5 Reasons to Add an Infrared Sauna to Your Hotel Spa

Enhancing your hotel spa with an infrared sauna isn’t just a luxury trend – it’s a strategic business decision. Adding an infrared sauna to your hotel spa boosts guest satisfaction, supports wellness tourism, and opens new revenue streams. It’s a cost-effective, low-maintenance upgrade that differentiates your property from competitors while offering guests science-backed health benefits.

When guests feel better, they enjoy their stay more and recommend it to their friends. Read on to see why it’s worth the investment.

 

Hotel Sauna FAQs

 

Before getting started, here are answers to a few common questions that hotel owners often ask when considering this upgrade:

 

What makes infrared saunas different from traditional saunas?

Infrared saunas use radiant heat at lower temperatures, penetrating deeper into the skin without making the room unbearably hot. This makes them more comfortable and accessible to a broader range of guests.

 

Can a hotel charge non-guests for sauna use?

Yes. Many hotels generate additional income by offering day passes or spa memberships that include access to wellness amenities like the sauna. This opens up revenue streams beyond overnight stays.

 

Is it hard to maintain an infrared sauna in a hotel?

No. Infrared saunas require minimal upkeep compared to many spa services. Their simple design and durable materials make them easy to clean and operate with little additional staffing.

 

 

Benefits of Hotel Spas with Infrared Saunas

 

Deliver an Elevated Guest Experience

Today’s hotel guests are seeking more than just a place to sleep – they want experiences that promote wellness, relaxation, and rejuvenation. An infrared sauna fits seamlessly into this demand by offering a soothing, health-forward service that helps guests unwind after travel, reduce stress, and feel recharged during their stay.

Unlike traditional saunas, infrared saunas use radiant heat to penetrate the skin more deeply at a lower ambient temperature. This makes the experience more comfortable and accessible for a wider range of guests. Health benefits such as improved circulation, muscle recovery, and skin rejuvenation appeal to a health-conscious audience. Guests may try it once out of curiosity, but they often return because of how good they feel afterward.

 

Create a Distinctive Amenity That Sets You Apart

Differentiation is key in a crowded hospitality market. Offering an infrared sauna gives your property a unique edge, especially if competing hotels don’t offer the same wellness features. While many hotels provide basic spas or fitness rooms, fewer take the next step to integrate specialized wellness technologies.

Adding an infrared sauna signals that your hotel prioritizes guest health and luxury and understands what it means to be on the cutting edge of wellness tech. For boutique hotels or upscale properties, it can become a signature amenity highlighted in your marketing, photos, and guest reviews. Travelers increasingly seek hotels with wellness features, especially those booking through health and wellness-focused platforms. Adding an infrared sauna – especially a Clearlight infrared sauna, used and trusted by doctors, athletes and celebrities – gives you a strong selling point in those spaces.

 

Increase Revenue With New Service Streams

Infrared saunas can create new income opportunities for your spa beyond your existing offerings. You can integrate them into premium wellness packages, offer hourly sessions to non-guests, or bundle them with massages, fitness training recovery, or skincare services. Depending on your pricing structure, one sauna session can generate significant revenue while requiring minimal overhead.

Many hotels also offer day passes or allow local residents to access their spa facilities. An infrared sauna provides a strong incentive for locals to visit your property, spend time in your spa, and potentially book other treatments or meals. This taps into an entirely new revenue stream beyond your overnight guests.

With minimal staffing and maintenance, infrared saunas are relatively low-effort to operate compared to high-touch spa services. That efficiency makes them a smart addition for hotels looking to grow wellness revenue.

 

 

Boost Guest Satisfaction and Loyalty

A hotel stay becomes memorable when guests feel genuinely cared for. Wellness offerings like infrared sauna sessions increase that sense of personalized attention. Guests who take advantage of these amenities often leave better reviews, report higher satisfaction scores, and are more likely to return for another stay.

Many guests may discover infrared saunas for the first time during their hotel stay. When they associate that positive experience with your brand, you become part of their wellness journey. If they see your hotel as a place that helps them relax, heal, and recharge, your property gains emotional value that builds guest loyalty.

Additionally, enhanced amenities contribute to higher room rates. Guests are often willing to pay a premium for a hotel that offers unique health and wellness perks.

 

Position Your Hotel as a Luxury Wellness Destination

Today’s travelers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are placing increasing importance on health-conscious travel. Wellness tourism is booming, and properties that cater to this trend are seeing higher occupancy rates and stronger reputations.

Adding an infrared sauna is a tangible way to level up your hotel’s wellness offerings. Pair it with other wellness solutions – such as halotherapy (salt therapy) devices, red light therapy panels, vibrational resonance therapy, aromatherapy diffusers, or PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) mats – and you can build a full-spectrum wellness space. These features are not just trends; they align with long-term guest desires for holistic experiences.

By investing in wellness infrastructure, your hotel can attract retreat groups, wellness influencers, and travel publications focused on health-forward stays. It also allows you to market to business travelers seeking recovery tools after long flights or meetings.

 

 

Choosing the Right Infrared Sauna for Your Hotel

 

When selecting an infrared sauna for your property, it’s important to think beyond aesthetics. Consider the following factors:

• Indoor vs. Outdoor: Indoor saunas are ideal for spa integration or in-suite luxury, while outdoor saunas create an experience-rich amenity that complements pools or private garden spaces.
• Standard vs. Custom: A standard unit can fit neatly into existing spaces, while custom-built saunas may better reflect your property’s branding and accommodate specific size requirements.
• Capacity: Two-person saunas are perfect for couples, while four-to-six person units work well in common spa areas. Consider using a portable sauna dome for offering in-room treatments. 

Think about how the sauna will fit into your broader guest flow. Will it be part of the spa journey, an add-on service, or an exclusive suite amenity? Choose models that match your property’s size, design, and guest expectations.

Maintenance is minimal, but you’ll want to ensure proper ventilation and easy-to-clean interiors. Look for durable wood and intuitive control panels for both staff and guest convenience.

 

Hotels With Infrared Saunas Make Smart Business Sense

 

Adding an infrared sauna isn’t just about creating a luxurious experience – it’s about building long-term value into your hotel. From increasing guest satisfaction and loyalty to opening up new revenue streams and setting your property apart in a competitive market, this wellness upgrade is a strategic move.

By positioning your hotel as a wellness-forward destination, you not only improve the guest experience but also grow your brand reputation, attract a new type of traveler, and strengthen your business resilience. Ready to upgrade your spa offerings? An infrared sauna could be the centerpiece of a wellness experience your guests will rave about – and return for. Reach out to our commercial Wellness Innovations team at Clearlight to start heating up your business!