Super Sized Saunas are already being built at luxury hotels, and may become the hottest place to network in the world.
Sweating together in large, super-sized saunas is emerging as one of the most intriguing new trends in luxury wellness hospitality. Saunas are no longer intimate spaces for a handful of people seeking quiet relaxation.
Today, visionary wellness destinations and luxury hotels are expanding the concept, designing vast saunas that can hold upwards of 90 to 100 guests in a single session.
This dramatic upscaling transforms sauna-going from a private ritual into a vibrant social and networking experience, one that appeals to a sophisticated demographic already invested in optimising their health and well-being but craving a more dynamic and friendly environment than typical gyms or health-food cafes.
It’s no surprise that pioneering projects like the world’s largest wood-fired thermal steam dome sauna at Nuanu Creative City in Bali are leading the way by blending wellness, culture, and social connection on an unprecedented scale.
What distinguishes these supersize saunas from traditional models is not just capacity but intention and design. They are meant to foster genuine connection—whether social, professional, or community-based—while guests engage in the ancient, health-boosting practice of sweating deeply.
The expansive space allows for a diverse crowd to share the heat and the moment, cultivating a powerful sense of togetherness rarely found in wellness environments. Unlike the often solitary experience of a six-person sauna, these larger rooms accommodate groups where conversations easily spark, ideas flow, and networks grow organically.
In Sydney, luxury hotels such as The Langham and the Park Hyatt have notably invested in spa facilities featuring saunas designed to accommodate larger groups, recognising the growing demand for wellness spaces that double as social hubs.
On a global scale, groundbreaking properties like the 100-person sauna at Hotel Tasman in Norway and the expansive wellness facilities at the SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain are setting new standards for large-capacity sauna experiences.
This movement reflects a broader shift in how wellness is commodified in luxury hospitality. Bolder investors and creative directors are replacing the mom-and-pop wellness operators of the past, infusing the sector with high design sensibility and ambitious scale.
Saunas that once catered to a niche clientele are now becoming glamorous social stages where every aspect—from wood selection and lighting to temperature control and acoustic engineering—is crafted to elevate the guest experience.
At Nuanu Creative City, for example, the sauna is part of a larger multisensory wellness offering, accompanied by hot and cold immersion pools, sound healing, and curated health cuisine. This integrated approach epitomizes how wellness spaces are evolving into lifestyle destinations, where sweating out toxins is just one component of a wider ritual of rejuvenation and meaningful interaction.
Luxury hotels worldwide are quickly taking note. Installing large-capacity saunas offers a unique value proposition to affluent guests who desire exclusivity yet crave communal experiences. These facilities appeal not only to individuals focused on personal wellness but also to business travelers and social networkers who appreciate informal, healthful ways to build relationships.
As luxury accommodation increasingly blurs the line between hospitality and lifestyle club, the sauna emerges as a key social venue. The thermal environment lowers barriers, fostering candid conversation and connection that can blossom into collaborations or friendships. This is a significant evolution from the silent, solitary image of the sauna to one where vitality and community thrive amid the warmth.
The surge in demand for such expansive, design-forward sauna spaces aligns with wellness industry forecasts projecting rapid growth. Driven by a holistic view of health that prioritizes mental, emotional, and social dimensions alongside physical wellbeing, the market for sauna experiences—especially those embedded within luxury travel—is set to expand strongly over the next decade. Hoteliers and wellness operators who embrace this trend early are not only differentiating their brands but redefining luxury itself.
They are transforming an ancient ritual into a contemporary, sophisticated platform for connection and renewal that resonates deeply with today’s discerning global travelers.
In summary, large and super-sized saunas represent the next frontier in luxury hotel wellness. They combine time-honored traditions of heat therapy with modern social and design innovation, creating immersive spaces where wellness, networking, and community converge.
With inspiring examples like Nuanu Creative City in Bali leading the charge, and luxury hotels such as The Langham Sydney, Park Hyatt Sydney, Hotel Tasman in Norway, and SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain adopting this model, the sauna is no longer just a place to sweat; it’s a destination to connect, recharge, and thrive together. For luxury travelers who prioritise wellness in their journeys, this new generation of saunas offers an unparalleled blend of health benefits, exclusivity, and vibrant social energy—invaluable assets in the future of hospitality.
This editorial explores the growing trend of supremely large saunas in luxury hotels and wellness hubs, illustrating their role as innovative spaces for vibrant social interaction and meaningful networking beyond traditional gym or spa environments.
It highlights key global examples, the expanding wellness consumer demand, and how this ancient practice is being rediscovered and redefined for the sophisticated traveler of today.
