12 Most Romantic Engagement Proposal Ideas: In Pictures

Romantic Engagement Proposal Idea: Machu Picchu
We searched for the most romantic engagement proposal ideas and found the most epic, like this one at Machu Picchu. (Source: Matt Champlin)

Several essential conclusions jumped out at us. We found some great ideas, some bad ideas, and some mistakes to avoid. This is going to be the romantic story they tell their friends, if you so choose – your children, and even grandchildren. So take some time to plan it out. When the time comes for you to tell your friends and family, you’ll be glad you did.

Let’s talk what a romantic idea means to you and your loved one. First and most important, your ideal proposal is going to be vastly different from someone else’s. Only you know the best way to propose. Why? Because it has to be personal to your relationship. The more you show your partner you care about your past and how special those moments in time you’ve spent together mean to you, when remembering how you proposed for decades to come, the bigger their smile will be. A hiking trip to the top of a mountain to propose may be romantic to some, but it may not work for your metro-loving, never gets their hands dirty partner. By the same token, taking a canoe out to the middle of a calm lake for some quiet time might be a great idea, but not for your loved one if they can’t swim. Your partner fearing for their safety is not a way they will want to remember this moment. You can make it exciting, but also make sure your future fiancee feels comfortable.

romantic beach engagement proposal idea
Come up with an idea to make a beautiful proposal presentation on the beach. (Source: www.jonSpotphotography.com)

I promise we’ll get to other ideas, but first, about that hike. If you have a partner that has been literally pulling at your sleeve to remind you to schedule your next camping or hiking trip, then you should pick a spot somewhere amazing. There are too many ideally romantic places in nature to list, but make sure you can pull it off as smoothly as possible. Don’t pick a place during rainy season if they don’t like the rain. Don’t pick a place that doesn’t have facilities or a shelter nearby if you don’t have much experience camping. And don’t pick a strenuous hike if they aren’t used to hiking. All of these will make you look like a fool that doesn’t pay attention to your loved one’s abilities and habits, and nothing can be less romantic than that.

ideal proposal at sunset: Mt. Bonnell
Put some effort into a unique sunset dinner. (Source: michaelcummings)

As you can imagine, sunrise and sunset work best for that ideal romantic engagement picture, but try to make sure you can be alone. That’s the idea of being in nature in the first place, right?

orchard walk engagement proposal idea
Sneak away for some private time in an orchard for your engagement proposal. (Source: Out In The Cuts)

This couple made sure to hire a professional photographer, who also happened to be their friend. They were able to capture their proposal and all the emotion that went with it. While they were walking in a secluded orchard, as soon as she accepted she fell to her knees in a touching embrace.

beautiful mammoth falls proposal
To be alone, choose an epic natural setting like Mammoth Falls to propose. (Source: AGrinberg)

Well not completely alone, I guess. You need a picture of the moment! So if you can’t get a professional photographer for your proposal, make sure you figure out a way to get it done right. Picking someone with a big camera hanging around their neck, like this couple did at Mammoth Falls, is probably an ok way to go, so long as they email you the pictures. Make sure you exchange phone numbers as well. If you want to be completely secluded in nature, borrow a tripod. And if your loved one is not used to seeing you carry around a tripod on your hikes, come up with some excuse like “it’s the parents’ and they want a good picture of us together”.

proposal on the spot of first kiss
A great proposal idea is to go back to the spot of your first kiss. (Source: Nate Houle)

This couple did just that. A tripod played third wheel as they snowshoed up a mountain in Utah to the spot where they first kissed. This spot proved the most romantic idea for them, and I’m sure you have a few outdoors spots in mind by now. And for you city lovers, it’s now your turn.

wintery engagement proposal
Find some alone time for your proposal in the city like these two did in Central Park. (Source: kaityv)

Most people would probably agree, the more alone you two are, the more romantic the engagement proposal idea is. So even if you are in a city, there are secluded spots for you to get away. For New Yorkers, even though there are many other parks, it seems like Central Park is that romantic place. But why does seclusion play such a big part in what makes a proposal so romantic? I don’t know, but I figure it has something to do with allowing you the uninterrupted time to tell them why you love them so much, why you want to spend the rest of your life with them, and why they make you so happy.

