Italians Love This Lake Como Different — and It Has an Unbelievable Luxurious Resort

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 “recognized” 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 resort’s basic supervisor, tells me.

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

Cape of Senses opened final Might and is aptly named: All 5 senses shall 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 bushes waft by means of the breeze. You possibly can take heed to birds chirping and company splashing within the pool out of your non-public room terrace or get pleasure from absolute silence for deep and peaceable relaxation; get each kink labored out with a therapeutic massage adopted by stress-free within the sauna or indoor-outdoor heated spa pool; and with regards to the style, every thing 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 bushes.

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 — “Home made with amore” — tied across the bottle with a white ribbon. Whether or not it’s the love or the fruit and herbs, it’s further scrumptious, and I seemed ahead to greedily gulping down large glasses of it daily.

Elevated touches like this are, dare I say, infused all through the whole property. From the luxurious his-and-hers down comforters to the regionally 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 rigorously curated and lovingly thought by means of.

As testomony to this, when the resort was nonetheless underneath 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 all the time notices these small particulars outright,” Deutsch tells me, “however I believe when every thing is particular and thought out, an enduring impression is left on the company.”

Having simply stayed right here for 3 days, I can affirm firsthand that this resort certainly leaves an enduring impression that can make you wish to return many times. Learn on for my full resort overview of Cape of Senses on Lake Garda in Italy.

The Rooms

There are not any unhealthy 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 further for a room improve to see a sliver of the primary 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 steel tables with wicker chairs, that are excellent 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 principle rooms even have small, built-in picket desks with spherical vainness mirrors and a swivel chair, making for a great further getting-ready spot.

Even entry-level junior suites are virtually palatial at 540 sq. ft and include giant non-public terraces as well. Upgrading to a regular or spa suite will internet you 100 or 200 further sq. ft, respectively, nevertheless it’s the resort’s Sky and Sky Pool suites the place the improve ‘wow’ issue comes into play. Situated on greater flooring, the Sky suites characteristic expansive non-public outside terraces full with daybeds and scorching tubs, whereas Sky Pool and Deluxe Sky Pool suites, as you might have guessed, characteristic beautiful non-public 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 personal 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’ll be able to 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 primary course. Nonetheless, high-quality dining-worthy choices like potato dumplings full of roasted cuttlefish or duck leg in an anchovy sauce will go away your abdomen loads satiated, too.

Actions and Facilities

Cape of Senses gives two swimming pools. Calm down and float within the indoor-outdoor pool that begins inside on the spa stage and ends as a beautiful outside infinity pool, trying immediately at the very best mountain and lake view, or swim a couple of laps within the close by outside sports activities pool. In fact, sitting within the lounge chairs across the swimming pools and backyard garden with a very good e book can be an choice.

The fitness center has every thing you want to preserve your physique wholesome, from stationary bikes and treadmills to weight machines. Non-public yoga periods and private trainers are additionally accessible for reserving.

Whereas I actually loved my blissful therapeutic massage and a dip within the pool, maybe my favourite amenity was the cherry pink e-Vespas, accessible 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 velocity, the resort additionally has an electrical Fiat 500 and several other bikes accessible as a substitute.

The resort concierge can 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 experience in a classic automotive.

The Spa

Wellness is on the coronary heart of the property, so the spa doesn’t disappoint. Seven therapy rooms provide a variety of choices, from traditional massages and anti-aging facials to anti-cellulite physique therapies and massages that incorporate Tibetan singing bowls. Manicures and pedicures are additionally accessible on the spa, plus a leisure room full with a spa library and a sauna and steam room.

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

Household-friendly Choices

The resort is open to company 14 and up. Small canines 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 resort idea from the start. The resort was additionally constructed with sustainable applied sciences in thoughts and makes use of warmth pumps, photo voltaic panels, and rainwater collectors to attenuate the vitality footprint.

In the meantime, interiors rely closely on regionally sourced supplies, and the resort house owners and designers prioritized 100% made-in-Italy merchandise, from picket outside furnishings to stone tiles. The resort additionally works with environmentally pleasant corporations for its cleansing merchandise and works to attenuate plastic consumption as a lot as attainable throughout the whole resort.

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

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 resort’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 remember 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’ll be able to discover Thirteenth-century castles, makes for a wonderful day journey. It’s about 40 minutes away by automotive. We additionally spent a beautiful afternoon arrange by the resort concierge at Zeni vineyard close by Bardolino, having fun with a wine tasting of their stunning cellar.

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

Tips on how to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

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

The resort additionally gives particular packages designed round wellness or staying energetic, together with spa therapies 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.