The Merchant, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Hightail it to this hip five-star hotel in Northern Ireland and ensure you have a city-break you’ll both never forget. Legend has it that it was in fifth-century Ireland where this lass-asks-lad lark originated, after St Bridget moaned to St Patrick about women having to wait ages for their beaus to pop that question. St Paddy conceded with this once-in-four-years opportunity.

Where to propose: With a handful of bars and restaurants on offer in The Merchant, there’s guaranteed to be a rendezvous to match your mood. If you want special-occasion surroundings, then claim a booth in the cocktail bar or a table in the fine-dining restaurant; if you want somewhere more low-key, earmark the Cloth Ear next door. And if the clock strikes midnight and you still haven’t plucked up the courage, you could always try the nightclub. And a few Sambuccas.

Londa, Limassol, Cyprus

If, when you fantasise about asking your own Adonis if he’ll marry you, you imagine a setting where the sun is shining, the skies are blue and the sea is sparkling, this South Cyprus coastal destination is the place to do it. But don’t think about tying the knot too soon after your question-popping at this stylish boutique hotel in Limassol – Greeks reckon it’s unlucky to marry in a leap year.

Where to propose: Grab a cocktail from the utterly chic Caprice bar, and plot up by that uninterrupted watery Mediterranean horizon. It’s so peaceful and romantic that the only danger is he’ll get in there first with the question-asking. The outlook from balconies in the Sea View Suites are just as heart-stirring. As stylish as Londa is, you may even find you want to go all the way right here at this all-white hotel. After all, it has fabulous food and great nightlife, perfect for a wedding – and, who knows, thanks to local superstitions, you might get a good deal on the reception.

Mead Cottage, Wiltshire, United Kingdom

This out-in-the-sticks Smith & Friends property is the perfect private hideaway in bucolic Cotswolds countryside. Pretty little Mead Cottage is set in the grounds of the Manor House Hotel, and can actually sleep four – so at least if things don’t quite go as planned, should you book a break with another couple, you could always ‘throw your keys in’ and let your escape go with a different swing altogether.

Where to propose: If you’d like to make that proposal in the great outdoors, lure your other half into the private garden at the back of the cottage, which is located in the beautiful private grounds of the Manor House Hotel. And if you're worried he might change his mind, if you're prudent you'll have earmarked St Andrew’s Church opposite for an as-soon-as-possible ceremony.

Hotel de Russie, Rome, Italy

It’s no secret that Rome is beloved of weekend-awayers and is one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Surprise your Mr Smith with a stay at this five-star luxury hotel fit for a superstar, and you’re definitely loading the dice in your favour. A modern classic, this hip Italian hotel is steeped in history – so why not add your own special event to its heritage? Just off the Piazza del Popolo, you’re only a stroll from the many magnificent sights in Italy’s capital.

Where to propose: Make like Anita Ekberg, and create a splash by the Trevi Fountain. Or follow Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and scoot over to the Spanish Steps. If you’d like your proposal altogether more exclusive, lead your Mr Smith to the butterfly-filled Secret Garden in Hotel de Russie’s own glorious grounds, and you’ll ensure there are all the components for a Hollywood-style happy ending.

Corral del Rey, Seville, Spain

The great Andalusian poet, King Al-Mu’tamid first declared a passionate love for Seville in the first century AD, and many hearts have fallen for it since. There are few spots better poised to soak up the sights of this vibrant ancient Spanish city than Corral del Rey, a fabulous 17th-century house in the old quarter of Barrio Alfalfa, now a beguiling boutique hotel.

Where to propose: The split-level roof garden overlooking the magnificent 15th-century cathedral is suitably filmic. By day, you might find the plunge pool alluring; by night, one of the candlelit tables on the terrace is an ideal spot. Either way, have a bottle of Cava on ice and at the ready.

