Sometimes, nothing is better than finding a heated haven to cocoon inside during drab Seattle days.
Fortunately for us, saunas, steam rooms, hot springs, and hot tub boats are everywhere here, practically begging you to crawl outta hibernation mode and conquer the beast that is bed rot.
This guide includes a list of some of the many options around the Seattle area. Almost all of them are great for groups, so summon your posse to beat the grey away.
Saunas & Steam Rooms
Hothouse Spa and Sauna in Capitol Hill was a women-only facility for 20 years, but they pivoted to private rentals during the pandemic. Groups can now rent out the cedar sauna, herbal steam room, and tiled hot tub in 90-minute, two-hour, and three-hour increments. Since the place is all yours, people ages 14 and up and of all genders are welcome. Plus, there’s a cold plunge shower and relaxation area. Towels and water are provided, but BYOB—bring your own bottle, not booze, which isn’t allowed.
⏰ Open seven days a week for private use
📍 Capitol Hill: 1019 E Pike St HH, Seattle
Banya 5 is one of our favorite spas in South Lake Union and offers Seattleites a relief in the style of a Russian banya, or bathhouse. You don’t need to book a service to take advantage of their hydrotherapy pools, eucalyptus-laced steam room, or brick and wood-lined sauna. In two hours, you’ll reemerge from this warm cocoon, ready to brave the rest of the season. Banya 5 is not a silent spa, so bring a friend and expect to overhear chit-chat between other patrons. The vibe is laid-back, with a mix of older and younger folks.
⏰ Open Tuesday to Sunday. Make reservations online.
📍 South Lake Union: 217 9th Ave N, Seattle
👀 Looking for things to do before and after? Read this planner.
We Sweat West Seattle does double duty as an infrared sauna and cold plunge studio—which, if you’ve never done a plunge, is a refreshing way to shock your body and boost it. The science says it helps with circulation, inflammation, and more. Pair it with a sweat session in one of their six private saunas. Feel free to use complimentary robes, towels, or chilled lavender toilettes. Memberships are available for frequent sweaters.
⏰ Open seven days a week
📍 West Seattle: 2705 California Ave SW, Seattle
The Sauna Hut offers infrared sauna therapy for detox and relaxation and a list of other benefits, including anti-aging skin purification. In Seattle, the Sauna Hut’s Green Lake location offers three different saunas you can book online and massage therapy with deep tissue, arnica, and CBD massage. Towels, water, and some toiletries are available. Rates for all locations are $30 for 30 minutes and $60 for 60 minutes, with package discounts. Plus, you can book each sauna for up to two.
⏰ Open seven days a week
📍 Locations in Green Lake, Edmonds, Shoreline
City Sweats offers wellness services like an infrared sauna, cold plunge, lymphatic draining massage, facials, and dry brushing. This Black woman-owned business’s mission is to make sweat sweet. Memberships and packages are available—and if you want to “Glow Together,” bring a friend for $45 per person.
⏰ Hours vary by location
📍 Locations in Madison Park, Wallingford, West Seattle, and Bellevue
Q Sauna & Spa, located just north of Seattle in Lynnwood, is inspired by the traditional Korean bathhouse, or jjimjilbang. A day pass grants access to gender-separated baths and communal, mineral-themed saunas. Book a professional full-body scrub-down and leave with baby-soft skin. The in-house restaurant that serves comforting Korean specialties will make it particularly hard to want to leave this suburban bubble.
⏰ Open seven days a week
📍 Lynnwood: 17420 Hwy 99
👯 With friends? Try our planner: A Night Out With Friends in Lynnwood’s K-Town.
😎 Flying solo? Read on!
Hot Springs
Sol Duc Hot Springs in the Olympic Peninsula has three mineral hot spring pools and one freshwater pool if you want to go on a sweaty adventure outside of the Seattle area. More of a resort-style situation, the springs are fed by rain and snow, which are heated by gasses from volcanic rock. They are also an excellent spot for all ages and multiple pools are wheelchair accessible. There are many options for lodging, camping, and hiking nearby, making this an ideal location for a relaxing weekend getaway.
⏰ Open seven days a week, spring through fall. Reservations are required.
📍 Port Angeles: 12076 Sol Duc-Hot Springs Rd
Olympic Hot Springs is also on the Olympic Peninsula, but this is more of a hike through the wilderness situation. At about 20 miles roundtrip, the trail is pretty much a road, which is also bike-friendly until the last two or so miles. Many of these 21 hot springs are right off the trail, but others are hidden. Be sure to test the temp first to prevent burns! (And speaking of testing, note the Park Service does not test these springs.) This site is sacred for many people, so be mindful and respectful of nature while there. The Klallam people’s creation story takes place at a rock on the lower Elwha River, and the springs fed by the river have been used as sites for vision quests. Check trip reports and assess conditions before going to explore the springs.
📍 Madison Falls Trailhead, 1930 Olympic Hot Springs Rd, Port Angeles
Goldmyer Hot Springs, about 25 miles east of North Bend, is another option to get warmed by Mother Nature. There are numerous hikes there, but the most direct is about 10 miles roundtrip. Once arriving, enjoy the open-air cabana pools, picnic tables, and outhouses. There are even campsites for those who want to stay overnight. Note the springs are clothing optional. In addition to reserving a shared used time at the springs, a limited number of private-use days offer exclusive use for those who want to bring a group. Cellular or internet connection is available onsite. Please check vehicle requirements and driving conditions.
⏰ Open year-round and in all weather conditions. Reservations required and available online.
📍 North Bend Area: Directions here
Hot Tub Boats
Lake Union Hot Tub Boats are ideal spots to soak while savoring city views. Whether celebrating with a group or by yourself, the two-hour tub rentals combine the tradition of soaking spas with our local love of the outdoors. The easy-to-steer electric motored vessels provide a heated 50-gallon tub, storage snacks, and a ladder to climb back on board if a dip in the lake is needed. Also included are towels, Bluetooth speakers, and heated changing rooms. Up to six people per rental, and that includes kiddos. A larger group can rent multiple boats if they want to set sail side by side.
⏰ Hours vary. Booking is available online.
📍 Northlake: 2401 N Northlake Way, Seattle
Hot Tub Boats was born from local wooden boat maker Adam Karpenske, who wanted a hot tub in his houseboat but didn’t have the room. Now, renting or even buying the hot tub boat he designed as a solution is possible. Beyond the boat, each rental comes with a cooler, bottled water, lockers, towel service, and a shower spot. Plus, add-ons like Epsom salt, rose petals, and snacks make this perfect for a date or double date night.
⏰ Open seven days a week, rain or shine. Booking is available online.
📍 Westlake: 2520 Westlake Ave N, Seattle
