Finland is known as the birthplace of the sauna, with over three million of the steamy spots all over the country, enough for the whole population to pamper themselves at the same time. And now, another sauna experience is opening in the heart of Helsinki, combining the Finnish capital’s island culture with indulgent bathing rituals.
Saunasaari, or “sauna island”, can be reached from Helsinki’s Market Square in minutes via a water taxi. Matching wooden cottages form a quaint wellness village on the island’s shores, which boasts uninterrupted panoramic views of the city’s entire eastern profile.
Making Saunasaari a stand-out experience is the island’s large traditional smoke sauna, the only such sauna in Helsinki. It sits alongside two traditional Finnish wood-fired hot tubs, called palju; separate male and female changing cabins; and several separate saunas. Paths gently wind between them and to the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea.
Launching the venture, Nina Stenros, one of Saunasaari’s creators, noted how important the connection with the capital is, saying: “the Finnish archipelago, traditional smoke sauna, open-fire cooking, and genuine hospitality are all deeply rooted in our identity. We wanted to create an experience where visitors can step into that world without leaving Helsinki.”
The Finnish capital’s foodie reputation is not left behind either. Nina and partner Riky Stenros, are combining a restaurant experience with the island’s saunas, so visitors can indulge their skin, their senses, and their stomachs thanks to a char-grilled dinner menu cooked at the island’s summer kitchen called ‘Rök.’ They also offer a full dining hall capable of accommodating large dinner parties and a smaller, more intimate dining space.
A package including boat transfer, and a ‘sauna and dine’ experience gives access to two smoke saunas and the palju, for €128. Guests can also reach the island with their own boats. For private events, the entire island can be rented out. Reservations can be made for Fridays and Saturdays until the season ends on the 8th of August.
Saunasaari taps into two wider travel and trends: the success of the spa and wellness sector which is currently valued by the Global Wellness Institute at a record $6.8 trillion, and is growing at around nine percent annually; and the premium leisure experience market, which is performing so well it is credited with propping up aviation during the recent oil crisis, has been recognised as a key area of growth in the US hotel sector, and even has luxury goods brands like LVMH partnering with Orient Express to launch the world’s largest mega yacht.
While observing the shore from the exclusive distance of a luxury sailing vessel may be one way to travel, Stenros also emphasises that authenticity is a vital part of what visitors want. “Fresh air, the beauty of the archipelago, local food, respect for traditions and the scientifically recognised health benefits of sauna culture are all becoming more relevant than ever. At the same time, visitors want experiences that feel real. They want to understand how people actually live, eat, and relax in Finland rather than simply observing it from the outside.”
