When the views and the Finnish spa speak for themselves, there’s a good chance you’ve found yourself at the Cape of Senses. If they bring you a welcome craft cocktail and gourmet canapes on arrival, then you’re definitely at this insider wellness center in Lake Garda. The best part of it? It’s wellness – Italian style.

Atmosphere

Cape of Senses is about 2 1/2 hours drive from Milan through charming small towns. However as you pull up to the hotel, it’s a juxtaposition of modern and sleek architecture against the classic Alpine vibe of Lake Garda. Throughout, the architecture is minimalist with steel and stone, though that’s not to say it’s cold or medical. Instead the modern design has a mountain lodge warmth to the common areas that play off the outdoors with large floor to ceiling windows.

Cape of Senses is the type of wellness center that takes your cortisol levels down. It’s the kind of place that you de-stress and practice kindness to yourself. There’s no one pushing you or scheduling your every minute of your stay. Instead, Cape of Senses challenges you to put your hard-charge self aside and take a chill pill. Not literally, unless you count the complimentary candy bar in the lobby.

That candy bar isn’t the first sign though that you’re going to enjoy yourself for your time at the Cape of Senses. That distinction goes to the stunning view of Lake Garda from the reception terrace, and the signature craft cocktail and snacks set up for your arrival. To describe the Cape of Senses as serene is an understatement. The environment completely decompresses you and prepares you to transform through wellness, Italian-style.

Activities

I hugged a tree. I kind of feel like that should be the mic drop and all I need to say. But seriously I did hug a tree for a morning exploration class where we connected with the earth and completely relaxed our minds. For an hour of this class, I moved around the outdoors in a meditative state. I wasn’t kidding when I said this is the kind of place that takes down your cortisol and stress levels. For me it was as essential of an approach to wellness as my usual hard-charge approach at SHA Wellness.

There is a robust schedule of activities that are included with your stay at Cape of Senses, which all align with the wellness philosophy of the center. Think sound meditations in the sauna, relaxation classes in the steam room and a whole host of creative classes to relax your mind. In lieu of yoga that burns more calories than running, yoga at Cape of Senses is more gentle stretching. One note is that for any classes that are in the various saunas and steam rooms, it’s not for the body conscious. Classes are generally co-ed and with a high percentage of German and Swiss guests, the dress code is au naturelle as well. Some of the rooms don’t allow swimsuits, so leave your modesty at the door.

Spa

While the wellness program was impressive with all the included and customizable classes and activities, the spa is what got me hooked. I am big on lymphatic drainage and often find that hotels do this treatment more as window dressing. In other words, it may feel nice to get a treatment but spa services are often surface level. That wasn’t the case with Cape of Senses. The treatments that I had showed real results and I felt tighter like I lost an inch off my waist.

Besides the treatments themselves, the super power of Cape of Senses are their spa facilities. I am not big into steam and saunas, but the options at Cape of Senses were stunning. The Finnish spa looked out with full floor to ceiling windows onto the grounds with views of Lake Garda. The steam room felt like it was a serene enclave like you would get at luxury Middle Eastern Hammams. The dry sauna where they had classes during our stay was spacious with plenty of seating.

I also like the relaxation rooms. There was a light filled room that also looked out with floor to ceiling windows to Lake Garda and comfortable beds. In contrast to that, there was a dark relaxation room that encouraged sleep, which I was in dire need of. A whole day could be dedicated to regenerating in the spa.

When I wanted to get on a treadmill and hit the weights, the gym was equally well-appointed. Dreary, dark gyms tucked as an afterthought are not my idea of fitness, and clearly not Cape of Senses’ standard either. Ceilings were high with open windows to the spa complex and light-filled. It was more fun to work out than a chore during our time.

Food

If you come to Cape of Senses expecting to subsist on bone broth and a carrot stick, this is not your place. Aligned with the ethos of Cape of Senses’ wellness philosophy, the dining program nourishes your belly with gourmet fine-dining. To give you an idea, breakfast is a beautiful buffet of various local homemade baked goods, pastries, meats and cheeses. There are entrees like shakshuka that are made to order. I was especially both amused and impressed that they had a bar of butter, as in various types of French, salted, goat, and other variations.

Most people I think leave for lunch, but there are options to dine at the outdoor casual restaurant or the main restaurant. Dinner is where they flex their gourmet muscles with tasting menus. I can confirm that risotto, pasta, steak and lamb chops are considered healthy fare. Personally I thought the portions were large and generous, but some other guests thought they were petite. No matter what the case is though, no one leaves hungry or unsatisfied. Food is presented like you’re in a Michelin-level restaurant. Almost all tables have bottles of wine and end the meal with dessert. There was so much care and preparation that showed through in the food at Cape of Senses. I ate much more than I normally do but in many ways probably re-set my metabolism as I didn’t gain an ounce during my stay.

Rooms

Like the aesthetic of the hotel, rooms are modern and minimalist. I was with a close girlfriend, and while fun to share, rooms are geared more towards couples. If you can arrange it, I would do separate rooms traveling with friends. We enjoyed our view of Lake Garda daily with a glass of wine if we weren’t at the terrace for sunset. However we didn’t spend much time in the rooms, as the point of Cape of Senses is to enjoy the sprawling grounds.

Service

With its proximity to Switzerland, the service felt like people hard been properly trained at Swiss hotel school. The restaurant team had polish and professionalism. Their bartender in the main lounge had impressive cocktail skills and an exceptional passion for his craft. The sommelier was also knowledgeable which I would say was pervasive throughout all the staff. Overall the service facilitated the goal of a relaxing and enjoy-yourself kind of stay at Cape of Senses.

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FAQs

Q: Where is Cape of Senses located?

A: Cape of Senses is located above Lake Garda at Località le Sorte, 37010 Torri del Benaco VR, Italy.

Phone: +39 045 430 1430

Q: What are the nearby towns to Cape of Senses?

A: The closest towns to Cape of Senses are Torri del Benaco, which is where Cape of Senses is located, and the town of Garda. Both are small, charming, and authentic towns that are worthy to spend a day and/or afternoon.

Q: Does Cape of Senses allow children?

A: The Cape of Senses in Lake Garda does not allow children under the age of 14.