Where once Koh Samui, a palm-fringed island off Thailand’s east coast, was the sole preserve of backpackers who journeyed here from the mainland by ferry, these days it welcomes a far wider audience, following the opening of a tiny airport back in 1989. And it’s the cutest airport OK! has ever clapped eyes on, with oversized golf carts transporting you to the thatched-roofed terminal!

Koh Samui offers all the ingredients of a tropical island paradise, with sandy beaches, aquamarine waters, fabulous snorkelling, luxury hotels and much more besides.

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WHERE SHOULD I GO?

Koh Samui is the biggest of 80 islands that comprise the Samui archipelago and includes Koh Phangan, famous for its hedonistic full moon parties and the wonderful limestone outcrops and islets of the Angthong Marine National Park, beloved by snorkellers and divers.

On the east coast, Chaweng beach is the island’s most famous and longest stretch of sandy coastline. It’s the island’s tourist hotspot, offering a vibrant neon-lit nightlife, designer boutiques, shops selling knock-off clothes and endless massage parlours. For a more laid-back vibe, head to the north coast, where you’ll find a handful of luxury resorts as well as the hip Nikki Beach club. Adventure lovers should delve into the tropical interior, home to coconut and banana plantations – dotted with cascading waterfalls. It’s perfect for elephant trekking, mountain biking and 4x4 Jeep safaris.

WHERE CAN I STAY?

As soon as we arrived at the Anantara Bophut, OK! knew we were going to adore the 126-room hotel as it oozed Thai design from every angle. Looking through the lobby we spied a torch-lit pond brimming with lotus flowers and surrounded by lush gardens, gazebos and hammocks. OK! stayed in one of the new two-bedroom suites, perfect for families as they feature a lounge, kitchenette and private pool, balcony or garden. Other highlights were the palm tree-shaded infinity pool, the super-attentive staff who dished out fruit kebabs and mini sorbets and the candlelit seafood barbecue on the beach.

We then checked into Anantara’s recently acquired sister property, on the quieter northern end of Chaweng beach. The Anantara Lawana adopts a Chinese design theme, honouring the island’s early settlers. The 122 rooms, suites and pool villas are hidden amid tropical foliage on a sloping hillside with views down to the infinity pool, beach, sheltered lagoon (perfect for kayaking – as OK! did) and sea beyond. The pool villas feature Chinese furniture, Oriental silks, flower print textiles and a private pool.

WHAT CAN I DO?

A treatment at the Anantara Bophut’s sublime 3,000sqm spa is a must. It’s an enchanting oasis set within a walled courtyard featuring lotus ponds, wooden bridges and a relaxation pagoda in the gardens. OK! opted for the Gulf Of Siam treatment – two hours of bliss featuring a foot cleansing ritual, massage and signature facial. Our favourite spa spot at the Lawana was the beachside pagoda.

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A wonderful souvenir of your trip is to learn to cook some Thai dishes. At the Anantara Bophut, head chef Don taught OK! how to make a tasty Thai green curry. Even our notoriously fussy kids ate the results! Over at the Lawana, chef Coco added spicy beef salad, pad Thai and a banana pudding to our dinner party repertoire. Lessons take place al fresco, overlooking the sea.

WHAT STARS MIGHT I SEE?

Koh Samui holds its own against celeb hotspot Phuket, with Gail Porter, Denise Van Outen, Kate Thornton and Sid Owen having visited. If you can’t spot a star, check out the Tina Turner, Rihanna and Kylie Minogue lookalikes at the Starz Cabaret show performed by the ladyboys of Chaweng!

WHERE CAN I EAT AND DRINK?

The Anantara Bophut’s Full Moon restaurant is famed for its Italian cuisine with an Asian twist, award-winning wine list and al fresco setting, perched on a wooden platform overlooking the flame-lit pool. Here OK! feasted on scallops, coconut-crusted tiger prawns and fillet mignon with wild mushroom ragout. Another bonus of staying at the Bophut is that it’s just a short beach-side walk to Fisherman’s Village, a series of shophouses that have been turned into restaurants, bars and shops.

Sky Hug at Lawana is a super-romantic cluster of treehouse-style salas set high in the leafy canopy, linked by wooden walkways. Our candlelit dinner featured such delicacies as tuna and lobster passion, lemongrass-infused sea bass and warm dark chocolate pudding. Elsewhere at the Lawana we enjoyed tasty Thai dishes at  Ocean Kiss, with entertainment including a ladyboy performance!

One night we ventured into Chaweng and enjoyed a delicious salmon curry at Eat Sense, a beach-side restaurant decorated with lanterns. Our lunch of piri piri chicken at The Cliff near Lamai was outstanding.

WHAT EXCURSIONS MUST I DO?

As ardent animal lovers, we signed up for a day trip to the Namuang Safari Park. First up was a short (and bumpy!) elephant ride though the jungle, followed by a hilarious elephant show where we watched the nimble-footed creatures play football (they could give Wayne Rooney a run for his money!), juggle a hula hoop and give two volunteers a back massage! There’s also a crocodile, snake, monkey and bird show.

Another must-do is a boat trip. Favourites are to Angthong National Marine Park and the coral-encircled Koh Tao island. OK! boarded our super-flash Grand Sea speedboat and whizzed James Bond-style across the Gulf Of Thailand, stopping to snorkel off Koh Tao before visiting the picture-perfect island of Koh Nang Yuan. As a snorkelling novice, our youngest daughter was slightly alarmed that there were so many fish in the sea and so close to the shore!

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Kuoni (01306 747 008; www.kuoni.co.uk) offers a seven-night package, including return flights from London Heathrow to Koh Samui and private hotel transfers, staying on a room-only basis in a deluxe garden-view room at the Anantara Bophut from £1,162 per person.

Kenwood Travel (020 7749 9245; www.kenwoodtravel.com) offers an eight-night package, including return flights from London with EVA Airways to Koh Samui, private hotel transfers and daily breakfast, staying in a deluxe Lawana room at Anantara Lawana from £1,150pp. Both packages are valid for travel in September 2011 and based on two people sharing.