my own and well looked after by the staff. Staff were very kind and attentive. Had an amazing massage in the spa and really enjoyed the yoga session. Could hardly believe how many big fish I could see snorkeling from the beach and baby sharks swimming around in the shallows. Amazing food and beach meal. Also liked the natural feel to the island and room was gorgeous. Wouldn't hesitate to book again if I'm lucky enough to revisit. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Staff at dhonveli

Dec 9, 2025 Ashley F

Ramarajan was the nicest person we met on the island. He had the best service and best hospitality. Outstanding with the children and also at making amazing cocktails. Always welcoming with a warm smile he made our trip. A true gentleman 🙏🙏
Image of the Tripadvisor rating AMAZING

Dec 8, 2025 Neela2008

The CINNAMON DHONVELI resort was AMAZING. The over water suite was out of this world and the complex had everything we could have hoped for to keep us entertained. We especially loved the REHENDI pool bar and restaurant, where upon our arrival and 1st meal Srimanti welcomed us with the most amazing smile and the warmest of welcomes. The variety of… Read more
The CINNAMON DHONVELI resort was AMAZING. The over water suite was out of this world and the complex had everything we could have hoped for to keep us entertained. We especially loved the REHENDI pool bar and restaurant, where upon our arrival and 1st meal Srimanti welcomed us with the most amazing smile and the warmest of welcomes. The variety of food was excellent and we could not have asked for anything more than the huge selection of foods. Latheef was exceptionally warm & welcoming and was always so attentive everytime we arrived at the restaurant . Suraj was the best host behind the pool bar and always made us laugh. This holiday has been a dream come true. Everything was perfect! Thank you for our wonderful stay and we hope to visit again. Steve & Neela xxx Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not the best.

Dec 8, 2025 Jasmine A Dungannon, United Kingdom

We recently stayed at this hotel and while the surroundings were beautiful and the grounds were kept clean and tidy, the overall experience fell short — especially for a trip to the Maldives where you expect exceptional standards. Unfortunately, the staff weren’t overly helpful throughout our stay. In the snack bars, our food and drink orders… Read more
We recently stayed at this hotel and while the surroundings were beautiful and the grounds were kept clean and tidy, the overall experience fell short — especially for a trip to the Maldives where you expect exceptional standards. Unfortunately, the staff weren’t overly helpful throughout our stay. In the snack bars, our food and drink orders were often wrong as nothing was ever written down. We had also arranged a honeymoon celebration in advance and picked a specific day, but nothing ever happened, which was a real disappointment. Cleanliness and maintenance were also lacking at times. Our room wasn’t cleaned on multiple occasions and we had to ask several times for it to be done. On top of that, we saw a mouse in the restaurant on two separate occasions, which completely put me off and shouldn’t happen anywhere — never mind in a resort of this level. Overall, the hotel was okay, but when you go to the Maldives you expect the ultimate experience. Sadly, we just didn’t get that here, and based on our stay, we wouldn’t recommend it. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing, relaxing, peaceful, beautiful

Dec 8, 2025 Mark S Portsmouth, United Kingdom

We and my wife came here for our honeymoon this trip was once in a life time for us and it did not disappoint from the day we arrived to the day we went home we could not fault anything the chefs looked after so well making different food from naan breads to garlic jumbo prawns the staff Make this hotel so polite friendly nothing is to much… Read more
We and my wife came here for our honeymoon this trip was once in a life time for us and it did not disappoint from the day we arrived to the day we went home we could not fault anything the chefs looked after so well making different food from naan breads to garlic jumbo prawns the staff Make this hotel so polite friendly nothing is to much trouble i hope one day we can return Read less