Words by Cressida Valentine
Since Valentine’s Day draws ever-closer, Google-searches for the Best Proposal Spots have understandably skyrocketed. With so many awe-inspiring destinations just a flight away, the choice of where to stage the most magical moment of your relationship so far can seem overwhelming. To give you a helping hand, we’ve gathered a list of the best places to propose around the world; from intimate private islands to luxurious spa retreats, this list will help you mark this milestone moment with confidence.
Velaa Private Island, Maldives
Nothing says romance more than an exclusive private island. Add to that the fact that it’s only accessible by boat, and you have an unparalleled proposal destination that features a one-bedroom residence perched above an azure lagoon with breathtaking ocean views. Having reopened following a renovation in 2024, Velaa Private Island in the Maldives is the perfect place to get down on one knee in secluded style. With its dedicated package for couples, you’ll find that any pre-proposal nerves melt away with the aid of a Jacuzzi, infinity pool, butler, and spa treatment room – all at your exclusive disposal for the duration of your stay. A romantic dinner held on the floating jetty and catered by a private chef provides the perfect backdrop to a secluded Maldives proposal no one could refuse.
For more information please visit velaaprivateisland.com
NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
A magical island off the beaten track, Sumba in Indonesia offers a pristine mixture of beaches, tropical scenery and culture just an hour’s flight from bustling Bali. Nestled around a tree trunk, The Mamole Tree House in Nihi Sumba is the ultimate back-to-nature romantic retreat for the fun-hearted and adventurous. Born of a vision to protect and preserve the local Sumbanese culture (with a philanthropic programme that seeks to empower local communities by improving their water, health, education, and economy) the estate delivers an experience that makes it impossible not to fall in love with the untouched natural beauty of the island. If proposing weren’t daring enough, couples can immerse themselves in stand-up paddling down the Wanukaka River towards a unique Wild Wellness ‘Spa Safari’, or gallop a native Sumbanese horse along the mile-and-a-half long stretch of beach. In these secluded surroundings, you’re guaranteed to find an intimate spot to pop the question.
Rates at Mamole Tree House at Nihi Sumba start from £4,638 per night. Rates include all meals, accommodation, non-alcoholic drinks, local excursions and sea activities. For more information please visit nihi.com
CASONU, Corsica
In tribute to the classic stone sheepfolds of Corsica, Casonu is a traditional property with an abundance of authentic charm and tangible romance. By blending contemporary customs with local heritage, Casonu provides couples with a secluded romantic retreat in a carefully selected house, where the warm, wood-beamed ceilings and traditional patterned tiling encourages you and your partner to find the space to unwind beside a cosy, inviting fire. Upstairs, two rustic charming bedrooms await, looking out across the stunning Gulf of Valinco, placing you within touching distance of the Tyrrhenian Sea. As if the decked pool terrace and al-fresco dining offered by the shaded outdoor kitchen weren’t enough, the surrounding area is rich with couple-friendly activities, from exploring hidden coves by sail boat, to visiting ancient archaeological sites. Whether you choose to spend the day hiking or lounging by the pool, we recommend a proposal under the Corsican stars at this truly magical destination.
For more information please visit thethinkingtraveller.com
Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman
To unwind from the sensory overload of the powdery white-sand beach, vibrant emerald waters, and rugged grey mountains of Oman’s dramatic Musandam Peninsula, head to the aptly named ‘hidden jewel’ of Six Senses Zighy Bay. Here, couples will find an unmatched luxury spa experience that embraces local healing traditions to encourage rejuvenation and spiritual restoration. With this laid-back village resort (complete with pristine private beaches, sandy paths, and towering palm trees) already setting the scene for a tranquil proposal destination, why not indulge in some of the numerous tailored experiences on offer – from couples spa treatments to glimpsing the first rays of glistening sunshine as it rises over the Gulf of Oman? After a day of relaxation, savour an intimate candle-lit meal at one of the many restaurants. Whether you opt to enjoy stunning views at Sense on the Edge, which clings dramatically to the cliffs, or indulge in Arabian-inspired meals at beachfront date-spot Shua Shack with the rolling waves as your proposal soundtrack, there are endless opportunities to make this an unforgettable, romantic moment.