La Suite, Rio, Brazil

There’s no vacation destination more drenched in passion than this exciting Brazilian hotspot. Heck, this is the city where they don’t just have hotels, they have ‘love motels’. While none of these kitsch bunk-ups are quite Smith, one of our favourite boutique hotels in the world is this chic former private house in Joatinga. And when it comes to telling the grandkids where you popped the question to their ‘Avô’, you may find this French-accented hideaway is a little more sophisticated than somewhere you book by the hour.

Where to propose: In years to come, delight at the memory of any of the following scenes… The pair of you in the glamorous, round swimming pool, a glass of bubbly in hand. Or cosied up in one of the private cabanas. As for a candlelit private dinner for two on the fabulous clifftop terrace overlooking the ocean – who could turn down any offer made in such a dreamy scene?

Tigerlily, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Picture the scene: it’s 13th-century Scotland and a law is passed that means missies can take the will-you-marry-me lead in a leap year, and any man who turns down a marriage proposal can be fined. Fast forward to 21st-century Edinburgh; if you think there’s a chance he’ll decline your proposal while staying at this stylish Georgian townhouse, at least you can bung him the hotel bill.

Where to propose: Don’t worry – chances you’ll have so much fun knocking down exotic cocktails in the supersexy Lulu bar and club, you’ll sweep him off his feet and earn a resounding ‘Och aye’. Or if you want to do it à deux, book one of the Georgian Suites for the full romantic-room treatment: four-poster beds, open fires, freestanding baths – everything a modern-day Barbara Cartland could ask for.

Poetry Inn, California, United States

There are a host of reasons that this luxury inn in Napa Valley is the perfect base. Yes, the sprawling vineyard landscape provides a breathtaking backdrop. Sure, you’ll both be enveloped in so much comfort you could probably get him to agree to getting married as well as doing all the housework until death do you part. Especially with all that delicious wine on tap; one sip of a ’61 Latour from the cellar and he’ll be putty in your hands.

Where to propose: In the US, this leap-year extra is often referred to as Sadie Hawkins Day, after an event in the Li’l Abner cartoon strip in which women pursued single men. Ladies, you could always book a room under the name ‘Sadie Hawkins’ and see if he twigs. Failing that, every room has a private balcony overlooking the incredible vineyard, and one has an outdoor tub – all crying out for declarations of love.

Noir d’Ivoire, Marrakech, Morocco

This exotic, ancient Moroccan city is the ideal fantasyland to suggest embarking on a lifetime adventure together (in fact, it’s even inspired Smith reviewers to get engaged – see our Riad 12 review). As with the décor of this stylish Medina retreat, no expense or effort is spared at Noir d’Ivoire to ensure guests have the most special stay imaginable, so the hosts are the ideal people to be in cahoots with.

Where to propose: This city unleashes your wildest imagination when it comes to an original proposal. Lynn at another beloved Smith stay, Riad Farnatchi, is no stranger to orchestrating high-drama proposals. ‘The craziest I’ve done was at La Place Jemna El Fna… We planned that they would go to dinner at the street-food stalls in the square and she would be hassled by a water bearer. She wasn’t happy about this and was soon tired of being harassed and declared angrily she’d had enough. Suddenly the water bearer pulls out the ring – a huge diamond – and he proposes. She broke down crying and we got it all on video.’

The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia

Book a holiday at this luxury resort in a tropical rainforest and chances are, when 29 February comes around and you’re sunbathing on the pristine beach, you won’t even give two hoots whether he says ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The biggest decisions you face here are whether to stay put on a sunlounger on the pure-white sand or whether to go for a dip in the crystal-clear turquoise Andaman Sea.

Where to propose: Datai is naturally a place that inspires affirmative responses to the w-y-m-m? question – but to get a Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally, table-slapping reaction, do it on the beach. The hotel can arrange a totally private dinner here at no extra charge. The only thing you'll here other than 'yes, yes, yes', will be the sound of waves lapping against the white sand and the nocturnal chirrups from the tropical rainforest.