Spa Creators Investigate the World of Authentic Sauna Therapy
Spa Creators recently embarked on a research trip to Oslo, Norway, to gain a truly authentic understanding of sauna culture in Scandinavia. The purpose of the trip was to explore how sauna is woven into daily life—and how it is evolving within the modern spa experience.
First Stop: S.A.L.T.
Our first visit was to S.A.L.T, a cultural and sauna hub that began with just a single wood-fired sauna on the harbour. Today, it has transformed into a vibrant arena located beside the fjord in the heart of Oslo, with views of the Opera House and the Munch Museum.
S.A.L.T now boasts 12 saunas, six stages, and both indoor and outdoor serving areas, making it a lively community destination for culture, wellness, and social connection. We interviewed Alistair Johnson, MD of Spa Creators, alongside Marcus
sauna master and business manager at S.A.L.T. Marcus shared how the business has grown, how seasonality influences sauna culture, and how food and beverage offerings are now seamlessly integrated into the sauna experience.
What we loved:
The way S.A.L.T builds on the simple concept of sauna to create a dynamic social hub. Beyond heat bathing, visitors can enjoy quiz nights, massages, and live music, all within an atmosphere that encourages connection and conversation.
Considerations:
This type of sauna culture requires careful design: adaptable layouts, flexible zones, and atmospheric lighting that can shift the mood from daytime to evening. It thrives on natural light, bright colour palettes, and the hum of social activity.
Next Stop: KOK Floating Saunas
Our second destination was KOK, a company redefining sauna with floating, mobile experiences. Branded as “Oslo’s finest experience,” KOK offers nine floating sauna boats across two locations in the city.
Each sauna pod is wood-fired, self-contained, and designed with changing rooms, showers, and deck areas. Some feature ladders or deck openings for cold-water plunges, allowing guests to move seamlessly between heat and the invigorating chill of the fjord. With outboard engines, the boats can even be sailed to different locations during a two-hour session.
What we loved:
The novelty of a sauna on the move. The contrast therapy of hot-cold immersion, paired with the unique sensation of floating on water, makes this a deeply restorative experience—combining nature, stillness, and play.
Considerations:
Floating saunas require skilled staff and ongoing maintenance of pontoons, engines, and fuel. They are logistically more complex than traditional saunas, but the reward is a truly unique and memorable experience.
Final Stop: Oslo Badstuforening – The Sauna Association
Our last visit was to Oslo Badstuforening, the city’s non-profit sauna association. What makes this initiative remarkable is that it was created by the community, for the community.
Founded in 2013 by a group that included both anarchists and diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it began with Måken, a humble sauna raft built from driftwood. Today, the association has grown into a floating sauna village of more than 50 saunas of different sizes and styles.
Run as a non-profit, all revenue is reinvested to expand and improve the facilities. Membership costs just NOK 400 (£29) per year, giving members discounted access and a voice in the association’s future.
We spoke with Hoover from Oslo Sauna Association about his inspiring vision of “Sauna to the People”.
Considerations:
Community-driven sauna culture could inspire the future of wellness spaces. By building around the sauna ritual itself, new business models can emerge that focus less on luxury spa facilities and more on shared, outdoor wellness experiences.
Reflections
Our time in Oslo revealed how sauna is much more than a wellness ritual—it is a social, cultural, and community practice. From vibrant social hubs to floating sanctuaries and grassroots community projects, sauna is evolving in ways that could reshape how spas design experiences in the future.
SPA Creators are working on a range of spa projects and Sauna culture has been at the core of the design principles. From the knowledge and learnings from this recent trip new and exciting ideas have been created and we look forward to sharing these with our clients and the wider wellness community.
If you would like to find out more contact [email protected] or call one of the team ++44 [0] 1189471857
