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In the Celtic language, eala means swan. And it’s from this creature, always a common sight on the shores of Lake Garda, that the new 5-star EALA – My Lakeside Dream hotel takes its name. Its location between the terraced citrus orchards of Limone sul Garda and the majestic Mount Baldo, with its dense covering of pines, oaks, oranges, and palms, is more unique than it is rare. The result of the renovation of the earlier Panorama hotel by associated architecture and engineering firm Gesia, EALA’s hallmark is its offering of quality facilities against a backdrop of stylish design, fine architecture, elegance inspired by the shapes of swans, and strong ties to its local area. And it was this perfect integration of the building and its materials into the natural setting that architect Marco Savorgnani and engineer Giovanni Ghirardelli were aiming for. The result is a hospitality facility that occupies its site like a rocky ridge that slopes down to the water. This is a facility designed to take guests on a journey to rediscover themselves and their inner-world, not only through its harmony with nature but also with its services and amenities. A 1500 m2 spa, 64 elegant suites, peaceful gardens with a lake, and a private beach are just a few of these offerings.
The design team achieved sustainability and energy efficiency using innovative construction systems and technologies, such as underfloor heating and cooling, which maximize performance and have qualified the building as nZEB (NearlyZero Energy Building).
“With this project, we wanted to enhance the natural environment around the old complex by creating contemporary architecture that interprets it through its shapes, colors, and traditional building techniques drawn from the area itself,” said Savorgnani. To achieve this goal in every corner and detail of the hotel, the design team turned to Palazzani for the supply of showers and faucets.
As the architect went on to explain, this merging of architecture and nature started from the envelope and then continued into the internal details: “To achieve full integration with nature, we conceived the two façades – the one on the street and the other facing the lake – differently. The first comprises vertical fir slats in the same color as the chestnut wood used for Lake Garda’s world-famous lemon houses, while the inner façade, which screens the guestrooms, frames the front entrance. It’s a full-fledged sculpture composed of white concrete elements. The façade facing the lake, which incorporates the large terraces off the suites, was conceived according to the shape of the mountain, with the colors of the concrete panels, composed of a mix of marble chips and other inert materials, reflecting the colors of the cliff.”
The contextualization of EALA with the surrounding landscape means that guests feel a part of nature itself. And the hotel is completely immersed in the lush natural beauty of the nearby lake, even reflecting it certain details, such as the staggered walls which, all of them different, represent the broken edges of the cliff. Eight-meter-high camphor trees then recall the native plants growing around the rocks.
Each type of suite at EALA has its own name: Albus, Nemos, Alisia, Argantos, and Awen. All five names are from the Celtic tradition, and point to the personality and secrets of each suite. The brilliant white of a swan’s plumage is reflected in the white of the Albus junior suite. Nemos, a junior suite named after the sky, features the light blue tones of the lake. The Alisia suite conveys the strength of stone and elegance of marble. Then there are the Argantos spa suite, a jewel embellished with silver, and the Awen royal suite, whose splendor recalls the bearing of swans. The furnishings and materials are all premium quality, including in the bathrooms, where Palazzani has supplied faucets and showers from its MIS collection, designed by Antonio Bullo.
The most exclusive suite is Argantos. Here, silver dominates, with silver leaf illuminated by a clever interplay of lights producing lake-like reflections. The blurring of indoors and outdoors is stronger here than anywhere else in the hotel.
Occupying over a thousand square meters, the EALA Luxury Spa is a microcosm of harmony with the environment, wellness, cosmetic research, natural techniques, and functionality. Divided into two separate areas – an indoor pool overlooking the lake and an area that houses a panoramic sauna and experiential showers – the spa also saw the involvement of Palazzani, which supplied products for the Turkish bath, the Mediterranean lemon house bath, the Kneipp treatment area, the hydromassage tubs, the relaxation rooms, and the herbal tea room.
The spa reveals the design team’s close attention to the environment, architecture, engineering, and innovation.
For more info: www.palazzani.eu
Location: Limone sul Garda
Architect: Gesia
Suppliers: Palazzani
Photography by Walter Monti, Riccardo Gasperoni and Studio Gesia, courtesy of Palazzani
