You don't have to think twice when it comes to a luxurious, secluded getaway in the stunning Maldives, reports Emma Pomfret

Wandering along the powdery white beach on my first morning in the Maldives, I can't help feeling that any minute now somebody will scream 'cut' and the entire scene will simply disappear back into a movie-reel box as the classic paradise backdrop.

But no matter how hard I pinch myself, it soon becomes obvious that the Hilton Maldives resort and spa is one of those rare destinations that actually mirrors the photographs in those oh-so-glossy travel mags.

The difference here being that, unlike many other Maldivian 'retreats', this resort has a seriously relaxed atmosphere -- best summed up by its fabulous 'no shoes' policy, which even extends to its stunning array of world-class restaurants and bars.

This really is the kind of place where you can kick off your British reserve as easily as your redundant flip flops, and not have to think about either until you board your seaplane to Male, the country's tiny capital city.

More than 1,000 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean make up the Maldives, west of southern India. The climate is virtually perfect - year-round temperatures averaging 30C, with delightful, balmy evenings rarely slipping below 24C.

No wonder many Brits regard the Maldives as the ultimate romantic honeymoon destination. But while this is certainly true, the Hilton Maldives resort and spa offers more than most, with two separate islands to choose from, each with its own unique tempo and philosophy.

The more secluded Rangali Island is already much-loved for its exquisite water villas, the spectacular glass-floored spa set over coral reefs, and its own killer cocktail: Rangali Island Tea.

But since April, the Hilton resort has also reopened its sumptuous sister island, Rangalifinolhu -- accessible to every guest via a 500-metre wooden footbridge spanning the turquoise waters of the Indian ocean -- complete with resort-within-a-resort spa retreat.

But if you'd rather indulge in the myriad therapies in the seclusion of your own private residence, the 21 spa water villas, set on stilts over the lagoon, each have their very own separate spa treatment room - surely the ultimate in sheer bliss.

If you'd prefer a touch of stylish beach living, there are also 79 luxurious beach villas -- the largest and most lavish in the Maldives -- each with private gardens of frangipani flowers, their own open-air courtyards, and outdoor garden-bathrooms.

During the sparkling sunny days, take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat, try your hand at big-game fishing, sail away on your own private yacht, or experience scuba diving in some of the best diving sites in the Maldives.

As the sun goes down over the islands, there is no need to leave the ocean behind if you pay a visit to the exquisite Ithaa restaurant -- nestling an amazing five metres below sea level and seating just 14 lucky guests.

This exclusive underwater paradise -- the only all-glass restaurant of its kind in the world -- offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime dining experience where you can watch the rays and eels glide overhead as you sip champagne and dine on 28 courses of delicious contemporary Maldivian cuisine such as grilled lobster with reduced vanilla.

Or if fine wine is your passion, you can book a stunning degustation dinner hosted by the resort's fabulously entertaining sommelier at The Wine Cellar.

If you thought you had to die to go to heaven, think again -- you just have to go to the Maldives.

Getting there

* Emma Pomfret was a guest of Kuoni, which offers seven nights at the Hilton Maldives resort and spa, Rangali Island (www.

hiltonworldresorts.com) from £2,297, including three nights in a spa retreat water villa and four nights in a water villa on full board basis, with choice of 15 flights a week with Qatar (0870 770 4215 or www.qatarairways.com) from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester via Doha, and seaplane transfers.

* Kuoni World Class reservations: 01306 747 001 or www.kuoni.co.uk/worldclass

* For further resort information, contact Hilton Maldives resort and spa on 00 800 44 45 86 68 or visit www.hilton.com/worldwideresorts