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.

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.

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 (6334)
  • Very good (1105)
  • Average (284)
  • Poor (102)
  • Terrible (83)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Simply stunning!

Mar 30, 2025 DJW64 Oxford, United Kingdom

What a way to finish our Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday for my wife's 60th birthday celebrations, saving the best til last at the Cinnamon Dhonveli for our 11 night stay. This resort is simply stunning, the location, the views, the turquoise ocean, absolute paradise. Room: Our overwater suite (722) was fabulous. It looked like it had been… Read more
What a way to finish our Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday for my wife's 60th birthday celebrations, saving the best til last at the Cinnamon Dhonveli for our 11 night stay. This resort is simply stunning, the location, the views, the turquoise ocean, absolute paradise. Room: Our overwater suite (722) was fabulous. It looked like it had been recently decorated, very spacious, and so comfortable with fantastic views of the evening sunset. Food: We ate in the beautiful Rehendhi restaurant the whole time. It is buffet style with loads of choices and is of absolutely top quality. There's 2 live cooking stations for rice, noodles, meats, fish, pizzas, and more, 2 cold rooms for the salads and desserts. Don't come here if you are on a diet, you'll eat everything !! Bars: Surfers, Sunset, Beach, and the Swim up bar. All great places for your alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with great views of the ocean. Staff: Wonderful, and I would like to name a few. Sattar for his flower garlands and humour. Judy, Nashooz, Suliaman, Nimesh in the Rehendhi. Anjali, the lovely salad queen does a fab chicken caesars salad. Visit her in the salad cold room, if anything to cool down! Saha and Khair, the great live cooks will feed you well. Amir, who quietly goes about his business in the background, ensures all plates, etc, are replenished, and the buffet serving stations are well cleaned and polished at the end of service. Chanda and Tharaka at the Sunset bar, Rafiqul at the Beach bar. Dilshan and Sanjaya at the swim up bar are brilliant guys with great humour. Your glass is never empty with them, and who would serve me my 'medicine' each night. Also, the person who serviced our room each day who I can't remember his name was great. A special mention to Marlon Roberts, GM. A great guy, very personable, gets things done and who ensured we and especially my wife had a great time celebrating at the Cinnamon Dhonveli, which he very much succeeded in. Thank you! This really is a fabulous hotel, only a 25 min Speedboat ride from Male Airport. It is a very environmentally conscious hotel, cutting out single use plastics, participating in Earth Day recently, and being involved in other initiatives to help support schools and are now trying to grow their own herbs and vegetables. We would definitely return. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Im very happy to meet this staff i fully relax and nice talk this guyz😊😊😊

Mar 30, 2025 raqi d

Rafiqul and moklesh beach bar he make our cocktail is excellent and how he assist us and other guest is very good! For me i give him 10⭐️ for him and other colleague that i mention Bravo guyz, i reccomend to our friends keep in a good work🇨🇷🇨🇿😊
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing service

Mar 30, 2025 Preanka R

Rafiqul and moklesh tiki bar, amazing and such humble people.Treating us to amazing cocktails on the beach @ Cinnamon Dhonveli resort in the Maldives. Service with a friendly smile and fast. Each and every cocktail was tasty and refreshing for the hot summers day.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Resort was stunning and staffs was so friendly and accommodating. Specially with Mr rafiqul who make us signature drink.

Mar 30, 2025 358trixiee Dubai, United Arab Emirates

We love this gorgeous place. Specially the beach bar, and the drinks its all good. Bartender mr. Rafiqul is good and he make us the special recipe that he make. It was totally delicious 🤤 brunch also was so delicious, we are so full. and staffs was very active watever we needs its absolutely amazing. All thumbs up! We love this place. Definitely… Read more
We love this gorgeous place. Specially the beach bar, and the drinks its all good. Bartender mr. Rafiqul is good and he make us the special recipe that he make. It was totally delicious 🤤 brunch also was so delicious, we are so full. and staffs was very active watever we needs its absolutely amazing. All thumbs up! We love this place. Definitely we will comeback.. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Pure relaxation and spectacular snorkling

Mar 30, 2025 mumofstoft Oulton Broad, United Kingdom

This was our 1st visit we wanted a relaxing holiday and got just that, we enjoy snorkling and the variety of fish we saw was amazing . All staff were friendly, helpful and made you feel special every day