New York to get engaged
 

Hello all! Thanks in advance for all of the GREAT help I get from this site. Now, I need you all more than ever.

You see, I am asking my girlfriend of 3 years to marry me in New York next weekend. I will be checking in to a hotel on Friday, March 31st and checking out April 2nd. I am excited that we are going to be taking this trip first class all the way except one thing...I haven't booked a room yet. Now, I am not a slacker at this stuff, but it turns out that my girlfriend has a week off before starting her next job so I am moving up the big day by a month...what better way for her to start off her new career!

Anyway, I am looking for a hotel that has great access to the pulse of New York. We like shopping, dining and nightlife so we really want to be in the "hustle" of it all. As for my budget, I don't see us spending a ton of time in the room, so I would ideally like to be under $300/night. I have looked at the W Union Square and Soho Grand to give you examples of my taste and style. Maybe you know a gem that is not often talked about. In any event, I want someplace nice. I have saved and saved and saved for this weekend and want it to be as memorable as it can possibly be.

Thank you for your help in this Fodor's community!!! And wish me luck!

Jeremy

Well - this may not be helpful - but Msrch 31 is almost here. So my advice is to reserve something cancellable NOW that you can live with - so you don;t get shut out. Then you can take a little more time to find what you really want.

For instance - the Soho Grand doesn;t have many rooms left and the least expensive is the basic queen - at about $360 per night.

Congrats in advance! I just got married myself and it is such an exciting time! NYC should be a great place to propose.

Last time in NYC I stayed at the Hudson Hotel. I think the site is morganshotelgroup.com. We got a deal with a room and free overnight valet (we drove) for $235 per night. The ambiance of this hotel is very cool, the food and service are amazing. I like the location, it's around W. 57th and 9th (i think) near Central Park and there were lots of great restaurants nearby.

The only drawback...our room was about 150 square feet. So, you should probably get the most expensive room you can afford, i think if you spend another $50 you can get another 100 square feet which should be worth it. My husband literally had to leave the room so I could change and put on makeup.

That aside it is a very cool place and I'd definitely stay there again. Since you're not spending a ton of time in the room, the small size shouldn't be too bothersome. And your girlfriend will definitely be wowed by the entrance and the amazing lobby :)

Best of luck!
Bokchoy

Thank you...great tip, going to check that out now! Ambience and location are definitely the two most important things to me. I want us to walk out of the hotel and "feel" the city. From my previous stays in New York, small rooms seem to be the norm. My budget is defintitely flexible, probably up to $400/night TOPS if it means that much better of an experience. Thanks Bokchoy!

Jeremy...I usually stay @ The Helmsley Park Lane, you can get Park View King $300, City View King $250, or tell them you are me and get City View King @$240 and get upgraded as I always do.....:D

Try Le Parker Meridien (parkermeridien.com). My husband and I stayed there after getting engaged and loved it. The prices are right in your range...although somehow we got a junior suite for about the price of a regular room now. The location is perfect--right on W. 57th in the heart of it all. Congratulations to you.

Hi Jeremy. I did a search for you on kayak.com (a site that searches lots of other sites) and here are some hotels I found for your dates that I think either fit your description or are great, romantic places. I'm staring the hotels that aren't trendy but that are nice and romantic

70 Park Ave. $295 on kimpton.com

W Tuscany or W Court $309 whotels.com

*Omni Berkshire $337 onetravel.com

*NY Palace $345 onetravel.com

Royalton or Morgan's $349 onetravel.com

W Union Square $379 whotels.com

*Plaza Athenee $395 lhw.com

You should read reviews on tripadvisor.com

The Bryant Park Hotel is another place to check.

In terms of places already mentioned, the location of the Park Lane is great and a park view would be awesome. Just read reviews on tripadvisor. I think the hotel might feel a bit dated. Parker Meridien is a nice idea. The location of the Hudson is not very convenient imo and rooms are miniscule. Just remember the trendy places often have very small rooms.

Just a heads up, your girlfriend may feel a bit anxious or stressed starting a new job. Hope you're picking the right time to do this.

