Why? I not only lost my heart there but also my older children. We stayed at Club Med, which has so much for kids that you only recognise them from behind as they run off to another activity. It meant we got plenty of time to ourselves to relax - and Mauritius is a very relaxing place.

The best thing? The swimming racehorses. Club Med is just along the beach from stables and, at 6am, the horses would be taken to the beach to run around and swim in the sea. I'd get up with the kids - the only time I've ever been excited about getting up that early - and we'd stroll along the beach to watch the racehorses.

My ideal day: The morning would be taken up with seeing the racehorses and then having breakfast. After a swim with my children, I'd put the baby to bed and grab a doze or do some water-skiing with my husband. At night, we might all take a boat trip, have dinner at the hotel and head off to bed, exhausted.

My advice: Mauritius is not at all dangerous, so don't be afraid to explore.

Getting there: Cheapflights (cheapflights.com) has flights between Heathrow and Mauritius from around £570 return.

Where was your best holiday? Fiji, one Christmas.

What is the best hotel you have ever stayed in? Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry. It's a former abbey and set in 500 acres of parkland and gardens.

Where do you want to go next? I'll crave some remote island but end up going Club Med, because I know it will be fab.

What do you never travel without? Mobile phone and fake tan.

· For eight years, Patsy Palmer was best known to millions as Bianca from EastEnders. She has three children, and makes her West End debut in Mum's The Word, which opens tonight at the Albery Theatre, London, (box office 020-7369 1730).