Why I became a Lefay Resort & Spa enthusiast: here are the five reasons that made me fall in love with this resort — and its revolutionary philosophy of hospitality

Just after take-off, in the middle of a clear blue morning sky, I started a chat with my partner about a plan for a curated escape, a reset for both body and soul. The pandemic has challenged our beliefs about well-being, and we value connection, clarity, and emotion. We were fortunate enough to come across an on-board advertisement for a place that seemed to meet all our expectations. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is perched high above the village of Gargnano.  The resort is part of the Lefay Collection, a pioneering brand of eco-luxury wellness retreat.

We found ourselves few days later driving around Lake Garda, in northern Italy, on the winding roads that revealed the scenery with sudden sights - like that of sailing boats, scattered in the shining waters of the lake. Hills are dotted with Small towns, with magnificent early-20th-century villas, while others overlook the lake with quaint little harbors. In the luminous beauty of late summer, when the first refreshing breezes whispered through the treetops, we found ourselves in something out of a classic Italian postcard. Here are five reasons that make Lefay Resort & Spa a unique, regenerating sensorial experience.

Heated indoor-outdoor pool at Lefay Resort Garda with view of the surrounding mountains. (Courtesy of Lefay Resort&Spa)

I.

A high-value landscape

It all began with a beautiful vision: at the top of these hills, the resort emerges on a golden sunlit plateau, in fields of wildflowers and olive trees. The slopes form a stunning aerial view and unfold into scenic trails winding through olive groves, while bright green mountains rise majestically in the near distance. Enveloped in the pristine silence of the surrounding mountains, the resort’s architecture - concrete, warm wood and expansive windows - blends into the natural contours of the hills, with a gentle visual impact.

Here a milder microclimate allows olive and lemon plants to thrive - an exception in northern Italy - as the hills create a natural amphitheater around sunlit placid waters of Lake Garda. It truly gives meaning to its name, Riviera dei Limoni - traditional centuries-old “limonaie” can be visited on a guided tour.

Our time flows slowly around the serene suspended gardens above the lake - on the loungers beneath the sunshades, with a book in hand and a drink by our side. I happily paired a myrtle-infused cocktail with a book by one of my favorite authors - Jodorowsky. Wrapped in this summer flair, we would dive from time to time into the panoramic infinity pool - an invigoration session ending as we leaned against the edge, catching our breath while gazing at the breathtaking panorama - or lingering endlessly in the indoor-outdoor heated pool, embraced by the scenic mountains towering behind us.

Our room, of a soft cream palette with vibrant wooden accents and with a pink marble bathroom, opened onto the garden, and all rooms - whether facing a garden or a terrace - share the luxury of this magnificent view.

Scenic view over Lake Garda framed by the vibrant flowers of Lefay Resort’s garden. (Courtesy of Lefay Resort&Spa)

II.

The Spa: core and meaning of the stay

As we arrived, we slipped into our white fluffy bathrobes - which, as suggested upon arrival, would be our uniforms for the stay - and wandered down to the spa, into 4,500 square meters of cerulean marble and wood. The ambience is an alchemy of soft background music and curated scents that create a ethereal, dream-like setting. With our phone conveniently forgotten in the room, we crafted our personal routine.

After a deep sleep in our oversized and wonderfully soft bed, we began our days with an energizing morning yoga session, followed by a breakfast with a selection of freshly baked brioche, croissants and mini pastries, we enjoyed on the open-air sun-drenched panoramic terrace. We then explored the wide variety of thermal experiences - from saunas with different combinations of heat and humidity, to a traditional hammam and a cold therapy zone. Our favorite indoor spot turned out to be the panoramic sauna. Lying on the warm wood, the view of the blooming garden and the valleys beyond, made us lose track of time - that’s exactly what we were looking for.

The spa menu is extensive: it offers treatments either à la carte - we enjoyed a scented couple’s massage and a revitalizing facial - or as part of five curated journeys, based on a blend of modern scientific techniques and the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine - a touch that sets Lefay beyond conventional spa categories.

In the afternoon, one last dip in the heated indoor pool - simply too beautiful to resist - and back in our room the scents of Lefay products welcomed us. Chestnut body wash, horse chestnut shampoo, and almond milk moisturizers - happily nickel free and picked up in the in-house shop as a gift for the whole family - felt wonderful on the skin and  their scents paired beautifully with our dinner outfits. A selfie bore witness how our radiant smile revealed the effects of a day at the spa, while we were already excited planning the next one.

Relaxing Saltwater Pool at Lefay Resort Garda (Courtesy of Lefay Resort&Spa)

III.

The art of hospitality

They say God is in the details - and perhaps that’s where luxury hides as well. Whether you are seeking confidentiality and privacy, or - like me - are simply too curious to hold back some questions about the place and its surroundings, you’ll find a true sense of caring. Along with a cocktail by the outdoor pool, I received some fascinating insights about the local area - this is how I learned that Monte Baldo is a nature reserve, which has earned it the name of Garden of Europe. Or my lack of familiarity with the art of wine tasting was kindly met with friendly guidance. And again, in a quiet moment of melancholy, I found myself offered my favorite tea — without even asking.

Private guest room garden at Lefay Resort Garda, overlooking scenic Lake Garda. (Courtesy of Lefay Resort&Spa)

IV.

The focus on environmental consciousness

The aesthetic awe we feel as nature shows its beauty is discreetly honored by the resort. Lefay embraces deeply ethical and environmentally conscious practices, ensuring that this purity remains untouched. The results are tangible: 100% of the CO2 emissions are offset, while 78% of the energy is self-produced. The restaurant chain is also dedicated to ethical sourcing, emphasizing the use of seasonal and local ingredients. This awareness lends the stay a new perspective, that of feeling among friends. And it is an ethical pleasure that becomes part of our well-being.

That dedication does not go unnoticed. The environmental commitment of Lefay Resort & Spa has earned the Green Globe Certification, an international certification that testifies to the dedication in sustainable hospitality. And this is just one among recent awards, “Best Luxury Sustainable Spa” (World Luxury SPA Awards 2023), “World’s Top 20 SPA Destinations” (Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2024), “Sustainable SPA of the Year” (World SPA & Wellness Awards 2025).

Sailboat on Lake Garda illuminated by sunlight near Lefay Resort Garda. (Courtesy of Lefay Resort&Spa)

V.

Overall integration between luxury, Spa and selfcare

On our last night we dined under the glass dome of the restaurant La Limonaia, with a glass of fresh mineral white wine and the zesty fragrance of the slow-roasted chicken infused with local lemons and rosemary. During dinner a question marked our conversation: what truly makes this place so unique? We wondered whether it was the high-value landscape and the harmoniously integrated architecture, or the refined interiors and excellent spa services?

Just in time for the coffee - which came with a note about its origin - the answer also arrived. We spent our days in a really well-conceived experiential architecture, based on a vision that view guests not merely in need of a break, but as individuals interested in beauty and connection. The final highlight was the cuisine: a perfect balance between authentic local flavors and light detox-inspired dishes that never compromise on pleasure.

Surprised by such refinement, I was intrigued to discover how this place was born. Its history is intertwined with a successful Italian family story: the couple Alcide and Liliana Leali, after  founding AirDolomiti air carrier, and leding it to success, founded a brand dedicated to hospitality focusing on the revolutionizing the wellness holiday experience. Its success is widely acknowledged and today Lefay Resort & Spa Brand operates two resorts, on Lake Garda and the Dolomites, with two new locations of upcoming opening in Switzerland and Tuscany. Lefay Resort & Spa made us reconsider the very idea of luxury and well-being.