Elegant spa resort with lake views, TCM & science-based wellness



















Via Angelo Feltrinelli, 136, 25084 Gargnano BS, Italy Get directions

"Perched in the silvery mountains above Gargnano, this destination spa became my refuge for a modified version of its new “Letting Go” program, a three-night reset inspired by classical Chinese medicine and designed to help guests rediscover their authentic selves. In the tranquil energy garden, Head of Lefay SPA Method Training Giuseppe Doronzo re-taught me how to breathe, guiding me from shallow chest breaths to deep, diaphragmatic breathing that finally loosened the invisible vise around my lungs; later, the transcendent hum of a Tibetan sound bowl quieted my usually unrelenting mind. Over the next few days I reconnected with my senses: an exquisite anti-aging lavender facial felt as if it scrubbed away years of camouflaging; a morning walk among olive groves and shaded woodland awakened more than my under-worked calves; even sipping a cup of floral tea became a meditative ritual. I foraged herbs growing wild on the grounds and folded them into hand-rolled cavatelli in Chef Mariano Melluso’s holistic cooking class, where his three stages of pasta—stress, rest, shape—gently challenged me to embrace imperfection. Terraces and pools overlook Lake Garda, and soaking spots frame the surrounding mountains, amplifying a program that helps overstimulated travelers break away from burnout and return to the here-and-now." - Hannah Foster-Roe

"If you want a detox that doesn’t feel like denial, I appreciated Lefay’s elegant, eco-chic approach that merges Traditional Chinese Medicine with cutting-edge science; qualified doctors really do oversee customized, results-driven programs, yet you’re treated like an adult if you stray from your plan. Tapped into a mountainside overlooking Lake Garda, the resort manages to feel both luxurious and purposeful, attracting couples and guests seeking measurable wellbeing outcomes." - Charley Ward

"Perched above Gargnano, the architecture riffs on Lake Garda’s traditional tiered lemon houses, with stone pillars and wooden beams framing suites that make the most of the views through floor‑to‑ceiling panoramic windows. Interiors are serene—natural fabrics, walnut and olive wood, and marble tubs—while the isolated setting anchors a true wellness haven with spa programs focused on stress, sleep, and detoxing. Restaurants follow suit, centering on natural local ingredients and Mediterranean cuisine." - Silvia Marchetti

"Overlooking Lake Garda, this wellness‑focused resort offers family suites and a three‑bedroom residence with private infinity pool, and provides easy access to lake activities such as swimming, e‑biking, hiking, lemon‑grove visits, picnics and boat trips, making it a serene home base for multigenerational exploration of northern Italy’s largest freshwater lake." - Kathryn Romeyn
"Set on 27 acres on a hill overlooking the lake, Lefay is one of Italy’s leading wellness and sustainability-focused resorts. The award-winning spa offers a variety of multi-day wellness packages targeted at weight loss, improving sleep, detoxing, beauty, and a la carte treatments." - Travel + Leisure Editors