another Central Park proposal
Try to get a professional photographer to capture the moment of your wedding proposal. (Source: rosina w. photography)

An engagement proposal is not just about that special moment, but about the build-up and time to follow. Holding hands is a key part of showing someone how much you love them, and if you are in a city with ice skating, either indoors or out, then you know you’ll be holding hands. If you can make this proposal idea more special by coordinating with friends to have the ice clear when you do it, that will remove any distractions and you time to say what you truly mean.

ice skating proposal idea
Skate into the heart of your loved one by finding some alone time on the ice. (Source: picture prefect)

elmo's romantic engagement idea
Make your partner laugh and get creative with a costume of a character that means something special to your relationship. (Source: calliebeaan)

But you don’t necessarily have to be all alone. Besides, maybe you two are the type that love to show off how much you love each other. That’s great as well, and personally, something I think the world needs a whole lot more of. This gentleman dressed up as Elmo in front of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, then beckoned his girlfriend over while he took off his Elmo head. While people snapped pictures (they already had their cameras out for the tree), Elmo got down on one knee and proposed in an display of unrestricted costume cuteness. If you can relate in any way, with as many romantic ideas with costumes as there are out there, your proposal could go in almost any direction.

solitude in London
Even in the city of London you can find secluded ideas to propose. (Source: Daniel Farò)

You can find some alone time almost anywhere in the cities. Even in the bustling metropolis of London, this couple found space in what’s known as the London Eye. It’s an interesting and modern type of ferris wheel, with romantic panoramic views of the whole city. Every city has something similar, and with the right planning, you can use almost anything to create the perfect romantic proposal idea and provide you just enough time to pour your heart out.

engagement in Italy
Find the ideal spot that has special meaning to your relationship. (Source: Ali-smile!)

No matter what the view, the number of people around, or even the weather, sometimes all you need is that special someone. You don’t even have to be outside. For a more controlled romantic environment, plan ahead to propose in a romantic hotel room. You don’t have to worry about the weather and can make an even more personalized experience. In the photo, this couple found the right place for their perfect proposal in the streets of Italy. Captured from above, this might have been the place where they first met, shared their first date, or even a first kiss. But no matter what, it was special for them, and that’s what matters. And with the right planning, I’m sure you will find the idea for your romantic engagement proposal that is perfect, just for you.

Plan a Bachelorette Party in 20 Minutes

Avoid bachelorette party planning problems and focus on taking the town by storm. (Source: Photo Stéfan)

Would you take advice from a man about how to plan a bachelorette party? If that man has read message boards about the best and worst of the bachelorette world for the past two years, then it might be a good idea.

The excitement about planning a friend’s bachelorette party seems to quickly fade after the planner realizes that everyone wants to do something different, go to a different city, and spend different amounts of cash (usually zero). Here is a quick guide to help you avoid the major pitfalls of planning a bachelorette party and get it done in 20 minutes.

Step 1: Get a list from the Bachelorette of girls that she wants to join. Do not ask those on that list what they want to do unless you want a major headache. Don’t waste your time using Evite and just send an email.

Step 2: Be sure to ask the Bachelorette what she wants. If she says she is up for anything, then game on. Here is what to look out for if she suggests the following:

Destination Bachelorette Party – Several girls will not be able to attend due to the travel cost and might become unhappy with you or the Bachelorette.
Clubs / Bars – Some will want to go dancing while others want to sit at a piano bar. If you are in a major city, find a Bachelorette Package company for discounts that include grouping bottle service with limo service, but still prepare to spend a lot of money. Make sure everyone is of legal drinking age.
Spas – Always a favorite. Negotiate a group rate with several in the area, or wherever the destination. Ask about alcohol if you or some of the girls plan on partaking.
Wine Tour – Be careful not to ruin the night with everyone getting drunk too early.
Painting / Pottery – Might have been a good idea when it came out or depending on the speed of the crowd, but most girls have done this already.
Dinner – Pretty much a must do option for as much of the group as possible. Overestimate the number of girls and take a reservation early – you can always change it.
Stripper – Have a plan to get rid of the stripper at the end of the night (if you want), as he usually just tries to stay around for the “after party”.

