Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse
A local island base with a house reef and rooms under $75.
A place to stay on Kendhoo
Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse sits on Kendhoo island, about 133 km from Malé, and holds a 5.0 rating across 35 Google reviews. It is a 3-star property, which means straightforward rooms and shared kitchen access rather than resort-scale facilities. The main draws are practical: a house reef for snorkelling and diving directly from the island, a kids' club for families, and free on-site parking. Room rates start at $58.74 per night, making this one of the more affordable ways to reach a functioning house reef in the Maldives.
The honest verdict
A no-frills local island guesthouse with direct house reef access, basic but clean rooms, and a genuinely high guest rating for the price.
Best for
- Budget-conscious snorkellers and divers
- Families with young children
- Travellers wanting an authentic local island experience
- Guests who prefer free parking and pets-allowed policies
Maybe not ideal for
- Travellers expecting resort amenities or a pool
- Those wanting overwater villas or beach-facing rooms
- Guests who prefer a single short transfer from Malé
House reef for snorkelling and diving
The guesthouse has a house reef accessible directly from the island. Snorkelling and diving are listed activities, so guests do not need to book day trips to reach coral. This is the clearest practical reason to choose Kendhoo over a purely land-locked local island.
Kids' club on site
A kids' club is available, which is uncommon at this price point in the Maldives. Family rooms are also listed among the facilities, making the guesthouse a reasonable choice for parents travelling with children.
Activities beyond the water
On dry land, the guesthouse runs cooking classes, local culture tours, themed dinner nights, walking tours, and karaoke. Canoeing and windsurfing are also available alongside the snorkelling and diving.
Outdoor spaces and BBQ
The property has a sun terrace, garden, and BBQ facilities. These are communal spaces rather than private villa extras, but they add usable outdoor area beyond the beach.
Shared kitchen and room service
A shared kitchen with electric kettle, refrigerator, dishwasher, and cleaning products is available for guests who want to self-cater. Room service is also listed, giving a middle option for those who would rather not cook.
Rooms & suites
Standard Twin Room
sleeps 2 · 2 twin beds
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Dishwasher
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Deluxe Double Room
sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Garden view
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Dishwasher
- Flat-screen TV
Deluxe Double Room with Balcony
sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Balcony
- View
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Dishwasher
Standard Double Room
sleeps 2 · 1 queen bed
- Air conditioning
- Private bathroom
- Dishwasher
- Flat-screen TV
- Minibar
Inside Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse
Amenities at Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse
Most popular facilities
- Non-smoking rooms
- Room service
- Free Wifi
- Family rooms
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Breakfast
Great for your stay
- Private bathroom
- Air conditioning
- Pet friendly
- Free Wifi
- Flat-screen TV
- BBQ facilities
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
Bathroom
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Bedroom
- Linens
- Wardrobe or closet
Outdoors
- Sun deck
- BBQ facilities
- Terrace
- Garden
Kitchen
- Shared kitchen
- Cleaning products
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
Getting there
Kendhoo sits approximately 133 km from Velana International Airport in Malé. Getting there requires a domestic flight followed by a speedboat transfer. This is a longer route than resorts close to Malé, so building in travel time at each end of the trip is worth planning for.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
Dhoani holds a 5.0 Google rating from 35 reviews, and recent guests rated the location at 9.5. With no detailed review themes available in our data, it is not possible to break down exactly what drives that score, but the rating is consistent and the sample size is reasonable for a small local island guesthouse.
- Initial expectations not met — island quieter/smaller than some guests anticipated
- No beach towels provided
- Poor noise insulation between rooms
- Occasional organisational slip-ups (e.g. forgotten departure lunch box)
- Guesthouse described as slightly far from some amenities by one guest
“Hida and her family are more than friendly and welcoming hosts who make you feel staying at a friend's place. They care about everything and are always more than willing to help.”
“The food was honestly the best we've ever had! So delicious and full of flavor. I'll really miss those meals!”
“After adjusting to the peace and quiet we had the most relaxing time ever. The food was always delicious and the service outstanding.”
“Staying at Dhoani felt like discovering my own private slice of the Maldives — comfy rooms, delicious home-cooked meals, and a peaceful atmosphere that made it feel like a true escape.”
“The tourist beach, 5 minutes walk from guesthouse, has an excellent reef – we saw 4 turtles and 1000s of fish. Staying a few days on Kendhoo is a great way to experience Maldivian life.”
Guest reviews summarised from Booking.com.
Good to know
Frequently asked
How do I get to Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse from Malé?
The transfer involves a domestic flight followed by a speedboat. The total distance from Malé is approximately 133 km. Exact flight and speedboat durations will depend on the departure schedule, so confirm timings with the guesthouse when booking.
What room types are available?
There are four room types: Standard Twin Room (two single beds), Standard Double Room (one large double bed), Deluxe Double Room (one large double bed with garden view), and Deluxe Double Room with Balcony. All sleep a maximum of two guests.
What is the starting price per night?
The cheapest room, the Standard Twin Room, starts at $58.74 per night. The Deluxe Double Room with Balcony starts at $75.24. All prices are per night for two guests.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling?
Yes. The property lists a house reef as one of its main features. Snorkelling and diving are both available, so you do not need to arrange a day trip boat just to reach coral.
Is the guesthouse suitable for families with children?
Yes. The guesthouse has a kids' club and lists family rooms among its facilities. Pets are also allowed. Activities like cooking classes and walking tours give children something to do beyond the water.
Is there a restaurant or dining on site?
The guesthouse has room service and lists themed dinner nights as an activity, and continental breakfast is mentioned in the highlights. There is a shared kitchen for self-catering. No dedicated restaurant is listed in the available data.
What water activities are available?
Snorkelling, diving, canoeing, and windsurfing are all listed. The house reef means snorkelling and diving can be done without a boat trip. Canoeing and windsurfing access details should be confirmed with the property directly.
Is parking available, and is it free?
Free private parking is available on-site. This is more relevant for guests already on the island or arriving by local means than for international travellers flying in.
Does the guesthouse have free WiFi?
Yes. Free WiFi is included in every room category, from the Standard Twin up to the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony.
What is the Google rating for Dhoani Maldives Guesthouse?
The property holds a 5.0 Google rating based on 35 reviews. Recent guests also rated the location at 9.5 out of 10.
Are there non-water activities at the guesthouse?
The guesthouse organises cooking classes, local culture tours, walking tours, themed dinner nights, and karaoke — all on-island. These run directly through the property rather than via an outside operator.
What is the best time of year to visit Kendhoo?
The dry season in the Maldives generally runs November through April, with calmer seas and better visibility for diving and snorkelling. The wet season from May to October brings more rain but lower prices and fewer crowds. The guesthouse data does not specify any seasonal closure.