High above the eastern shore of Lake Garda, a new wellness retreat is drawing a discreet crowd. Camille Cook checks in to Cape of Senses—a polished, adults-only escape where silence, service, and scenery take centre stage
When I arrived at Cape of Senses, the last of the afternoon light was spilling across the incredible landscape. The resort sits 240 metres above Lake Garda, on a quiet hillside above the village of Torri del Benaco, with a clear view across the water and into the haze-softened silhouettes of the Alps.
It’s calm, cinematic, and strikingly designed. A curved, architectural structure carved into the landscape by architects Hugo and Alessia Demetz, with floor-to-ceiling glass, local stone, and the sort of restrained elegance that doesn’t need to prove itself.
The check-in was quiet and intuitive. No desk. No waiting. Within minutes, I was in my suite—one of 55—where the first thing I noticed was the silence. Then the view. Clean, contemporary lines, a warm palette, and light everywhere. My terrace overlooked the lake, and the only sound was the occasional breeze through olive trees.
Cape of Senses is an adults-only property with a clear purpose: to encourage stillness. Not in the passive sense, but the sort of pause that allows you to fully reset. At the centre of that is the spa: a 2,000-square-metre space dedicated to wellness, but without any of the pseudo-science or fads. I spent the better part of a day moving between the indoor-outdoor infinity pools, the Finnish sauna with lake views, and one of the treatment rooms where I had the Senses Pinda—an exceptionally good herbal compress massage using locally sourced botanicals.
There’s a clear understanding at Cape of Senses that wellness doesn’t start and end with the spa. On my second morning, I joined a yoga session on a platform tucked among the olive trees. Later, I took an e-bike along the hillside, passing citrus groves and small farms, with the concierge arranging a tasting visit at a nearby vineyard. There are also guided walks, tailored fitness sessions, and the option to simply sit with a book in the spa’s herb-scented garden or tucked away in the spa library. It’s exactly what I needed: no pressure, no itinerary, just choice, and space.
The concierge team deserves special mention. They arranged a private sunset sail to the San Vigilio peninsula, complete with a chef-prepared meal on board. Another afternoon, I explored Verona on a curated itinerary that included a private museum visit, aperitifs among Roman ruins, and a quiet lunch in one of the city’s historic courtyards.
Dining at Cape of Senses is intentionally relaxed, but held to a very high standard. Al Tramonto, which earned the resort a Michelin Key in 2024, is the signature restaurant, serving seasonal, Mediterranean-led tasting menus with a focus on regional produce and a wine list that draws from small northern Italian estates. Osteria La Pergola offers something more casual with lake fish, handmade pasta, and one of the best olive oils I’ve tasted in a long time. Breakfast can be taken on your private terrace or in the rooftop garden. For something lighter, the lounge bar and bistro offer a menu of snacks, drinks and refined simplicity.
There is luxury here, certainly, but it’s the quiet kind. No bling branding. No performative hospitality. Just space, discretion, and the sense that every detail has been designed to give you exactly what you need, without having to ask. I left rested and clear-headed, already thinking about when I could return.
Rates begin at €495 per night for two, including breakfast. The resort is 41km from Verona Airport and 22km from Peschiera del Garda station. Torri del Benaco ferry port is just under 5km away.
Further information
www.capeofsenses.com
