The World’s Best Hotel Saunas
Digital fatigue, post-pandemic pursuits, wellness awareness, and cultural revival… All of these forces have converged to turn the sauna into a reason in itself to travel.
Demand for saunas is rising across the world. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the number of public sauna facilities climbed from 45 in 2023 to 147 by 2025. Research shows that from New Zealand to the United States, Australia to Finland, many countries have elevated the sauna from a local tradition to a global wellness attraction. And the reasons behind this surge are not hard to grasp. The sauna is a place where old and new coexist, where culture and health blend seamlessly. It offers travelers—especially those fatigued by the digital world—authentic, inclusive, and grounding experiences that promise both bodily and mental purification.
It is a practice rooted in centuries-old rituals and cultural histories, yet one that aligns perfectly with contemporary wellbeing trends. Its scientifically recognized health benefits—boosting immunity, reducing stress, enhancing circulation—regularly appear in research and are frequently emphasized by experts. With all these elements combined, the sauna moves far beyond a simple spa amenity, becoming a narrative, a journey, and in many cases, the very purpose of a trip.
Sauna traditions with deep historical roots can be found around the world. Today, the most significant step may lie in reinterpreting these age-old rituals through a modern lens. From the traditional steam saunas and ice baths of Scandinavia to Japan’s sentō (public bath) culture refined by tourism; from Russia’s banya ritual to the sweat lodges of Indigenous communities in North America; and from the Finnish sauna—considered inseparable from the nation’s identity—to countless local variations, the sauna has evolved into more than a space for sweating, rejuvenation, or healing. It has become a way to understand local culture, forge connections, and curate unforgettable experiences.
As travelers increasingly seek wellness and sauna-centered journeys, luxury hotels have responded by dedicating more space and creativity to sauna experiences within their spas. Below, we have gathered some of the world’s most exceptional hotel saunas.
Amangiri, USA
Amangiri’s 25,000-square-meter Aman Spa, nestled among Utah’s dramatic red rock formations, brings together every element of contrast therapy: a steam room, dry sauna, cold plunge pool, and heated step pool. Guests can restore balance through “Thermal Therapy” sessions, while the spa’s exclusivity to hotel residents adds a sense of privacy, serenity, and elevated luxury.
Corinthia Hotel London, England
Located in the heart of the city, Corinthia Hotel’s ESPA Life Spa spans four floors and is known as one of London’s most comprehensive wellness destinations. Its “Thermal Floor” includes an amphitheater-style sauna, an ice fountain for contrast therapy, marble heated loungers, an indoor pool, a vitality pool, and a restful zone fitted with sleep pods. Expert therapists offer massages and holistic treatments tailored to one’s physical and emotional state.
Loggers Lodge, Sweden
This private, single-room mountain lodge in Swedish Lapland is designed for those seeking solitude and immersion in nature. Its wood-fired sauna, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, allows guests to watch the winter landscape unfold as they sweat—turning the experience into physical, visual, and emotional purification all at once. An outdoor hydrotherapy jacuzzi offers relaxation under the Northern Lights.
Lido Palace, Italy
Situated along the shores of Lake Garda, Lido Palace is famed for its CXI Spa. One of its most striking features is the sauna room lined with pink Himalayan salt bricks. With individual loungers for each guest, this sanctuary offers both physical detoxification and calming visual harmony. Cross-cultural therapies—Turkish baths, Indian massages, and traditional Finnish saunas—are woven into personalized spa itineraries.
Soho Farmhouse, England
Set in the English countryside, Soho Farmhouse places sauna culture at the heart of its spa environment through a dedicated space known as The Lazy Lake. While it may first appear to be an ordinary lake, it offers something entirely different: wooden hot tubs inspired by Japanese onsen. After soaking in the warm water, the ritual continues with an ice cabin, steam room, and three infrared sauna cabins designed to activate circulation. The experience ends with an organic clay mask and a refreshing cold oshibori.
RXV Wellness Village, Thailand
Located in Thailand’s lush tropical landscape, RXV Wellness Village integrates the sauna into a holistic wellness journey. Its wellness center blends modern medicine with traditional healing philosophies to create anti-aging and preventative health programs. After a personalized body analysis, the ritual begins with the sauna as its anchor: the infrared sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy pools all work together to stimulate circulation and rejuvenate the muscles.
