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Couple at Motu Tapu in water

The top 3 destinations for a perfect proposal

Set the tone for an extraordinary life together with a magical proposal in one of these romantic locations.

By Paul Oswell | November 2, 2023

Whether your marriage proposal will be a total surprise or your significant other suspects it’s coming, you want that magical moment to be as perfect as possible. Start with a storybook setting with spectacular landscapes and romantic locales. Here are some of our favorite places to pop the question:

  • Intimate Anguilla: World-class beaches and gourmet restaurants await adventurous and amorous couples

  • Riding high in Versailles: Few places are more romantic than Paris, but just outside the City of Lights there’s the palace of Versailles

  • Breathtaking Bora Bora: Tropical islands, golden sands and dramatic hillsides are just some of the stunning backdrops in French Polynesia

Pool overlooking ocean
Picturesque backdrops provide the perfect setting for a proposal at Zemi Beach House.

Anguilla, West Indies

This stunning Caribbean island has long been a romantic escape for couples, and it’s little wonder why given its manifold charms. The petite island may measure just 35 square miles (91 square kilometers) in area, but it boasts 33 jaw-dropping beaches. Anguilla is still relatively untouched, too, so it’s sure to impress if you’re looking for a top-tier destination with secluded areas for a private proposal. The unspoiled panoramas in places like Shoal Bay Beach make for a dreamy and unique location to pop the question.

An intimate dinner is another perfect place to propose. In Anguilla, there’s no shortage of gourmet restaurants that set a romantic scene for you to declare your love. Reserve a table at Veya and savor the restaurant’s Caribbean fusion food, candlelit atmosphere and cozy Moroccan-style lounge.

You can also experience the pinnacle of romance at Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts. The staff can arrange an intimate beachfront dinner, with the sound of gentle waves as a soundtrack and the stars as your witnesses. Or, consider a daytime beach proposal, surrounded by a sea of rose petals and the magical glow of sparklers, making a memory to be etched in your hearts forever. For an even more elevated experience, the resort staff can set up an intimate evening in your beachfront suite, complete with dinner cooked by your own private chef.

Picnic Package
Savor a quiet moment together for your proposal at Waldorf Astoria Versailles — Trianon Palace.

Versailles, France

Paris is often touted as one of the most romantic destinations in the world, but an equally endearing proposal location lies just outside the city at the palace of Versailles. This opulent château and its surrounding gardens are celebrated for its decadent and bucolic setting. Within the palace grounds, you’ll also find Petit Trianon, a miniature palace that King Louis XIV gifted to his wife Marie Antoinette.

Set the tone for your proposal with a VIP tour of the palace and gardens. Private guides often have access to exclusive spaces, letting you escape the crowds. You can bask in the quiet while you explore the private quarters of the royal family, walking the very rooms where Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lived — perhaps an ideal spot to ask for someone’s hand.

You can also enjoy regal levels of romance at Waldorf Astoria Versailles — Trianon Palace. Architectural magnificence, world-class amenities and a prime location on the edge of the palace of Versailles add the perfect touch to any French sojourn. The hotel offers a Romantic Getaway package for special occasions such as a proposal, which includes breakfast in-room or at La Véranda restaurant; a bottle of rosé Champagne with strawberries in your room; access to the plush Guerlain Spa (including the gorgeous glass-roofed swimming pool, sauna and hammam), plus a show-stopping bouquet of fresh roses to complete the ambiance.

View of Cruise at Sunset
Propose in style while on an intimate sunset cruise in Bora Bora.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Visiting the idyllic islands of French Polynesia is an unforgettable experience no matter the occasion, but imagine adding an engagement as the cherry on top of this incredible getaway. Bora Bora is one of the region’s most alluring spots, sitting just northwest of Tahiti. It boasts picture-perfect, sand-fringed islets and stunning turquoise bays, where vibrant tropical fish dart around elaborate coral reefs.

Chartering a private boat cruise is one of the best ways to see this destination — not to mention a dreamy location to propose. With an expert captain at the helm, you can head out on the water at sunset, pop the question as the sun dips below the horizon and return to land as a newly engaged couple. For an even more grandiose proposal, take a helicopter tour with a stop in a special spot with prearranged petals or palm tree leaves spelling out the big question in the sand.

Secluded beaches are a prime resource in Bora Bora, and Conrad Bora Bora Nui has access to one of the best: Motu Tapu, a small private islet only accessible to hotel guests. In the 19th century, this was Tahitian Queen Pomare IV’s private beach, playing host to dignitaries and regal parties. Today, the resort team can arrange a romantic picnic on the islet, right by the water’s edge with a chilled bottle of Champagne to celebrate in style. The staff can also prepare a Polynesian-inspired gourmet dinner or a Tahitian barbecue served either on the shore, on your suite’s private terrace, or on a hilltop with views of Mount Otemanu.

A marriage proposal is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life. Make it an exceptional experience, one full of romance and memorable moments, and you’ll be happy to tell the story of how you popped the question again and again.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.