Invited to "live moments of magic", Paul Whyatt heads to Tenerife and discovers a new side to the island.

IT was the most excited I'd ever felt in my life.

Having met my private butler and savoured every moment of a luscious eight-course meal, dished up by one of the world's finest chefs, I entered my Red-Level Demi Suite and closed the door.

And then I jumped, grinned a little (okay, a lot) and sprinted towards the king-size bed that was big enough to get lost in.

It may have been the champagne – which has been known to have severe repercussions on my memory – but I can recall being invited to "experience new sensations" and "live moments of magic" clearer than the blue Atlantic sea that made up the bulk of my view.

Already I was experiencing sensations and was ready for to witness the magic of a Canary Island sunset from the depths of my spacious, private courtyard jacuzzi.

I couldn't believe this was Tenerife. Put simply, The Gran Melia Palacio de Isora hotel, on the south-west coast, is in significant contrast to the rest of the island.

Boasting membership of the elite Leading Hotels in the World group, I had never considered Tenerife to be a world-leading island, although that judgment may have been a tad hasty.

The island is well-known for its eternal spring climate. The surrounding seas are a playground for the active, who may wish to indulge in dolphin and whale spotting, as well as sailing, diving, fishing and surfing.

Twenty-eight species of whale and dolphins have been spotted off the southern Adeje coast including giants such as sperm and humpback whales.

Inland there's a great selection of golf courses and numerous hiking routes offering volcanic scenery, primeval jungles and misty pine forests.

For the kids, there's the new Siam Park water park. Costing €53miliion, the adrenaline-pumping adventure land has full Thai theming on all rides, park buildings and restaurants.

The park's 25 buildings are the largest collection of Thai-themed buildings outside Thailand but it's the rides that are most memorable.

Three travel companions and I began by climbing the 235 steps to ride the 28-meter high Tower of Power – a vertical slide which sends riders hurtling through an aquarium tank and into a crash pool like a speeding bullet.

Next, we took on the Volcano – a four-person bowl slide with a laser inside producing a flashing image of a dragon.

And then, for the not-so-brave, the River Sawasdee which is the world's longest lazy river enabling a gentle 45-minute float around the entire park.

For those seeking spectacular sights, the tip of The National Park is excellent for exploring Tenerife's lunar landscape, and is the perfect location for star-gazing.

On the second night of our trip we were met by a local enthusiast and his translator who talked us through the different types of stars as a number of shooting stars appeared in the background.

Through a powerful telescope, we gazed at red stars (those close to dying), blue stars (newborns) along with clusters and planets.

Although enjoyable, standing in temperatures of -2 degrees was no luxury. That was best served at The Gran Melia Palacio de Isora hotel.

With a 2,000-square-metre spa offering all kinds of treatments, provided by world-class professionals, both body and mind are revitalised to the max.

Among the more unusual delights are individual floating tubs, chromo-therapy showers and bi-thermal foot baths. There is also the 260-metre long "lagoon" pool, in the form of a lake or an inland sea.

The restaurants are as spectacular as the rest of the hotel. There are six of them, including the famous Calima, run by Dan Garcia, holder of two Michelin stars. The rest of Tenerife will struggle to live up such lavish amenities.

Although there is no question Tenerife has come a long way in the past 10 years, visitors to the GM Palacio de Isora could still be forgiven for staying put and giving the rest of the island a miss.

South-west coast of Tenerife.

Getting there: Monarch Airlines offers flights daily from Birmingham International Airport and Manchester Airport, with return prices from £157. Call 0871 423 8550 or visit http://flights.monarch.co.uk/

Where to stay: Luxury accommodation at the Gran Melia Palacio de Isora hotel starts at £199 per person per night. Call +34 922 86 90 00 or visit www.granmelia palaciodeisora.com