Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda

Lefay was our first stop en route to the Dolomites, and what a fabulous introduction. Of eight hotels in this region that we visited, Lefay was our second favorite (Gardena Grodnerhof was first). As others have said, the setting and wellness focus are Lefay's winning highlights. Firstly: Lake Garda is huge! You'll pass many towns and views before driving up the steep, winding and narrow road to Lefay's gate. We love Italy hotels where you leave your car in the entry, and the next thing you know, your bags are in your room. Lefay is definitely a destination resort, set up in the mountains with gorgeous views of mountains and the lake. It features a killer infinity pool, large outdoor jetted spa pool, and an outdoor whirlpool (lukewarm, as most Dolomite whirlpools were). And then there are the indoor pool/spa/sauna options! The property meanders with plentiful indoor and outdoor lounging and dining areas. (Note on accessibility: we saw a lady in a wheelchair who seemed like a regular. She was easily navigating the different areas and floors including the spa area.) Our room was very comfortable, with lots of storage, sofa corner, and a small balcony overlooking the grounds and lake. The bathroom was great, with a tub plus separate shower and separate toilet stall. The welcome and general service was warm. Dinner was a bit disappointing--it appeared they were understaffed as we waited quite a long time to be served, and the meal was just OK. That may have been a one-night aberration. On the flip side, breakfast was fabulous. We took advantage of the $100 spa credit with a terrific massage, and enjoyed all the pools and saunas (this would be the last Dolomite spa that allowed bathing suits in the saunas!). We had planned to soak again the next morning before check-out, only to awaken to rain and clouds. Lefay is primarily adult oriented, ideal for guests who want a gorgeous wellness getaway, especially while en route in northern Italy. They have a sister Dolomite property, and we'd love to check that out in the future.

Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing stay for us, particularly given the price point and the reputation of the property. Despite communicating my gluten-free dietary requirements, no one seemed to remember them across our various dining experiences. We also had several room-service orders arrive incorrectly. At the pool restaurant, the burger was dry and the fries arrived cold, simply not the standard I would expect from a hotel in this category. The food was nothing special. The spa was another disappointment. Several of the reception staff spoke limited English, which made communication difficult. More concerning was the lack of discretion and comprehension when we inquired about the resort's medical services. Personal medical matters were discussed very loudly in the reception area, within earshot of other guests. For a property positioning itself around wellness and medical services, I found this particularly inappropriate. The rooms themselves also feel extremely dated. Ours looked as though it had been designed in the 1990s and had seen very little aesthetic updating since. At this price point, the overall design and level of refinement simply did not match expectations. Every time I tried to relax on our balcony; a gentleman below us was smoking so much; we had to go inside and keep the patio door closed. I specifically seek out and book hotels for exceptional spa experiences, and I did not find the spa here particularly noteworthy. There is a great deal of emphasis placed on its size, but in practical terms, the facilities consist largely of what you would expect at many good four- or five-star hotels: hammam, dry sauna, whirlpool, two pools and a menu of treatments. Nothing about the spa is groundbreaking or worth traveling specifically for. The most frustrating part was that we seriously considered leaving early, but our entire reservation was non-refundable. Otherwise, we would have left after the first night. As a seasoned travel advisor who stays at and evaluates luxury properties, I simply cannot recommend this hotel. For similar money, I would drive a little farther and stay at Miramonti or Cape of Senses instead. Both would be far higher on my list. For us, Lefay simply did not deliver the level of hospitality, dining, design or spa experience that its pricing and positioning suggest.

It’s a beautiful resort, very lovely spot up a steep hillside. Facilities were amazing and the staff were excellent. The food was lovely too. Staying for a week we did find the trip on the courtesy bus very useful to go down to the lakeside which made a lovely change and we sampled some of the restaurants in Gargnano. The site is very large so if you’re planning a walk away from the resort then factor this in. It’s not set close to any village so if you wanted a walk out to eat locally it’s a taxi ride.

A wonderful resort on the hillside overlooking Lake Garda. Service was impeccable. Care of the room and cleaning is especially worth mentioning as outstanding. Responsiveness by the front desk was also extraordinary.

The food was extremely disappointing. It was my first time at Lefay, and also my mum’s first time in Italy, so unfortunately her impression was heavily influenced by the food we experienced during our stay. I honestly cannot express how disappointing it was. The soup was completely tasteless, the room-service fish was very basic, and even the salads in the lounge were underwhelming. It’s a real shame because the overall setting and concept of Lefay are wonderful. Had the food been of a much higher standard, I would definitely consider returning and spending more time there. Unfortunately, based on the dining experience, I wouldn’t consider coming back anytime soon.