Generally a simple timber cabin with a heat source radiating warmth from the wood-clad walls via heated stones, warmed by electricity or gas, traditionally by log fires.

Pictured: KLAFS Pure Sauna 

It’s almost identical to a Finnish sauna in design and purpose, however it can have higher rates of humidity and bathers are encouraged to hit themselves or another person with “veniks” or bunches of dried branches and leaves to help improve circulation. 

Developed exclusively by our partner KLAFS, a Sanarium turns one sauna into five: a classic sauna, a warm air bath, a tropical bath, an aroma bath or a soft steam bath. This break-through technology allows bathers to create their personal oasis of wellbeing. 

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Pictured: KLAFS Sanarium

Typically a tiled or stone room providing 100% humidity with hot steam, which is either created from heated waters in the room itself or, more commonly, pumped into the room using a steam generator.

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Pictured: Faena Hotel, Miami Beach, FL, U.S.
(Photographer: Nik Koenig)

Turkish hamams have a traditional heated “göbektaşı,” or, literally, “belly stone,” as their centerpiece. An authentic atmosphere is achieved when the room is finished in traditional Turkish “Iznik” tiles and Carrara Blanco marble, although dramatic effects have been created in modern hamams using very different finishes.

A warm ceramic room in which bathers can relax for long periods of time in comfortable ergonomically designed benches or individual, heated loungers or chairs. The walls, floors and benches are heated to enable deep penetration of the warmth to the body.

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Pictured: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV, U.S.

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Infrared saunas have grown in popularity due to their particular health benefits and ability to heat a bather’s body without warming the air around it. Infrared radiation is on the longer range of the electromagnetic spectrum; therefore, is considered more comfortable and can penetrate the body’s tissues more deeply.

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Pictured: KLAFS Infrared Sauna

Fitted with a range of different beds and loungers, relaxation spaces are essential to any spa. Traditionally used to warm up (or cool down) the body before and after using other bathing rooms, common mistakes include not making the room big enough or choosing uncomfortable loungers.

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Pictured: NIZUC Resort & Spa, Mexico

Many wellness centers offer specialist cabins/rooms for specific hydrotherapy treatments, including inhalation therapy like salt (pictured), oxygen or aromatherapy and mud bath rituals, body wraps and scrubs. Additionally, specialist equipment, like Vichy showers, hydrotherapy tubs and Kneipp hoses can be offered.

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Pictured: ISO Benessere

Either open or closed areas where a continuous snowfall can be generated by the push of a button. Melting snow on the skin versus jumping into a cold plunge pool can be an easier way to cool-down for many bathers.

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Pictured: Snow Industries

Advances in refrigeration technology make it possible to replicate the traditional Nordic "roll in the snow" in any hydrothermal facility. A snow room consists of an insulated room and a separate snowmaking system located in a plant/mechanical room.

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Pictured: TechnoAlpin S.p.A