WANDERING along the powdery white beach on my first morning in the Maldives, it's easy to imagine 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 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 - the Rangali Island Tea.

But since April the Hilton Resort has also reopened its sumptuous sister island Rangalifinolhu - accessible to each and every guest via a 500-metre wooden foot bridge spanning the turquoise waters of the Indian ocean.

Completely escaping any tsunami damage - which, given its $25 million price tag, must have caused Hilton execs to breathe a huge sigh of relief - Rangalifinolhu has been transformed into a stunning six-star destination complete with the self-contained, resort-within-a-resort' Spa Retreat.

With nine elegant treatment rooms full to bursting with marine-based Thalgo products and offering holistic signature therapies designed for mind, body and soul, the Spa Retreat is brilliantly innovative and even has its own signature restaurant, Mandhoo, which uses fresh ingredients sourced from organic or bio-dynamic producers.

But if you'd rather indulge in the myriad of 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.

Of course, 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, meaning you really can take a shower au natural.

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 - my personal favourite - experience scuba diving in some of the very best diving sites in the Maldives.

Here the crystal clear waters are literally teaming with marine life from shoals of elegant manta rays to leopard and reef sharks, giant turtles, clown fish and gentle dolphins.

And whether you are a complete beginner or a super-experienced diver, the highly professional and friendly staff at the resort's newly refurbished Dive Centre are on hand to expertly guide you every step of the way (prices start at $65 per dive.) 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.

Electronically chilled to the perfect temperature, this place is home to more than 4,000 hand-picked bottles of wine from world-renowned New World and Old World wineries.

The choices at the Hilton Maldives Resort and Spa really are endless, but no matter what you decide to do with your precious time you're guaranteed to return home with a set of memories as indelible and as vivid as your holiday snaps.

There's one other big attraction with the Maldives - its location means it can be easily packaged in a two-centre stay, with a fascinating choice of alternative destinations including Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore.

Just point your camera in the right direction and believe me, you can't go far wrong.