Step 3: When the invites go out, let the girls know 1) what the estimated cost is and 2) when you need to know who will attend. AVOID the “you bring the balloons and I’ll bring the alcohol” bit. Just take care of it all at once and include a PayPal link in your email. Sending 10 girls out to pick-up one of 10 items for a party is a crime.

Step 4: If you plan on going out to the Clubs / Bars in a city you are unfamiliar with, search “City Club Blog” and you’ll have a pretty good idea in a few minutes.

Step 5: If you are having a destination bachelorette party, you can research hotel packages on our site and save money while booking a Bachelorette Party Package. Get a final head count and book the rooms together for the best deal. This step is the most time consuming, yet can be done with a five minutes of research.

Step 6: Decorate the Party or Hotel Room with only the most popular bachelorette party items. Our research has discovered the best items from recent bachelorette parties and put them together in package deals. For a destination bachelorette party, Überoom will have the room decorated before you arrive.

Step 7: If you head out to the Clubs / Bars, use the scavenger hunt included in Überoom Bachelorette Party Packages. Save money by using a camera phone and if not everyone has one, team up in pairs of two.

Congratulations, you’re done! If you avoided most of the back and forth about who wants to do what and just focus on the Bachelorette’s desires, you can now get back to your busy life. Understanding that everyone will want to do something different is the key to saving your sanity. Good luck and have fun!

Summer Hotel Sales for 2011

Half-off select hotels across the United States (Source: Photo jurvetson)

Have you been too busy working to plan summer vacation plans? Wait no longer because select Marriott, Holiday Inn, and Renaissance, among others, are offering a half-off summer hotel sale for arrivals between May 26, 2011 and Sept. 5, 2011. But hurry, book before March 4th at 5pm because this is a 48 hour sale.

For family vacations, book the Glenn Hotel in Atlanta and visit the Georgia Aquarium. If you like your fish well-trained, visit the Seaworld in San Antonio, Texas and stay at the Hampton Inn San Antonio-Northwest/Seaworld Area. The Six Flags Amusement park is nearby as well. Another great Amusement is the Carowinds Amusement Park, which is near the Marriott Charlotte Hotel Executive Park in Charlotte, North Carolina. Or, if your idea of a roller coaster is wading in the ocean, then hit the beach and book the Holiday Inn Downtown Historic District in Fort Myers, Florida.

Summer means America’s favorite past-time is in full swing. Book a baseball package and watch your MLB team take on the Colorado Rockies while staying at The Oxford, a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Denver. Nearby hotels also include the Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown or The Curtis: A Doubletree by Hilton Hotel. If your team is taking on the Cleveland Indians, book the Crowne Plaza Cleveland City Centre near Progressive Field.

If you like the Midwest but aren’t much of a baseball fan, stay downtown Chicago and watch a symphony in Grant Park. Book the beautiful Essex Inn, right off South Michigan Avenue.

For a golf vacation, book one of these summer hotel sales and check out the links near the Courtyard by Marriott Brighton, Michigan, the Courtyard by Marriott Lansing, Michigan, the Hilton Garden Inn Denver South/Meridian in Englewood, Colorado, the Hilton Garden Inn Hoffman Estates, Illinois, or the Holiday Inn Renton, Washington. If you haven’t already played on the numerous courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Mobile Spanish Fort/Eastern Shore or the Fairfield Inn & Suites Mobile Spanish Fort/Eastern Shore and get your fix. Prepare for your round the easy way with a golf room package and hit ’em straight!

To take advantage of the beautiful weather in the Rocky Mountains, enjoy summertime hiking in Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, or Wolf Creek ski hills and book at Marriott Ogden Hotel in Ogden, Utah. To hike the Pike National Forest, stay at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Colorado Springs in Colorado. Hike in the San Gabriel Mountains and then catch horse racing at the Santa Anita Park by staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Pasadena/Monrovia in Monrovia, California.

If you prefer more adult-themed enjoyment, stay right off the strip in Las Vegas at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Las Vegas. For a more hoppy experience, drink in a few brewery tours near the Residence Inn by Marriott Milwaukee Downtown.

Blackout dates apply and only a limited number of rooms are available at the sale rates. We hope this hotel sale helps you have a great summer!

