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
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
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
Speaker Johnson’s Megabill Prayers Likely to Be Answered Before Holiday Weekend, Wrongly Deported Maryland Man Faced Abuse in El Salvador Prison, and We Found Some Yummy Nepalese Food
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair