That branch of lake Garda

There’s a magic place on the west bank of Lake Garda which enjoys a unique microclimate for this latitude. Here, above Gargnano, there’s an extraordinarily beautiful eco-resort perfectly placed inside the local eco-system – almost camouflaged in the nature – which in just a few years time has stood out at the top of world hotellerie, with a dream spa that won all the most important European awards in the field. The hotel, owned by the Leali family, is one of the highest expressions of sustainable eco-resort. The entire site looks as if it had been conceived and designed in 2050, from the production and use of rainwater, to the disposal of waste, to the choice of the building materials.

After having built an enchanting hotel without spoiling the surrounding environment, but entering on tiptoe, almost caressing the ground on which it is placed, the owners have managed in the even harder challenge of creating an atmosphere that can charm the guest with elegance, through every step of the stay. This is a place where you go to relax and remind yourself that we can live a better life, it’s not a simple hotel. And among the various factors, of course there is also the relation with food. For this reason, even the two resort restaurants, namelyLa Grande Limonaia and Trattoria La Vigna, were created with the objective of nourishing the guests in a balanced and natural way.

Since last year, the two restaurants’ supervision has been assigned to starred chef Fabio Baldassarre – who recently moved to his new restaurant in Milan, inside hotel Carlyle Brera – who chose Matteo Maenza as the executive chef of the entire site. This is a great responsibility which he has managed very well despite being young, also thanks to the experience he acquired abroad (Piége in France or the Roca brothers in Spain, for instance), giving extra value to the resort’s restaurant offer, with a new menu and a new concept of diet, studied specifically for the demanding guests of the resort.

The menu is seasonal and uses local products focusing on simple raw materials, preparations and cooking procedures. Among the dishes, it’s worth mentioning the Oyster tempura with puntarelle and anchovies and cucumber foam and theLefay extra virgin olive oil fagottelli in seafood sauce. Among the takes, one has to try the Bed with two Valrhona chocolates and raspberry ice-cream. The Lefay Brunch, every Sunday from 12,30 to 4 pm is also worth mentioning. This journey across Italian gastronomic excellences reaches its highest expression in the “stanza delle tentazioni” (the room of temptations), where one can go, at the end of the meal, and choose between an infinite series of cakes. 

Lefay ’s project is very ambitious and is only at the beginning. In fact, the opening of other eco-resorts is already in plan, all characterised by a modern interpretation of classic luxury, together with a strong environmental commitment, with the objective of reaching global wellbeing, both for the guests and the people working here. 

Ristorante La Grande Limonaia
Lefay Resort & SPA
Via Feltrinelli, 118
Gargnano (BS)
+39.0365.241800
Brunch: 55 euros per person, 25 euros for children (during the summer the brunch is not available)
Restaurant: à la carte 70/80 euros