All you head-over-heels in love guys out there who are ready to get engaged, pay attention: I’ve scoured the Web for the ultimate spots for you to propose. The best part? Hotels, cruise lines, and even jewelry designers have made the process virtually fool-proof with “Will You Marry Me?” packages that will sweep your lady off her feet:

1. Los Cabos
The sky’s the limit with Marquis Los Cabos’ Cabo Romantic Pop the Question Package, where you choose where, when and how to say (or write—in the sand or on the horizon) “Will You Marry Me” as you enjoy five nights in an Ocean Front Junior Suite, chauffeured airport pick-up, rose petal bath and Champagne, private beach dinner, en-suite couples massage, and more (from $3,250).

2. London
One of Europe’s hippest cities offers romance that’s both traditional and high-tech. Old-school types can book the “Perfect Proposal” program at The Stafford London, where your personal concierge will help arrange a one-of-a-kind setting—from a private dinner in the 380-year-old wine cellar to a post-theater proposal—as you enjoy two night’s accommodation in a Mews Master Suite and assorted romantic extras (from $3,600). If you want to give her tummy butterflies, consider the “Cupid’s Capsule” package at the London Eye, where you can sip Champagne and then propose with the all of London glittering beneath your private capsule on this gently rotating giant wonder wheel ($459).

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If you have four nights (and a few tax refund dollars) to spare, you can be sipping cocktails on a beach with your special someone in under four hours. Here are a dozen trips to romantic locales that feel far away—but aren’t. Simply book in the next few weeks for savings.

From the East
• Bermuda: Less than two hours from New York, Boston and Philadelphia, this pink-sand paradise has a “Bermuda’s Finest: Stay Three, Get a Fourth Night Free” program through the end of April with great rates at resorts such as the Fairmont Southampton (from $199 a night) and Elbow Beach (from $315 a night).

• Jamaica: After just a four-hour flight from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington, you can mix relaxation and reggae with the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall’s “Complimentary Club Level Experience”—pay for three nights in a Club Level room with its dedicated concierge and complimentary breakfast, light snacks and sweets, and get a fourth night free. Rates start at $379 and are available through April 30, 2010.

• Nassau/Paradise Island: Also just a two-hour hop from major Northeast cities, this Bahamas duo linked by a causeway is offering a “Companion Flies Free” promo, with a four-night stay at any of 16 hotels, from Sheraton to Sandals to One&Only Ocean Club. Book by May 10, 2010 for travel through December 22, 2010.

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Reality TV romance and real-life wanderlust collide each season on ABC’s hit series’ The Bachelor as viewers root for their favorite contestants and drool over the dreamy locales the finalists travel to for their overnight dates. See my post about Jake and Vienna on St. Lucia in the latest season here. Meanwhile, Jason and Molly (from season 13) were married at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, last weekend for an ABC sepcial that will air tomorrow (March 8th).

The Bachelor (season 13): Jason in New Zealand
Date Details: New Zealand is an amazing playground for adventurous romantics. The South Island’s scenic capital, Queenstown, was the setting for Jason’s action-packed dates: helicopter sightseeing with Jillian above Lake Wakatipu, a tandem bungy jump with Molly at Kawerau Bungy, and a sail with Melissa aboard MV Yvalda.

Fantasy Suites: Jason’s dinner and overnight with Jillian was at intimate Stoneridge Estate, where they famously smooched in a candlelit hot tub in their private cottage. His stay with Molly was at Kohara Lodge, a striking stone-and-wood home overlooking the Shotover River. And his rendezvous with Melissa was at luxurious Matakauri Lodge with its floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of The Remarkables mountain range. Read the rest of this post »

In honor of Oscar week, we rounded up 10 resort properties that were ready for their close-ups when Hollywood came calling. All starred as the setting for some of the most entertaining movies of the past decade. Many are ideal for a romantic rendezvous, so all you film-buff couples who want to recreate a favorite scene, simply check the properties below to find the one that best fits your idea of sexy.  

• The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
This five-star oasis on the South Pacific’s most magical isle was the fictitious “Eden” in 2009’s “Couples Retreat,” starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Kristen Bell and Kristin Davis. Some creative license was taken (there are no separate couples and singles sections—and no loin-clothed yoga instructor!), but the luxe overwater bungalows and sublime lagoon views are 100 percent real. Note: The resort is temporarily closed after being damaged by Cyclone Oli and will reopen on June 14, 2010.

