THE HEART AND SOUL OF LEFAY RESORTS AND RESIDENCES

INTERVIEW BY SARAH CAMILLERI

It’s now seven years since I first travelled to Lake Garda to experience the exceptional spa destination Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, beloved flagship resort of the trailblazing Leali family. Back then, I was impressed by this eco-resort’s location, design, immersive wellbeing programmes and ground-breaking approach to sustainability and guest service. Over the years, I have often returned to reset and recharge.

The resort is now welcoming back wellness seekers after an ambitious €15 million (£12.8 million) facelift. Repolished to match the ‘wow’ factor of its chic mountain sister Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, which opened to great acclaim in 2019, the revitalised destination has also refreshed its award-winning spa programmes, a combination of Classical Chinese Medicine and modern preventative health expertise presented as the Lefay SPA Method.

Lefay Resorts & Residences CEO, Alcide Leali is as passionate about Lefay’s evolution as when I first met him all those years ago. “Lefay has always been my family’s dream – a dream which began in 2006 when we moved away from the airline business and into hospitality with a mission to create a leading Italian brand in the luxury wellness industry,” he says. “We always wanted to do something different here in our beloved homeland and were lucky enough to find this beautiful piece of land high up here on the side of the mountain for our flagship Lefay destination.”

With the brand’s flagship reopened, Leali is proud of the work of his team and Italian designers Studio Apostoli. “It was always our dream to build a collection of Lefay destinations in the most amazing places in Italy. Here in the lakes, our second in the mountains, and our third is scheduled to open in the next two years in the heart of the Tuscan countryside,” he reveals.

Post-pandemic, the transformation of Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda has been a true labour of love backed by significant investment. “Our flagship was always conceived and designed as a sustainable spa destination, but of course we have had to evolve,” says Leali. “In fact, our occupancy numbers and success in spa stays have proved over the years that spa is a key driver of our success, particularly in low season [November-March] when the lake is not sought-after.

“People come here because of our concept and for top spa experiences. To achieve this, we have had to constantly invest in order to achieve recognition as one of the best spa destinations in Italy.”

Indeed, we are talking in a newly refurbished guest lounge surrounded by beautiful books and more than 70 awards that the resort has received for excellence in spa, wellness and luxury hospitality.

“Over the years we have seen growth in the spending power of the guests, so we have looked to make the offer more exclusive,” Leali adds. “This trend drove our decision three years ago to commit to renovating the whole property. I think this property will never be overtaken, it has so much to offer.”

Directed by Liliana Leali, together with celebrated Italian wellness designer Alberto Apostoli and the Lefay Project Team, the revitalised resort has been enhanced with three impressive new 134sqm Sky Suites; a serene new adults-only spa wellness area containing a hydropool and thermal zone; the light and airy Lefay Vital Gourmet, La Limonaia, and the innovative fine-dining restaurant Gramen, all melding gracefully into the mountainside

“Throughout the design we have selected Italian materials: light textures, natural fabrics and bright colours to enhance our splendid 180-degree view of Lake Garda, which can be enjoyed from every corner of the resort,” explains Liliana. “Our aim is always to help our guests feel in harmony with nature, as well progressing Lefay’s core values of sustainability and new luxury. We chose Studio Alberto Apostoli to work in partnership with our in-house project teamwork as they are experienced, spa-oriented and have the design know-how,” she says.

“So far the guest feedback has been amazing,” adds Alcide. “It’s been an opportunity to truly reimagine the property and create many new spaces. Our new Sky Suites are gems: you truly have the sensation of waking up in a dream, suspended between the lake and the sky. The view is just breathtaking!”

The brand’s promise to deliver personalised and integrated healing has been fine-tuned over the years by the Lefay SPA Method Scientific Committee, led by Dr Carlo Barbieri. The Lefay SPA Method is ever evolving and now includes two five-night preventative health programmes focused on Immunity and Longevity.

“Our Lefay SPA Method Health Programmes are designed to provide you with the right tools to learn to listen to yourself, to find your own path,” explains Alcide. “This journey of change really begins before your arrival, with a survey sent to determine your physical and emotional condition and lifestyle. While with us, you are then guided to take the right treatments, advice and activities to help you to rediscover yourself and become the conscious protagonist of your life.”

