Prepare to rub shoulders with the A-list as DAVID GRAHAM jets off for a slice of Caribbean cool in Barbados

The sun-kissed island of Barbados attracts celebrities like a moth to a flame. Wayne Rooney came to enjoy a family holiday after the World Cup, Kelly Brook for some girlie fun after her recent love split and Westlife’s Kian Egan got spliced to Jodi Albert here last year.

As well as being an A-list hotspot, Barbados is perfect if you’re looking for romantic seclusion, surfing action, the thrills of a jeep safari or a leisurely catamaran cruise. Despite its tiny size, 21 miles long by 14 miles wide, this tropical Caribbean island has very diverse scenery. Its rugged eastern Atlantic coastline is stunningly unspoiled, the lush hilly interior is dotted with colonial plantation houses and sugar and cotton estates, while the west coast is home to miles of glorious sandy beaches and lavish resorts. With its red post boxes, love of cricket and cars that drive on the left, it’s no wonder Brits feel so at home here. They just won’t be used to the average year-round temperatures of 27˚C!

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WHERE CAN I SPOT A CELEBRITY?
Star-spotting started as soon as we touched down at the airport when we spied home-grown star Rihanna dart off in a taxi. Other pop stars who’ve visited over the past year include Sarah Harding, Alexandra Burke, Katy Perry and the Sugababes. It’s also a footballer’s favourite, with Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand both owning villas on the Royal Westmoreland estate. Simon Cowell is an island regular, while Sir Cliff Richard owns a hilltop mansion. If you’re aged between nine and 17 and you’re in Barbados in August you can enjoy some free coaching from a famous former cricket, football or netball star at the annual Barbados Sports Camp (www.barbados-sports-camp.com).

STAY LIKE AN A-LISTER
Unlike many of the west coast hotels, The Crane Resort & Residences (www.thecrane.com) sits in splendid isolation with a majestic cliff-top setting overlooking Crane Bay and the rolling waves of the Atlantic on the rugged south-eastern coast. Originally built as a private mansion, this fairy-tale castle-style landmark has been a hotel since 1887.

Guests can still stay in one of the 21 sea-facing rooms of the original colonial house – all antiques, marble and mahogany – or they can plump for one of the modern residences dotted around the 40 acre estate. The one, two or three-bedroom residences all come with colonial furnishings, hand-carved four-poster beds, kitchen and dining areas. Corner ones feature balcony plunge pools, while the new ground floor ones feature larger plunge pools and private terraces. At the heart of these residences lies the new Crane Village, where you’ll find a general store, boutiques, Italian restaurant D’Onofrio’s and Bar 1887.

On arrival, OK!’s first mission was to climb down the stone staircase (there’s a glass elevator too) to check out the pink-hued Crane beach – named recently as one of the ten best beaches in the world. Other days the most taxing question we faced was which of the five hotel pools to dip into. OK!’s favourite was the one linked to the Carriage House pool bar, housed in restored stables, with an alfresco hot tub. We can see why the combination of the secluded location, the gorgeous pink beach and sea-view balconies inspires loved-up guests to pop the question.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?
The Crane offers two restaurants, both with dramatic cliff-top settings. L’Azure serves up the freshest of seafood and classic Caribbean dishes. Here OK! feasted on delicate pan-roasted sea scallops followed by barbecue glazed lamb with fire-roasted vegetables. Don’t miss its famous Sunday brunch with live gospel singers. If Japanese cuisine is more your scene, then you’ll adore Zen, which was awarded top island restaurant 2009. There’s an exquisite sushi bar and restaurant where we enjoyed spicy roasted beef tossed in a chilli lime dressing and some gorgeous spicy prawns.

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Outside the hotel, mingle with celebs at The Cliff in St James. It’s one of the island’s swankiest dining haunts, has a dramatic cliff-top setting and flaming torch-lit terrace.

HIT THE TOWN
Barbados doesn’t have a riotous nightlife, but if you want fun and rum St Lawrence Gap (or The Gap as it’s known by the locals) is the island’s nightlife epicentre. OK! insists you check out The Ship Inn for some amazing live music and a few Banks beers and McBride’s for a spot of karaoke. Friday night is Fish Fry party night in the fishing village of Oistins. Eat tasty barbecue fish – grilled king fish, flying fish with cous cous or spiced prawns – from one of the beachside shacks such as Lexy’s. After a couple of rum punches you’ll probably be partying in the street with the local Bajans to the rhythmic sounds of a calypso band.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is always bustling – particularly on market days when the cruise ships arrive full of eager shoppers. Many make a beeline for Broad Street to pick up watches, jewellery and gems from one of the duty-free stores. For cheap and cheerful trinkets and souvenirs try Accra Beach. OK! returned home with a bottle of Mount Gay rum and some local rum cakes which went down very well with the rest of the office!

WHERE'S THE ISLAND ACTION?
OK! took to the azure-blue waters on the Rolls-Royce of catamaran cruises with Cool Runnings and were reliably informed the Rooneys took a private cruise with the same company just a few weeks ago. We soaked up the wonderful views as we cruised along the west coast before stopping in a secluded bay where we swam with turtles, saw colourful tropical fish and even explored a shallow shipwreck. After sunbathing on deck, we tucked into a delicious feast with free-flowing drinks.

If you fancy a more adrenalin-pumping adventure, a 4x4 Jeep safari tour will be right up your street. Be warned – it’s not for the faint hearted and don’t overdo the breakfast buffet before you head out! On our thrilling safari, OK! visited some of the island’s beautiful off-the-beaten-track places, while the guide revealed amusing folk tales about the first settlers. We stopped off for a leisurely lunch and a few rum punches at an old plantation house before we hit the road again.

A visit to the magnificent Harrison’s Caves, one of the island’s most famous attractions, is a must. This cavernous cave is a breathtaking gallery of stalactites, stalagmites, waterfalls and pools. You descend down into the caves via a small electric tram before walking alongside the spectacular waterfalls, which plunge into the deep emerald pools below. OK! did get a bit of a fright when the guide turned off the lights so you can experience what it was like for the original cavers.

LET'S GO!
British Airways (0844 493 0758; www.ba.com/Barbados) offer a seven-night package, including return BA flights from London Gatwick, daily breakfast and private transfers, staying at the 4.5-star Crane Resort & Residences (www.crane.com)  from £1,049pp, departing September 2010. Price is subject to availability, based on two sharing and includes all UK taxes.