• Caesars Palace
Las Vegas’ classic paean to bacchanalia was the haunt of bachelor-party amnesiacs Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms as they juggled a baby, a tiger and lots of other troubles in the Golden Globe-winning 2009 megahit “The Hangover.” You won’t gamble on romance if you book a spacious room in the modern Forum Tower and lounge around the fountain-strewn Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis (from $190). Read the rest of this post »

Not all love nests are created equal. Depending on your budget, your interests, and your desire for sexy seclusion vs. social interaction, one resort may be a dream and another a nightmare. As wedding season approaches and you look to book your trip of a lifetime, here are a few simple rules worth following:

1. Remember: Size Does Matter . . . at least when it comes to resorts. Some properties in romantic locales have as few as 25 rooms and others as many as 1,000. Before you book, decide if you want to hide away or be front and center. The trade-offs: Smaller properties often have fewer amenities, such as multiple bars and restaurants or onsite water sports, while full-scale resorts may force you to stake out pool/beach chaises early, book dinner reservations days ahead, or share your honeymoon with hundreds of pharmaceutical reps wearing nametags (ask about upcoming conventions).

2. Think Location, Location, Location If you just want to work on your tans and hit the swim-up bar for happy hour, an out-of-the-way resort—such as on a private island in Fiji, the British Virgin Islands or the Maldives—will be heaven on earth. But if you want to see every last inch of your destination (you love to hike, shop, bike, sightsee), choose a property that offers easy access to taxis, tour companies and rental cars or is a short stroll from a lively city or town, such as Cabo San Lucas, Old San Juan, or Honolulu.

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The remote Cook Islands in the South Pacific boast “the most beautiful beaches in the world,” not to mention balmy year-round temperatures and over a thousand years of island history and traditions. Escape to this sunny paradise at Sanctuary Rarotonga, a brand-new adults-only resort on the largest island of Rarotonga. Each of the 48 beachfront suites features super-king size beds, Italian-tiled bathrooms, and private verandahs with gorgeous views of the white-sand Aroa Beach. The lavish experience is rounded out by the on-site spa and restaurant and the inviting pool with swim-up bar. Guests can also make use of facilities at nearby sister property The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa, including the fitness center and tennis court, activities like ukulele lessons, and nightly island-themed entertainment.

Fittingly, Sanctuary Rarotonga opened on Valentine’s Day, but the super romantic resort is extending the love all year long with special opening rates. Through March 31, book a beachfront suite for $327/night with breakfast included (prices then jump to $362/night through October 30). Just mention the code WOW when you book.

To up the romance factor even more, the opening rates can be combined with Sanctuary’s “Romancing Rarotonga” package. When guests book a five-night stay, the resort will throw in a free one-hour couple’s hydrotherapy massage in the spa’s Honeymoon Suite, and a bottle of wine. Use the code MELLOW when booking to secure these freebies.

Though it’s not the easiest place to get to (Air New Zealand offers one round-trip non-stop flight a week between L.A. and Rarotonga), once there the Cook Islands are pretty easy on the wallet, since U.S. currency is so strong against the local New Zealand dollar. It’s also a spectacular wedding or honeymoon destination, and Sanctuary is happy to help with all your nuptial needs.  To book, call 011-682-25-900 or visit sanctuaryrarotonga.com.

Reality TV romance and real-life wanderlust collide each season on ABC’s hit series’ The Bachelor as viewers root for their favorite contestants and drool over the dreamy locales the finalists travel to for their overnight dates. I’m lucky enough to have visited St. Lucia, where season 14 was shot (the last episode airs on March 1), so here’s the dish on the romance quotient of the locales and resorts where the action unfolded. 

Jake in St. Lucia
Date Details: St. Lucia, one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, made a stunning backdrop as pilot Jake tried to determine which of the finalists would end up as his co-pilot for life. He invited Gia to hike Pigeon Island and then wander the colorful street market in Gros Islet. Next, he and Tenley took to the skies in a helicopter to soar above the Pitons, the isle’s famous twin peaks, and then touch down for a picnic at Balenbouche Estate. And finally, Jake and Vienna sailed (and playfully walked the plank) aboard the Brig Unicorn, a 19th-century ship replica.

