Marco Crisciotti The prestigious British newspaper The Times has crowned Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda as the world's best spa. Let's discover what makes this Italian facility so special and which other wellness centers have made the international ranking.
Table of contents
The recognition comes from one of the most authoritative voices in international journalism. The Times has published its ranking of the fifty best spas on the planet and the top position was claimed by an Italian facility, a result that confirms our country’s excellence in the wellness and luxury hospitality sector.
The jewel of Lake Garda
@lagodigarda.lefayresorts.com
The highest podium belongs to Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, located in Gargnano, a small municipality in the province of Brescia. The facility rises on the wooded hills that embrace one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes. The location itself represents a distinctive element: the view over Lake Garda creates a landscape context that is hard to match elsewhere.
How The Times ranking was created
The British newspaper’s ranking stems from meticulous work. A team of reviewers selected the candidate facilities, while industry experts personally visited the wellness centers recommended by tourism professionals and readers. The evaluation criteria examined various aspects: the services offered to the public, the design of the spaces, the overall atmosphere and the geographical location, because when aiming for excellence, it’s the details that make the difference.
The spaces and services of Lefay Resort
The Lefay Resort & Spa spans three floors covering a surface area of 46,285 square feet. The spaces were designed to offer a complete experience of physical and mental regeneration. The infinity pool, open from April to October, allows you to immerse yourself in the waters while your gaze gets lost in the lake’s panorama. During the colder months, guests can use the indoor thalassotherapy pool, which guarantees relaxation and benefits in every season.
@lagodigarda.lefayresorts.com
The available options are numerous. The facility offers seven different types of saunas, six areas dedicated to relaxation, hydromassage areas and an equipped fitness space. But what truly distinguishes this wellness center is its personalized approach. Before starting any journey, guests receive a medical consultation that allows for the creation of a customized program based on individual needs.
Therapeutic pathways and treatments
The Therapeutic Energy Pathways constitute the heart of the offering. There are five and they take their names from symbolic figures of Eastern tradition: Green Dragon, Red Phoenix, White Tiger, Black Turtle and The Center. Each pathway focuses on specific aspects of wellness, from toning to detoxification, from deep relaxation to energy rebalancing.
The list of available treatments includes over sixty proposals. There are the Health Programs, designed for those who want to take care of their body comprehensively, then the Signature Treatments, which represent the center’s identity, while rituals and massages offer moments of pure pleasure. There’s no shortage of aesthetic medicine treatments and proposals dedicated to couples, who can experience a shared wellness journey together.
Other Italian excellences
Italy also shines in other categories of the ranking. Palazzo Merano won the title of best spa for sports and fitness, recognition that rewards the ability to combine physical activity and relaxation. Palazzo Fiuggi was elected best spa for food lovers, where wellness also passes through the quality of cuisine. Borgo Santo Pietro, in Tuscany, conquered the top spot as best romantic spa, perfect for those seeking a couple’s refuge away from daily hustle.
The best spas in the world
The international ranking includes other top-level facilities, of which we report those that obtained a specific recognition:
- Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Gargnano, Italy | Overall winner
- Park Igls, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria | Best detox spa
- Santuario Botanico, Antwerp, Belgium | Best city spa
- Pres d’Eugenie, Eugénie-les-Bains, France | Best boutique spa
- Euphoria Retreat, Mystras, Greece | Best spa for solo travelers
- Palazzo Fiuggi, Fiuggi, Italy | Best spa for food lovers
- Borgo Santo Pietro, Tuscany, Italy | Best romantic spa
- RAKxa Integrative Wellness, Bangkok, Thailand | Best wellness center
- Bamford Wellness Spa, 1 Hotel South Beach, Miami, United States | Best coastal spa
- Palazzo Merano, Merano, Italy | Best spa for sports and fitness
These awards confirm how the wellness sector has reached very high standards, where modern spas are no longer simple places to receive a massage, but rather true temples dedicated to comprehensive care of the person, where both body and mind can finally find that space of quiet that modern life too often denies. And knowing that the world’s best is located in our country fills us with pride.
Source: The Times
