I am having trouble deciding where to pop the question. All of these places look beautiful.

I have narrowed the list down to the following, BUT AM OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS! The only requirement is that the hotel/B&B/spa is located in the continental US or Canada (I want to limit travel time to 5 hours). FYI: I plan to propose in mid-January.


-Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel-Dana Point, CA
-The Phoenician, Phoenix
-Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur
-Auberge du Soleil, Napa


Would you recommend one over the other another or have a suggestion of your own? I deeply appreciate all feedback.

-Tony

can anyone help Tony?

Tony, any of those places would be fine. I don't think it matters where as much as what is truly in your heart. Getting down on one knee after wine and roses and saying what is in your heart would matter more to your girl than where you are!

Well... this is a very subjective query..a start to a good marriage is to find out what is most important to your fiancee..is she a beach at sunset (Laguna Niquel), dramatic snow-capped mountain, with the scent of trees and fresh air (Big Sur) type, or a luxury, super fine wine rural type (Napa) sorry have not been to Phoenix.That should determine... when she dreams of vacation what does she more frequently mention... going to Hawaii or up to Montana? What places has she enjoyed in the past or have the two of you enjoyed together? Me personally, I would choose Big Sur since for dramatic scenery you just can't beat it,, plus I love horseback riding and the scent of forests. I find Napa (no offence intended to anyone please) boring, but then again I am not a big wine taster, my in-laws love Napa, and I grew up next to the beach and have really fair skin so Dana Point would be right out, plus beachy locations tend to be often misty and/or damp which could effect your ability to create the perfect atmosphere based on what ever criteria you chose. Regardless, good luck!

The Phoenician is beautiful - I was there last year but it doesn't strike me as a very romantic place. I would go for Carmel, California. Take a walk along the highlands (the cliffs) with the waves crashing in. Big Sur is also spectacular as someone suggested. The 17 mile (I think it's 17!!!) around Carmel which includes the 18th hole of Pebble Beach would be awesome. How about Banff - you could go to one of the many chateaus and propose by a big fire!

Get your wife to be naked in the shower. Get her hot and lathered and pour her a glass of champagne. Place a wedding ring into said glass of champagne.

Gotta say it: I'm female and I kinda like the last suggestion best. My guy and I have been talking about getting married for a couple years now, and while we've finally decided on WHEN, I still wish he would've at some time proposed. It's not so much where it happens, just that it happens.

http://www.innatsaratoga.com/
After a brief seperation, my significant other took me here for a reconciliation. This was the most beautiful place I'd ever stayed. The bathroom was bigger than my apartment and the bathtub was the size of my bathroom. Spring for a room with a whirlpool bath, and buy a bottle or tow of champagne. There is a wine and cheese reception in the afternoon, and a continental breakfast in the morning. The nicest part, though, was the brook behind the hotel. The town is really cute too, you'll find plenty of nice restaurants within walking distance. Oh, and on Saturday morning, there is a farmer's market.
Well anyway, this romantic weekend saved our relationship, I think it would be perfect for a proposal. From your choices, it seems you're on the West Coast, so you can fly into San Jose airport and drive to this location.

Good luck.

try L'Auberge in sedona; creekside French cottages. (although the shower scenario sounds better to me)

It's been about 5 years since I was in Scottsdale, but if I remember correctly the Hyatt there has gondola rides at night and the gondoliers sing Italian love songs. It's a very nice resort too.

See there? You're not receiving many really good suggestions for two reasons. 1) No one ever reports back. And 2) Any reasonably imaginative guy can figure this out for himself!

Tony,

Been to Ritz Laguna & Post Ranch Inn. Both are breathtaking. What about saving one of those places for the honeymoon instead, or do you have something even more grand planned for that?

The Post Ranch is very secluded and like no place you've ever seen before. One side of the restaurant there is all glass, and you feel as if you'll fall out into the ocean - unbelievable. There's a small deck off of the restaurant that has all glass walls (waist high), so it looks as though you're standing in midair - would be a very cool place to propose. There's only enough room for two...

Stephanie,
I agree with you about saving something for the honeymoon.
To that end, I only want to go for one night, and whisk back into town. ...Kind of a surprise whirlwind trip...

That knocked out Post Ranch, although it was my first choice (they require a 2 night stay).

I was wondering whether the Phonecian would be romantic, and Alanna cleared that up for me in her post.

The other suggestions were helpful too.

I’ve decided on the Ritz-Laguna. It seems to be made for this occasion. I know she will absolutely love it.

Has anyone tried their "Proposal Package"?

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/html_prop...D=11&PageNo=55

It looks like it's a bit too impersonal (and tacky)....but it seems to be popular since it was booked weeks ahead. I think I'd rather plan the details myself, although it will be difficult since I live 3,000 miles away from the hotel.

Thanks for all of the insightful posts so far.

-Tony

For those interested,

I posted a little TR in the "Ritz Carlton Laguna: Is The View This Good?" topic.

-Tony

What a special guy you are! At the time of my proposal my husband couldn't wait and asked me on the phone - we had a long distance relationship. So see, it doesn't matter how you do it - just as long as it is sincere! We have been married 12 years. Best to you and your wife to be!