New Years Hotel Packages: 2010 Giveaway

Throw a New Years hotel party and save with our 2010 Givaway (Source: Photo Denbow)

If you haven’t started making plans for New Years, let us help you out. Überoom understands our customers and we know this year hasn’t been the easiest on everyone. We want to help you turn over a new leaf with a good time on our dime. 201 dimes to be exact.

Book an Überoom New Years Hotel Package for the night of New Years Eve and get $20.10 off. Just use the coupon code 2010 when you check out.

If you are new to Überoom, welcome! Our company partners with hotels to decorate your room in different party themes. You just choose your theme, enter your hotel information, and open the door! We work with all hotels, and if we haven’t partnered with them before, we contact them and ask their staff to decorate your room before you arrive. Überoom’s 110% GUARANTEE means your room will be set-up before you arrive, or you get to keep everything and we refund you 110%.

If you need suggestions as to what hotels to stay in this New Year, read my earlier post: Happy 2010: 8 Epic Hotels to Celebrate the New Decade

If you plan on staying in the U.S. and want to save on a New Years hotel party, book one today. The coupon is good for hotels booked for this New Years Eve only! Whether you plan a romantic evening for two or want to invite all your friends, go to www.uberoom.com and choose from our New Years Hotel Packages. Don’t forget to use code 2010!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone!

(EHZGAYTHDFAJ)

Happy 2010: 8 Epic Hotels to Celebrate the New Decade

Celebrate 2010 with the ghost of Charles Melville Hays (Source: Vince Alongi)

Welcome to a new decade: the 2010’s. Sure its no 2000 but on the bright side, there will be no over-hyped Y2K fears to dampen our spirits. So it’s time to start planning on where to experience such a momentous event, and to get the best view of 2010’s first sunrise, its also time to start booking.

1) The Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa, Canada $250 and up
Named for Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Prime Minister of Canada during construction (1909-1912), the Château Laurier grew in importance due to the wealth of its 2nd owners, the Canadian National Railway. So many of Canada’s elite had stayed at the hotel it was called “the Third Chamber of Parliament”. Charles Melville Hays, who commissioned the construction of the Château Laurier, is reported to haunt the hallways after he died on the Titanic, 12 days before the hotel opened.

2) Ulleung Marina Tourist Hotel, Ulleung-do (Ulleung Island), South Korea $90 and up
The two Dokdo Islands are the easternmost territory of South Korea, and locals flock here every New Year to catch first light and bring good fortune. The islands have been the center of controversy for hundreds of years between South Korea and Japan (referred to as Takeshima islands). The islands provide important fishing water boundaries that support the livelihood for the natives of both countries. South Korean police are currently stationed there. There are no hotels on the islands, and only 4 hotels on nearby Ulleung-do. Stay at the Ulleung Marina Hotel so you can participate in the annual New Years ferry to Dokdo Islands. The ferry operator usually features an animated film of a giant robot fighting off Japanese invaders. I highly recommend booking your room and the ferry ride as soon as possible, because some locals do so as much as a year in advance.

Dokdo Islands
Visit the controversial Dokdo Islands for the 2010 sunrise (Source: fass6832)

3) The Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates $600/night and up
Sail into 2010 at the famous Burj Al Arab. Everyone knows how they promote themselves as the world’s only 7-star hotel. But did you know it took 3 years to build the island base and 3 years to build the hotel? If you have the dough and enjoy being waited on hand and foot, book now. Like 99% of the world, the UAE has been hurting for tourism, so you should be able to negotiate down from last year’s sky-high rates.

The Burj Al Arab
Everyone knows the Burj Al Arab. Just make sure you get a view facing East. (Source: jonrawlinson)

4) The Yurt at Bogus Basin, Boise, Idaho $125/night
The Yurt, like those of the same name, is a 27 foot diameter mongolian style tent set atop a large deck. The access road is closed when snowed in, but it’s a short 2/3 mile hike from the Frontier Point Nordic Lodge.

Rental will include an outhouse (porta-potty style), firewood, gray/waste water system, 3-burner propane cooking stove,propane lanterns, table & chairs, bunks and futon, dishes, utensils. All minors must be accompanied by an adult (21 years of age). No groups of minors are allowed at the yurt without adult supervision.

