Marriott International and the Leali family, founders of Lefay, have announced plans to enter into a joint venture to bring the luxury wellness hospitality brand Lefay into the Marriott portfolio. Lefay will be the first brand in Marriott's portfolio dedicated exclusively to luxury wellness.

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 brand's philosophy centres on space, serenity, and sustainability and aims to redefine modern luxury through wellbeing and authenticity.

The Lefay portfolio features two luxury resorts in Lago di Garda and Dolomiti Italy—both located in nature‑rich leisure destinations. Additionally, the brand's pipeline includes three properties under development in Tuscany, Southern Italy, and the Swiss Alps. 

Lefay's existing and pipeline resorts will operate under long-term hotel management agreements with the new joint venture, to which Lefay will contribute existing brand and intellectual property assets. The Italian real estate assets will continue to be held by the brand's founders. Together, the parties intend to grow the brand around the world, leveraging Marriott's powerful development capabilities.

"Marriott is thrilled to collaborate with the Leali family as we grow our luxury wellness portfolio," said Anthony Capuano, president and CEO of Marriott International. "Luxury is increasingly defined by wellbeing, purpose and meaningful experiences. We are excited to introduce Lefay to our customers around the world and thoughtfully expand Marriott's presence in the luxury wellness space."

Each Lefay property is designed as an eco‑resort, emphasizing architectural harmony with the natural environment, expansive indoor‑outdoor spaces, sustainable materials, and wellness programmes that integrate movement, nutrition, and preventative health. Guests may choose from à‑la‑carte treatments or structured multi‑day wellness programmes, all rooted in Lefay's holistic philosophy.

"Lefay is proud to join Marriott's Luxury Group, alongside some of the most prestigious hotel brands, such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, EDITION and The Luxury Collection," said Alcide Leali, CEO of Lefay. "Together, we are poised to accelerate the global expansion of the Lefay brand and further reinforce Lefay's position as a leading name in luxury wellness hospitality."

In a statement, Marriott said the relationship between Marriott and the Leali family reflects a shared vision to preserve Lefay's distinct identity and Italian heritage while supporting its long‑term growth, and that Lefay will complement Marriott's existing Luxury Group portfolio while appealing to a rapidly expanding global audience seeking transformative travel experiences focused on health and longevity.

"Lefay represents a new expression of luxury, one that is wellness‑first, deeply experiential, and emotionally resonant," said Tina Edmundson, president of luxury, Marriott International. "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."