Italians Love This Lake Como Different — and It Has an Unimaginable Luxurious Lodge

After I first noticed Cape of Senses’ lake and mountain views from the floor-to-ceiling home windows main from the foyer to the terrace (my welcome glowing wine in hand), I virtually needed to pinch myself. The setting was so dreamy.

Whereas close by Lake Como is extra “identified” amongst Individuals, Lake Garda is a worthy under-the-radar gem. It’s typically a less expensive and fewer touristy space than Como — although no much less beautiful. “That is the place Italians come for trip,” Alena Deutsch, the lodge’s normal supervisor, tells me.

The adults-only fairytale escape is simply two hours north of Milan, and whereas Cape of Senses remains to be an indulgent luxurious keep, equally luxe motels on Lake Como, like the enduring Grand Lodge Tremezzo, begin at effectively over $1,000 per night time for lake-view rooms on summer season weekends.

Cape of Senses opened final Could and is aptly named: All 5 senses can be pampered and indulged all through your keep. Each room has beautiful lake views to feast your eyes on; contemporary mountain air fills your nostril and lungs, and mild notes from the on-site olive timber waft via the breeze. You may hearken to birds chirping and friends splashing within the pool out of your personal room terrace or get pleasure from absolute silence for deep and peaceable relaxation; get each kink labored out with a therapeutic massage adopted by enjoyable within the sauna or indoor-outdoor heated spa pool; and in relation to the style, all the pieces on the menu is native, contemporary, and divine. Even easy dishes like a prosciutto and melon pool snack featured a few of the juiciest melon I’ve ever had and melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto — to not point out the contemporary, heat bread paired with olive oil from the olive timber.

Even the water is particular right here — and I don’t simply imply that discovered within the lake or the heated swimming pools. A brand new bottle of housemade infused water is dropped at the room each morning, with a tag — “Selfmade with amore” — tied across the bottle with a white ribbon. Whether or not it’s the love or the fruit and herbs, it’s additional scrumptious, and I regarded ahead to greedily gulping down massive glasses of it each day.

Elevated touches like this are, dare I say, infused all through the whole property. From the luxurious his-and-hers down comforters to the domestically made, natural bathtub merchandise to the comfortable solar loungers dotted with black and white pool towels and all positioned for optimum views, each element is fastidiously curated and lovingly thought via.

As testomony to this, when the lodge was nonetheless below development, Deutsch took one of many tabletops in her automotive whereas driving across the space to make sure the cutlery she picked out would go completely with the colour of the wooden. “Not everybody at all times notices these small particulars outright,” Deutsch tells me, “however I feel when all the pieces is particular and thought out, a long-lasting impression is left on the friends.”

Having simply stayed right here for 3 days, I can affirm firsthand that this lodge certainly leaves a long-lasting impression that can make you need to return many times. Learn on for my full lodge evaluation of Cape of Senses on Lake Garda in Italy.

The Rooms

There are not any dangerous rooms right here. Since that is an all-suite property and each room has panoramic lake and mountain views, you don’t have to pay additional for a room improve to see a sliver of the principle attraction.

Room decor includes a impartial however luxe palette: hardwood flooring, slate-gray chairs and mattress frames, cozy, sand-colored loungers, and gold accent pillows. Terraces characteristic comfortable couches and small black metallic tables with wicker chairs, that are good for beginning your day with a heat espresso from the in-room moka pot whereas having fun with the view.

The king-sized mattress was extremely cozy, with two fluffy duvets and luxurious down pillows. Although our room and terrace have been fairly near one of many on-site swimming pools, we couldn’t hear a peep from exterior when the sliding glass doorways have been shut.

The bogs are equally luxurious, with deep sinks, marbled showers with overhead and handheld showerheads, and separate areas for the bathroom. The primary rooms even have small, built-in picket desks with spherical self-importance mirrors and a swivel chair, making for a super additional getting-ready spot.

Even entry-level junior suites are virtually palatial at 540 sq. toes and include massive personal terraces in addition. Upgrading to an ordinary or spa suite will web you 100 or 200 additional sq. toes, respectively, however it’s the lodge’s Sky and Sky Pool suites the place the improve ‘wow’ issue comes into play. Situated on greater flooring, the Sky suites characteristic expansive personal out of doors terraces full with daybeds and sizzling tubs, whereas Sky Pool and Deluxe Sky Pool suites, as you might have guessed, characteristic beautiful personal infinity swimming pools. Different upgrades on this class embody bigger rooms and deep soaking tubs positioned to soak up the lake view.

