“Everyone is equal inside the sauna.”
That’s the ethos of David James, founder of Von Sauna, who designed and built two beautiful, cabin-esque floating saunas that rest on the docks of Lake Washington in Kirkland.
The physical health benefits of sauna and cold plunge are amazing—the healing heat, the detoxifying sweat, the anti-inflammation effects of cold exposure are proven ways to extend longevity and boost health.
Jones, surprisingly, isn’t necessarily interested in talking about those perks though.
What matters most to him is cultivating a communal spirit within his spaces. Stripping down everything (Yes, including some of your clothes, just down to a swimsuit) and just having a meaningful experience with people you love—or some you don’t even know yet.
He got the idea to create Von Sauna a few years ago while traveling abroad in Europe. “It’s one of my most significant memories,” Jones says. “I did sauna many other times, in gyms and other places. This was different. This was about connection to nature, connection to people. I wanted to recreate and share that.”
Von Sauna is now that space.
Jones only uses wood-burning heaters in the saunas because he likes the smells and the sound of the “crackling of the fire.” They are built from Western red cedar and thermally modified magnolia wood,” he says.
He offers aromatherapy snowballs to throw on the stove. He found a perfect location to sauna, and then intermittently jump into often freezing water with jaw-dropping mountainous, waterfront views as a backdrop. You can see him or his fellow employees chopping the wood right next to the sauna. It’s all about the experience.
His purpose is to cultivate community through sauna, and everything about Von Sauna speaks to that.
“The local community is really engaged. We get Eastsiders, and lots of people from Seattle,” Jones says. “Some people come here before work. Others have milestone parties here.”
Von Sauna currently offers both public and private sessions. They range in time length and can hold space for a dozen people for larger parties.
“There is something really human about it,” Jones says.
For more information, please visit vonsauna.co.
Two Other Unique Sauna Spots
Fyre Sauna
Located in Woodinville, this Scandinavian-style spa will treat you and heal you in the middle of Washington’s wine country.
How to book: fyresauna.com
The Wild Haus
A different kind of floating experience, these saunas are Seattle’s version of sweating.
How to book: thewildhaus.com