Marriott’s 39th Brand: A Two-Property Italian Wellness Resort

Marriott plans to form a joint venture with the Italian family behind Lefay, a luxury wellness resort brand, adding a 39th brand to its portfolio.

The deal, announced Tuesday, ties Marriott to a boutique Italian operator known for high-end spa resorts. Lefay is owned by husband-and-wife team Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, whose family operates two resorts in northern Italy: one on Lake Garda and another in the Dolomites. 

Lefay will contribute its brand and intellectual property to the joint venture, while the Leali family will retain ownership of the Italian real estate. The properties will operate under long-term management a