8 Romantic Yes‑Worthy Destinations for the Perfect Proposal

So you’ve found the travel companion of your dreams – the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. But where will you pop the question? A proposal deserves a special setting – a secluded beach, perhaps, a tropical island, or maybe a desert camp under a blanket of stars. Get inspired by these ideas so that the big moment becomes a treasured memory.

Cross continents for love in Istanbul

The Hagia Sophia is steps away from the Orientbank Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection (Photo: Marriott International)

Proposing where one continent meets another has a certain romantic symbolism, especially against Istanbul‘s magnificent skyline of soaring minarets and ancient domes. Pop the question as the sun goes down over the Bosphorus, bathing the city in golden light. 

Set in a majestic Art Nouveau landmark, Orientbank Hotel Istanbul, Autograph Collection is a sanctuary both intimate and grand. Its location near the ancient city harbour puts Istanbul’s most intriguing sights, such as Hagia Sofia and the Spice Bazaar, right on your doorstep. For alternative proposal spots, consider the hotel's rooftop terrace, high above the city, or the Jazz Bar, a haven of low lighting where atmospheric music sets the scene.

Say yes on the spice isle of Zanzibar

Few waterside settings are as dreamy as an Indian Ocean vista (Photo: Marriott International)

All turquoise water, white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees, Zanzibar is a sensory dream, where the salty freshness of the Indian Ocean meets the scent of cloves, cinnamon, and vanilla. Just off the coast of Tanzania, the island offers the perfect pause, so you can forget the everyday as you explore together, snorkelling, discovering spice trade history, and savouring a rich blend of culinary influences.

Set on a dramatic cliffside overlooking the ocean, Le Mersenne Zanzibar, Autograph Collection is steeped in authentic island heritage, its design mixing African crafts with modern elegance. Proposal opportunities are easy to come by, with the hotel offering daily boat trips out to lagoon, delightful tours of historic Stone Town, and couple's massages in the spa. 

Script your own romantic tale in Shakespeare’s Warwickshire

Embrace the romance of England's countryside in verdant Warwickshire (Photo: Getty Images)

The heart of Shakespearean England, Warwickshire is a land of rolling hills, historic hamlets and ancient woodland. One of the county’s most charming towns, Stratford-upon-Avon is a poetic backdrop for a proposal, steeped in classic English beauty, heritage buildings and the whisper of the Bard’s greatest love stories.

Elizabethan Billesley Manor Hotel and Spa is an elegant countryside retreat with a wood-panelled restaurant and indulgent spa, all set within landscaped gardens. Pull the curtains of your four-poster bed, or share a soak in the free-standing bathtub, then venture out to the property’s woods. Here, a secluded fairytale chapel, said to be where Shakespeare’s granddaughter got married, awaits to host your special moment.

Choose a serene spot in South Africa’s Capelands

The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is an idyllic place to propose (Photo: Marriott International)

At the foot of the Helderberg Mountains in South Africa, Somerset West is beautifully situated in a landscape of rolling vineyards and ocean views over False Bay. With pristine white-sand beaches and world-class wineries, this is a sublime choice for a proposal framed by natural beauty. Either side of the main event, you can explore South African vintages on the Helderberg Wine Route, bike mountain trails, or simply relax in perfect isolation on a powdery white-sand beach.

Set amid lush green gardens and trickling streams, The Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a peaceful sanctuary between the mountains and the sea. There’s a pool in the 22 acres of manicured gardens, atmospherically overhung with willows. Beautifully secluded, it could be the spot where your lives change forever.

Sail into the future in Puglia

Cala Ponte, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is a truly yes-worthy place for your proposal (Photo: Marriott International)

On the Adriatic coast, limestone cliffs and charming coves meet turquoise water in Italy’s Polignano a Mare. The timeless charm of this Puglian town is epitomised by its winding lanes and sun-drenched terraces with bougainvillea climbing the whitewashed walls. 

One of the finest places to stay in the area is Cala Ponte, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, all sleek contemporary design and warm Apulian hospitality. Located on the marina of Polignano a Mare, it’s a short walk to the pier and a private boat ride to pretty sea caves, for a proposal on the water. Or luxuriate together in the Turkish bath after taking a momentous stroll into the ancient olive groves around the hotel.

Propose at a world wonder in ancient Petra

Make it a moment to remember forever at Petra, Jordan (Photo: Marriott International)

An ancient desert city of rose-hued stone, history is etched onto every canyon wall of Petra, Jordan. Mark a moment in your own history by proposing against a backdrop of mysterious carved ruins, or under the canopy of stars in the desert, with the Milky Way as witness. The silent Wadi Musa valley is a majestic and timeless place to make the ultimate commitment.

Overlooking the ancient Nabatean ruins, Petra Marriott Hotel enjoys an enviable location, with each room offering panoramic views over the valley. Pop the question in the hotel’s luxurious Bedouin tent, or during a private meal on the restaurant’s terrace.

Toast your future in Burgundy

Channel the romance of bucolic rural France at Château de la Resle, a Member of Design Hotels (Photo: Marriott International)

In the heart of Chablis, France, the pace of life slows right down. Wander with your loved one through the villages and rolling hills of wine country, enjoying a pastoral paradise full of quiet country lanes and woodlands, vineyards and old oak trees silhouetted against the clear sky. The perfect spot might be just around the next corner.

The region’s Château de la Resle, a Member of Design Hotels has reimagined a 19th-century manor as a gallery of contemporary art. With just ten unique rooms, individually decorated with modern and antique furniture, the château is set amid lush gardens on the edge of an ancient 800-hectare forest, inviting private exploration among the trees. The restaurant, La Table de la Resle, is a farm-to-table culinary destination, where you can pop the cork of a local vintage to toast the moment.

Invoke the unique ambience of a Dubai desert

Propose beneath amid tented opulence at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (Photo: Marriott International)

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is a stunning landscape of rolling dunes and profound silence. Arching over the scene, a glittering canopy of stars by night and an endless horizon during the day. This protected wilderness with views of the Hajar Mountains is an oasis of solitude – where better for a moment of such profound significance?

A jewel of the Reserve, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa offers private pool villas for the height of desert luxury. A special romance package includes an exclusive barbecue under the stars, as well as sparkling wine and a couple's spa treatment. Stay in an opulent tented villa with Arabic-influenced design, before celebrating your future together by sharing a special activity such as falconry or horse riding.

Published: January 22, 2026

Last Updated: February 05, 2026