As a frequent traveler to luxury mountain resorts, my recent stay at Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti was far from the relaxing escape I had hoped for. I’ve enjoyed many spa hotels across German and Italian Tirol, where nudity in saunas is a standard practice, so naturally, I was looking forward to a similar experience. However, things took an unpleasant turn, leaving me unsure about how to handle my review. However, I must admit that the massage at the spa and the nature around it were great!
The Incident
Despite confirming in advance with the hotel that their sauna policy allowed for nudity, I found myself feeling awkward as most guests were wrapped in towels, despite clear signs forbidding swimwear. Seeking privacy, I entered a dark hammam area, only to be harassed by a man who repeatedly opened the door and eventually verbally assaulted me for being naked. This experience was distressing, and I immediately reported it to the hotel management.
Hotel’s Response
The response from management was disappointing. They allowed the aggressive guest to continue using the facilities and didn’t provide adequate support for me, despite my report of harassment. We decided to leave early, and while the hotel didn’t charge us for the night we didn’t use, they still billed us €147 for the nights we stayed. There was no offer of moral compensation, despite the distress caused.
Following my negative review on TripAdvisor, I received a message from the resort’s CEO, Giulio Polegato, on LinkedIn. He mentioned, “Our staff made efforts to mediate the situation and offered police assistance,” but in truth, I felt no adequate action was taken against the offending guest. While they refunded part of our stay and even offered a complimentary massage, this didn’t address the core issue of safety and respect. Mr. Polegato also politely requested that I remove the review, but I feel conflicted.
Should I Change the Review?
While the resort took steps to address the situation, my experience still wasn’t reflective of a 5-star spa. The environment was not conducive to the level of relaxation I was expecting. If you enjoy a traditional sauna experience where nudity is allowed, be cautious—this might not be the place for you. Perhaps I should amend my review to reflect this nuance, warning future visitors that this resort may not cater to those seeking an authentic spa experience.
Ultimately, I’m still leaning toward leaving the review as it stands. The experience left me feeling unsafe and uncomfortable, and no refund or massage can change that. For those looking for true wellness and tranquility, I’d recommend sticking to South Tirol, where professionalism and respect are part of the luxury experience.
What do you think? Should I update the review, or leave it as a warning for others?
