A Seattle company is reimagining a luxurious wellness experience on the water
By Kassandra Burr
A bespoke experience where wellness meets adventure, this Seattle-based company is reimagining a ritual that transcends borders.
Quickly gaining traction in both Northern Europe and North America, floating saunas offer a unique way to rejuvenate. The coolest part? The necessary contrast therapy — the cold plunge — is just outside.
Launched in January 2
025 by a group of seven friends, Wild Haus Floating Saunas is one such enterprise that delivers a luxury sauna experience inspired by Nordic sauna culture. “Our approach adds our own twist that speaks to the maritime roots of the Pacific Northwest, while still staying true to the traditional Finnish style of sauna,” says Co-founder Emma Griffith.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILD HAUS FLOATING SAUNAS
How it Began
The idea of gathering on the water to connect with one another, Griffith says, is one of the main reasons she and her friends founded Wild Haus—and after witnessing the rise of floating saunas across Northern Europe, the group knew they wanted to bring the sauna-cold plunge experience to Seattle. What better way to utilize the city’s frigid lakes?
To bring their vision to life, the team collaborated with Finnish marine sauna designer Jonatan Tuori. Their two boats, Aspen and Ember, were built in Ballard with the help of family and friends.
A Nordic Tradition, Reimagined
Sauna culture focuses on unplugging from the noise of everyday life, especially our digital lives, prioritizing introspection and socialization. Being on the water, Griffith says, naturally encourages guests to disconnect from their phones.
Drawing inspiration from a traditional Finnish wet sauna, the boats employ a wood-fired stove to heat the sauna’s rocks. Guests can add water to the rocks to create a plume of steam that instantly boosts humidity and temperature, an invigorating experience that Finlanders call löyly.
Unlike a traditional sauna, which isolates the sauna bather from the outside world, the floating saunas Wild Haus’ team designed feature sleek glass walls, fostering connectivity to the water and the city. “Our floating sauna offers a different kind of experience, one that’s curated for guests who want to enjoy the heat and wellness of sauna culture while also taking in the luxury of being on the water and seeing the city from an entirely different perspective,” Griffith says.
Guests can choose between two experiences: a 1.5-hour communal voyage along Lake Union or a 1.5- to 2.5-hour private voyage along Lake Union or Lake Washington. With just six passengers per voyage, the experience remains intimate, encouraging guests to socialize and connect with one another.
Those seeking the benefits of contrast therapy can cool off with an on-board bucket shower, or for the intrepid sauna-goer, follow the lead of the Norwegians and take the plunge straight into the lake.
“Guests can move between the heat of the sauna and the cold water, set their own pace, and enjoy a unique moment on the water that feels tailored to them rather than a one-size-fits-all spa visit,” Griffith adds.
If the heat of the sauna becomes too much, but the lake water doesn’t beckon, guests can move to the attached warm cabin to relax—or take to the upper Sky Deck to take in the view of the stunning Seattle skyline. “We give guests the opportunity to create their dream experience on the water,” Griffith says. “Every detail is designed to feel elevated and intentional, with the sauna acting as the centerpiece that ties it all together.” From plush robes to curated snack boards, the sauna experience at Wild Haus is nothing short of luxurious.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILD HAUS FLOATING SAUNAS
Viking Wellness in Seattle
Floating saunas hark back to a Viking-era ritual in which one heats up in a sauna or hot spring before jumping into an icy body of water. This early form of contrast therapy (alternating between hot and cold exposures) is said to aid in muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and improve mood.
Americans are no stranger to the Nordic tradition of plunging into icy water. Trending in American wellness culture, cold plunge pools are everywhere in the United States, from spas and wellness centers to our backyards.
But there’s something freeing about plunging straight into a natural body of water. “Floating saunas combine two things people are craving right now: wellness and connection to nature,” concludes Griffith. “Being able to move from the heat of the sauna directly into open water, and share the moment with friends, turns a simple sauna session into a full experience.”
Named one of the biggest travel trends in 2026 by Condé Nast Traveller, Viking wellness, which encompasses Scandinavian-inspired wellness rituals emphasizing natured-based experiences, is piquing the interest of wellness enthusiasts across the globe. People are embracing these ancient Nordic practices, not only for the health benefits, but also as a way to restore. If you’ve been longing for a reset on the water, a trip to Seattle may be in store.