From designer saunas in Finland to private yoga studios in Hawaii, wellness at home is a luxury must-have, writes Mandi Keighran
Kuusamo, Finland | Snellman Sotheby’s International Realty
The pursuit of wellness is a key element of modern luxury living and the most sought-after homes now incorporate a range of features designed to bring it closer—from private saunas and plunge pools to dedicated yoga studios and even beauty salons.
Sauna culture, in particular, is undergoing a dramatic surge in interest around the world, with a boom in community saunas on both sides of the Atlantic and a rise in commissions from private clients, too. “Previously seen as an occasional indulgence, as part of a luxury hotel spa break, homeowners have recently started to embrace the sauna experience that in Nordic countries is seen as an essential part of everyday life,” says Rupert McKelvie, founder of the luxury sauna company Out of the Valley.
Kuusamo, Finland | Snellman Sotheby’s International Realty
So central is the sauna to Finnish culture in particular, it has been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A striking modern residence in Rukatunturi, Northern Finland has two: one circular and spa-style, leading off a terracotta-tiled pool and relaxation area with an open fire; the other outside, a traditional wood-fired sauna offering the full Nordic experience, with expansive views through floor-to-ceiling glass. Set against a backdrop of snow-dusted pines, the villa also has a wood-fired hot tub on its terrace.
Connection to the natural world only boosts wellness, says McKelvie, who believes at-home features are “best when experienced outdoors, immersed in nature.” Like many designers working in this space, the company uses natural materials and incorporates windows “to invite the surrounding landscape in, blurring the boundary between inside and out,” he adds.
For those seeking to integrate wellness into their everyday life, whether city-dwelling or based in a more rural setting, creating a spa-like space at home isn’t so much an indulgence as an investment—in both your property and your health. McKelvie says his company has seen a 475% increase in demand for private saunas in the U.K. over the past two years.
Kula, Hawaii | Island Sotheby’s International Realty
The company’s current bespoke commissions range in location from an urban garden in Notting Hill to the shores of a remote Scottish loch. This trend is mirrored in the U.S., where North Americans are embracing natural wellness rituals such as contrast therapy, the recovery practice, long favored by athletes, of alternate immersion in hot and cold water.
“Wellness spaces are no longer a luxury or a nice-to-have—they’re expected,” says Becky Fatemi, executive partner at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty. “At the top end of the market, we’ve seen a significant rise in demand for in-house spa features, hot and cold therapy zones, yoga studios and even fully equipped gyms. High-net-worth buyers want homes that actively support their physical and mental well-being on a day-to-day basis.”
St. John’s Wood, London | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty
In London’s leafy St. John’s Wood, an elegant, stucco-fronted house with interiors by the late Queen’s nephew, David Linley, conceals an entire lower-ground floor devoted to well-being. As well as a state-of-the-art gym with barre rail and two changing rooms, the floor houses a steam room, sauna and plunge pool, and even a hairdressing salon. The marble, onyx and limestone bathrooms throughout emphasize the spa-like atmosphere of the home.
As Fatemi says of such amenities: “It’s about creating a sanctuary at home. These features are now a key driver in both buying and renting decisions of our clients.”
A peaceful estate in Kula, Hawaii takes an indoors-outdoors approach to this sanctuary mindset. The main residence houses a sauna and spa, while a swimming pool and freestanding yoga pavilion are nestled into its tropical landscaping. Set within five acres overlooking Maui’s Upcountry and the Pacific Ocean, the pavilion is surrounded by manicured, zen-style gardens designed for reflection and retreat.
Lake Tahoe, California | Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty
Meanwhile, in California’s Lake Tahoe, an expansive timber home makes the most of its mountainous surroundings. The contemporary six-bedroom property features panoramic views of the water and peaks from nearly every room, expansive decks designed for gathering, and an outdoor spa perched next to the lake itself. Two private buoys and access to a community pier make it ideal for boating, swimming or simply soaking in the scenery.
Whether nestled beside a frozen lake, on a tropical hillside, or taking over an entire subterranean floor, these dedicated spaces are redefining what it means to live well at home. In a world that rarely slows down, investing in our well-being—and making space for it in our own homes—feels like the ultimate luxury.