Why Saunas Are the Highest ROI Amenity

If you operate a holiday let, glamping site, boutique hotel, or Airbnb property, you already know that the amenities you offer directly affect your nightly rate, occupancy, and review scores. A hybrid sauna is one of the highest return on investment amenities available because it combines low purchase cost, minimal running expenses, negligible maintenance, and a significant uplift in perceived value.

Guests actively search for properties with sauna access. The wellness travel market in the UK has grown consistently over the past five years, with "sauna" and "hot tub" being among the most commonly filtered amenities on Airbnb, Booking.com, and Canopy and Stars.

The Revenue Case

Holiday let operators who add a sauna typically report a nightly rate increase of £30 to £75, depending on the property type and location. Here is a conservative calculation:

Even in the conservative scenario, a 4 person hybrid sauna at £6,995 (self assembly) pays for itself within 16 months. In the moderate scenario, payback is under 9 months. With professional assembly at £8,295, the payback only extends by 2 to 3 months.

Why Hybrid Is Better Than Traditional for Commercial Use

A hybrid sauna is specifically advantageous for holiday lets and glamping because:

Guest flexibility: Different guests have different preferences. Some want the full Finnish steam experience, others prefer the gentler infrared warmth. A hybrid lets every guest enjoy the sauna their way without you needing to explain complicated controls. Both modes use the same simple control panel.

Faster heat up: The infrared mode heats in 10 to 15 minutes, which means guests can have a sauna session even on the evening they arrive without a long wait. This is a genuine improvement in guest experience compared to a traditional sauna that takes 30 to 45 minutes.

Lower running costs: Many guest sessions will use infrared mode, which costs under £1 per use. Your electricity bill for the sauna will be a fraction of what a hot tub costs to run (hot tubs typically cost £40 to £80 per month heated 24/7).

Less maintenance than a hot tub: A sauna requires virtually zero ongoing maintenance. No water treatment, no chemical balancing, no filter cleaning, no draining and refilling between guests. The cabin just needs a wipe down and an airing out between stays.

The Review Effect

Sauna access consistently generates positive review mentions. Properties with saunas on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com receive disproportionately more 5 star reviews, and the sauna is frequently mentioned as a highlight in guest feedback. This creates a compounding effect: better reviews lead to higher search ranking, which leads to more bookings, which leads to more reviews.

For glamping operators specifically, a sauna is a powerful differentiator. While many glamping sites now offer hot tubs, very few offer saunas, and even fewer offer hybrid saunas. This is your opportunity to stand out in a market where hot tubs have become expected rather than exceptional.

Practical Considerations for Operators

Insurance: Inform your property insurer that you have added a sauna. Most policies cover outdoor garden buildings without additional premium, but it is best to confirm in writing.

Guest instructions: We can provide a printable guest guide for the sauna covering safe use, operating instructions for both heating modes, and hygiene guidelines. Contact us at support@nuovoluxury.co.uk.

Electrical supply: Ensure the electrical installation is completed by a qualified electrician with a signed off certificate. This is required for insurance purposes and guest safety.

Listing optimisation: Add "outdoor sauna" or "hybrid sauna" to your property listing title and amenities filter. Include photos of the sauna in your first 5 listing images. Properties with sauna photos in the thumbnail set get significantly higher click through rates.