Together Magazine reviews the Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti in Northern Italy
With increased demand for winter sports holidays many traditional ski resorts are becoming crowded and losing the quaint relaxed mountain ambience that first attracted visitors to them.
The challenge is to identify destinations that retain that special homely feel while still offering the luxury, quality of service and modern winter sports facilities which have become expected in top class destinations.
And we think that’s exactly what we have found in the picturesque town of Pinzolo!
Located in the Trentino region of northern Italy amidst the Dolomite mountain range, Pinzolo lies within the Val Rendena valley near the Adamello-Brenta Nature Park.
This small town has a compact historic centre featuring traditional Tyrolean-style buildings dominated by the Church of San Vigilio, which dates all the way back to the 12th century.
The central town square hosts events and festivals, celebrating local traditions and a good range of restaurants and cafes located in the meandering streets around it offer local cuisine at surprisingly attractive prices. Italy is of course celebrated globally for its cuisine and the Dolomite region has its own specialities in addition that are well worth trying.
Situated at under 800 meters in altitude, the town itself is often green and ice-free even through the winter months, so when not up on the surrounding mountains enjoying winter sports visitors can stroll its streets in relatively light clothing.
This makes it particularly attractive for those for whom skiing is not the main priority on a winter break!
We were able to enjoy cappuccinos on a sunny terrace in the town centre in shirt sleeves even in January (to the surprise of locals it must be said !).
It also means that hiking and mountain biking on the lower levels are possible for much of the year, while enjoying spectacular views of the rugged beauty of the mountains towering all around.
However, wintersports enthusiasts are also well catered to as the town’s relatively queue free ski lifts can whisk you up to over 2,000 metres in minutes.
Furthermore, while Pinzolo has its own ski area, a key attraction is that it is directly linked by lift (the Pinzolo Campiglio Express) to the neighbouring famous Madonna di Campiglio ski resort. For a small supplement lift tickets can be extended to also cover this whole region. This opens up access to over 150 km of pistes, including peaks of up to 2,600 metres.
With an incredible selection of options, including some highly demanding routes for the more experienced skier, all surrounded by the most spectacular scenery, it’s no wonder that the Alpine Ski World Cup is held here.
The local mountains also offer some interesting dining options available to both skiers and for those on foot wishing to savour commanding views from higher altitudes.
The Attic restaurant located in a refuge at over 2,100 metres on the Doss del Sabion mountain above Pinzolo is a great example.
In summary an interesting winter break destination for both winter sports enthusiasts and those looking to simply relax in a beautiful mountain setting.
Where to Stay?
Without question the pre-eminent accommodation option in Pinzolo is the Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti.
Located on the edge of the town on an incline that affords a view across the whole valley, this resort is immediately captivating due to its architecture which is both striking yet in harmony with the mountain setting. Views out from the hotel of the natural surroundings are even more striking – especially from the main “Sky Lounge” of the hotel whose lofty cathedral-like ceiling meets windows that stretch all the way to the floor.
Harmony with nature is in fact a key focus of the resort and it has achieved a series of leading environmental certifications, including ISO 9001, 14001 and 14064 as well as the GreenGlobe Gold Status and Clima Hotel certification.
The resort is just a short stroll from Pinzolo and its ski lift but operates a continuous shuttle to and from the ski lift for convenience.
However, other than to engage in winter sports or view the town there is no need to leave the resort.
Guests can indulge themselves onsite in its own Grual and Dolomia restaurants (Grual has been awarded with a Michelin star 2025) serving top class gastronomy combining traditional local recipes, fresh local organic ingredients and contemporary flavours under executive chef Matteo Maenza.
In addition to the impressive Sky Lounge, there is also a lounge bar, cigar lounge and (in warmer months) pool bar.
However, what really sets this resort apart is its world class spa and wellness offering.
It is a veritable temple to wellness offering a host of both Western and Eastern treatments over a 5,000 square metre setting that places it amongst the very largest in Europe.
Here guests are able to experience the Lefay SPA Method, which blends classical Chinese medicine with Western scientific research and offers related experiences in five separate zones as well as a wide selection of award winning spa treatments.
The (indoor and outdoor) heated pool facilities and 24 hour fitness studio perfectly complete the relaxation offering. Just the thing after a day on the mountains or for those looking to recharge !
It is little wonder that this resort has won a whole host of tourism awards since opening in 2019, including under headings such as best wellness resort, best luxury ski spa and best sustainable resort, at the national, European and even global levels.
A peak destination in every sense!
- Mark Browne was a guest of the Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti
