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Sometimes the best way to clear your mind and relax is to sit in a sauna. But what if you’re looking to elevate your sauna experience by soaking up all that the PNW offers visually and physically? Say hello to Von Sauna.

Von Sauna is a beautifully crafted floating sauna on Lake Washington, designed to transport you to the heart of Scandinavian culture. Constructed with premium materials and attention to detail, this sauna offers an authentic experience just minutes from downtown Seattle, complete with traditional Nordic sauna rituals and stunning views.

Saunas have long been a beloved tradition in Nordic countries, offering a rejuvenating escape from the stresses of daily life. It's more than just a way to relax – it’s a lifestyle. Saunas provide numerous health benefits, from improved circulation and better sleep to detoxification and pain relief.

 The man behind Von Sauna fell in love with the sauna lifestyle in Norway and wanted to offer it in Seattle to locals and visitors alike so they could experience the age-old practice themselves. Whether you're a seasoned sauna enthusiast or a newcomer to this revitalizing practice, Von Sauna promises an unforgettable journey into the world of Nordic wellness. As someone who didn’t know what to expect, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this experience!

Western Washington's First Floating Sauna

So, what is a floating sauna anyway? It’s a rectangular sauna built on a floating barge and is a masterpiece of design and engineering. Constructed with high-quality materials and meticulous attention to detail, it provides a cozy and authentic sauna experience while gently rocking on the calm waters of Lake Washington. The interior is adorned with natural wood tones and minimalist Scandinavian aesthetics, with one wall made of floor-to-ceiling glass allowing you to look out and creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. There’s truly nothing else like it in Western Washington!

The idea behind Von Sauna was born out of a desire to bring the Nordic sauna culture to the Pacific Northwest. After all, Seattle is a sister city of Bergen, Norway. The founder, inspired by his love for the sauna lifestyle and the natural beauty of Seattle's waterways, envisioned a floating sauna that would allow people to connect with one another and nature while also indulging in the rejuvenating benefits of heat and steam.

Sauna Life the Nordic Way

The sauna holds a revered place in Nordic culture, transcending its role as a simple bath and emerging as a way of life deeply intertwined with values of community, relaxation, and connection with nature. In countries like Norway, saunas are more than just a luxury – they are an integral part of the social fabric, providing a sanctuary for people to unwind, socialize, and embrace the rejuvenating powers of heat and steam.

At Von Sauna, you can immerse yourself in the authentic Nordic sauna experience, a tradition that dates back centuries. The sauna's design and construction adhere to the principles of Nordic craftsmanship, using premium materials like cedar wood to create a warm, inviting ambiance. The gentle heat and humidity levels are carefully calibrated to mimic the ideal sauna conditions found in the heart of Norway.

As you step inside, you'll be transported to a stress-free world, where the nuances of everyday life melt away. The rhythmic sound of water gently splashing onto the heated rocks creates a soothing melody, while the optional aromatic scents of natural oils like eucalyptus transport you to a state of deep relaxation.

But the sauna experience at Von Sauna goes beyond mere physical indulgence. It's a celebration of the Nordic way of life, where simplicity, mindfulness, and respect for nature reign supreme. As you alternate between the intense heat of the sauna and the invigorating plunge into the cold waters of Lake Washington, you'll eventually feel a profound connection with the elements, a harmony that has been cherished by Nordic cultures for generations. At first, I wasn’t sure if this state of connection and relaxation could be reached but after about four or five rounds of alternating between the heat and cold, I began to understand what sauna is all about.

Experience Von Sauna

Stepping into Von Sauna is an invitation to experience a whole new level of relaxation and self-care. This floating sauna offers a truly unique experience, combining the ancient tradition of sauna bathing with modern amenities and gorgeous views of the Pacific Northwest. Von Sauna operates from October through May and will open their second floating sauna by the end of 2024.

Visitors can choose from social sauna sessions or private sauna sessions and there are plans to offer more traditional sauna rituals and themed sessions to further build a community. The social sauna sessions last 75 minutes and are $40 per person with multiple time slots available throughout the day. If you’re looking for a more private experience, you can book a private sauna session for 2.5 hours for up to 12 people for $700. This is a great option if you have a large group and want to enjoy the sauna experience alone.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, where you can shed the stresses of daily life and embrace a new found state of tranquility. The floating sauna is located at Carillon Point, right across from the Woodmark Hotel. There’s a changing room near the pier and lockers inside the entryway of the floating sauna.

Once inside the sauna room, you can choose to have a dry heat experience or a soothing steam experience. We alternated between the two and loved adding essential oils to the furnace which filled the room with aromatic steam that will immediately put you in a relaxed state. The sauna master will pop in from time to time to check on you and make sure everything is running smoothly. He’ll even bring a surprise for the furnace during your experience!

And don’t worry about getting too hot. You will get very hot, but that’s where the cold plunge comes in! I was a bit of a chicken the first couple of times but it’s so much fun after the first plunge. The process at Von Sauna is to plunge, sauna, plunge, repeat. You’ll stay inside the sauna for up to 15 minutes at a time and then you’ll walk a few steps down the pier where you’ll find a ladder leading into the water. This is where you’ll take the cold plunge. You can jump off of the side, use a bucket, or climb down the ladder for a quick cool down. This is an essential part of the sauna experience and you’re surrounded by the serene beauty of nature.

Von Sauna offers a truly one-of-a-kind and authentic Nordic sauna experience right here in Seattle. This floating oasis provides a rejuvenating escape, allowing you to unwind and reconnect with nature in a serene and tranquil setting. It’s a type of self-care I hadn’t tried before and I was so glad that I did. It’s not every day that you get to experience something so special that’s both relaxing and fun.

No matter if you’re brand new to sauna or you’ve done it a million times, Von Sauna promises an unforgettable experience. Take the opportunity to slow down, disconnect from the digital world, and reconnect with yourself and nature in this floating sanctuary. Trust me, your body and mind will thank you!

Happy travels!

-Tess

Tess Arnold

Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip!  If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!