Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is a four-star island resort built around the straightforward pleasures of a Maldivian stay: a beachfront position, ocean-facing accommodation, several places to eat, a spa and enough activity to keep non-divers occupied without turning the whole day into a timetable.

You can make this a proper diving base, a couples' escape or a family break. The resort has 149 rooms, family rooms, a children's pool and children's meals, while the beach, pool and spa cover the less energetic part of the programme.

The resort sits in North Malé Atoll, at Kannuoiy Huraa in the Maldives. It has direct access to the beach, with sun loungers and parasols already in place when your legs have had enough of the water.

Velana International Airport is about 10 miles away, followed by a speedboat journey of roughly 20 minutes. This is an island resort rather than a base for wandering out to a high street: the restaurants, bars, pool, spa and activities are on site, while Male's urban parks and National Museum are across the water and considerably less convenient after a day of travel.

The room choice is mainly about the setting you want when you open the door. The Over Water Suite puts the ocean at the centre of the stay, while the Beach Bungalow keeps you close to the sand. For couples who want more room to spread out, the Beach Suite with Pool is the obvious indulgence; families can look towards the family-room options and the larger suites rather than trying to make a compact room do everything.

Ocean views, private balconies, seating areas, thatched wood ceilings and solid wood flooring give the accommodation a clear island character. The rooms also have air conditioning and a fan, which matters when you return warm, salty and ready for a horizontal evening. Soundproofing and soundproof rooms are listed too, a useful detail when sleep matters more than the morning view.

Practical touches include a minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, WiFi, a wardrobe, a flat-screen television and a private bathroom in most categories. A cot can be requested for a child aged two or under; the accommodation policy does not provide extra beds, so check the chosen room carefully if three people are travelling together.

You have four restaurants on the island, with buffet dining covering continental, Asian and American choices at breakfast. Koimala serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, making it the practical option when you want to eat without turning the evening into an expedition. The Olive Tree is another named restaurant on the resort's dining line-up.

There are two oceanfront bars for the important post-dive ritual of sitting down with a cocktail or a chilled beer. The view does some of the work; your only real responsibility is deciding whether you are ready for food yet.

Children's meals and a child-friendly buffet are available, and special-diet menus can be requested. The breakfast buffet is the useful early-day detail for divers, although no dedicated early breakfast or packed meal service is listed.

The infinity pool gives you a second place to swim when the beach has become too bright, with a separate children's pool for younger guests. Sun loungers, beach chairs and parasols make the shoreline the natural place to read, doze or let the afternoon disappear with very little assistance.

Chavana Spa focuses on massage, including full-body, couples, back, neck, head, hand and foot treatments. There is also a fitness centre for those who prefer to keep their muscles involved, plus a tennis court and equipment for badminton. Table tennis, billiards and darts cover the less formal version of exercise.

When the sea is still calling but a full dive is not on the plan, the resort offers snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing and fishing. Some water-based activities carry an additional charge. Live music, evening entertainment and themed dinner nights give the evening a little structure without requiring you to leave the island.

Airport transfers are arranged by speedboat from Velana International Airport, with private and shared options. Contact the resort with your flight details before arrival so the transfer can be organised; on landing, the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts counter at E3 is the meeting point for assistance. Last-minute transfer arrangements depend on availability.

Check-in starts at 14:00 and check-out is by 12:00. A 24-hour reception, luggage storage, express check-in and check-out, a tour desk and a shared lounge make the travel days easier to manage. Daily housekeeping, laundry and ironing services are also available, with laundry and ironing carrying an additional charge.

WiFi is free throughout the resort. There is an on-site minimarket, a safety deposit box and a children's menu, while pets are not accepted. Children of all ages are welcome, and cots can be requested for younger children.