A good sauna experience is without compare. To leave the best impression on your clients, the sauna experience you provide must be carefully planned and executed, guiding the client throughout the experience. Here are a few tips for how a sauna service can be developed—take accessibility and equality into account to ensure that your service runs smoothly and your guests have an enjoyable experience.
Accessibility
Provide clear instructions in multiple languages and using symbols. Ideally, you should offer additional information about saunas, as well. Make sure that the instructions and information given are not restricted to what should not be done in the sauna—include information about the positive health and wellness effects of sauna as well.
Access to the sauna: The sauna facility should have separate spaces for undressing, securing valuables, showering, toilets, and cooling off. The space for cooling off should be separate from the dressing room. Arrange access to the outdoors or to a lounge with a fireplace, for example.
Safety: Ensure that the sauna and shower spaces are safe, with sufficient lighting and non-slip floor materials. Showers should be easy to use. If your guests will be drawing hot water from a tank, ensure that it is safe to use. The sauna heater should be enclosed by a railing to prevent anyone from accidentally bumping into it. Help your guests climb safely up onto the sauna benches by providing sturdy stools to step up on, as well as a railing. There should be no puddles of water on the floor, which can easily cause bathers to slip and fall.
Equality
Sauna bathing is a democratic experience, where each person should feel safe to be themselves and bathe in a way that feels good to them. This kind of environment fosters a feeling of belonging and results in sauna experiences that will be remembered for a lifetime. This is why we don’t dictate how sauna bathing should be done; instead, we allow everyone to spend as much or as little time in the sauna as feels right for them.
Sauna etiquette: Take into consideration the individual needs of men, women, and children. When in Rome, do as the Romans do—which is to say, every sauna has its own way of doing things. In Finland, men and women typically sauna bathe separately. In mixed saunas, swimsuits are worn. Swimsuits or towels should be available for your customers. No one should be forced to be naked, and everyone should be able to bathe as they are most comfortable.
Read more tips on Authentic Finnish Sauna Experience Quality Handbook on how to create a more enjoyable sauna experience for your guests. Check out also author Carita Harju’s new book Soul of Sauna.
