"Set the scene If you want a detox that doesn’t feel like denial, this eco-chic resort provides an elegant solution. Tapped into a mountainside overlooking Lake Garda, Lefay offers an intelligently tweaked version of la dolce vita, so it appeals as much to smart Euro couples on a ‘proper’ holiday (whom you'll find hogging the pool) as supermodels preparing for cover shoots (you’ll see them cloaked in bathrobes heading for the results-driven treatments). It manages this sleight of hand by bridging the ancient and the innovative with an ethos that is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) but embraces cutting-edge science. The people in white coats here really are qualified doctors rather than wannabes but they’re not going to treat you like children so if you decide to go off-piste from your customised menu. What's the backstory? Airline entrepreneurs may not be the obvious candidates to launch an environmentally friendly wellness destination but with the arrival of the 21st century Alcide and Liliana Leali, founders of Air Dolomiti, wanted to make a more meaningful contribution to tourism. Their ambition was to showcase a new concept of luxury wellbeing, where space, nature and science-based wellbeing advice were centre stage. A respect for the environment is a cornerstone of their future-proofed blueprint, which means sustainable and sympathetic architecture (the resort’s design is based on the tiered lemon groves, typical to the region), the use of local materials and energy-efficient heating and lighting systems were non-negotiables. For example, the resort now produces more than 75 per cent of its own electricity. Lefay opened on Lake Garda in 2008 and since then has won more than 70 international awards. In 2019, the couple opened a satellite spa in the Dolomites, which has quickly become a hit too. What’s the wellness concept? Lefay SPA Method blends TCM and Western techniques under the guidance of a handpicked scientific committee that includes some of the most renowned medical experts in the world, with specialisms ranging from gut health to gynaecology. Programmes cover the most prevalent health issues, such as stress, sleep deprivation and weight management. The committee regularly upgrades the offering to reflect the latest technology, research and global conditions so post-Covid, the spa has launched an Immune System and Intestine Programme. It aims to build resistance to infection through a combination of traditional Chinese therapies, such as acupuncture and tui na massage, and personalised diets, to support gut microflora. Arrival consultations are with qualified doctors, usually trained in both Western and complementary medicines, who tailor treatments to a guest’s personality as well as their ailments. Prescriptions will usually include Lefay’s own excellent herbal teas and nutritional supplements. What are the signature treatments? A vast list of treatments includes everything from cupping to cryotherapy. Try the rebalancing tui na with moxibustion for an appreciation of how powerful holistic massage can be in restoring equilibrium and confidence. It’s also worth booking a postural evaluation with one of the excellent physiotherapists. Which therapist should I book? Marco Pistore’s calming nature, extensive knowledge of holistic practices and intuitive ability to understand a guest's issues elevates even a walk to a thought-provoking therapy. Ask him to guide you through the resort's incredible Five Elements meditative trail. Personal trainer Veronica Tonni’s charm and humour help to keep guests motivated through exercise regimes that she has edited to realistic durations to enable busy people to keep up long term. What makes it different? The range of facilities is vastly superior to most spas. Apart from 21 treatment rooms, half with lake views, there are heated indoor and outdoor pools, training, ice and thalassotherapy pools and a garden whirlpools. There are six relaxation zones and seven saunas, including a glass-fronted Finnish sauna with panoramic lake views in the adults-only spa. The high-tech gym is vast, with various workout areas, a huge personal training studio and smaller yoga and tai chi studios. Outside, the resort’s enchanting 27 acres of Alto Garda National Park has workout stations and myriad walking and jogging trails. Many guests dress up for dinner: there’s a beauty salon for hair, nails and make-up. What else do they offer? The cuisine is mainly Mediterranean and the ethos moderation and personal accountability rather than set rules and weighed portions. Guests have loosely customised meal plans and all food is organic and nutrient dense. Dishes are tasty and artfully presented and you won’t go hungry – or thirsty. If you want a drink, there’s a wide selection of temptations – including some excellent regional wines. Most meals are taken in La Limonaia, which has wide decks with lake views as well as glitzy virginal white interiors. There are also pool and lobby bars and a cigar lounge (no kidding). Book at least one meal at the excellent Gramen, the resort’s plant- and fish-based fine-dining experience, with imaginative tasting menus inspired by the Energy and Therapeutic Garden that surrounds the restaurant. Stay outdoors for massages in private gazebos, glorious mountain hikes and to immerse in nature within the resort’s lush, landscaped grounds. Where do you stay? The 96 suites are an ode to stealth-wealth minimalism, decorated in natural tones that take their cue from the surrounding mountains and lake. They feature eco-friendly fabrics, with furniture and floors made from walnut and olive woods. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light, and all rooms overlook Lake Garda and have a balcony or terrace. Stone and pink marble bathrooms have bathtubs and showers, stocked with Lefay Spa’s vegan toiletries, made from natural ingredients and medicinal plants. Public areas are glossy, generous spaces, with leather furniture, striking contemporary art and floor-to-ceiling windows that entice you out onto the terraces. Final word Book a session in the ‘salt lake’ for your day of arrival. This private floatation pool is in a huge, candle-lit cave (so none of the usual claustrophobic feelings) with loungers and experience showers that are a route-one to relaxation. It epitomises Lefay’s appeal: it makes wellness a sensuous pleasure, perfect for couples where one partner is a ‘non-believer.’"
