Who doesn’t love a good proposal story?

But we know how stressful the planning, set-up and execution can be. That is why we love destination proposals — overseas and in hotels where you can just leave almost everything to be organised by them while you use every available moment leading up to the big moment to channel your inner Ryan Gosling.

“It stands to reason that a proposal needs to be pretty special. A cookie-cutter hotel with a frenetic lobby and second-rate restaurant just won’t cut it,” declared James Lohan of Mr and Mrs Smith, the go-to website for boutique romantic hotels that he founded with his wife.

Mr and Mrs Smith’s concierge service has helped arrange wedding proposals — from whisking couples off to New York to doing up a lantern-lit pathway in the Japanese garden of a quaint countryside hotel in Oxfordshire. Lohan’s tips? Think about what you want in terms of style and the hotel’s exact location. “Is it in the city so you can duck out to celebrate afterwards, or is it perched on a hillside and perfect for a secluded evening stroll? And find out which bedroom’s the most romantic, and which table in the restaurant has the best seat in the house.”

By the way, for Lohan’s own wedding proposal, he unearthed 101 Hotel in Iceland where he was taken to see the Northern Lights in a 4x4. “It was scuppered by a blizzard and we came to a standstill,” he said. “Then, the headlights of our 4x4 revealed a black lava beach with small icebergs washing ashore as the waves crashed in. It was a surrealist monochrome landscape, like a very cool black-and-white film set. It felt like the perfect spot.”

Since you can’t always have fate on your side, the smart thing is getting a hotel designed to be so stunning — like those under the Design Hotels portfolio — or those blessed with unbelievably gorgeous backdrops that she can’t say no. Unless you say the wrong name, of course. Here are some of our favourites.

AYANA RESORT AND SPA BALI’S PRIVATE JETTY (Bali)

The love god is strong in this special corner of the Island of Gods. Ayana sees at least five proposals a month! The romantic drama builds up as you descend the cliffs in an inclinator to a wooden jetty which extends 30m into the Indian Ocean and where a private table for two is set up at the end. From Kisik Jetty, you get one of the most stupendous views of sunset over Jimbaran Bay just as you ask to spend the sunset of your life watching sunsets with your special one. You’re welcome to steal that line.

L’HOTEL’S THE APARTMENT (Paris)

According to Mr and Mrs Smith’s Lohan, the grandest suite of this Left Bank hotel, The Apartment, is an exquisite stunner with a private terrace overlooking the city’s rooftop and the bell tower of Saint-Germain-des-Pres church. Those who can’t wait can hop over to be wedded, stat.

SRI PANWA’S BABA NEST (Phuket)

Phuket is another hot destination for sealing the deal. And Sri Panwa’s breathtaking rooftop bar, Baba Nest, floating Zen-like in an infinity pool, takes you closer to cloud nine. Take in the all-round view of the Andaman Sea before you pull out a ring shining brightly against the endless blue sea and skies. And get this — for a night proposal, fireworks can be arranged.

PALAZZINAG’S GRAND CANAL SUITE (Venice)

Imagine waking up engaged to Venice’s magnificence. In the Grand Canal Suite of this sexy Philippe Starck-designed property in a 16th-century building, you can. Enjoy champagne from the hotel’s Krug lounge over breakfast and fall back between the sheets in an instant.

GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL’S PARK (New York)

A whole park in New York City that’s pretty much yours? Stay at The Gramercy Park Hotel, which grants you exclusive access to an old-fashioned, pretty park across the hotel. If you like your proposal intimate and right of a rom-com setting where George Clooney plays you, this is it.

THE GAZEBO OF THE VICTORIA NUI SAM LODGE (The Mekong)

For that it’s just-us-in-the-world feeling, check into the quietly elegant Victoria Nui Sam Lodge built on the side of a hill overlooking the misty, verdant rice fields and the mighty Mekong. Make your move during dinner at the romantic gazebo at in-house restaurant La Giang.

KIMAMAYA’S SPA BATH (Hokkaido)

There is something incredibly romantic about winter. Snuggle up in this beautifully minimalist nine-room wooden lodge in Niseko - a region renowned for its powdery snow and great food — while snow flakes fall around you. The spa bath can be reserved for your exclusive use. Warm bath and the flattering glow candlelight in the cold ... we believe you’re all set.

HUVAFEN FUSH’S OCEAN BUNGALOW (The Maldives)

Get a leg up over honeymooners in Maldives by getting engaged here. You can propose anywhere in the Maldives and pretty much not go wrong but the over-water Ocean Bungalows here take the cake said Lohan who picked this out of several properties in his collection. They come with a private infinity pool, oversized Jacuzzi, direct access to the sea and glass floor in the living room. You know, just in case you wanna celebrate with Nemo.

HOTEL OMM’S TERRACE (Barcelona)

Surprise your favourite work of art to Gaudi’s genius right from the terrace of this stylish property. The Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila make up the skyline, and cocktails served here are as deliciously potent as the view. Order a couple more for Dutch courage or get her drunk enough to agree.

PODO HOTEL PINX’S WESTERN STYLE ROOM (Jeju)

Designed by the late acclaimed Korean Japanese architect, Itami Jun, the sleek and other-worldly Podo Hotel is actually tucked within a golf course surrounded by Mount Sang. Pop your question in the Western Style room that opens up to a balcony looking out to the fields and mountain further afar to make it a proposal that’s as one of a kind as the hotel.