During our recent Maldives trip, we discovered a resort that offers a different kind of experience. Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives combines the beauty of the Maldives with convenience, making it one of the easiest resorts to reach from Malé International Airport. Just a 20 minute speedboat transfer away, it’s an excellent choice for travellers who want to maximise their holiday without spending hours travelling after landing.
This stay was particularly special because it was part of my birthday surprise. My husband kept our destination completely secret, so I had no idea which resort we were heading to until we reached Male. Arriving at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and discovering we’d be staying in the beautiful Ocean Suite, the resort’s largest overwater accommodation, made the surprise even more memorable.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking.
Getting to Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
One of the resort’s biggest selling points is its location. Unlike many Maldives resorts that require a seaplane or a domestic flight followed by a speedboat, Cinnamon Dhonveli is just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé.
The transfer was smooth, quick and hassle-free. After a long international flight, arriving at the resort so quickly felt like a luxury in itself.
This also makes Cinnamon Dhonveli an excellent option if:
- You’re visiting the Maldives for the first time.
- You want to avoid expensive seaplane transfers.
- You have an early departure flight.
- Your international flight arrives in Male after 3:30pm which means you cant make your seaplane connection.
- You need a Luxury resort experience but on a budget
Watch Our Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives Resort Review
If you’d like to see the resort in action, watch our full YouTube review. We take you on a complete tour of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
Arrival at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
At arrival Cinnamon Dhonveli immediately felt warm and inviting. Check-in was quick and informative, the staff were incredibly friendly, and everything was explained clearly before we were shown to our room.
The island itself is compact and easy to explore, making it simple to walk between the restaurants, pools, bars and beaches.
Our Ocean Suite Experience
The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the Ocean Suite, the largest overwater accommodation at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.
Walking into the suite, we were greeted by panoramic ocean views through the multiple doors that access the deck. The room felt bright, spacious and beautifully designed, creating the perfect setting for a relaxing Maldives escape.
Our favourite features included:
- A spacious bedroom overlooking the lagoon.
- A comfortable seating area.
- A generous bathroom with a stand alone bath tub that overlooks the lagoon.
- A private deck with direct access to the crystal-clear lagoon with a hammock.
- Stunning sunrise and ocean views.
If you’ve always dreamed of staying in an overwater villa, this room delivers that iconic Maldives experience.
Exclusive Ocean Suite Benefits
One of the biggest advantages of booking the Ocean Suite is access to exclusive facilities.
During our stay, we enjoyed:
- A dedicated restaurant for Ocean Suite guests.
- An exclusive swimming pool.
- Complimentary afternoon snacks at one of the resort bars.
These added touches made the experience feel even more special.
Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives
The resort offers several meal plans, including:
- Bed & Breakfast
- Half Board
- Full Board
- All Inclusive
We enjoyed the buffet restaurant throughout our stay, with themed evenings featuring different international cuisines.
The food quality was consistently good, and the changing themes kept each evening interesting.
While the buffet wasn’t as extensive as some luxury Maldives resorts we’ve previously visited, there was always a good variety of dishes available, including Indian, Asian and international favourites.
If you’re planning to enjoy drinks and snacks throughout the day, it’s worth comparing the All Inclusive package before booking.
Beaches and Marine Life
One thing to be aware of is that the main sandy beach is concentrated on one side of the island.
Because many of the Beach Bungalows are located here, the beach can become busy during peak times. We also found that sunbeds were often reserved early in the morning, making it harder to find a spot later in the day.
However, the marine life more than made up for this.
One of our favourite experiences was watching reef sharks, including baby reef sharks, swimming remarkably close to the shoreline. Seeing them every day became one of the highlights of our stay and offered a wonderful reminder of the incredible underwater world the Maldives is known for.
Pasta Point – A Surfer’s Paradise
Cinnamon Dhonveli is internationally famous for Pasta Point, one of the Maldives’ best-known surf breaks.
The resort attracts surfers from around the world who come to experience its consistent waves.
Even if you’re not a surfer, it’s fascinating to watch experienced surfers riding the waves while relaxing on the island. It adds a unique atmosphere that sets the resort apart from many others in the Maldives.
Who Is Cinnamon Dhonveli Best Suited For?
We believe this resort is ideal for:
- First-time visitors to the Maldives.
- Couples celebrating a special occasion.
- Families looking for a convenient island resort.
- Travellers seeking budget luxury.
- Surfers wanting direct access to Pasta Point.
- Guests who want to avoid seaplane transfers.
If you’re looking for complete seclusion and expansive beaches, you may prefer a more remote private island resort. However, if convenience and value are high on your priority list, Cinnamon Dhonveli is an excellent choice.
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives:
Pros
- Only a 20 minute speedboat transfer from Malé Airport.
- Excellent value for money by Maldives standards.
- Beautiful Ocean Suites with direct lagoon access.
- Amazing staff they are attentive and go above and beyond.
- Exclusive restaurant and pool for Ocean Suite guests.
- Great variety of room categories.
- Home to the famous Pasta Point surf break.
- Regular sightings of reef sharks and baby sharks and sting rays.
- Convenient for shorter Maldives holidays.
Cons
- Limited beach area compared with larger islands.
- Sunbeds can be difficult to find during busy periods.
- The buffet is good but not as extensive as some luxury resorts.
- The island can feel busier than more secluded Maldives resorts.
- Less of the classic “desert island” atmosphere some travellers may be seeking.
Our Final Verdict
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives may not be the most secluded resort in the Maldives, but it offers something equally valuable: convenience, comfort and exceptional value. Its short speedboat transfer, welcoming atmosphere, beautiful Ocean Suites and access to Pasta Point make it one of the best options for travellers looking for a budget luxury Maldives resort close to Malé.
Would we stay here again?
Absolutely.
For anyone planning their first Maldives holiday, looking for an affordable overwater villa, or simply wanting to experience the beauty of the Maldives without the additional cost and travel time of a seaplane, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is well worth considering.
If you’d like to see more of the resort, don’t forget to watch our full YouTube review, where we take you on a complete room tour, explore the restaurants, share our honest pros and cons, and show you everything this beautiful island has to offer.
Looking for more Maldives resort inspiration? Have a look at my Maldives page here.
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