Careful with your eyes! Here’s a hotel with one of the finest views around, and we’re weighing our words. Located high above Lake Garda in Italy, the Lefay Resort boasts a gigantic spa and wellness programs that Luxe Wellness Club offers exclusively to the French-speaking market. Here’s the full story of the various stays by Pascal Languillon, director of Luxe Wellness Club, who was accompanied for the second time by Ambre Venissac, our travel designer. This review will help you understand why you should visit this hotel at least once in your life, especially if you love spas!
A grandiose natural setting, with the charm of Italy
There are places that leave an indelible mark on memories, and the Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is one of them. You may have traveled the world, walked its most beautiful beaches and climbed its highest peaks, but you can’t help but be impressed and moved when you discover the magnificent view that awaits you from the moment you arrive at this extraordinary 5-star hotel .
The blue water up to the horizon gives the impression of facing the sea, the vegetation-covered peaks on the right are reminiscent of certain tropical landscapes, and the snow-capped mountains on the left let us know that the Alps are just around the corner. What a picture!
Lefay Resort Lago di Garda is located high above Gargnano, a charming village on Lake Garda, about two hours from Milan. The entire region is breathtaking, with its colorful architecture, olive groves and cypress trees. We’re undeniably in Italy, yet the mountains bordering the lake could be reminiscent of faraway lands…
The entire hotel faces the lake, and every room offers a wide view of this beautiful landscape. The two outdoor pools are ultra photogenic. One of these is a 25-meter-long infinity pool for easy swimming, while the second, connected to the spa’s indoor pool, is heated to over 30°C all year round.
The hotel was built in 2008 with environmental integration in mind, and it’s a great success. Vegetation now covers the buildings, which seem to blend into the landscape. Solar panels and many other techniques are used to reduce electricity consumption.
Personally, I found that the interior decoration in some common areas was not always in the best taste, but the resort will be undergoing a complete interior renovation in the near future. As for the exterior, there’s nothing to complain about: it’s just perfect!
The resort is surrounded by a large park featuring a fitness trail, with weight machines set out here and there, as well as a therapeutic garden trail based on the principles of Chinese medicine. I left the resort to run along the narrow mountain roads and check out the nearby villages. If you want to go to the lakeside, get back in the car and drive ten minutes.
You could spend your entire vacation basking in the view, but the hotel offers much more than that. Having created the “Lefay Spa Method”, which I’ll explain below, the resort has established itself as one of the best establishments in Europe for gentle fitness .
Suites that make sleep softer
Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda is the ideal place for a sleep cure. Far away from it all, in absolute calm, the hotel has rooms specially designed to help you fall asleep easily. In addition to the right bedding, the room temperature is optimally regulated for the night. The rooms also exude a gentle scent of olive that calms the nervous system.
Each 50 m² suite features a bathtub and separate shower, a dressing room and a living room with desk. The “prestige junior suites” are on the first floor, and have a terrace. The “deluxe junior suites” are on the second floor, with a balcony. The only difference between these two room categories is a better view and more privacy for the “deluxe” category. Please note: the suites were renovated in early 2021 and no longer correspond to the photo above.
The hotel also features family suites, exclusive suites and a breathtaking Royal Pool and Spa Suite with its own private pool.
A complete spa with advanced health programs
The spa has won numerous international awards since it opened a decade ago, not only for its size, but also for the quality of its treatments and wellness programs. In addition to the above-mentioned indoor/outdoor pool, it features an entire hydrotherapy zone with multiple saunas and steam rooms, sensory showers and relaxation rooms with different atmospheres.
An original touch is provided by the “La Luna nel Lago” thalassotherapy pool, where you can float effortlessly in a subdued atmosphere. This room is reserved exclusively for naked bathers.
You can come to Lefay Resort Lago di Garda for its setting and enjoy the spa, treating yourself to a few treatments, but the ultimate is to sign up for one of the health programs offered over several days.
The Lefay Spa Scientific Committee has created an innovative wellness method based on a blend of classical Chinese medicine and Western scientific research.
Health programs are tailored to individual needs to address weight problems, stress, insomnia or the signs of aging. Interestingly, there’s also a physiotherapy department and an osteopath to help correct postural and joint problems.
After talking to a doctor about my energy levels, I found that the treatments using Chinese techniques were of high quality. I also took a walk in the therapeutic gardens with a guide, Marco, who introduced me to new facets of Eastern wisdom.
In my opinion, this hotel is perfect for a gentle workout, but those looking to lose weight in a restrictive, strict detox approach are likely to be disappointed.
Quality cuisine for all tastes
One of the special features of Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda compared to other wellness hotels is that the detox menu and the gourmet menu are served at the same table, and guests can choose to dip into each menu as they wish. A far cry from the Chenot method! Another difference with the stricter wellness hotels: here, there’s an elaborate wine list, and a sommelier.
In addition to a wide selection of fruit, breakfast also offers healthy options in the “Lefay Spa Menu”, with gluten-free and sugar-free pastries, and light baked dishes.
The restaurant offers quality cuisine with refined flavors, featuring Italian culinary heritage.
My favorites from the diet menu include a mixed salad with gonji berries and pineapple, chickpea pancakes topped with vegetables, and an eggplant burger with avocado.
I also tried the Vital Gourmet menu, including a delicious veal carpaccio. Italian wines are highly appreciated.
Our videos of Lefay Resort Lake Garda
Our feeling
Here’s a resort undeniably dedicated to pleasure. It’s a feast for the eyes with its mesmerizing views, for the taste buds with its excellent restaurant, and for the senses with its gigantic spa. We wholeheartedly recommend it as a place to get away from it all and enjoy a gentle fitness treatment based on the principles of Chinese medicine. One of our favorite wellness hotels in Europe!
Luxe Wellness Club
Book Lefay Lake Garda
Take advantage of our expertise and ask us for a quote for a wellness stay at Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, whose wellness packages are offered exclusively on the French-speaking market by Luxe Wellness Club.
Rates: From around 300 euros per night for the room in low season, 600 euros per night in high season, excluding the cost of health programs. Luxe Wellness Club benefits: Room upgrade subject to availability, 2 free treatments per person, early check-in/late check-out .
Call us for the USA: +1 (646) 980 6652 or for the UK: +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