Meals and Drink

Begin your morning with breakfast on the terrazza from the buffet or a la carte menu. Or, go for a non-public meal in your balcony with room service. Recent seasonal fruit, deliciously flaky pastries, eggs and milk from native farms, and Italian sausage are all on the menu.

Later, seize a chunk at Osteria La Pergola, the place you may sit poolside or upstairs whereas having fun with a membership sandwich or bowl of spaghetti with cherry tomato sauce and buffalo stracciatella. Even easy favorites right here, like prosciutto with melon or a Caesar salad, are distinctive variations of the classics.

At Restaurant Al Tramonto, the distinctive sundown view from the eating terrace is the principle course. Nonetheless, positive dining-worthy choices like potato dumplings full of roasted cuttlefish or duck leg in an anchovy sauce will depart your abdomen a lot satiated, too.

Actions and Facilities

Cape of Senses affords two swimming pools. Calm down and float within the indoor-outdoor pool that begins inside on the spa stage and ends as a beautiful out of doors infinity pool, wanting immediately at one of the best mountain and lake view, or swim a couple of laps within the close by out of doors sports activities pool. In fact, sitting within the lounge chairs across the swimming pools and backyard garden with a great guide can also be an choice.

The gymnasium has all the pieces you’ll want to preserve your physique wholesome, from stationary bikes and treadmills to weight machines. Personal yoga classes and private trainers are additionally obtainable for reserving.

Whereas I definitely loved my blissful therapeutic massage and a dip within the pool, maybe my favourite amenity was the cherry crimson e-Vespas, obtainable to lease by the hour or for the half or full day. I lived out my Lizzie McGuire Italian fantasies, zooming down the winding roads and zipping across the lake. Although, if the Vespas aren’t fairly your pace, the lodge additionally has an electrical Fiat 500 and several other bikes obtainable as an alternative.

The lodge concierge can also be very happy to rearrange excursions and actions for you, from tastings at close by wineries to a day crusing out on the lake or a trip in a classic automotive.

The Spa

Wellness is on the coronary heart of the property, so the spa doesn’t disappoint. Seven remedy rooms supply a spread of choices, from basic massages and anti-aging facials to anti-cellulite physique remedies and massages that incorporate Tibetan singing bowls. Manicures and pedicures are additionally obtainable on the spa, plus a leisure room full with a spa library and a sauna and steam room.

Earlier than or after your remedy, I like to recommend stopping by the tea nook and cozying up within the soft indoor daybeds, which overlook the pool and the lake view past.

Household-friendly Choices

The lodge is open to friends 14 and up. Small canine are allowed in devoted dog-friendly rooms for these touring with four-legged members of the family.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Preserving the encircling space’s pure magnificence was ingrained within the lodge idea from the start. The lodge was additionally constructed with sustainable applied sciences in thoughts and makes use of warmth pumps, photo voltaic panels, and rainwater collectors to attenuate the power footprint.

In the meantime, interiors rely closely on regionally sourced supplies, and the lodge house owners and designers prioritized one hundred pc made-in-Italy merchandise, from picket out of doors furnishings to stone tiles. The lodge additionally works with environmentally pleasant corporations for its cleansing merchandise and works to attenuate plastic consumption as a lot as potential throughout the whole lodge.

Cape of Senses additionally has ADA-compliant, handicap-accessible suites and bogs obtainable.

Location

Cape of Senses is roughly two hours from Milan and fewer than 40 minutes from the Verona airport. It overlooks the city of Torri del Benaco, and different small cities like Garda and Bardolino are inside a brief drive. Nevertheless, the lodge’s actual draw is that it’s secluded and never proper on the town. Being greater up within the hills above the lake permits for optimum views, however bear in mind that you simply gained’t be proper on the lake, and also you’ll have to drive down some steep and winding roads to get there.

Sirmione, a historic city the place you may discover Thirteenth-century castles, makes for a wonderful day journey. It’s about 40 minutes away by automotive. We additionally spent a stunning afternoon arrange by the lodge concierge at Zeni vineyard close by Bardolino, having fun with a wine tasting of their lovely cellar.

When you can at all times lease the lodge’s Vespas or Fiat for the day to go into city or all the way down to the lake, I like to recommend renting a automotive for ease and adaptability.

Easy methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Breakfast-only and half-board (breakfast and dinner) choices can be found when reserving. Should you plan on consuming most of your meals on-site, go for the half-board to scale back a la carte meals expenses.

The lodge additionally affords particular packages designed round wellness or staying lively, together with spa remedies or actions like e-bike excursions. Cape of Senses additionally has a sister property within the Dolomites, ALPIANA, and you may pair the 2 collectively as a five-night keep in a particular Mountain & Lake bundle.