I second bokchoy choice in hotel except that I got lucky and did it through priceline and only paid $135 per night :)), central park is really close by too, do you know where you will pop the question?

You all are doing better than ever for me today!!! I am searching these fast and furiously. Mclaurie, great question, but I am positive this is the right time. Her new job is a big time step up and something that has been in the works for awhile. We have been to a few dinners with her new colleagues over the past few weeks and even they know I am about to pop the question, so I think it would be a nice surprise but also a great way for us to start our life together.

Right now I am thinking of popping the question on Friday so we can enjoy Saturday night engaged. I have a reservation at Daniel on Friday and am still not sure if I will do it there or somewhere else in the city.

All of these hotels look great. The park lane sounds great (park or city view?) but i definitely prefer trendy and hip to something old and "antique" feeling.

I'm going to keep searching through all of your recommendations. My first thought was the W Union Square. I have heard good things but really am learning about so many spots from you all that NEVER crossed my mind.

I am even having a friend pack for her (her best friend in the world so don't worry, she will have the right outfits) and having a sedan pick her up friday morning and take her to Unions Station (Washington, DC) to meet me for our train trip!

Jeremy...When I stay @ The Park Lane, I am the trendiest,hippest,hottest, and youngest one in the hotel...hip too!!But it is a bit "Old World" but not overly so...There is, IMHO, something so very magical about a Park View room.....Best of Luck!!

Ok, this is not fair, stuff the hotel. HOW are you going to ask her??? lets get to the juicy bits. Are you aware of the diamond district in NYC and are you going there? I picked up some fabulous diamonds there and its a great place to go. But details - we need DETAILS....... If her work colleagues get to know, then dammit so do we!!!!!!!!! I've been married 20 years so I hope yours will be as happy as mine.

Okay....i don't know about you all, but I was unable to access fodors over the past two hours....anyway, I booked at the W Union Square. In searching through their special offers on the starwood site, I found the $379 room for $329 PLUS: Unlimited 1 day NYC Metro Card
1,000 bonus Starpoints®
Upgrade to next available room type
A copy of the New York Times daily
A Bloody Mary or Mimosa
Garment Pressing of suit and top
Sweet dessert with in-room dining
Morning coffee service daily

Instead of booking online for the standard room, I called and explained my situation, obviously in a nice voice because she upgraded my room and put in for early check-in. Thanks to all of you, I decided to dig deeper in my search...thank you so much for the help!!!

If you have any hip restaurant recommendations that are compatible with my weekend, would love to hear. I have the Daniel reservation but am still open for anything fun and trendy.

Okay jjah, I must confess that I do not yet know how I am going to do it. I flew to the Tucson Gem Show last month and purchased a beautiful ring. Diamonds around platinum with a 2 ct. princess cut in the middle. I think she is going to love it. Anyway, I am going to tell her that I am taking off at lunch on Friday so we can spend the weekend before her new job together. At 9 am next Friday, a sedan will pull up to her place, she will be surprised, champagne and a drive to Union Station in DC for the 10:30 am. Acela to New York (Penn Station). The second I pick her up she will know what is coming I think and that is totally fine. Any advice is welcome.

I am VERY excited and the ring has been killing me over the past month, but I didn't want to ask because she had been hard at work planning an engagement party for a mutual friend and I thought it would be a little rude to do it a week before our friends engagement party.

In any event, I am excited and I know our weekend is going to be amazing. I still need to figure out where I am going to ask. As for what I will say and she will say, I think I have that pretty much figured out.

Thanks again for all of your help!

Jeremy

This is very sweet!

Best wishes to the both of you! :)

Jeremy-

Sounds like a great plan. She'll love it. Best wishes to you.

=D>

The other restaurant to consider is Bouley. It's downtown.

http://thestrongbuzz.com/belly/belly_search_results.php

Oh I am so excited just hearing about it! The Hudson is a fun place for lunch or drinks if you decide to check it out. I recommend at least hitting their bar "The Library" in the early evening for a quick drink.

Don't forget to post a report after the big weekend!

SO EXCITING :)

Love it! Good luck and an early congratulations!

