Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

My family and I stayed in the water bungalow and I have to say it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. The structure of the room and washrooms were amazing. All the staff members were super friendly and accommodated all our needs. They had customised water bottles for us as well as the resort is a no plastic zone. They had a turn down service as well and it was great to see a touch of Sri Lanka at the resort. The food was way too good. Every single thing I tried was amazing. There were enough and more options of food and drinks. I didn’t feel like I needed anything more. Read less

We are currently having the worst experience with the hotel Ellaidhoo Maldives. Myself and my husband are due to stay from the first of May. Confirmation no: 3821063 ( Seaplane included) We booked a water bungalow (sleeps four) and two seats on the seaplane. We wanted to arrange our seaplane transfer times (already booked) as we were aware we needed to this in advance. When we looked at the booking, we saw that the bunglow detailed one person all inclusive staying in the water bungalow. I asked the reservations team to update to two people all inclusive on email. I thought it would not be an issue since the bungalow sleeps 4 people. The reservations team sent us instructions to edit the reservation on the site ourselves. However, when we update the guests to two on the booking, the site says that the bunglaow isn't available. This is a systematic error on the hotel's side given that the bungalow we have booked can sleep 4. The booking was also clearly a mistake since we booked two seats on the plane. We need the reservation updated to include two people all inclusive and the reservations team are unresponsive or respond as if they have not read our emails. For example - I mentioned via email to the reservations team that we would be first staying in Karumba and returning to Male by boat in order to catch a sea plane to this resort. I sent our passport names, explained we would not be arriving via plane, preferred times for the plane (10am/11am flight preferable) to the team in order to book the plane. However, the team keep replying warning that the sea plane needs to be booked at least 96 hours in advance and to remember to do so..... this is what we are trying to do!????!!! It is night and day trying to deal with this hotel versus other hotels in the area. They mentioned we should go to the cinnamon desk at the airport in arrivals - I keep trying to clarify if the desk is in an area open to the public since we will be coming from the outside. I'm sure it will be fine but some airports e.g. Delhi do not allow outsiders in to the arrivals area. Again, no clarification - just a reminder that seaplanes need to be booked at least 96 hours in advance.. which is why we are emailing them. It's crazy making and we are really exasperated. We are two Irish people and we have been trying to contact the hotel. We are in India on business and calling the hotel from our Irish and Indian phone numbers and the calls will not connect. Out of desperation, we called their Cinnamon HQ Customer service in Sri lanka. They keep telling us to call the Maldives, even though we keep telling them that our calls do not connect to the hotel. They have made no offer to intervene and help on our behalf, since they can speak to the hotel and call us back. They just say they cannot help. Again, we have no idea why our numbers won't connect out of India but email communication is appalling. We are left with little choice but to look at other options, despite having been looking forward to our stay. It's really upset us. I hope this is a warning to other travellers to prep well in advance (as we are trying to do) ahead of your stay. We have stayed in literally hundreds of resorts around the world and we have NEVER experienced this level of frustration. We are a very easy going couple, but this level of incompetence would test anyone. Ellaidhoo Maldives - sort it out! Read less