Diving into the Luxurious Realm of Top 5 Outdoor Saunas Sweeping the Globe
The heart of outdoor sauna culture lies in the Nordic lands, where the time-honoured ritual of bathing, curing, and rejuvenating the body has been a cornerstone of wellbeing for centuries. In Scandinavia, the epitome of luxurious outdoor saunas are not just designed to provide heat but promote a holistic sense of relaxation and serenity. These saunas often infuse local elements such as Scandinavian red cedar wood and panoramic glass windows to bring nature closer, creating a seamless blend of modern design, tradition, and natural beauty.
In this wellness realm, basement saunas of old have given way to garden installations, dramatically nestled amidst snow-clad landscapes, or overlooking serene lakes. Take, for instance, the famed Igloo Saunas in Finland. These glass-made dome structures aren't just an architectural marvel but also ensure a 360° view of the tranquil Nordic scenery.
Luxury in Wilderness – Canadian Cedar Barrel Sauna
The outdoor saunas of Canada are serious business. They exemplify the spirit of luxury in the wilderness. The quintessentially Canadian cedar barrel saunas are designed like wine barrels with benches that are perfect for lying down, relaxing, or even meditating. The rich aroma of the cedar wood, the gentle sounds of sizzling water on hot stones, all mixed with the wild, remote Canadian landscapes offer an experience that is soothing to all senses.
The compact design of the barrel saunas achieves a quick and efficient heat cycle, distributing warmth evenly throughout the sauna. Banya Saunas, situated amidst the Canadian Rockies, even offer a post-sauna ice bath experience in the refreshing glacier-fed waters, truly marrying luxury and adventure.
Fusion of Modernism and Nostalgia - Japanese Rotenburo
Japan, with its deep-rooted culture of onsen (hot springs), has a unique take on outdoor saunas. They are hardly the classic wooden boxes. Instead, rotenburo or open-air baths are often made of rocks and set amidst natural landscapes. This fusion of modern vibrant design aesthetics and nostalgic feelings of traditional Japanese bathhouses offers one-of-a-kind luxury to the sauna devotees.
At the Hoshinoya Tokyo, their rotenburo—a rooftop outdoor hot spring—is a true testament to Japan's devotion to innovative yet traditional wellness. The hot spring's water is pumped from 1,500 meters underground, thus providing a high-quality, authentic onsen experience right in the heart of Tokyo city.
Versatility and Design Innovation - Australian Saunas
Australia is making waves in the luxury outdoor sauna market with its innovative approach to design. The traditional cube saunas are being replaced by sleek and streamlined models that combine functionality with style. Some are designed elliptically to ensure a continuous flow of air and heat while others come in collapsible designs for easy installations.
The Sunlighten sauna company in Australia, for instance, is noted for their diverse range of outdoor saunas, incorporating advanced features like smartphone compatibility for temperature control, chromotherapy lighting, and music systems to enhance the sauna experience.
The Ultimate Indulgence - Hanging Sauna Pods in New Zealand
Finally, New Zealand takes a step beyond traditional outdoor saunas to introduce something truly luxurious and unique: hanging sauna pods. These hanging pods are a sight to behold, seamlessly blending with the beautiful landscape. The Pod Saunas in Queenstown, for instance, are suspended amidst trees, offering a dramatic and immersive natural view while still providing a private and luxurious sauna experience.
The pod interiors feature a clean, Nordic design with a modern twist, and large windows that provide a stupendous view of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Environmental sustainability is also at the heart of these saunas, with locally sourced materials and renewable energy sources being paramount during the building and operating processes.