Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda ★★★★★

I first decided to treat my partner to the perfect holiday when I was caught by the vision of the Lefay Resort on Lake Garda in Italy: “To create places of our dreams.” Intrigued, I learned it was a project launched by Italian entrepreneurs Alcide and Liliana Leali in 2006, with the Resort opening in 2008 and targeting “overall wellness,” a concept that supposedly reflected the beautiful, peaceful natural setting perfectly. It sure sounded special!

My partner could not have been more thrilled. We flew to Venice and rented a car to enjoy first-hand the lovely scenery along Lake Garda. Arriving at the hotel, my partner was most excited for the Spa. I couldn’t wait to unwind in the room with its fabulous design and comfort. We opted for a Deluxe Junior Suite, and were immediately struck by its massive size (around 50 square metres) and its bright and spacious décor. This was more than just a hotel room; it was five-star elegance at its finest. The colours and décor mixed perfectly, inviting us to make them our home. The furniture itself was made from natural local materials such as olive tree and Italian walnut woods, Italian marbles, and natural fabrics. Everything smelled and felt so good, and we began to understand what all the fuss about wellbeing was about!

Next stop was the Spa, a world of its own. There were three main areas at our disposal: the “World of Water and Fire” and its access to the swimming pools, saunas, grottos, and small lakes, “Nature and Fitness” with its state-of-the-art fitness studio, and “In Silence among the Stars: Trilogy in the Air,” comprised of outdoor areas featuring trails and sports with wellness and relaxation in mind. This was way more than a simple spa! And that was just the beginning. Behind it lay the “Lefay Spa Method,” a philosophy of wellbeing based on principles from classical Chinese medicine and Western scientific research. In a nutshell, the hotel has developed a way for you to achieve maximum wellness by restoring your balance while rejuvenating your body, soul, and spirit. And it all starts with a healthy lifestyle, the core of the Lefay Resort experience.

Fully cleansed and feeling ten years younger, I was ready to eat! Not wanting to squander the efforts already undertaken, however, we were happy to learn Executive Chef Matteo Maenza applies the overall wellness concept himself when creating his masterpieces. There are two main Resort restaurants, “La Grande Limonaia” and “Trattoria La Vigna,” and they’re both delicious. “Lefay Vital Gourmet” follows the Resort’s philosophy by combining healthy Mediterranean ingredients such as extra virgin olive oils to produce regional dishes that are out of this world. We also had the choice of the Lefay Spa Menu, featuring dishes with short cooking times to maintain their organic qualities. We were so excited to be on a holiday where we actually ate better than we do at home…

Reenergised after a perfect day, we had a nightcap in the Lounge Bar on the ground floor and took in the spectacular views and soothing music. A cigar lounge and pool bar also beckoned, but they would have to wait. Unwound and relaxed to the max, we were ready for bed. We agreed we could get used to this kind of lifestyle, and hoped to take some of the lessons we were learning home with us. Thank you Lefay Resort!