Rates at Six Senses Zighy Bay start from $1,135 (approx. £895) per night, based on two sharing a Pool Villa on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information please visit scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5080.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
Paris needs no introduction as the City of Love, and a list of the best proposal destinations would be incomplete without a mention of the city’s ritzy architecture, winding streets, and intimate bars. It doesn’t get more romantic than an evening stroll around the sparkling night-time Eiffel Tour as a folky version of ‘La Vie en Rose’ flows from a busker’s accordion. Pair these enviable delights with a stay in the Dorchester Collection’s Hôtel Plaza Athénée, and you’ll be immersed in romance. From the 1,900 red geraniums that adorn the hotel in time-honoured memory of the love story between Marlene Dietrich and Jean Gabin, to the hallowed wellness sanctuary of the Dior Spa, the recently renovated Hôtel Plaza Athénée offers it all, alongside the largest hotel suite in Paris – inclusive of four bedrooms, four bathrooms and two drawing rooms – in addition to spectacular views over Avenue Montaigne and the Eiffel Tower.
For more information please visit dorchestercollection.com/paris/hotel-plaza-athenee
Hotel Byblos, Saint-Tropez, France
If you fancy adding your own slice of romance to a hotel literally built on the foundations of love, then look no further than the Hotel Byblos, Saint-Tropez, for your destination proposal. Originally built by Lebanese billionaire Jean-Prosper Gay-Para to impress Brigitte Bardot following her starring role in And God Created Woman in 1955, the hotel has recently undergone suite renovations by Parisian interior designer Laura Gonzalez, and will open two new restaurants for the 2025 season. Soak up the gorgeous Saint-Tropez scenery and make this pocket of Southern French sunshine the destination of one of your own sunniest memories.
For more information please visit byblos.com/en
Region: Champagne, France
Few proposals are complete without the celebratory pop of a cork somewhere along the way, and what better way to start your wedding-planning journey than in the home of the original sparkling wine itself? A quick 45-minute train journey from the capital, the Champagne region of France is steeped in insightful history, breathtaking scenery, and the finest French gastronomy (which pairs effortlessly with the region’s liquid speciality). Whether you choose to benefit from a cultural visit to Reims Cathedral, or prefer the more sensory tours around the local Champagne houses, growers, and cooperatives, a stay in the Champagne region is always educational. Having enjoyed a tour of the cellars, and perhaps even met one of the producers whose work is at the heart of the region’s identity, why not end the evening in one of the nine Michelin-starred restaurants, with the ring in your pocket and bottle of the best on ice?
For more information on accommodation and a range of activities including hot-air balloon flights and vineyard picnics, please visit champagne.fr/en
Sandals Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
For those who dream of a proposal with toes in the sand and a sunset-streaked sky, Sandals Saint Vincent & The Grenadines offers a setting as cinematic as they come. The latest addition to the Sandals portfolio, this adults-only, all-inclusive resort sits within a lush valley, flanked by limestone cliffs and the Caribbean’s glimmering waters—a world away from the well-trodden proposal spots.
Imagine leading your partner along a rose-petal-strewn path to a secluded beach, where ‘Will You Marry Me?’ is elegantly inscribed in the sand, overlooking the tranquil ocean. A plush beach blanket adorned with cushions awaits, accompanied by a bottle of chilled sparkling wine and delectable chocolate-covered strawberries. As a local guitarist serenades you with enchanting island melodies, a professional photographer discreetly captures the magic of your proposal, providing you with a cherished keepsake. Nestled within a valley framed by stunning limestone cliffs, Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines is the latest addition to the esteemed Sandals Resorts portfolio. This all-inclusive, adults-only haven boasts 11 diverse restaurants and five bars, including the unique Buccan, which offers a family-style dining experience utilising local island ingredients. The Three Jewels Rum Club presents an impressive selection of 32 different rums, each representing the 32 local islands and cays in the region.
