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.

Please note: Meal plan inclusions are defined by the hotel and are subject to change at any time without notice.

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
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (7101)
  • Very good (1170)
  • Average (298)
  • Poor (112)
  • Terrible (87)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Paradise, made our honeymoon perfect

Mar 2, 2026 JordannaB10

From start to finish we had an amazing experience from cinnamon dhonveli. The speedboat from the airport was wonderful and we were greeted with cold towels and fresh mango juice on arrival at reception. We booked a water bungalow and it was simply stunning with my husband happy that he could see reef sharks as soon as we got there! The beach and… Read more
From start to finish we had an amazing experience from cinnamon dhonveli. The speedboat from the airport was wonderful and we were greeted with cold towels and fresh mango juice on arrival at reception. We booked a water bungalow and it was simply stunning with my husband happy that he could see reef sharks as soon as we got there! The beach and lagoon were wonderful and our twice daily snorkelling was like a scene out of disneys finding nemo. We brought our own masks and water shoes as previously recommended and used plenty of factor 50 suncream to try and protect our very white skin. We went on two trips with the diving company to see sea turtles and their fish tank experience which was worth every penny. Also renting go pro cameras for both experiences. The food and service in our restaurant was out of this world with a special mention to Srimanti and Jaleel whose customer service was exemplary! We also had the romantic meal on the beach by candlelight which was stunning. I also enjoyed a Balinese massage at the spa which was so relaxing that I struggled to stay awake afterwards! Lastly and for the first time on holiday we used the laundry service which I thoroughly recommend and will save us a lot of washing when we go home today. Thankyou Cinnamon Dhonveli for making our honeymoon the best it could be!!! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Highly recommended!

Mar 2, 2026 Coastal65719068572

We had a great time and all the staff were so warm and friendly! Special thanks to Ren who welcomed us and made sure all our needs were taken care of.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relaxation and wonderful snorkeling

Mar 2, 2026 Timofey_and_Son

The reality just exceeded our expectations! The Lovely Resort with a very kind and proffecional service were amanded with wonderfull nature. We were especially excited about the diversity of the breathtaking underwater life. Snorkeling is a must in this place! Please keep on with your wildlife friendly program and share your best experience with… Read more
The reality just exceeded our expectations! The Lovely Resort with a very kind and proffecional service were amanded with wonderfull nature. We were especially excited about the diversity of the breathtaking underwater life. Snorkeling is a must in this place! Please keep on with your wildlife friendly program and share your best experience with other resorts around, if appropriate. We had a great time, thanking for all and hope to return here in the future! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A little bit of Paradise.

Mar 1, 2026 Hannah M

We visited Cinnamon Dhonveli for our Honeymoon, it was our 1st time to the Maldives and we loved it. What an idyllic place. Cinnamon Dhonveli everyone was so lovely from arrival to leaving, the waiters in the restaurant, Ismail and Lezhan were fantastic, the chefs, food was amazing I never struggled to find something to eat (and I am a fussy… Read more
We visited Cinnamon Dhonveli for our Honeymoon, it was our 1st time to the Maldives and we loved it. What an idyllic place. Cinnamon Dhonveli everyone was so lovely from arrival to leaving, the waiters in the restaurant, Ismail and Lezhan were fantastic, the chefs, food was amazing I never struggled to find something to eat (and I am a fussy eater) there was always so much choice.. The Dive centre guys were fab and the excursions we went on were out of this world. Our whole experience was 1st class and we will definitely be back! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Memories for a lifetime

Feb 28, 2026 vdovey Horsham, United Kingdom

I felt compelled to write a review after the negative reviews I read online. We just returned from a 7 day trip to the Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and everything was just perfect. We were greeted very warmly upon arrival. We arrived very early and by 10:30 we were shown to our room. We booked an overwater bungalow. The view from the room was… Read more
I felt compelled to write a review after the negative reviews I read online. We just returned from a 7 day trip to the Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and everything was just perfect. We were greeted very warmly upon arrival. We arrived very early and by 10:30 we were shown to our room. We booked an overwater bungalow. The view from the room was incredible. To have the ocean on your doorstep, wow! The sea life at this hotel is just amazing. We went snorkelling every morning in the lagoon and saw the most beautiful colourful fish. We saw stingrays and baby black tip reef sharks in the lagoon. One evening when we had a glass of wine at the sunset bar we even saw a school of dolphins swimming past. The food was good. The staff went out of their way to make my birthday and our wedding anniversary special. I honestly don’t have any negative feedback. Special shout out to Dileepa Sanjaya Faruk at the Raalhu Bar, very friendly and helpful. We really had a special trip and memories that will last a lifetime. Read less