Just Add Water: Lake Union’s Best-Kept Spa Secrets

You breathe in the warm scent of cedar and exhale slowly, enveloped by steam that melts away the stress of daily life. Through a wide window, tranquil waters stretch out before you. This isn't a Scandinavian getaway, it's a rejuvenating escape right here in Seattle.

At this floating cedar sauna moored on Lake Union, guests are treated to a guided, curated Nordic sauna experience. Everything you need - towels, drinking water, dry storage, and even changing rooms are provided on-site. Notably, Seattle Sauna is the only floating sauna in the area equipped with dedicated changing rooms, enhancing your comfort and privacy.
Settle into the stadium-style seating (accommodating up to 10 guests) as double wood-fired stoves elevate your body temperature, boosting circulation and promoting detoxification.

Enhance the atmosphere by adding various scents to the hot stones, creating an aromatherapy effect that soothes the senses.
For a refreshing contrast, invigorate yourself with one of three cold exposure options: the 5-liter bucket waterfall, the rain shower, or sit and relax on the rooftop deck offering views of downtown.
Seattle Sauna offers two distinct session types to cater to different preferences:
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Social Sauna Sessions: Priced at $64 per person (plus tax), these dockside sessions are booked per seat, providing an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and warm up that Seattle freeze. It's a communal experience designed to foster connection and relaxation.
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Private Sauna Sessions: For those seeking exclusivity, private sessions are available at $640 per session (plus tax), allowing you and up to nine friends to enjoy the sauna space in your own way.
Whether you're looking to socialize or enjoy a private retreat, Seattle Sauna provides a unique and luxurious experience on the waters of Lake Union.

At this floating sauna moored on Lake Union, guests can expect a guided, curated Nordic sauna experience. Everything — towels, drinking water, dry storage — is provided on site. Get comfortable on the stadium seating (there’s space for 10 people) as the double wood-fired stoves burn to raise your body temperature and increase your circulation, flushing toxins as you sweat. Throw water on the hot stones to produce billowing vapor or löyly (a Finnish word roughly pronounced loo-lu). Various scents can be added for an aromatherapy effect.

When you’re ready to cool down, venture outside and step under the bucket or waterfall shower. The sudden temperature shift activates your body’s natural response, boosting energy and reducing inflammation. If you need to rest and rehydrate, head up the steps to the rooftop deck to revel in the endorphins and do a bit of sightseeing. Seattle Sauna suggests going through this thermic cycle two to four times, depending on your comfort level, to leave you feeling fully refreshed, revitalized, and restored.
To unwind further out on the water, check out Seattle Sauna’s sister business — Lake Union Hot Tub Boats. It started in 2019 and the colorful watercraft are still putting around today. Each Dutch-designed hot tub boat is a roomy, 3-feet deep, holding 500 gallons of clean water out of the tap. Water temperature is fueled by logs of recycled wood, which burn cleaner and longer. Want to turn the heat up or down? You adjust the dampers to open or close the snorkel stove.

With the electric motor and tiller in hand, you are the captain (after a short tutorial). You’re then free to navigate to the spot of your choosing within the two-hour window. Shortly after departing the dock, views of Gas Works Park and the Space Needle open up, setting the scene for swimming (there’s a ladder for easy reentry), seaplane spotting, or maybe even some champagne popping.

Waterproof phone cases, a Bluetooth speaker, and of course life jackets, are also included. Each hot tub boat can accommodate six passengers, and for larger groups, you are able to reserve multiple boats (up to 18 people).
It's all about celebration — for locals and people visiting from out of town. People have gotten married in the boat. Others have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, even divorces.
Like Seattle Sauna, it’s a year-round experience and a great way to soak up the sunshine or beat those winter blues. Sauna. Soak. Sightsee. Repeat. Reserve your experience now.