A startling architectural gem that mirrors the dramatic backdrop of the Dolomite Alps, Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti takes advantage of the rustic wonders surrounding it.
There is no “in season” at the eco-friendly hotel: two nine-hole golf courses are nearby for those not wooed by some of the world’s best hiking trails dotted by age-old hütten, mountainside huts serving hearty fare and cold beers to weary hikers, or those daring enough to take mountain bikes up the Dolomite’s often quite steep and craggy slopes. The winter brings access to some of the world’s best snowboard parks and ski slopes, and Lefay provides a seamless ski experience, with an in-house ski shop, ski concierge and transport to the Pinzola gondola that delivers you up Madonna di Campiglio and its dozens of pristine pistes.
You can be easily tempted to leave the adventures to others. The reception, lounge, restaurant, bar and library areas have lofty floor-to-ceiling, triangular windows with panoramic views of the nearby evergreen-filled slopes, silver-gray peaks and bright-white glaciers as well as the River Sacra winding its way down a picturesque valley. The spa, one of the largest in the Alps, offers four floors of luxuriant East-meets-West pampering with locally sourced ingredients and an indoor salt-water lake infused with magnesium to provide a calming swimming oasis.
After taking in the sublime vistas, the invigorating hiking and skiing nearby and the impeccable, streamlined architecture, you’ll eagerly return to one of the 88 suites or 23 residences, each filled with warm beige and brown tones, an even warmer fire and still more views of the Dolomites’ remarkable landscape.- The Dolomites hotel integrates sustainability and eco-consciousness into nearly every facet of the property, including the use of state-of-the-art biomass and cogeneration plants, a free cooling system and an eco-friendly water management program.
- The design is striking with sharp angled lines, soaring windows and naturalistic colors throughout. The materials, including timber and stone, were locally sourced, giving Lefay a look continuous with the forest just beyond its walls.
- Lefay SPA Dolomiti is a wellness destination. You can spend all day using its extensive facilities, like the salt grotto, heated salt-water lake and nine saunas — some of which look out on the mountainside. But then you’d miss out on the book-length list of treatments, including a menu dedicated to services infused with forest scents, like mountain pine, Swiss stone pine and juniper.
- The indoor-outdoor pool is arguably the most Instagrammable place in Lefay. Walls of windows allow the pine-filled mountains to reflect on the pool’s surface. As you wade in the water, automatic sliding glass doors open so that you can swim outdoors for fresh air and a closer look at the peaks.
- All accommodations are spacious suites that look sleek and modern. The palatial, must-see rooftop Royal Pool and Spa Suite comes with a deck, whirlpool, treatment area, saunas and incomparable views.
- Activities here don’t require mountain climbing gear or skis. Morning yoga in the shadow of the soaring peaks, gently picking from the springtime flowers while descending the valley or taking a morning hike to the 13th-century Church of Santo Stefano and its cherished frescoes offer incomparable ways to spend time in quiet retreat or hand-in-hand with a companion.
- A dip in the adults-only indoor saltwater pool comes with a range of hot/cold therapies, including the saltwater whirlpool, an ice pool, a Finnish sauna and a sauna scented with the essence of orange and rosemary.
- The hotel has two dining spots. Dolomia Restaurant features organic, local ingredients such as Alpine trout filet and lamb for a contemporary menu inspired by modern Italian cuisine. The other, Grual, takes its name from the nearest mountain and specializes in “altimetric” plates (food based on altitude, like high mountain, Alpine pasture and valley floor) and seasonal Dolomite ingredients. Both offer dishes with a simple, healthy aesthetic that provide healthy alternatives to the often-weighty meals found in the region.