Last time we were in town, we were told the Spice Market in the Meat Packing District was a hot spot. Make reservations. We also went to a Battali's restaurant, forget the name, starts with a B. We were impressed but stuffed. Apparently just because they offer 3 courses doesn't mean you should try and eat 3 courses. They have "walk in" dining at 5pm. Just a few spots. Reservations, I understand, are gone as soon as they are available.

That all sounds wonderful, Jeremy. What a lucky lady! :)

Below is a link to a very long thread about different proposal options. Perhaps this will be helpful to you?

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34698230

I am a bit biased, because my husband proposed to me in NYC (on a carriage ride at Christmas!), but there are just so many wonderful, romantic, memorable ways to pop the question.

Good luck to you, and congratulations on beginning your new life together!

It always amazes me how helpful all of you are when someone has a great question like this. I really feel that this site is more like a loosely organized volunteer group, doing something helpful all the time, 24/7.

All that said BRAVO FODORITES.

jliven:

Congrats on your upcoming trip, I know you will have a great time while you are here.

I would suggest staying at The Palace, which is in the heart of the city on 50th St and Madison Ave and they usually offer a very good weekend rate. I can probably also pull a string or two and have a nice basket in the room.

Other than the palace, you might try www.hotels.com, you can plug in your dates of travel and find out which hotels are available and what the rates are so you can compare location, amenities and rooms very easily.

Hope this helps and have a great time.

You have made some great plans and you are extremely thoughtful - have a wonderful weekend!

agree with bokchoy. hudson is a nice hotel and fun too. the bar there is a pretty cool local hangout. any of the ian schrager (sp?) hotels would be along your taste I think. the mandarin is good too but it is quite expensive. how about the dream hotel? last i saw, they had some deals. the muse hotel is another although really not in the same category as the ones mentioned above.

in any case, congrats and good luck! that's so romantic!

oh, and since it's NY, something to think about. Have you seen that movie "Serendipity"? It's a love story about 2 people fated to be together. Anyway, Serendipity is also a dessert place (cafe/restaurant) in NY (on 72nd near central park). How about watching that movie together, and setting it up to pop the question there after dinner? I bet if you call the restaurant, they can arrange to do something special for you like premake a certain dessert she likes and have the ring somewhere on the plate?

...sorry, a bit of a romantic, can't you tell?

Good luck and be sure to let us know how it turns out.

P.S. Check out the Dream Hotel.... (http://www.dreamny.com/)

or less obvious, get her friend to watch the movie with her before your trip?

....so exciting!

p.s.s. here's a link to serendipity
(http://www.serendipity3.com/)

NY PALACE!!!!!
Absolutely exquisite!!!

Jliven - Congrats, you must be very excited! Just one quick note - please be aware that Daniel is in no way "hip and trendy." Amazing, beautiful, lovely, yes. But NOT trendy. That said, I think it would be a lovely place for your Friday dinner (since I really think that most women would prefer romantic to trendy on their proposal night). Perhaps head downtown for a trendy dinner on Saturday night, when you are basking in the glow of being engaged? Depending on what kind of food you are looking for, hot tables right now include Sascha (not 100% that they are open to the public yet, but will be in a few days), Buddakan, Morimoto (not worth the $$, IMO, but a cool space), Thor...

Dear Jeremy,

God it nearly killed me not being able to get back onto this site last night and check if you answered. Similarly this morning!!!!
Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job so far and you hardly need any advice. HOWEVER, being an Aussie I can't but help myself and give an opinion.... so here goes. Don't be tripping over yourself to ask her. Let it evolve over the course of the day / evening or whenever you plan to ask her. I'm guessing she is far from lacking in insight so I'm sure she will know its coming, but hey good things come to those who wait. And trust me its worth waiting. If you blurt it out at the beginning the magic is a bit lost, let it build a little - the tension is everything.... Pick the place in your head and then just RELAX and let yourself have a magical wonderful day. This is an important day for you as well. Most importantly tell her WHY you want to marry her. She will remember those words for the rest of her life.

