Marriott International is launching its first Marriott LeFay luxury wellness brand through a new joint venture with the Leali family, the founders of the acclaimed Italian eco-resort collection.

Marriott immediately integrates Lefay's two award-winning Italian properties into its global network, marking a strategic entry into the dedicated luxury wellness market. This collaboration combines Lefay's specialized, holistic wellbeing ethos with the extensive reach of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. The move positions Marriott to attract a discerning clientele for whom luxury is increasingly defined by personal health, purpose, and profound experiences.

What We Know So Far

  • Marriott International and the Leali family, who founded Lefay in 2006, have formed a new joint venture to manage and grow the Lefay brand globally, according to a report from CoStar.
  • Lefay will be Marriott's first brand exclusively dedicated to the luxury wellness segment, a strategic addition to its extensive portfolio of over 30 brands.
  • The brand's current portfolio includes two operational resorts in Italy: Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda and Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, as noted by The Points Guy.
  • A pipeline of three additional properties is confirmed to be under development, with future locations planned for Tuscany, Southern Italy, and the Swiss Alps.
  • Under the terms of the agreement, the new joint venture will own the Lefay brand and all associated intellectual property, while the Leali family will maintain ownership of the underlying real estate assets.

Marriott LeFay: A New Era in Luxury Wellness

Marriott International and Lefay formed a joint venture, with the new entity owning the brand itself. Existing and future resorts will operate under long-term management agreements. This structure allows the Leali family to retain control over their physical properties while leveraging Marriott's operational and marketing infrastructure for global expansion.

Founded in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, Lefay has cultivated a distinct identity rooted in Italian design, environmental sustainability, and a comprehensive approach to health. "Our family founded Lefay nearly twenty years ago with a clear vision: to create destinations where wellbeing, nature and health come together authentically," the founders stated in a release published by Hotel Designs. This vision has resonated within the industry, earning its properties numerous accolades.