After landing on Mahé, the largest island and home to the capital Victoria, OK! took the 15-minute flight to Praslin, the second largest island of the Seychelles.

From the air you have a bird’s eye view of the raw, rugged beauty of this breathtakingly beautiful country.

The largest, inner islands are mountainous granite outcrops with lush forest interiors and white-sand beaches, while the outer islands are smaller coral atolls.

Protected as a part of an UNESCO Marine Park, the islands are home to more than 800 species of fish, as well as turtles and giant tortoises.

Once a haven for pirates, the Seychelles is now refuge for nature lovers, honeymooners and A-listers alike.

Where should I stay?

Raffles Praslin Seychelles is new luxury resort that sprawls over a secluded 32-acre site on the north-eastern tip of Praslin.

It’s a stunning all-villa hideaway set amid granite hills and lush tropical greenery, featuring 86 contemporary villas, each with their own infinity plunge pools and all the modcons you’d expect of a five-star resort.

We loved the sensational sea views from our private deck, the candlelit petal-strewn bath run by our personal 24-hour butler and being whisked around the resort in a golf buggy.

By day, we lounged on one of the giant daybeds by the hotel’s split-level pool, which overlooks one of the resort’s two sandy beaches.

If you have kids in tow there’s lot to amuse them – PlayStations, cooking, arts and crafts and treasure hunts – while there are island excursions, snorkelling and movie screenings for teenagers.

Where can I spa?

Offering spectacular views over Anse Takamaka, the new Raffles Spa is a truly tranquil oasis.

The 13 open-air treatment pavilions are set among the dramatic rock formations with views over the white sandy beach – and the treatments are just as divine as the setting.

We enjoyed the signature Pure Pearl treatment at the expert hands of our therapist Suka.

The local black pearl, harvested just off-shore, is the symbol of the spa and is said have therapeutic qualities.

First, Suka exfoliated our body with pearl powder then, after a shower, treated us to a full-body massage using soothing ylang-ylang and bergamot oils.

Afterwards, while wrapped in a cocoon of warm towels, our face, feet and scalp were massaged and we thought we’d died and gone to heaven!

There’s also a lovely spa garden for post-treatment relaxation, as well as an outdoor pavilion for al fresco yoga and Pilates.

Where can I eat and drink?

If you don’t want to leave Raffles, there are five restaurants and bars to choose from.

Breakfast takes place in-villa served by your butler or at Losean, where we loved the bananas in coconut milk, fresh fruit smoothies and poached eggs on toast.

Slide off your sunbed and pull up a shady chair at the Curieuse Pool Bar for sandwiches, burgers and salads at lunchtime, while the hotel’s upscale dining restaurant, Curieuse, was our number one nightspot.

Its seafront location was as perfect as the mushroom risotto and grilled red snapper served to us.

If it’s romance you’re after, order an in-villa Creole barbecue prepared by a team of butlers or enjoy a champagne dinner aboard the hotel’s private yacht as the sun sets.

After dinner, enjoy a Praslin Sling, a potent gin, coconut milk and vanilla concoction, at the sea-view Danzil Lounge or sample the local rum (the mango and coconut blends were our favourites) under the stars at the Takamaka Terrace rooftop lounge, with its inviting daybeds, lanterns and chill-out music.

What's the best beach?

Just a five-minute drive from Raffles is Anse Lazio, a picture-postcard stretch of sand often voted one of the world’s top five beaches.

Fringed by coconut palms and shaded by takamaka trees, it’s as close to paradise as OK! has ever been.

We couldn’t resist a dip in the warm waters, but did breathe a sigh of relief when we saw the newly installed shark nets in the sea.

Set back from the beach is the rustic Bonbon Plume restaurant, where we feasted on scallops and lobster curry.

Afterwards, walk over to the giant tortoise enclosure and pet the ancient reptiles.

What else can I do?

Escape your sunbed and spend the day exploring Praslin’s neighbouring island of Curieuse – home to 500 giant tortoises – or take the short seaplane ride to Victoria, where bustling markets and historic colonial buildings await.

We loved our visit to the sleepy island of La Digue – a 30-minute boat ride from Raffles.

Once we’d hopped off the ferry, we hired bicycles and set off for an island tour with our trusty guide Bernard.

We cycled past coconut palms and vanilla plantations, spied huge spiders up in the trees and saw giant tortoises getting frisky before enjoying lunch on the beachfront at Anse Source d’Argent, where gigantic granite boulders are punctuated by small secluded coves.

On Praslin, explore the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It’s home to the Coco de Mer palms, which produce the world’s largest nut and are shaped like a woman’s hips.

Also look out for the elusive black parrot – we didn’t spot one but we did see bats and geckos.

Foodies should sign up for a cooking class with Raffles’ head chef Laurent Ajas.

OK! learned how to make a delicious green papaya salad and tuna ceviche with palm heart.

The more adventurous can head out with the chef on a deep-sea fishing excursion.

Whatever you catch will be served for your dinner – no pressure then!

Which stars might I see?

The Seychelles is popular with royalty and A-listers alike. HRH Prince William and his new wife Catherine honeymooned on North Island and previously holidayed on Desroches.

David and Victoria Beckham, Salma Hayek and Pierce Brosnan have stayed on North Island too.

The Seychelles was also the spot for Denise Van Outen’s nuptials and Cheryl Cole and Kate Garraway’s honeymoons.

How do I get there?

Room rates at Raffles Praslin Seychelles (www.raffles.com/praslin) start from £602 per villa per night including breakfast.

Elite Vacations (01707 371 000; www.seychelleselite.co.uk) offers a seven-nights-for-the-price-of-four package, staying on a B&B basis in a hillside pool villa at Raffles Praslin Seychelles, including return flights from London, inter-island flights and private transfers, from £2,025pp.

Price based on two sharing, valid on stays between January 10 and February 29 2012 and includes an additional 15 per cent discount and a free upgrade to the next villa category, subject to availability.