Oh, and one last piece of big sisterly advice, - nope two, 1. the whole getting down on one knee is (I think) mandatory (I'm sure other Fodorites will disagree) and 2. If you make the proposal in a specific place ie, in Central Park, Outside Tiffany's or wherever, take your camera, take a photo, then secretly keep that photo for 10 years and give it to her for your 10th wedding anniversary.

I wish you all the luck in the world. What an incredibly lucky woman she is.

Oh, oopps I can't help myself, one last bit, as I said you only get to do this once, so if you spend more than your budget - you wont remember that in 2, 5, 10, 20 years - BUT you WILL remember what you did on this day for the rest of your life. So chill about how much it costs - you will work it out in the long run.

Can you be in the sedan right with the champagne, proposing to her right then? I think that would be a big surprise--very romantic, private, and an awesome kick-start to a romantic whirlwind weekend. Otherwise, you and your girlfriend will both have an element of stress until you pop the question.

You all are awesome! My damn job is getting in the way of my planning for this big event, but I am online now! Also at [email protected].

I will definitely do the one knee proposal, absolutely. I am going to go flat broke on this trip but I really don't care. She deserves it so much that everytime I think I need to tone it down, I find myself doing something to make it better five minutes later!
I looked at the ring a dozen times last night!!!

Anyway, I am totally open to attractions and even good restaurant options, and even something that would go in place of Daniel (I realize it isn't hip or trendy but I hear the overall ambiance is tough to beat, as is the food.) That said, I am open to anything!

I have thought about asking her in the car on the way, but I really want to do it in New York...which honestly holds no special place for us, but the way I see it, New York soon will!!!

Wantsomesun...you are correct, the Fodorites totally came through and will be acknowledged as such on the train back home on Sunday.

And jjah, don't worry, I totally realize my budget is meaningly. I really have saved for a lot of this, including most of the ring, so I am ready. Regardless of where my budget ends up, we will be shopping for a new outfit for her for our trendy Saturday night. Something that looks good next to, oh I don't know, DIAMONDS!

And Maria_so...thanks for the reminder about Serendipity...frozen hot chocolate is on the list of things to do for certain!!!! We watched Better of Dead last night, not Serendipity, but still a little Cusak (i think his second best after "Say Anything.")

And for anyone who didn't see above, I got a room at the W Union Square and I spoke to them again today about doing some special things in the room. They have been very accomodating.

Now for the toughest (and in someways the easiest) planning of it all!

I owe you all one...if you ever come to DC or head out to Tucson, I am very knowledgeable about both. Thanks again!!!!

Jeremy

Personally, I'd stick with Daniel for Fri, although Bouley might be slightly more intimate.

Ooh, since you are staying at the W in Union Square (which I love, btw - small rooms but very stylish and great service) I have another suggestion. Sat morning is the Greenmarket in US. While she is in thw shower, step out and pick of Greenmarket brunch - cheese, fruit, bread, etc and a bottle of champagne. If it is nice, hop a cab for a picnic in Central Park. If not, picnic in your hotel room!

Let me know if you need suggestions for the Sat night dinner, and what kind of food/atmosphere/location you are looking for.

As for the shopping, luckily EVERYTHING goes well with diamonds!

Love that idea....I will definitely think about it, although on Saturday morning she might not want to shower alone :)

I am 100% open to Saturday dinner....this will be the night where we get dressed up in our new clothes from the day, head to a cool bar nearby or in the hotel for a pre-dinner drink, then to a fun, hip, trendy restaurant that we will read about in Page Six regularly. Also, Saturday dinner should be late right? Like 9 or 10pm? Then off to a cool lounge or two for the rest of the night. Cuisine isn't as important on Saturday as atmosphere is. Something that could best be described as FUN.

Thanks again!

Jeremy -

It all sounds so wonderful...very thoughtful and considerate.

My husband proposed to my at the Four Seasons in Austin - we were visiting. I was in the bathtub when he came in and proposed. A little weird, but a very unique memory nonetheless. It makes a good story - he had me trapped and I couldn't run away....

I'm not much into the restaurant proposal - it's too done.
I know you will know the perfect moment when you feel it...wait to feel it...then ask her.