Fantasy Suites: Jake’s first dinner/overnight date with Gia was at Cap Maison, a tranquil retreat located on the island’s northern coast above scenic Smuggler Cove. Jake’s next two dinners/overnights, with Tenley and Vienna, were at The BodyHoliday LeSport, a spa-oriented adults-only all-inclusive with a Caribbean-colonial-meets-Asian-Zen vibe. 

Rose Ceremonies: With a sunset backdrop at Cap Maison, Jake decided to send Gia home. Being a connoisseur of St. Lucia, I could tell from the previews that he and his final two (Tenley and Vienna), as well as his family, move south to two fabulous resorts overlooking the Pitons for the last episode, airing March 1, 2010. Filming locations include intimate, five-room Arc en Ciel, where Jake’s family meets Tenley and Vienna; white-washed, beachfront Jalousie Plantation resort, where Jake and Tenley spend the night after a romantic sail; and colorful, artistic Anse Chastanet, where Jake and Vienna spend the night after playing in the steaming Sulphur Springs. The final rose ceremony was shot on the rooftop of Jade Mountain with its panoramic views.

Romance Quotient: It’s no wonder why lush and lovely St. Lucia regularly ranks among the world’s most romantic isles. It’s one of my favorites in the Caribbean and my ultimate getaway would be a few nights at ultra-sexy Cap Maison (from $405) followed by a few more at visually stunning Jade Mountain (from $900). Visit our St. Lucia Travel Guide for more trip-planning information.

Check back for my next post on the previous two seasons: The Bachelorette – Jillian on Maui and The Big Island (season 5); and The Bachelor – Jason in New Zealand (season 13). 

Do you and your fiancé agree that you are truly, madly, deeply in love—but that you also truly, madly, deeply disagree on where you’ll enjoy post-wedded bliss? Take heart: Plenty of couples face a honeymoon split decision. She wants relaxation and he wants adventure; she wants a safari and he wants museums; she wants gourmet cuisine and he wants an all-inclusive party scene. To avoid an endless debate that can ruin your big day, compromise is key. So here are 21 options designed to satisfy you both:

Beach + Culture
• Bali — This Indian Ocean gem is ringed by beaches while its lush, jade-hued interior bursts with temples (Balinese-Hindu), creativity (jewelry, carvings, music and dance) and a soul-stirring karma you’ll never forget.
• Greece — Pair a few days ogling the Acropolis and other ancient wonders in sprawling Athens with isle-hopping to sunny outposts such as stunning Santorini, hedonistic Mykonos, mythical Crete or scenic Corfu.
• Thailand — The southern beaches around Phuket and Krabi are some of the world’s most stunning, while Bangkok and Chiang Mai brim with remarkable temples, markets and traditional dance. Read the rest of this post »

Couples looking for a change-up from the usual romantic sojourn should set their sights on Africa, where luxurious new resorts and over-the-top renovations are adding sensuous suites, top-notch spas, and sophisticated dining to destinations stretching from Morocco to South Africa to Tanzania.   

Morocco 
So much is happening in this ocean-meets-desert North African nation that romantics can pick from a smorgasbord of suites so special that they could make Morocco a hotbed for honeymooners in late 2010. First to debut was the legendary La Mamounia, which reopened in September 2009 after a multimillion-dollar makeover that gave its labyrinth of mosaic-tiled rooms and suites a jewel-box glow. Set amid 20 acres of gardens at the edge of the walled old city of Marrakech, the palace resort’s 777 employees pamper a maximum of 432 guests, who can dine in six restaurants and choose from 80 treatments at the 27,000-square-foot Mamounia Spa (from $775). Read the rest of this post »

This lush Italian island, home to lava-spewing Mount Etna (total eruptions: 209), has never truly oozed romance—until now. A trio of recently opened and currently under renovation hotels is making Sicily a magnet for couples seeking a sexy escape. Sicily’s 9,926 square miles of cities, mountains, and beaches overflow with fabulous food and wine (regional specialties include eggplant caponata, stuffed rice balls called arancine, and Nero d’Avolo reds), ancient culture (don’t miss the cathedral in Siracusa with its wall that dates to the ancient Roman Temple of Minerva), nature adventure (Etna’s snow-capped slopes can be explored on foot), photo ops (especially picture-perfect Taormina set on a hillside amid lemon and orange groves) and lost-in-time Aeolian Islands (easily reached via hydrofoil from Messina). Read the rest of this post »