Bath Houses, Saunas, Spas
If you know me by now you know I love a bath. I’m building an entire company around bathing. I love nothing more than waking up and immediately immersing myself fully in a bath, or the sea, or a swimming pool or an ice bath. I love massages, body scrubs, acupuncture, sound baths, foot rubs, you name it. I like being pummelled, stroked, stretched and oiled.
I’m lucky enough to have travelled the world and experienced a whole host of treatments, from the most luxurious to the most basic and earthy. Some of the most transformative experiences I’ve had have been in the most humble of places.
I’ve decided to make this newsletter today free because I really want to share my love of bathing with you all. Bookmark this post as I will keep adding to it as I continue on my global bath house journey. One day, I would like to have a bathhouse of my own 😁.
I’m writing this from Berlin so let’s begin with the two experiences I’ve tried here. In the spirit of making this sustainable for me, I won’t write full reviews, I’ll just give you the TLDR.
Bathhouse 411 Checklist
Vibe – Atmosphere, music, lighting, crowd energy (is it social, quiet, romantic?).
Entry – Public or private? Day passes or memberships? Time slots?
Towels/Robes – Bring your own, rent, or included?
Dress Code – Swimwear? Naked? Gendered or mixed areas?
Crowd – Typical clientele (age, vibe, cultural norms).
Hot/Cold Circuit – Saunas, steam rooms, pools (hot, cold, saltwater), plunge options.
Unique Features – Any special rituals (Aufguss, scrubs, sound baths, mud, herbal steams)?
Treatments – Massages, facials, body scrubs, acupuncture, energy healing, etc.
F&B (Food & Drinks) – Are there light bites, cocktails, tea service, or a restaurant?
Booking Ease – Do you need to book in advance? Walk-ins? Online only?
Cost – Price range, plus extras (treatment add-ons, towel fees).
Hours – Are they open late? Early? Any women-only or mixed sessions?
Cleanliness & Quality – Towels, water quality, facilities maintenance.
Accessibility – Wheelchair/stroller-friendly? Any age restrictions?
Overall Energy – Quiet retreat, social spa, or party-ish?
Would I Go Again? – My quick take for readers.
My Spas of The World Map
Spas of the World · Sharmadean
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AJe8o9x6kKPfzBdW8?g_st=i
Liquidrom Berlin
I can’t believe we don’t have this type of thing in London, or even the UK. Can some developers get going!
- Vibe – Imagine a wellness nightclub with a touch of Berlin weirdness: dim lights, underwater music, glowing saltwater pool, and a crowd that feels like they just left Berghain but came here to rinse off the night before. Sexy, but not sleazy.
- Entry – Fully public. You buy a 2, 4, or 6-hour pass. Sauna use is a small extra fee (worth it).
- Towels/Robes – Bring your own or rent (if you forget, rentals aren’t expensive).
- Dress Code – Swimwear in the main pools, but saunas are fully nude. Mixed-gender, standard Berlin sauna etiquette.
- Crowd – Cool, young Berliners, couples, and groups of friends. Relaxed, artsy, respectful.
- Hot/Cold Circuit – Three saunas (including a herbal one), a cold plunge pool, an outdoor heated pool, and the star: a big, dark, saltwater pool with underwater speakers playing ambient music.
- Unique Features – The sound bath element is a must. Float in the dark, music in your ears, and it feels like a private concert in space.
- Treatments – No over-the-top spa menu here; it’s more about the circuit. But there are classic massages and scrubs if you book ahead and I loved my massage. I had 75 mins.
- F&B – Basic but fine: soups, crisps, soft drinks, and cocktails. Don’t come hungry. it’s more “snack bar” than “restaurant.”
- Booking Ease – No need to book a basic pass; treatments and massages should be booked in advance online.
- Cost – Around €20–40 depending on how long you stay, plus €8-ish if you want saunas. Including my massage I spent €155
- Hours – Open until midnight most nights (very Berlin).
- Cleanliness & Quality – Everything felt clean and well-kept, though it’s got a “nightclub bathhouse” edge rather than a pristine luxury spa vibe.
- Accessibility – Central location, easy to get to. Not much info on accessibility, so check ahead if that’s important.
- Overall Energy – Chill, sensual, slightly otherworldly. It feels like a place to decompress or extend your night, depending on your mood.
- Would I Go Again? – Yes. Every city needs one of these. If London had one, I’d be there weekly.
https://www.liquidrom-berlin.de
Vabali Berlin
This is the biggest day spa I’ve been to. It was huge like Disneyland for bathing lovers!
- Vibe – A Balinese-style spa village dropped in the middle of Berlin. Think bamboo walkways, daybeds, candlelight, and the smell of eucalyptus in the air. It feels like a tropical retreat… until you remember it’s a 10-minute walk from Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
- Entry – Public access. Day passes for 2, 4, or all-day (you’ll want at least 4 hours to properly enjoy it).
- Towels/Robes – Bring your own or rent. You’ll need at least two towels — one to sit on in saunas, another for lounging.
- Dress Code – No swimwear allowed. Full nudity is the rule throughout, including pools and saunas. Mixed-gender, very German.
- Crowd – A mix of Berlin locals, couples, and groups of friends. Ages 25–55. Everyone’s relaxed. it’s more naturist retreat than party. A guy did try and ask me for a drink in the locker rooms which really stressed me out and made me uncomfortable immediately but the place is so big I lost him. There are a lot of solo men here who no doubt are voyeuristic but overall it was fine and there are staff on hand.
- Hot/Cold Circuit – 13 (!) saunas and steam rooms, multiple warm and cold plunge pools, a big outdoor pool, and several quiet relaxation areas (fireplaces, hammocks, waterbeds).
- Unique Features – Aufguss ceremonies (hourly sauna rituals with essential oils and towel “heat waves”), meditation rooms, and a sprawling outdoor deck where you can sunbathe between plunges.
- Treatments – Wide menu: Balinese massages, body scrubs, Ayurvedic treatments, facials. Must be booked ahead, especially on weekends.
- F&B – Full-service restaurant with healthy dishes (think Buddha bowls, grilled fish, fresh juices, wine). This is a “make a day of it” spa — not a snack bar situation. I had breakfast and eggs were superb.
- Booking Ease – Walk-ins possible on weekdays, but weekends book up. Treatments online only.
- Cost – Around €30–€50 depending on time, plus treatments. Food and drinks extra.
- Hours – Open late (until midnight). Early mornings are quieter, late evenings feel more social.
- Cleanliness & Quality – Clean and above average. Not luxury but not downmarket. The towels and bathrobes were just right. Everything feels polished and serene, despite the size.
- Accessibility – Centrally located, easy by train or car. Check ahead for step-free access (some areas have stairs).
- Overall Energy – A proper escape. Feels like a holiday, even if you only stay for 4 hours.
- Would I Go Again? – Absolutely. Go with a friend who’s cool with nudity, and plan to spend most of the day.
