Stunning location, but service and polish are lost at sea
Set on its own private island, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a honeymooner’s dream — soft sand, endless sunsets, and couples gazing lovingly at each other over overpriced cocktails. Which made us feel slightly out of place as we were probably the only guests not on a romantic getaway. Our reason for being here? Avios points and a companion voucher to burn. The reward flights locked us into two full weeks in the Maldives. Tough life, we know.
The first week? Absolute magic. We lived aboard a dive boat, exploring some of the best underwater sites in the world. The second week? Well, after seven days of 5:30 am dives, hauling gear, and nitrogen-loading ourselves to the brink, we needed somewhere to recover from all the action. Decided to book into the Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, which promised pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and the kind of relaxation that only comes when you don’t have to assemble a scuba tank before breakfast. But did it deliver the bliss we needed, or did we just trade one kind of deep dive for another?
In this review:
- Hotel Summary
- Location
- Check-in
- Our Room
- Facilities & Services
- Food and Beverage
- Check-out
- BG1 Verdict
Hotel Summary
Name: Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives
Location: Vaavu Atoll
Hotel Class: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chain: Cinnamon Hotel and Resorts – Sri Lankan brand
Loyalty Programme: GHS Discovery
Room Type: Overwater bungalow/villa
Room #: 321
Price bracket: ££££ (relatively, it’s not as expensive other 5* hotels and villas in the Maldives)
Good for: Couples looking to relax and unwind
Location
If you’re looking for a Maldivian island that’s remote enough to feel exclusive but still reachable without selling a kidney for a seaplane transfer, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a solid pick. It sits in the Vaavu Atoll, two atolls south of Malé, and you can get there in two ways: a scenic seaplane ride with baggage limits or a 90-minute speedboat transfer with plenty of space for luggage and extra dive kit. We chose the boat.
The journey itself was smooth, aside from the hour-long wait at the dock for other guests to arrive. On the plus side, we even got to see dolphins on the way, and as an added bonus, the boat had a toilet.
Check-in
Upon arrival, we were greeted at the jetty and escorted to reception, where a cold towel and a refreshing watermelon juice waited – classic Maldivian hospitality. Check-in started smoothly as we lounged in the open-air lobby, feeling optimistic about our stay.
Then came the room assignment. We were originally given Room 331, which sat close to the beach and didn’t offer the privacy we wanted. So, we asked to switch — because if you don’t ask, you don’t get. The staff agreed, but what should have been a simple swap turned into a two-hour saga of vague nods, repeated explanations, and general confusion. Eventually, we were handed the key to Room 321, a much better choice with far more seclusion.
The mix-ups didn’t stop there. We’d flagged a birthday celebration in our booking, and while the resort did leave a message in the room, they got both the name and age wrong. Not just by a little, either. We’ll take the flattery, but somewhere out there, someone’s getting an unexpected existential crisis about their actual age.
It made us realise that the little details do matter – especially when you’re paying top dollar. A resort like this should get the basics right, and while the slip-ups weren’t dealbreakers, they chipped away at the seamless luxury you expect in a place like this.
Room
Check out a video of the room tour on our TikTok.
Room 321, right on the edge of the standard water bungalows, was a much better fit, offering far more seclusion. If you’re after an even more private spot, the Sunset Water Bungalows face the channel, meaning fewer neighbours peering over at you in your swimsuit.
Inside, the room was impressively spacious, featuring:
- Giant bed
- A widescreen TV (which we never turned on because, well, Maldives)
- Plenty of storage, including under-bed space for suitcases
- A well-stocked mini-bar (only two beers a day are included for our all-inclusive package)
- A bathroom with a massive shower, separate tub, and an outdoor rinse station
While the room design was great, a few things were… let’s call them “quirks.” The toilet door didn’t latch, which added an element of trust to the relationship. One of the air con units had a meltdown but was swiftly fixed. And the iron? It leaked limescale all over our clothes, turning a simple shirt press into a speckled art project.
Perhaps the biggest downside was the thundering diesel generator behind the land villas, which meant some bungalows were treated to an unexpected industrial soundtrack. Fortunately, Room 321 was far enough away to avoid the hum. Tip: request a room as far from land as possible.
Facilities & Services
If you love the ocean, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives is a dream. The house reef drop-off is packed with marine life, including a few reef sharks. Snorkelling is wonderful when the visibility’s clear, but after rain, the stirred-up sand can make it a bit murky.
