Places to Vacation in September

1. El Encanto in Santa Barbara

California is one of the best places to vacation in September, offering sandy beaches and great weather. The theme at the iconic El Encanto in Santa Barbara is romance and the idea is to create a luxurious retreat where couples come to rejuvenate for a weekend of great food, privacy and spa treatments. The property has 92 unique suites and bungalows surrounded by lush gardens and ocean views. Guests get to relax on their private patio, luxuriously furnished, and next to the indoor fireplace. California coastal cuisine is served in the restaurant which offers romantic coastal views. Indoor and terrace seating is offered. The Wine Room is available for private parties, while the Lounge serves light meals and Afternoon Tea. The spa incorporates local flora into seasonal treatments that make you feel pampered from head to toe. The Fitness Studio features a variety of core, Pilates, yoga and strength training classes.

2. Villa La Diouana

Once you are done exploring the busy Marrakech, drive to the beautiful Atlantic coast of Morocco and rent Villa La Diouana in Oualidia. A hammock swaying under a tree, lounge chairs by the pool and beautiful starry nights will make you forget about the hurried life you left behind. The villa has three badrooms, a separate cottage and an apartment.

If you are traveling with a bigger group and need more space, consider renting all three. The luxury villa is furnished in modern style with traditional Moroccan touches such as woodwork and polished plaster floors. The living room has WiFi and a wood-burning stove. There is a library, patio and a roof-top terrace overlooking the garden with trees and flowers such as oleander, pine and mimosa. Oualidia is a small coastal village on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, a three-hour drive from Marrakech. Activities include bird-watching, boating and relaxing in the sun.

3. La Lancha Hotel in Guatemala

La Lancha Hotel is a lakeside getaway surrounded by a lush rainforest in Guatemala. The hotel overlooks lake Peten Itza and is near historic Mayan ruins which consist of 3,000 structures, ancient temples and plazas. The property has an outdoor pool and an open-air restaurant with spectacular rainforest and lake views.

Guests are accommodated in Rainforest and Lakeview cottages with hammocks and Guatemalan and Balinese furnishings. Ask for a view of the lake, especially if you are planning a romantic getaway. You will be able to have breakfast overlooking the water and relax in a hammock with a view. Luxury cottage amenities include organic, locally sourced, handmade toiletries, plush bathrobes and a shellphone for communicating with reception. Lago Peten Itza is the second largest lake in Guatemala. Complimentary canoes are available to guests. Once you are done exploring The Maya ruins of Tikal, relax by the split level pool with a view. Many exotic birds and howler monkeys can be seen on the property. Go on a guided horseback ride on the adjacent 70-acre farm.

4. La Mamounia in Marrakech

La Mamounia in Marrakech is a glamorous hotel which has attracted many famous guests, including Winston Churchill, Franklin D Roosevelt, Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin. The hotel was recently renovated, preserving its trademark look from the 1920s. The property is set on 17 acres with century-old gardens and a large outdoor pool.

Choose from 210 guest rooms, including 71 luxury suites. Guest accommodations overlook city rooftops, gardens and the Atlas mountains in the distance. These rooms and suites are among the most spacious in Marrakesh. Ask for a private terrace with scenic city views.

The luxurious 27,000 square foot spa offers extensive facilities for relaxation and rejuvenation. Facilities include traditional Hammam, beautiful indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms and a beauty salon. Inside the spa you will find black and white traditional Moroccan tiling and a calm ambiance. There are four restaurants serving Moroccan, French and Italian dishes. (Phone: +212 5243-88600)

5. Palmetto Dunes Villa

Palmetto Dunes Villa has been named as one of the world's 25 best family resorts by Travel + Leisure, great for guests traveling to the island with young ones. The eco-friendly resort stretches along three miles of beautiful Atlantic Ocean coastline, offering a plethora of activities for visitors of all ages, ranging from an award-winning tennis center to a full-service marina and scenic swimming lagoon.

Guests can choose from spacious vacation homes, accommodating up to 14, or flexible-stay villas with oceanfront views. Direct beach access is offered for all guests, along with opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and dolphin-watching. Three excellent golf courses are showcased on site, including two courses named as the state's best courses in 2003 and 2009. Indulgent dining experiences include the upscale Alexander's Restaurant and Wine Bar, the laid-back Dunes House, and Big Jim's BBQ, Burgers, and Pizza.

4 Queens Folly Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Phone: 888-909-9566

6. Zeavola Resort

Zeavola Resort is a luxury hotel located in Thailand's lush Phi Phi Islands. The hotel sits directly on the shores of the beautiful Laem Tong Beach. Guests can choose from private villas or suites that are surrounded by landscaped gardens.

The property boasts a full-service spa, several restaurants with local cuisine, and space for weddings and special events. Diving is a popular activity among Zeavola guests so it is easy to arrange for diving trips or diving courses with a PADI-certified instructor.

Excursions to nearby islands can also be arranged with help from the hotel staff.

11 Moo 8 Laem Tong, Koh Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Krabi, Thailand, 81000, Thailand, 66-7562-7000