BTW -

Same guy, my husband, was recently in NYC and had the best meal in his life at Gilt. I think it's in the Palace. He's a chef (was there doing a pvt dinner) - I'd take his recommendation if you can fit it in...

Since you are staying at the W I would suggest dinner at the Union Square Cafe, which is still one of the best restaurants in the city, and just down the block from the hotel.

And for the proposal. How about in Central Park, in front of the Bethesda Fountain, and then take a ride on the CArousel. The fountain will always be there, and you can come back and remember your special day there.

For a nice dinner I would also suggest one of my favorite restaurants called Pomodoro, it's on Columbus Ave around 70th St. The food is excellent, and the service is as well.

HOw about a concert or Opera at Lincoln Center (www.lincolncenter.org)

If you need a contact for rings, let me know.

Jeremy-

Recently, there is a thread here about where to propose inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If your girlfriend is into art, that would be a wonderful place...

Here's the link to the thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34716754

Okay...after careful thought and the advice of many of you, I decided I am not going to do it at dinner, but rather during the day Friday in New York so we can enjoy our fancy Friday, and trendy Saturday with no pressure and just the enjoyment of it all! So, I am going to be hunting for Friday, March 31st options. You all have seriously helped shape this entire event. Thank you again!!!

Saturday I definitely wanted to go to Budakkan after reading about it but the earliest dinner is 10pm, so I think I will keep searching for something at least at 9pm!

Jeremy

We just booked the Doubletree (not the Times Square one) for under $300- might be worth checking out!

The W is a nice hotel, rooms on the smallish side, and the lobby is quite nice and a hip bar that overlooks Park Ave.

I still say you might check The Palace as it is a spectacular hotel and in the heart of everything.

I had another thought on your proposal, the Temple of Dendur at the Met Museum, if you don't mind other people looking on, is centuries old and has endured, so see the connection,,, There is a beautiful reflecting pool, and it overlooks Central Park. After your big surprise, head up to the top of the museum to the cafe to celebrate with a glass of champagne and look out at the Park.

I'm sure we'll all keep thinking up great suggestions for you, so stay tuned.....

Honestly, if you can get the 10 at Buddakan, I'd grab it. Have a snack during the day, cocktail at 8:45, dinner at 10, go out at midnight (remember, bars in NY stay open until 4).

As for your pre-dinner Sat night drinks... Underbar is in the W, and is OK. Park Bar on 15th and USW is one of my fave bars in the city, although it is teeny tiny and gets really crowded on weekends, so might not work in this seeting. Cibar on Irving and I think 17th is a good choice, call to see if you can reserve a table. Stay away from Coffee Shop at all costs unless you like clueless wanna-be models pouring your drinks. On Park Ave btwn 14h and like 20th there are many trendy-ish restaurants where you could have a drink (Sushi Samba, Barca 18, Barbounia, though).

Pepper, that is interesting to hear about Gilt. I ADORE Liebrandt, but have been reluctant to try his new place bc the reviews have been so mixed and the place is SO expensive. Personally, I think on an important weekend like this you are probably better sticking with the tried and true of Daniel, although Gilt is definitely on my list.

OK, as for fun and trendy Sat dinner if you don't go with Buddakan... Da Silvano isn't new or anything, but still figures prominently in Page 6. Spice Market is a good space, but kind of past its prime on the cool factor. I believe Freeman's has reopened, that could be fun for a more casual dinner (they have a kind of Lower East Side hipster hunting lodge vibe, if you can inmagine that). I like Stanton Social a lot, again Lower East Side. Or Thor, also on the LES. (Can you tell I am way over the Meatpacking District?)

I'll keep thinking...

Dear Jeremy,

Just want to clear something up, I really didn't mean to insinuate that you were being tight with your budget, just that if you go over it - to relax about it because in a few years time you wont remember that part. Having said that I think you are being very generous and are going out of your way to think of great things.

What about having the room filled with her favourite flowers prior to arriving? (you can just say its a congratulation gesture for the job).

Don't worry about going over the top - I don't think you will get any of it wrong.
But you had SO BETTER TELL US HER ANSWER !!!!!!

J.