The Lefay Dolomiti resort in Pinzolo, in Italy’s Dolomites, named World’s Best Resort Spa 2026

Above Pinzolo, in Italy’s Trentino, Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti is home to a 5,000 m² spa crowned “World’s Best Resort Spa” at the World Spa Awards on 22 September 2026. Before the slopes open, here is what lies inside the world’s best resort spa, from saunas inspired by Chinese medicine to suites with their own private spa. A night for two starts at €715 in December, breakfast and spa included.

☰Contents

1. A global trophy won on 22 September
2. What lies inside 5,000 m² of spa?
3. Chinese medicine meets Western science
4. Suites from 57 to 315 m², private spa included
5. 150 km of slopes, one shuttle from the spa
6. Grual, the Michelin star facing Val Rendena

A global trophy won on 22 September

The World Spa Awards revealed their 2026 winners on Tuesday 22 September, after voting opened on 27 May. In the “World’s Best Resort Spa” category, Mondo Lefay SPA came out on top ahead of Asaya Spa (Kona Village, Rosewood Mandarina, Rosewood Miyakojima), Te Mahana Spa at Four Seasons Bora Bora, Neyrah Spa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Sundara Spa at Oil Nut Bay, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech and Waldorf Astoria Spa Maldives Ithaafushi. This year the resort collects three World Spa Awards titles: best resort spa in the world, in Europe and in Italy. In 2025, it held only the national title.

That does not make it “the world’s best spa” in the broad sense. The awards span several categories: the best hotel spa of 2026 is the Guerlain Wellness Spa at Waldorf Astoria New York, the best wellness retreat is Palazzo Fiuggi, the best wellness clinic SHA Spain, and the best thermal cave spa Grotta Giusti. The resort’s official website also lists two Michelin Keys and the “Italy’s Leading Luxury Resort” title from the World Travel Awards.

What lies inside 5,000 m² of spa?

Mondo Lefay SPA spreads over 5,000 m². Guests swim in an indoor lap pool lined with tonalite, a rock akin to granite, then in a heated indoor-outdoor pool facing the forests. A large hydromassage pool, a salt lake and a salt grotto round out the water area, alongside a gym open 24 hours a day.

At its heart lies a five-stage sauna circuit, named Centre, Green Dragon, Red Phoenix, White Tiger and Black Tortoise. Each stage draws on classical Chinese medicine, the common thread running through the whole spa.

Chinese medicine meets Western science

The house has codified its approach as the Lefay SPA Method, which blends classical Chinese medicine with Western science. For a proper wellness stay, the Active & Balance programme, from five nights, combines mountain outings with treatments. The menu adds osteopathy, Ayurveda, non-invasive aesthetic medicine and private spas for couples. The brand, which joined Marriott International in 2026, has made it the signature of its resorts.

Suites from 57 to 315 m², private spa included

The Prestige and Deluxe Junior Suites measure 57 m², with a fireplace and a balcony facing the peaks. The Royal Pool & SPA Suite reaches 315 m² and hides its own spa, two saunas and a hot tub on the terrace. There is also a 291 m² Penthouse, plus residences from 85 m².

Rates checked on 26 October 2026 on the official booking engine, buffet breakfast and spa access included, as are valet parking, mountain bikes and the ski shuttle. The wood-and-stone building is ClimaHotel certified, a sustainable hotel label: a biomass boiler and cogeneration keep it warm.

150 km of slopes, one shuttle from the spa

The resort sits within the Madonna di Campiglio ski area, 150 km of slopes. A free shuttle runs to the Pinzolo lifts, and the hotel has a ski room with on-site rental. For comparison, see the new luxury ski hotels for winter 2026-2027 and the Castel Badia hotel, a former convent in the Dolomites with a spa carved into the rock.

Grual, the Michelin star facing Val Rendena

The Michelin-starred Grual restaurant serves dinner only, Thursday to Sunday. The Dolomia restaurant, the Lounge Bar and the Sky Lounge complete the line-up. Every table follows the Lefay Vital Gourmet cuisine, prepared with olive oils from the Lefay estates.