A 2024 study by Business.com found that America’s millennials value experiences over tangible possessions. They are also far more focused on wellness than past generations. A survey by McKinsey found that 35 percent prioritize wellness, compared to 29 percent from older generations. Taking a sauna checks both of these boxes so it is no surprise that more Americans than ever are exploring both the luxurious experience and wellness benefits of saunas, both at home and on their travels.
Sauna culture on the rise in the US
Sauna culture is no longer reserved for northern US states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. It has spread across the US in recent years, and prebuilt kits from well-known manufacturers, such as Finlandia outdoor saunas that can be enjoyed at home have made the sauna experience accessible and affordable for all.
Sauna-savvy US millennials are eager to enjoy the benefits of a sauna while they are traveling, too, and they no longer have to venture all the way to Scandinavia or Thailand to do so. The growth of home sauna culture has led to a host of luxury spa resorts opening their doors across the USA. Let’s have a look at some of the go-to spots for sauna-loving travelers from north to south and east to west.
Kohler Water Sauna and Spa, Wisconsin
Starting in the north, Wisconsin is arguably where US sauna culture began, introduced by Scandinavian immigrants who had saunas at their homes in the early 19th century. Kohler is the state’s only five-star spa and offers a range of hydrotherapy amenities, including a steam room, plunge pool, whirlpool, and relaxation pool. Right at the heart is the Scandinavian-style sauna with a Himalayan salt wall, designed to balance and neutralize the toxins that surround us all in day-to-day life.
The resort also offers luxury suites and cabins for those who want to make a weekend of it, plus a choice of world-class golf courses for sports enthusiasts. Whistling Straits has hosted four major Championships and the 2021 Ryder Cup.
Mokara Spa, Texas
You can’t get further south than Texas, and sauna culture is well and truly embedded in the Lone Star State. Situated on San Antonio’s famous River Walk, Mokara is a picturesque oasis that offers distinctive therapies crafted to restore the mind, body, and spirit. These include massages, facials, and, of course, the spa’s dry cedar sauna. There is also a eucalyptus-infused steam room, whirlpool, and even a heated rooftop pool with panoramic views of the city.
After all those wellness treatments, the attached hotel has a choice of three restaurants catering to all needs, from romantic riverfront dining to more casual drinks and snacks by the bar.
Acqualina Resort and Spa, Florida
Heading east, the Sunshine State has a wealth of wellness resorts for sauna-loving Americans of all ages. Acqualina Resort & Residences can be found amid the tranquil ocean and beautiful white sands of Sunny Isles Beach, midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Florida’s original five-star spa offers all the usual therapies like facials and massages, plus some less common ones such as Abhyanga massage and water ritual.
There is a choice of different saunas for guests, including the Finnish sauna with Himalayan salt, the Crystal steam room, which offers color therapy, and an Experience Shower, which boasts alternating hot and cold mists.
La Costa Sauna and Spa, California
Finally, on the west coast, La Costa in Carlsbad, California was an early adopter of US sauna culture and has been offering wellness retreats since the mid 1960s. The spa combines modern technology with traditional Ayurvedic techniques.
Sauna experiences here include a steam room, dry sauna, indoor whirlpool, private pool and whirlpool showers. All are accessible to guests who book scheduled spa treatments.
Enjoying Sauna Benefits At Home Or Away
Every corner of the USA has embraced sauna culture. While many millennials are opting for a home sauna that they can enjoy every day, it is also a perfect way to enjoy both relaxation and wellness benefits while exploring different areas of the country.
By Jurgen NeustadtJurgen is a globetrotting adventurer with an unwavering thirst for travel. He craves the thrill of discovering new places, cultures, and flavors. Jurgen's life is a journey of exploration, where each destination offers a new chapter in his ongoing story of adventure and wonder.