Accommodations are nothing short of spectacular, with options such as the Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas. These luxurious retreats feature butler service, 24-hour room service, and complimentary airport transfers by speedboat, along with direct ocean access. Guests can explore the resort at their leisure on provided bicycles and partake in exclusive activities not offered at other Sandals resorts, such as sunset paddleboarding, Pilates classes, and guided kayaking excursions to the nearby Buccament Bay Bat Caves.
To book go to: Sandals Saint Vincent & The Grenadines
Nido, Corfu a Mar-Bella Collection hotel
It’s rare to feel as though you’ve stumbled into a storybook in adult life, but there is no better way to describe the timeless charm of Corfu. Quietly emerging as Greece’s ultimate couples destination, the enchanting island’s magic lies in its authenticity. From plush landscapes to intimate coves and historical cobblestone streets scented by olive groves and overhung with scarlet bougainvillea, Corfu is a secret haven where lovers can share private moments far from the buzzing crowds. The quaint village atmosphere of Nido, an adults-only resort on the southeast coast, is the perfect location to enhance this mature sense of solitude. Nido – where contemporary luxury meets traditional Corfiot charm – offers everything from cooking classes to spa treatments to blissful sunset cruises, allowing you and your partner to create cherishable memories every moment you spend relaxing in your private suite, enjoying the sweeping sea view.
Rates at Nido start at €258 for a Junior Sea View Suite on a bed and breakfast basis. For direct bookings made between February 13-16 at any of Mar-Bella Collection hotels, a complimentary Signature treatment for two (worth approx. €420) will be added to the stay. Use code #IonianWavesofLove when booking. For more information please visit Nido by Mar-Bella Collection: 5-Star Hotel in Corfu Adults-Only
The Lakes by YOO, the Cotswolds, UK
It’s hard to ignore the hype that the Cotswolds has been receiving on social media lately, but with its endless, honey-coloured villages and idyllic rolling English countryside, the attention is unquestionably well deserved. The Lakes by YOO is the perfect retreat for nature-loving couples; just 90 minutes from busy London, these lakeside cabins are drenched in romantic ambiance, offering total tranquility and complete privacy in an enchanting wilderness oasis. Nestled amid 850 acres of meadows and woodlands, lovebirds can enjoy a range of bespoke experiences, from private cocktail tastings to wild swimming, boating, and privately-catered al-fresco dining. If you’d prefer to settle back beside a crackling wood burner in a four-poster bed overlooking the shore of Marley Lake, then perhaps the therapies provided at The Spa by YOO (with treatments by COSMOSS & Dr Barbara Sturm) will rejuvenate, relax, and prepare you for the wedding prep that lies ahead…
Rates in a two-bedroom lakeside cabin start from £850 per night. Three-bedroom lakeside apartment from £995 per night. For more information please visit thelakesbyyoo.com
Chewton Glen, Hampshire, UK
Reach for the stars with a treehouse proposal that will make her feel sky-high with happiness. In the heart of a fabled English forest just minutes from the coast, Chewton Glen perfectly harmonises their 18th-century country house and spa with their famed Treehouse Suites. Perched 35 feet above the ground, couples can spend their evenings stagazing through the dappled canopy of overhanging trees, or choose to transform their treehouse into an indulgent private spa with the help of skilled on-site therapists. For the foodies out there, Chewton Glen offers the unrivalled experience of refining your culinary skills alongside British celebrity chef James Martin but, if you prefer to take a more backseat approach, be safe in the knowledge that the team of talented chefs in the hotel’s restaurant The Kitchen will consistently deliver fine-dining at its best. Whether in the outdoor hot tub or sipping speciality wines in front of the fire, this unique estate offers endless opportunities for the perfect peaceful proposal.
