Maldives

• Go in the summer silly! - Indian Ocean
• Lovers in Luxury - Maldives
• Feet first into the Maldives - Maldives
• No news, No shoes - Maldives
• My wedding pact with David Walliams - Maldives
• Push the boat out - Seychelles
• Relaxation Addict - Seychelles
• Mauritius the Delicious - Mauritius
• Mr Perma-Tan in Paradise - Mauritius
• Never seen you looking so lovely - Mauritius
• Island Iffy No Longer - Sri Lanka
• Having a swell time! - Seychelles
• Perfect, even for the world’s pickiest guest! - Maldives
• Do not disturb - Mauritius
• My tantrum in paradise - Mauritius
• Calendar girl makes a date - Maldives
• Lipstick and high heels not required - Maldives

Many countries treat the subject of global warming as simply an interesting topic for debate. In the Maldives, rising sea levels are a more pressing concern.

This chain of 26 atolls some 450 miles south-west of Sri Lanka is made up of 1,200 small islands of which only 200 are inhabited, and most of these accommodate luxury resort hotels. On all of these tiny spits of land, the sea is never far from view.

The Maldives may have a growing profile as a holiday destination but the islands’ topographic profile is almost non-existent: according to climate-change experts, the islands are under serious threat of extinction if sea levels continue to rise.

You have only to set foot on one of the many dots of earth that make up this sublime necklace of islands to see that their slim landmass is incapable of offering serious resistance to rising ocean levels.

Perhaps it is the very fragility of the islands that accentuates their extraordinary, gentle beauty. Equally lovely are the Maldivian people, who are every bit as gentle and delightful as their serene country. The Maldives certainly struck a chord with me.

I had been very busy starring in my show at the famous Crazy Horse revue in Paris – a city I have come to love so much that I’ve bought an apartment there. But immediately after my Paris run came to an end, I decided I needed a tropical beach holiday.

My friends kept telling me that I would love the Maldives. I read about Kanuhura, with its fantastic over-water villas, and was promptly hooked. I was told that it attracted an eclectic clientele. Previous guests, for example, have included Celine Dion and Axl Rose, lead singer of the band Guns N’ Roses.

So I was set for my first visit to the Maldives. Kanuhura is located on the eastern rim of Lhaviyani Atoll, on its own private island. Like most Maldivian resorts, it offers laidback luxury, all provided with wonderful Maldivian charm.

Peace under the palms

Simply getting to the resort is a fun adventure. I loved the 40- minute seaplane ride from Male airport to the resort. It was so exciting, one of the highlights of the trip. You get this fabulous, bird’s eye view of all the islands as you fly over them. I felt just like Peter Pan flying off to do battle with Captain Hook and the pirates.

And then, suddenly, we were touching down on the calm sea next to Kanuhura.

I was immediately struck by how much effort had gone into trying to retain the natural beauty of the island. Wherever possible, only natural materials have been used in the resort’s construction.

Kanuhura is surprisingly compact, measuring less than two thirds of a mile in length and about 200 yards wide. I knew immediately that it would suit me perfectly.

When I’m on holiday, I'm looking for some quiet time out during which I aim to spiritually gather myself together. People know me for always being dressed up, in high heels and wearing red lipstick. So I love it when, once in a while, I go somewhere I don’t have to do all that – where I can just bury my naked feet in the warm sand and relax.

Most of my life is spent under a pale pink spotlight in a G-string so I’m very body aware – I need to keep my figure. However, I’m not a big dieter. I definitely love delicious food but I use common sense. I avoid junk food and where possible choose to eat healthy, well-prepared meals. This seems to surprise a lot of people who are amazed to tell me that ‘I eat like a normal person’.

So one of the first things I was looking forward to on Kanuhura was to sample the food. As everybody had told me, it really was delicious.

The resort boasts that it serves ‘cuisines of unimaginable variety - food for romance, for relaxation, for the sheer pleasure of company.’ I was genuinely surprised at the number of restaurants available in such a relatively small resort but it was really great to dine at a different venue in a different setting every night. One night it would be Italian, the next, Thai… wonderful.

Thin Rah, the main restaurant, serves buffets for breakfast and dinner. The buffets are a work of art, especially the breakfast. My one regret was that I tended to sleep in too late to enjoy the amazing spread that was on offer every morning.

I did, however, enjoy a fantastic dinner by the pool at the Olive Tree restaurant, which serves Mediterranean- inspired dishes. I also highly recommend the Veli Cafe, which has a deservedly high reputation for light, fresh Asian cuisine. Its signature dish is the tuna carpaccio with chilli ice.

Though I like to relax on holiday, I don’t put away my watch or mobile phone: I like to stay connected to the world. I’m happy sitting under my beach umbrella with my BlackBerry handy. I love taking holiday snapshots, which I then send to my friends and family so they can have a picture of where I am and can see what I’m doing.

Kanuhura’s over-water villas, a feature of many Maldivian resorts were as wonderful as I’d hoped. Set along sun-bleached wooden pontoons, the villas have private sundecks and steps leading down to the water. Stepping into the clear, blue, warm sea water, alive with shoals of brightly coloured tropical fish, was pure bliss. I also loved my villa’s huge outdoor bathroom, which was incredible.

At night, I lazed in the tub staring up open-mouthed at the stars filling the black sky like necklaces of sparkling diamonds.

My main indulgences were wonderful massages and superb body treatments at the spa, all supplied by the brilliant, everattentive staff.

The four-hand massage performed by two people was particularly good. When I wasn’t being pummelled, I was happy as a cat, just hanging out on the beach, sitting under an umbrella or at the beach bar where guests can happily pass the time watching the weather change every five minutes.

And there was yet another unexpected treat in store - the excellent band playing at the bar every evening. I tried my best to catch them out with requests but they knew every pop song ever written – and all the words. Even my George Michael requests were performed in impeccable style!