Beyond the water, the resort has a spa, a bar with a pool table, a ping pong area, a fitness centre, and a swimming pool. The pool, however, had definitely seen better days and was in desperate need of maintenance. Other signs of wear and tear were noticeable too – especially the decking, which could do with a fresh coat of varnish.
Service? Let’s just say it leaned more “do-it-yourself” than “five-star.” Glasses were often left empty at the restaurant, and staff seemed stretched thin. Sure, there’s no real rush on holiday, but a little more attentiveness – especially at the bar – wouldn’t hurt. You’re assigned a waiter for your entire stay, and ours, was lovely, though sometimes a little slow.
The WiFi was another frustration – painfully slow and barely usable beyond basic messaging. We picked up a local SIM card at Malé Airport ($50 for 100GB), which gave us flawless internet for the rest of the trip. Highly recommended if you’re looking to have a semi-workable WiFi speed.
For divers, the on-site dive centre runs trips for around $70 per dive (plus a boat fee). Just make sure to book at least 24 hours in advance. Having just spent a week diving on a liveaboard, we were happy to give it a miss this time.
The Mandara Spa
The Mandara Spa was a standout. So good, in fact, that we ended up having four massages in our week’s stay. Perhaps a little excessive but the Balinese therapists knew their craft, and every treatment was top-notch. If you’re staying at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, a visit to the spa is highly recommended.
Excursions and day trips
Book directly with Cinnamon Velifushi to unlock a range of experiences included with your room. We took advantage of a trip to the local islands to pick up souvenirs and dined on the beach under the stars. Other activities include a sunset cruise, a visit to a nearby sandbank, and more. Let’s face it, after being on the same remote island for four days, you need a bit of variety, and this is where the excursions are life-savers.
Bars & Dining
We went all-inclusive, which included three buffet meals a day, snacks at set times, and unlimited drinks. It was decent, but it didn’t exactly have us writing home about the flavours.
The restaurant seating system worked on a room-assignment basis. We asked for a table with a sea view, and although we were initially placed right at the back, we were quickly moved to a better spot the next day. As for the buffet, it was decent – not gourmet by any means. The dishes were tasty enough, but after a few days, the lack of variety started to show.
Drinks? The selection was good, but some cocktails tasted suspiciously watered down. And bizarrely, none of the restaurants or bars had nearby toilets, meaning an awkwardly long walk every time nature called.
If you’re a wine lover, the wine included with the package is pretty dire, so be prepared for supermarket-level bottles with luxury price tags. That said, we did find a Shiraz for $45 that was worth a sip.
Breakfast
Breakfast at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives was a bit of a mixed bag. The good: fresh tropical fruit that’ll make you forget how your supermarket mangoes taste, made-to-order omelets (with a side of impressive egg-flipping), and an assortment of pastries and cereals that’ll keep you full enough to dive into the day. The not-so-good: the hot items were, well, a little uninspiring.
That said, the relaxed beachside setting and the sound of waves made it all worth it, even if we did have to wait a bit longer than expected for a refill on your coffee. It’s an easy start to the day – if you’re not in a rush.
Check-out
With an early morning flight, we had to be on the 7am speedboat back to Malé, which meant a bleary-eyed departure. The process itself was smooth, with the staff handling our bags efficiently. It was a goodbye without much fanfare – much like parts of the service throughout our stay. It’s too early for breakfast at the restaurant, so there is a coffee stations with a few croissants if you’re still hungry after a whole week of eating!
BG1 Verdict
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives has all the ingredients for a dream getaway – turquoise lagoons, stunning views, and great snorkelling. The water bungalows are spacious, and housekeeping is spot on.
If you’re after a peaceful, beautiful island and can live with slow service and the occasional hiccup, it’s a solid choice. Just don’t expect flawless five-star luxury.
BG1 Tip
Want the best stay? Ask for your room to be assigned far from land – standard water bungalows vary in privacy, so request one on the outer edge (like 321) or upgrade to a Sunset Water Bungalow for even more seclusion. Also, grab a local SIM card at Malé Airport ($50 for 100GB) for reliable internet throughout your trip. We recommend their main cellular network, Dhiraagu.
Read our other hotel reviews; Palazzo Versace Dubai and The Waldorf Hilton London.
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