For more information please visit chewtonglen.com
Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire, UK
The slow-paced charm of the English countryside is perfectly captured by the Four Seasons Hotel, Hampshire, where a sprawling 18th-century Georgian manor house offers guests a quintessentially English getaway. This cosy countryside retreat beautifully blends limitless access to the great outdoors with impeccably designed interiors. In the manor’s renovated stable block, the endless choices offered in the historic spa will enhance your natural post-proposal glow, helping you to start your pre-wedding wellness journey on the right foot. Whether you choose to succeed your treatments from 111Skin, Ila, or Dr Barabra Sturm with a plunge in the infinity pool, share a couples facial, or dine in one of the multiple restaurants where locally sourced British produce is championed, be sure to end the day at the Liberty Bar, where a celebratory cocktail awaits.
Rates at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire start from £520 per night for a Garden Room. ‘Just The Two of You’ spa package starts from £460pp. For more information please visit fourseasons.com/hampshire
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Nothing could be more pleasurable than an escape to the beachfront villas offered at Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. This luxurious hotel will provide you with everything from a tailor-made engagement experience to a couples massage at the new Natura Bissé spa. Their unique Romance Package is a hand-crafted celebration of love; alongside a private four-course dinner in a torch-lit natural cenote – where the bubbling notes of the cascading waterfalls harmonise with the charming serenade of the local musicians – this luxury package includes intimate experiences designed to craft your engagement dreams into picture-perfect reality. From a private jet ride over the tropical rainforest to a boat trip to the pristine beaches of Saona Island, anything is possible under the blissful Caribbean sun.
Starting rates for the seven-night Romance Package is £4,800 in a junior suite, inclusive of breakfast. For more information please visit edenroccapcana.com
Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
In a hotel that spreads over eight acres with a 700-foot private white-sand beach known as one of the best in the Caribbean, the team at Jamaica Inn have mastered the art of combining discreet privacy with heartfelt personalised service. The timelessness of Ocho Rios prompts a change in perspective; where better to propose than in this slice of paradise, where the simple joys of living replenish the soul and allow you to fall in love all over again? With the hotel’s exclusive ‘Celebration of Love’ Package, you can start your getaway with a chilled bottle of Champagne in your luxurious cottage, drinking in the panoramic turquoise sea-views to the accompaniment of a 5-course dinner under a canopy of stars. A complementary Summer Citrus Scented Candle will forever remind you of the magic moments spent barefoot in the sand, and the opportunity of a concierge-arranged photoshoot on the beach means this small sliver of paradise will forever light a flame in your heart.
Rates from $544 per night. For more information please visit jamaicainn.com
Trisara, Phuket, Thailand
The lush tropical gardens and discrete private bay at Trisara pose a pristine backdrop to an unforgettable proposal overseas. Nestled on a secluded bay enveloped by tropical rainforest, Trisara is Phuket’s most exclusive private resort, and it’s where Thailand’s rich heritage harmonises with the local Buddhist traditions, celebrating Phuket’s immense cultural legacy. For the adventurous, a proposal in the sky is on offer with a uniquely daring helicopter ride, or, for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, you can opt for a personalised in-villa setting complete with candles, flowers, and Champagne. The resort’s Michelin-starred dining offers exquisite culinary creations to help you celebrate your engagement in mouth-watering style, blending Thai flavours with global influences to make every morsel both memorable and magical.
Rates from $1,100 USD (approx. £902) per night. For more information please visit trisara.com
Kuda Villingili,, Maldives
Towering palm trees and beachside private villas are on offer at the Kuda Villingili Resort in the Maldives, where every moment leading up to your proposal is tailored to panic-free perfection. Whether you prefer to get down on one knee during a private sunset cruise, or deepdive into a unique proposal underwater, thanks to bespoke proposal packages and personalised touches, Kuda Villinglini is where idyllic island life comes hand-in-hand with high-end elegance. Seated on the terrace of an Asian-culture-meets-Maldivian-style villa, couples can watch the final rays of Maldivian sunshine dancing on the Indian Ocean before savouring an unforgettable dining experience in one of the resort’s three chic dining spaces. Create lifelong memories in this romantic oasis, just 30 minutes from Velana International Airport.