“Our energy doctor assesses certain characteristics of the body, from dreams to digestion, looking for any small changes in energy that could develop into a disease. The doctor also observes the skin, listens to the tone of your voice, asks about favourite foods and takes your radial pulse. We use scientific instruments that reflect both eastern and western principles, consistent with the philosophy of Lefay SPA Method. This procedure allows for a full energy diagnosis that can then be used to recommend specific treatments.”

Right from top: New tasting menus by Gramen reflect Lefay’s scientific approach to wellness; a great emphasis is placed on the wellbeing of the resort’s therapists

Lefay’s new fine-dining restaurant, Gramen is a prized asset in this evolution, delivering a unique gourmet concept as well as timely experimental tasting menus developed by executive chef Matteo Maenza and resident chef Giammarco Ninivaggi.

“We have always wanted to give our guests a fine dining experience, but we wanted this to be consistent with the wellness values of our brand as well as our sustainability commitment – something that is really connected to the identity of Lefay,” explains Alcide. “We don’t serve any meat or dairy products at Gramen, to promote good health and sustainability. We offer two tasting menus daily, one of which is 100% vegan, the other which offers vegetables and fish. It’s been a big challenge to develop but we are getting amazing feedback since we opened. I believe this direction will suit more and more people as eating less meat and more vegetables helps to look after ourselves and the planet.”

Serene and grounded, Lefay has built an enviable international reputation as a spa destination. “Today our first markets are Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, followed by France and Benelux, North America, UK and Ireland, and other countries,” says Alcide. “We also firmly believe that personal wellbeing should never overlook environmental wellness. When we decided to create a luxury brand, it was clear for us from the outset that everything we built needed to be in full harmony with the environment. Hence our architecture and design are inspired by local traditional buildings and materials; energy and resources are managed using clean energy sources; and our CO2 emissions are fully neutralised,” he adds.

In essence, the secret behind one of Europe’s most celebrated spa destinations is its soul. “Sustainability is generally associated to topics such as territory, energy and nature, but I think that in the very last two years this concept has more and more been connected to people and their wellbeing at work, especially in hospitality.” he says. “Time is the most precious thing anyone can give you. We have always seen our team as a strategic element of our company – our mission is to protect and nurture our people.”

Alcide Leali Jr’s commitment to the wellbeing of his team is sure to serve him well. “Beyond all the industry challenges brought by the pandemic, the greatest one we now face is the management of human resources, especially in hospitality: we know that our team members need to be motivated in any way possible,” he says. “At Lefay we pay the greatest attention to the selection and, above all, the training of our staff. We try to convey them on a path of human and professional growth and we do our best to create a ‘good vibe’ here at the resort.”

Looking ahead, Lefay will evolve further in 2023 with a third phase already in action. “We plan to restyle our spa treatment rooms and other key spa areas,” confirms Alcide. “There’s always more for us to do to ensure we extend our treatment spaces for the future.”

CEO: Alcide Leali General manager: Eveline Hanke President of Lefay SPA Method Scientific Committee: Dr Carlo Barbieri Spa director: Fabrizio Castellani Spa manager: Monica Mescoli Spa team: Approx. 40 Spa size: 4,300sqm Resort refurbishment cost: €15 million Refurbishment design: Alberto Apostoli, Studio Apostoli and Lefay Project Team Original architect resort: Hugo Demetz Treatment rooms: 21 plus two private spas and a gazebo Pool design and installation: Heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool and 25m heated training pool by Piscine Castiglione; heated whirlpool by Fonte Roccolino Saunas: Aromatic sauna (40-42°), Caligo Sauna (42-45°), Olive Tree Sauna (50-60°), Water & Fire Sauna (75-90°), Lady Sauna (38-42°), hammam and new adults-only Panoramic Sauna Fitness: two gym rooms with Technogym Wellness Artis Line equipment plus two studios for Pilates, yoga, tai chi, qi gong and rebalancing activities Private spa: inspired by Greek mythology Product houses: Lefay SPA, Biosthétique (coiffeur only) Treatment couches: LEMI

www.lefayresorts.com/en/luxury-resort