Set on a verdant hillside overlooking the western shore of Lake Garda, a new 5-star destination for wellness and fine dining was inaugurated in the autumn of 2025 in Formaga, a hamlet near the town of Gargnano in the province of Brescia. Named Stroblhof Lake Garda Active Family Spa Resort, it features interiors designed by Cathrin Hoch. The new 80-suite resort draws on the heritage of the original Stroblhof in South Tyrol and the expertise of the Pircher family, who have been involved in the hospitality industry for generations. As reported in the local press, the building “rises from the ashes of an unfinished care home”, following the natural contours of the hillside through terraced green roofs that merge into the grassy slope.
Energy is supplied by combined heat and power (cogeneration) systems, together with a large-scale photovoltaic system that makes use of the extensive roof area. The landscaped grounds include a large outdoor skypool – one of four heated pools – alongside a new swimming lake and a spacious garden that encircles the complex. The contemporary interiors are defined by minimalist, fluid curves that are echoed in the bespoke furnishings. A natural colour palette of white and sand tones highlights the tactile quality of the surfaces and the warmth of the timber accents.
The resort’s welcoming atmosphere is enhanced by porcelain surfaces from Lea Ceramiche. A standout feature is the use of the Noblesse collection (which comprises 12 ceramic marbles) in the Calacatta Oro variant, which adds a personal touch to the Family Suites and Family Chalets. In the lobby, the Gray Marble finish from the same collection is showcased in a large-format laminated porcelain. These Slimtech slabs reinterpret the grandeur of traditional marble in a modern style. The effect is one of understated luxury, providing a sense of visual continuity and lightness throughout the spaces.
A bespoke large-format solution was developed specifically for the bathrooms and the floors in the Relax Sauna & Fitness area. The design narrative is further enriched by two iconic collections: Waterfall, which replicates the vibrant, iridescent textures of slate and mirrors the stone’s natural oxidation process, and Pigmenti by Ferruccio Laviani, a series that has been honoured with the iF DESIGN AWARD 2023, an Archiproducts Design Award and a Sustainability Award.
