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Marriott International has formed a joint venture with the Leali family to integrate the luxury wellness brand Lefay into its global hospitality portfolio.
Founded in Italy in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, Lefay is known for its immersive resorts in natural settings and its proprietary Lefay SPA Method, which blends scientific research with holistic wellness traditions.
The transaction introduces Lefay as the first brand in the Marriott system dedicated exclusively to luxury health and wellbeing.
The business will manage the properties under long-term hotel management agreements, while the Italian real estate assets remain under the ownership of the founding family.
The current brand portfolio comprises two luxury resorts located at Lake Garda and the Dolomites in northern Italy.
The joint venture plans to expand the operation internationally, with three additional leisure resorts currently under development across Tuscany, southern Italy, and the Swiss Alps.
The corporate group will provide global development, sales, marketing, and distribution platform support to accelerate brand growth.
Management expects to complete the digital integration of the properties into the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty scheme in late 2026.
Tina Edmundson, president of luxury at Marriott International, said: “Lefay represents a new expression of luxury, one that is wellness-first, deeply experiential and emotionally resonant.
“As guest expectations continue to evolve, our collaboration with Lefay will allow us to thoughtfully extend our luxury offerings into a space where wellbeing is not just an amenity, but the heart of the travel experience.”
