Vancouver’s Luxury Hot-cold Circuits Put Design at the Forefront
Saunas are—pardon the pun—so hot right now.
Circle Wellness
Touted for their many potential health benefits, which include stress reduction, detoxification, sore-muscle recovery, improved sleep, and increased metabolism, saunas are popping up all over North America, and Vancouver is no exception. A wide range of options are available for those looking for a hot-cold circuit, where they can sweat it out, plunge into an ice bath, rest, and then repeat—but some are clearly a cut above the rest.
It’s not just about the sauna facility; it’s about the entire vibe. Aesthetics play an important part of any experience, helping visitors feel like they’ve been transported far away from their worries. Here are three Vancouver saunas that put design at the forefront.
Circle Wellness is hiding in plain sight, and that’s part of what makes it so special. Located in a minimalist nondescript black building on Granville Island, the private spa is an experience like no other—and its design is a big part of that. The experience begins by entering an access code into the front door, which swings open to reveal a serene pathway lined with greenery.
“We kept the exterior discreet and unassuming, while the interior was designed for comfort, flow, and function,” says founder Paul Hennessey. “The layouts of the overall site and the spa modules encourage cyclical movement, allowing guests to move through without interruption.”
Inside, a host takes guests to individual spa pods, which feature an indoor changing area as well as the outdoor wellness circuit. The rainfall shower, hot cedar tub, cold plunge, and warming rock pad are out in the open air. Then there’s the brand’s proprietary salt-room sauna, called the WellPod, which was inspired by Korean jimjilbangs and immersive sound environments, and features lights that gradually dim into full darkness. Design elements throughout are subtle but profound, from the lush living wall to accents of concrete and wood.
“Design is everything,” Hennessey says. “It’s an ongoing process of exploring new materials, sensory elements, and technology. Each area is an opportunity to experiment and, ultimately, deepen the experience for guests.”
___
Kolm Kontrast recently opened just off Cambie Street, and it’s quickly building a name for itself as the sexiest sauna in the city. Curved archways and dim lights in the reception give way to a swish lounge area, complete with velvet poufs and vanity mirrors. Through a set of sliding doors, the tea lounge features Ligne Roset-style chairs and plush benches.
“A big part of Kolm’s purpose is around creating a space for connection—to self and to community,” says co-founder Julia Glynn. “This mission is reflected in our design in each of our core areas.” The ice baths are two-seaters, giving guests the option to plunge solo and reconnect to themselves, or with another person to form a new or strengthen an existing connection. The seating in the spacious tea lounge all faces in toward the centre of the room around Kolm’s signature salt block to encourage people to connect with each other. Similarly, the sauna has stadium-style seating arranged to mimic gathering around a fire.
Designed by Vancouver-based Nicram Studio, the Kolm space combines walls with lime-wash-style plaster, Himalayan salt features, copper, tile, and metal accents, and sauna wood throughout. Lighting is kept intentionally low to create a sense of intimacy.
“Design is the key to creating a supportive environment to accomplish our mission,” Glynn says, as it can “provide a space with a sense, feeling, or energy that can help shift moods and mindsets towards a person’s goals and aims, or aid in the ability to relax and let go.”
___
Hidden away on the fifth floor of a new commercial building, Tality Mount Pleasant offers a hot-cold circuit in airy, light-filled space designed to inspire conversation and connection.
“Tality isn’t your typical spa—it’s not a spa at all, and that’s clear in the design,” says Hamish Calder, who owns the Mount Pleasant franchise (there are also two in North Vancouver and one in Kelowna). “The aesthetic is bold, playful—even a little loud—and draws inspiration from the industrial vibrancy of the neighbourhood. There’s a purposeful contrast between the raw, exposed-concrete walls and piping, and the warmth of the cedar accents and turfed patio–all designed to evoke the principles of contrast therapy.”
The facility was designed by Vancouver’s Jute Studios and features custom millwork—including the 25-person sauna, which was built by Yellow Tail Wood Studio. Floor-to-ceiling windows give the space an expansive feel, and modern furniture dots the indoor seating areas, while the outdoor lounge features a more playful aesthetic with artificial turf, fire pits, chaise longues, and string lights.
“Design is incredibly important to us. We didn’t create a tranquil, quiet space—because we don’t want people to be quiet,” Calder says. “While relaxation is certainly a part of the experience we offer, our focus is just as much, if not more, on fostering social connection.”
