Discovering the Caribbean castaway island so beloved by Hollywood A-listers that a stay there was once included in an Oscars goodie bag

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How does it feel to live like an A-list celebrity?

Booked into the 'hyper luxurious' Cayo Espanto, a five-star private island paradise in Belize, we were about to find out.

The uber-private resort, with a staff-to-guest ratio of two-to-one, is a celeb favourite, with Tiger Woods, Robert De Niro, Leonardo Di Caprio, Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt among the guests who have stayed there.

Cayo Espanto is a five-star, ultra-luxurious resort on a private island in Belize, beloved by celebrities 

On the private island, guests stay in a tastefully decorated wooden villa, which comes with a plunge pool and private dock

In the exclusive island hideaway, the seven villas in the luxurious resort are dotted among the island's palm trees

In fact, it has proven so popular with A-list stars that a stay on the island was included in the 2011 Academy Awards goodie bag handed out to all nominees.

Prior to arrival, guests are given a detailed survey to fill out where you are asked to state your favourite food, snack, cocktail, whether you prefer to be lavished with attention or left alone – hell, even what time you like your coffee served in the morning.

We were coming to Cayo Espanto from the bohemian island of San Pedro, three miles away, the gateway to the crown jewel of Belize - the second largest barrier reef in the world.

The wonderfully private five-star resort is only a short distance away from some world-class snorkelling and diving spots

We arrived at our boat rather flustered having struggled to locate the correct port. I was also sporting ridiculous panda eyes having worn my snorkel mask far too tight the previous day. But no bother! Within seconds we had been presented with a wet cloth (I think the first time I had been given one apart from on an aircraft), an ice-cold bottle of water and were happily en-route to the private island.

As we approached the exclusive retreat I noticed that, incredibly, all 10 members of staff had lined up on our private dock to greet us. I scrambled around desperately trying to locate my sunglasses to disguise my absurd panda eyes, found them in the nick of time and then stepped off the boat and said 'hello' more times than I can remember.

We were then led to our tastefully decorated villa by the friendly manager Erika Saldivar. 

Cayo Espanto only has seven 'rooms' and each is hidden within palm trees. All come with an infinity edge plunge pool, a private dock, Turkish bath robes, Alfresco showers, an outdoor hammock and the most extraordinary king-size bed with wondrous Egyptian cotton sheets. My girlfriend got into the bed at 9pm and despite not being the least bit tired struggled to get out again, happily cocooned in the luxurious sheets.

Food at Cayo Espanto is exquisite and the portions are absolutely enormous, while there is also an extensive cocktail menu 

All rooms come with alfresco showers, an outdoor hammock and a king-size bed with wondrous Egyptian cotton sheets

Three tailored meals every day are included within the cost of the stay, as well as all drinks (apart from wine and champagne)

Master chefs prepare fresh meals every day tailed to fit each guest's preferences, filled out in a survey prior to arrival

Guests can relax in the outdoor hammock or dip into the plunge pool that looks out onto the Caribbean Sea 

Cayo Espanto is a truly wonderful paradise island set in the warm turquoise waters of Belize

After a grand tour, we were presented with a scrumptious plate of quesadillas (a favourite snack we'd mentioned in the survey) and then handed the five-course (five!) menu for the evening by chef Richard Gillett. We had to choose between one of three mains - the island paella; grilled grouper on wilted spinach or garlic marinated lamb champs. All tantalising.

Unsurprisingly a night at Cayo Espanto doesn't come cheap but the three tailored meals every day are included within the cost of the stay, as well as all drinks (apart from wine and champagne). The food is, without question, some of the best I have ever tasted and the portions are absolutely enormous. Particular highlights were the scallop martini entrée, shrimp and chorizo main course and apple crumble dessert.

Staff at the resort are referred to as 'housemen' and are at your every beck and call. Cayo Espanto prides itself on this uniquely personalised level of service. Anything you want is a mere walkie-talkie conversation away. As they approach the villa they shout 'hello' before appearing with an exquisite cocktail or a plate laden with food. Before every meal they serve, they present guests with that wet cloth again – do you wipe your face as well? I never know…before quietly disappearing from view.

The resort offers its guests a romantic, castaway experience that's the stuff of dreams

Cayo Espanto is a luxury four acre island resort where the likes of Brad Pitt and Tiger Woods have stayed 

The evening meals at the resort are incredible, with tables laid out quite beautifully

Meals at Cayo Espanto are served by 'housemen' with uninterrupted ocean views and away from other guests

In terms of activities, Cayo Espanto has a whole book full of them that guests can choose from and it provides free transportation to and from its dock in San Pedro during the day.  

A top choice is a trip to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley marine reserve, Mexico Rocks or Tres Cocos - all snorkelling and scuba diving spots that are up there with the best on the planet.

Our trip to Mexico Rocks, home to playful turtles and juvenile fish was a little more eventful than I'd anticipated as one American woman 'got cramp' and had to be rather dramatically rescued by the guide and towed back to the boat.

Back in the more relaxing confines of Cayo Espanto, we enjoyed a last 'snack' of melting cookies and cappuccinos before bidding farewell to all the staff, who lined up along the dock once more.

We then returned, reluctantly, back to reality….

Paradise: The island looks stunning no matter which perspective you see it from