The yurt is primarily a “pack-it in / pack-it out” facility with guests bringing their own food, drinking water, sleeping bags, and propane gas for the lanterns.Propane is provided for the 3 burner cooking stove. Staying in a yurt is a perfect “easy” camping experience; a shelter with wood heat, no electricity, or running water – yet much more comfortable than tent camping! User groups should be prepared to deal with the many variables that can present themselves in any outdoor adventure.

The Yurt at Bogus Basin
Reserve Bogus Basin’s Yurt for an unforgettable ski experience (Source: Peg Havlovick)

After you get set-up, head over to Bogus Basin for their beautiful bowl skiing and snowboarding. There are two accounts as to how Bogus Basin got its name, but both involve gold prospectors getting swindled out of their hard-earned cash. In 1998, Bogus’ general manager Mike Shirley was credited with starting a ski industry revolution with deeply-discounted season passes, dropping the price from $500 to just $199. Almost 4x as much revenue was generated and hill managers across the country scrambled to follow suit.

near Boise, Idaho
Wow. Your view on the way to Boise to stalk @aplusk and @mrskutcher.
(Source: jmcarver)

5) Timberline Lodge, Oregon $100/night and up
Located on the south-east face of beautiful but potentially treacherous Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge is the quintessential place to stay for a winter getaway. Just because the movie “The Shining” was filmed here doesn’t mean you should be too scared to enjoy this Great Depression era treasure. Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the lodge in 1937 as another great achievement of the Works Progress Administration. Visit Timberline Resort and ride the historic (and renovated) Magic Mile chairlift. When this lift was constructed in 1938 it was the longest in existence and heads so far up the glacier on Mt. Hood it has to close on windy days. Don’t miss the other Mt. Hood must-dos: the breathtaking Heather Canyon at Mt. Hood Meadows and America’s largest night skiing area at Mt. Hood Skibowl.

Timberline Lodge
Timberline Lodge basks in majestic beauty atop Mt. Hood (Source: Jesse Estes)

6) The Buccaneer Hotel, Christiansted, Virgin Islands $350/night and up
The Buccaneer was founded in the 17th century and is the Caribbean’s longest running resort. This fall and winter they are featuring 20% off several rooms. The Buccaneer’s location makes it a great place to stay if you are to be the first people on U.S. soil to see the 2010 sunrise from Point Udall. The point was named for JFK and Lyndon Johnson’s Secretary of State Stewart Udall. For trivia’s sake, the westernmost U.S. soil is off of Orote Peninsula, Guam, and also called Point Udall for Stewart’s brother, Mo Udall. Bring a headlamp and flashlights, as the pre-dawn hike is a bit rugged in the dark.

Point Udall
Be the first on U.S. soil to see 2010. Just don’t yell “First!” (Source: Mr. Usaji)

7) Trump International Hotel and Tower, New York City, New York $400 and up
The 52-story hotel will provide breathtaking morning-of 2010 views through floor-to-ceiling windows IF you book a room facing Central Park. The hotel was originally constructed as the Gulf and Western building in 1971 and the Trump Organization finished the current renovation in 1997. Located on the south-west corner of the park, I envy anyone that throws a party long enough in that locale to watch the first sunrise over a snow-dusted New York City. You might be able to negotiate some decent rates before they start their latest renovation, appropriately starting in January of 2010.

Trump Ice Skating Rink in Central Park
Come play in New York City’s Central Park (Source: James Trosh)

8) Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu, Peru $900 all inclusive
Even though the Incan year is believed to have begun in December, visiting the Lost City of the Incas is a breath-taking experience. If you can afford it, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel. Their packages are all inclusive and sometimes offer special photographic privileges after the other tour buses leave. The perfect view over Machu Piccu is from Huayna Picchu, which is normally closed during evenings. More power to you if you can see first 2010 light from there, otherwise you should try your luck at the Sun Gate. Either way, if this trip does not top your list of favorites you might consider never boarding a plane again!

Machu Picchu
Few places are more magical to start the 2010s than Machu Picchu. (Source: Ivan Mlinaric)

Here’s to planning ahead and have a Happy New Year everyone! As I wrote in Accommodation Game Changers: The 14 Most Influential of this Decade, make sure you always check for Twitter Deals before booking. Please let me know why other locations might also be epic hotels to celebrate the new decade in the comments section below. Finally, if you want to make your New Year celebration extra special, order a room theme package for New Years from Überoom.