Step into the warmth of our traditional Finnish sauna and let centuries of Nordic wisdom work on your body and mind. Crafted from fragrant timber and heated to perfection, our sauna is more than a place to unwind — it's a living cultural ritual, practised in Finland for over 2,000 years. We bring the same spirit to Dunedin. Sauna isn't something you do. It's something you return to.
Sauna (Traditional)
Just heat, and honesty, and the kind of stillness that's hard to find anywhere else.
Traditional Finnish Sauna
It is the great equaliser — no titles, no phones, no pretence. Just heat, and honesty, and the kind of stillness that's hard to find anywhere else.
What is Traditional Finnish Sauna
A Finnish sauna uses a high-temperature heater and heated stones to warm the air inside a wooden sauna room to around 80–100°C. As the temperature rises, your body naturally begins to sweat — helping regulate body temperature while stimulating circulation and relaxing the muscles.
Water can be poured over the hot stones to create a burst of steam, increasing humidity and intensifying the heat experience. This process helps open pores, ease tension, and encourage the body’s natural recovery response.
A Finnish sauna is never just about the body. It's a social and cultural immersion — a space to slow down, connect, and be present. In Finland, the sauna is where friendships deepen and worries dissolve.
Traditional vs Infrared Saunas
Traditional Saunas
- Heat the air inside the room
- Temperatures typically reach 80–100°C
- Can feel very intense for beginners
Infrared Saunas
- Use infrared light to warm the body directly
- Lower operating temperatures around 40–60°C
- Often more comfortable for longer sessions
This makes infrared sauna sessions a popular option for relaxation, recovery, and regular wellness routines.
What happens if I get too hot?
Start on the lowest bench, listen to your body and take breaks of fresh air in between. Stay hydrated.
Is it suitable for everyone?
If you have any ongoing health conditions, such as the following, you must book an appointment to ask your regular GP.
- Under 18 years old
- Asthma or other breathing conditions
- Heart disease
- Pregnancy
- Epilepsy
- Very high or very low blood pressure
- People under the influence of alcohol, those taking stimulants, tranquillizers, or other mind-altering drugs
What should I know if it is my first visit?
The main purpose of a Traditional Sauna is to promote deep sweating, so it is imperative that you enter your session well-hydrated as maintaining a healthy level of hydration is crucial. If you are new to this modality, start on the lowest bench, taking breaks of fresh air in between.
Health benefits
Level up your mind and body. Regular sauna, ice and steam have proven benefits to your health.
Stress Relief
The relaxation effect is one of the biggest benefits of using a sauna and helps relax the body by shifting the autonomic nervous system activity from sympathetic to parasympathetic and increased levels of β-endorphins. To increase to overall effects, we recommend you try practising meditation while in the room.
Decreases Pain
One study found that in people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, sauna sessions significantly improved pain, stiffness, and fatigue. All of the patients reported significant reductions in pain and symptoms after the 12-week thermal therapy program,
Another study which analysed the effects of sauna therapy on patients with low back pain found that 70% of participants reported successful treatment after using the sauna twice per day for 5 consecutive days over the course of 1 week.
Improves Heart & Lung Function
Infrared sauna therapy has also been shown to improve heart and lung function in a study which analysed patients with chronic heart failure, sauna therapy was found to significantly improve cardiac function and exercise capacity.
When analysing the effects of Sauna on Cardiovascular patients with Type 2 Diabetes, another study found that a 20-minute sauna three times a week for three months was beneficial for lowering blood pressure in addition to waist circumference.
Further research which looked at exercise tolerance and pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also found that sauna therapy helped improve airway obstruction.
Aids Detoxification
The biological effects of toxins are well-known to be contributors to ill health. As the skin is a major organ of detoxification, and a vast array of toxicants are able to be excreted to differing degrees via perspiration, sauna therapy may be a useful way of aiding detoxification.
Improves Exercise Recovery
Deep penetration of infrared heat appears to also help the neuromuscular system to recover from strength and endurance training.
Improves Skin
Sauna therapy is also associated with improved skin texture. A study which analysed the Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation found that infrared radiation increased the amount of total soluble collagen and soluble elastin in fibroblasts and demonstrated that could result in clinical improvement in skin texture.
Decreased risk of cardiac arrest
Those using the sauna 4-7 times a week had a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who used it once a week.
Do I need towels and swimwear?
Yes please to both.
Appropriate swimwear is mandatory and we provide a towel to sit on.
Please bring your own bath towel - bath towels are also available to hire at $3 each.
Do I need to bring a water bottle?
No, although we recommend bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated, we also have a drinks fridge for beverage purchases and filtered water available at the tea station.
How Finnish Sauna Works?
A Finnish sauna uses a high-temperature heater and heated stones to warm the air inside a wooden sauna room to around 70–100°C. As the temperature rises, your body naturally begins to sweat — helping regulate body temperature while stimulating circulation and relaxing the muscles.
Water can be poured over the hot stones to create a burst of steam, increasing humidity and intensifying the heat experience. This process helps open pores, ease tension, and encourage the body’s natural recovery response.
Regular sauna sessions are widely used to support relaxation, improve circulation, promote muscle recovery, and reduce stress, making Finnish sauna therapy a popular wellness practice in modern recovery spaces and wellness centres.
Infrared vs Finnish Sauna?
Traditional Saunas
- Heat the air inside the room
- Temperatures typically reach 80–100°C
- Can feel very intense for beginners
Infrared Saunas
- Use infrared light to warm the body directly
- Lower operating temperatures around 40–60°C
- Often more comfortable for longer sessions
This makes infrared sauna sessions a popular option for relaxation, recovery, and regular wellness routines.
How often to use Sauna?
For optimal results, we recommend using our sauna three to four days per week and slowly increasing the length of time per session.
Can I use the sauna if I'm pregnant?
We recommend checking with one of our doctors first or asking your regular GP.
Can I bring valuables with me?
We recommend leaving valuables at home, but lockers are available on-site.
Is it clean?
Yes, our saunas are sanitized after each use.
When should I arrive for my appointment?
For your first sauna session, we recommend arriving no later than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This ensures we can give you a full walkthrough beforehand without taking away from your time in the sauna.
Any sauna sessions past your first time, you can arrive 5 minutes before.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 12 hour cancellation process. If you have booked an appointment with us and need to reschedule, please let us know at least 12 hours before your scheduled time to avoid losing your sauna credit.
What is your refund or return policy?
We do not do refunds or returns on any services, however, we are open to your feedback and want to ensure you have the best experience with us.
What's the minimum age for sauna use?
Anyone 18 years old and up is able to use our saunas
How many people can fit in your sauna room?
Our state of the art Finnish Sauna can comfortably sit 8.