From $1,570 (approx £1,200) per night for a Sunset Beach Villa with Private Pool on a bed and breakfast basis, excluding taxes. For more information please visit kudavillingili.com
Arev, St Tropez
St Tropez is famed for its old-school luxury and vintage glamour, something the new boutique hotel by luxury lifestyle collection AREV exudes in abundance. A pleasant 5-minute walk from the bustling French town, its quirky romance is immediately obvious from the bold navy-and-white stripes, eye-catching red detailing and blue-shuttered facade. Entirely bedecked in nautical style by Madrid designer Luis Bustamante, each of the 43 suites is a beautiful reminder of your glamorous South of France location, where the town’s oldest eatery, The Strand, is honoured by the eponymous hotel restaurant. Whether you choose to spend the day indulging in the exclusive range of made-in-St-Tropez beauty products in the spa, or listening to the steady click of petanque balls in the mini-village shaded by olive trees, a proposal at AREV embraces the dreamlike nostalgia of the region’s 1970s glory days.
Rates start from €590 in winter and €1,500 in peak season. For more information please visit arevcollection.com
Cali Mykonos, Mykonos, Greece
On the tranquil eastern side of Mykonos, Cali Mykonos is spread across 40 exquisitely designed suites and villas in a one-of-a-kind embodiment of understated elegance. Every space is a symphony of light and serenity, mirroring the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea with expansive natural interiors to create a seamless connection with the outdoors. Unobstructed sea views, private heated swimming pools, and secluded terraces provide newly engaged couples with endless opportunities to celebrate their engagement in intimate, unspoiled luxury. Cali Mykonos’s award-winning concierge team are architects of the extraordinary and specialise in turning dreams into reality; their unparalleled connections to the island’s most-coveted experiences (from charter-yachts to horse riding) ensure every detail meets each couple’s unique desires.
Rates from €900 on a bed and breakfast basis. For more information please visit calimykonos.com
Calabash Hotel, Granada
Calabash Hotel, Grenada, is an idyllic setting for romance. Standing with your feet in hot sand on the tranquil shores of Prickly Bay, you cannot fail to be seduced by the intimacy of the warm, salty breeze as you look out at the Caribbean Sea’s crystalline waters. A Relais & Chateaux property, Calabash Hotel is renowned for its gracious hospitality and intimate charm, with just 30 elegant suites. The hotel’s Romance Package provides the perfect start to your forever, offering romantic candlelit dinners, indulgent Swedish massages, suite upgrades, and home-made chocolate truffles exclusively to couples who begin their engagement journey in this magical location. For a truly indelible proposal, you can opt for a private-dining experience against the spectacular backdrop of a Grenadian sunset, and enjoy the fusion of the island’s carnival colours with the vibrant flavours and spices on your plates. This is a destination where moments are created to be cherished forever.
Rates from $850 (approx. £670) per night, including breakfast and private airport transfers. For more information please visit calabashhotel.com
Andronis Luxury Suites, Oia, Santorini
For a creative proposal that induces an eruption of joy, look no further than Andronis Luxury Suites in Oia, Santorini. With a view of the ancient volcano and surrounding islands in the distance, the heavenly suites of this wonderfully romantic property are literally carved into the cliffside (along with a private pool or Jacuzzi). Combining luxury with first-class dining, the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Lycabettus, is truly the star of the show; deemed one of the most beautiful restaurants in the world, it’s rumoured to be the site of a nightly marriage proposal. If you can find room on the mesmerising view-point terrace to get down on one knee, you’ll have a proposal destination that’s impossible to forget!
Rates from £560 per night. For more information please visit andronis-suites.com
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