The Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown had put together an unparalleled night of pampering and luxury for Valentine's Day: The once-in-a-lifetime centerpiece of the $175,000 package (which included a $75,000 donation to the Kennedy Center) was a private dinner for two on the stage of the Kennedy Center's Opera Hall, decorated with 1,200 (!) roses, and accompanied by a violinist and a "discreet" photographer. Also included were the hotel's presidential suite for the night, in-suite professional hair and makeup styling, a designer tuxedo, Neiman Marcus gown, coordinating accessories, and a Cartier diamond ring—as well as a limo ride to the Kennedy Center and back complete with a police escort. Back in the Presidential Suite after dinner, the two pampered guests would find a rose-petal turndown, a butler-drawn bath, monogrammed pillowcases and bathrobes, personalized chocolates, and an invitation to return to The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown every Valentine’s Day for the next 25 years. Altogether, not a bad way to propose if one was inclined and also had the extra cash rolling around.
As Valentine's Day neared and the deluxe package went unsold, Ritz executives decided to offer a more reasonable version of the package to a wounded Iraq veteran. Thus tonight, Army Sergeant Dan Alderman, 24, of Hawaii, and his eight-month pregnant fiancée will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime evening of their own. Alderman is a 4 1/2-year veteran of the service, and did a tour in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2005 before being deployed to Iraq. Three months into his Iraq tour, he was wounded by a roadside IED outside Kirkuk. He lost his left leg below the knee and is currently undergoing intense physical therapy as an outpatient at Walter Reed.
Tonight Alderman and fiancée Samantha Keyser will be picked up by a limo at Walter Reed, whisked to a premiere suite at the Ritz, treated to a specially prepared gourmet dinner for two prepared by Fahrenheit Chef Terence Feury, a dozen roses, and rose-petal turndown service upon returning to their suite, as well as breakfast in bed Thursday morning.
The best part of the evening though? It's free—only $175,000 less than the original luxury package.
Ritz Hands Out Valentine’s Love
The Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown had put together an unparalleled night of pampering and luxury for Valentine's Day: The once-in-a-lifetime centerpiece of the $175,000 package (which included a $75,000 donation to the Kennedy Center) was a private dinner for two on the stage of the Kennedy Center's Opera Hall, decorated with 1,200 (!) roses, and accompanied by a violinist and a "discreet" photographer. Also included were the hotel's presidential suite for the night, in-suite professional hair and makeup styling, a designer tuxedo, Neiman Marcus gown, coordinating accessories, and a Cartier diamond ring—as well as a limo ride to the Kennedy Center and back complete with a police escort. Back in the Presidential Suite after dinner, the two pampered guests would find a rose-petal turndown, a butler-drawn bath, monogrammed pillowcases and bathrobes, personalized chocolates, and an invitation to return to The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown every Valentine’s Day for the next 25 years. Altogether, not a bad way to propose if one was inclined and also had the extra cash rolling around.
As Valentine's Day neared and the deluxe package went unsold, Ritz executives decided to offer a more reasonable version of the package to a wounded Iraq veteran. Thus tonight, Army Sergeant Dan Alderman, 24, of Hawaii, and his eight-month pregnant fiancée will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime evening of their own. Alderman is a 4 1/2-year veteran of the service, and did a tour in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2005 before being deployed to Iraq. Three months into his Iraq tour, he was wounded by a roadside IED outside Kirkuk. He lost his left leg below the knee and is currently undergoing intense physical therapy as an outpatient at Walter Reed.
Tonight Alderman and fiancée Samantha Keyser will be picked up by a limo at Walter Reed, whisked to a premiere suite at the Ritz, treated to a specially prepared gourmet dinner for two prepared by Fahrenheit Chef Terence Feury, a dozen roses, and rose-petal turndown service upon returning to their suite, as well as breakfast in bed Thursday morning.
The best part of the evening though? It's free—only $175,000 less than the original luxury package.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
A DNC Official Will Run for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Seat
AC Problem Closes Four Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
Epstein Files Fiasco Continues to Be Weird and Entertaining, GOP Congressman Sued Over Unpaid Rent, and Lotuses Hit Peak Bloom
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards