Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, North Ari Atoll
The Maldives, Central Islands

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is small, compact and decent - you’ll find simple, comfortable rooms with bright decor and plenty of great dining options for the family. Above all, the diving and snorkelling here is truly terrific. It’s not the pinnacle of luxury here, but you’ll find the staff to be very friendly and the atmosphere charming. A highlight is the short 25-minute seaplane ride from the international airport at Male.

The entry-level standard rooms are tastefully and colourfully decorated and measure around 50 square metres in size. You can expect comfortable beds, outdoor showers, air conditioning and pleasant garden views. Superior Rooms are built for families - they’re slightly larger with a king sized bed and two singles. The Beach and Water Bungalows are quaint and colourful with Maldivian thatched roofs and ocean-inspired interiors.

There are two bars and two restaurants on-site, with plenty of tasty and healthy cuisine on offer. Madhi is a large and bustling restaurant serving continental buffets, whereas Malamathi is a more intimate a la carte/buffet restaurant, also serving a great variety of international dishes and cocktails. The two bars also serve meals. All-inclusive packages can be a great option here: talk to Experience Travel Group to discover more about them.

This isn’t an expansive island - you can walk around the perimeter in around 15 minutes. There’s also a concrete wall that circles the resort, built in the water to combat erosion. While families with children might find this to be an advantage, some consider it a bit unsightly or not exactly “naturalist”. If that doesn’t bother you, book an affordable holiday here and bring the whole family for some good food and a great house reef.