Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin 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 7:30am–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, 4:00pm–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 7:30am–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 (6027)
  • Very good (1079)
  • Average (277)
  • Poor (100)
  • Terrible (80)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A really lovely week in a wonderful and peaceful place.

Dec 25, 2024 Sandro83C

Our family overall experience was very nice and pleasant, and all services and facilities appreciated. We stayed in a beach bungalow which was one of the best options for family with kids, having direct access to the beach on the frontside. Wide and confortable room and bathroom, seaview terrace. The sandy beach of the laguna was very nice,… Read more
Our family overall experience was very nice and pleasant, and all services and facilities appreciated. We stayed in a beach bungalow which was one of the best options for family with kids, having direct access to the beach on the frontside. Wide and confortable room and bathroom, seaview terrace. The sandy beach of the laguna was very nice, wonderful colors above the sea and beautiful reef below, nice view and variety of colorful fishes just a few meters from the shore. Buffet restaurants were fine, wide selection of dishes from several cuisines of the world. Good food quality, every lunch and dinner new options freshly made by the chefs were available. The pool, the available sports facilities and entertainment activities (yoga sessions included) over the day and night were pleasant and well organized. All bars had interesting schedule of live music, karaoke, etc. To mention an OUTSTANDING wine tasting experience with live music, the sommelier and his staff managed the event very well, highly recommended to attend (chargeable event). Generally speaking, this was really good money spent for such level of services and resort, if compared to a few other facilities in the Maldives (which are hundreds anyway..). Last but not the least, it is located less than 30 minutes far by speed boat from Male, perfect for people that does not really like boating (or seaplanes or longer local transfers anyway). SPECIAL THANKS TO: SATTAR of the pool staff that made wonderful flower crowns for all of us. VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO: JULIA, the kids play area attendant, who was very kind and lovely and took care of our daughter almost every day for one-two hours. She always had a great fun! Really appreciated. By the way, the kids area itself was free access all the day long and very well equipped and manned. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Excelente

Dec 24, 2024 Sandyxi

We loved our vacation stay with you. Everyone and everything was perfect for the stay. Will recommend family and friends to stay with you
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful and super recommendable

Dec 24, 2024 H_Butz Prague, Czech Republic

It was a Perfect & beautiful stay in cinnamon Dhonvelli. Especially Mira in the recepetion, Sattar on the pool and Rahuman who looked for our rooms were so kind. No wish was left open. Not to forget Ahmed in the restaurant providing super service. Thanks a lot to all of you.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing experience

Dec 18, 2024 208roxanac

Excellent service, rooms are big and comfy, food amazing. Beach is amazing, and the staff is really helpfull and amazing photographers, like Sattar neer the infinity pool. We stayed at an ocean view room, wifi everywhere and works really good.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Time at Dhonveli beach bar

Dec 18, 2024 Resort37725662522 Santorini, Greece

Osi and Rafiqu assisted us with drinks at the bar, they were very friendly and assisted us well with all of our drink request very promptly All the drinks tasted really nice and made the time at the beach a really pleasant one I would recommend 👌 this experience to anyone visiting the Maldives 🇲🇻