Finnmark Sauna, a leading sauna specialist, has won Best Sauna Design at the 2026 UK Sauna Summit for SAUNA HOUSE in Boscombe. The company presents the project as an example of how commercial wellness design is evolving, with accessibility, durability, and guest experience as much as aesthetics.
The UK's largest beachfront sauna
Opened in May 2026, SAUNA HOUSE is the flagship venue for The Saltwater Sauna, overlooking Boscombe Beach, and is described as the UK's largest beachfront sauna. It accommodates up to 35 guests and offers year-round communal sauna rituals and sea plunges, operating in what the release calls one of the UK's most demanding coastal environments.
Design: Rather than starting with the building, Finnmark Sauna began with the landscape. Every design decision - the proportions of the room, the bench layout, the balance of natural and artificial light - was made to frame uninterrupted views across Boscombe Beach, so the changing coastline becomes part of the experience itself rather than just a backdrop.
Durability and operations: For commercial operators, longevity is just as important as appearance. Constant exposure to heat, humidity, and salt air presents significant maintenance challenges, particularly in beachfront locations. Finnmark Sauna addressed this through carefully selected materials and construction methods designed to withstand intensive daily use while preserving the space's character over time.
Accessibility: This was part of the brief from the very beginning. The team integrated them into the original concept, including a discreet, removable bench section that allows wheelchair users to enjoy the sauna comfortably without compromising the overall design.
From capacity to inclusivity: The project demonstrates a broader shift in commercial wellness design, in which operators increasingly expect spaces to balance memorable guest experiences with practical operational performance. Capacity, maintenance, durability, and inclusivity are now considered alongside aesthetics from the earliest design stages.
Sauna House exterior
Since opening on 9 May, SAUNA HOUSE has received consistent five-star reviews, with visitors describing the venue as "a touch of heaven" and "the most authentic Finnish-style sauna experiences" in the UK. It has now also been recognised with the Best Sauna Design award at the 2026 UK Sauna Summit.
Jake Newport, CEO of Finnmark Sauna, said: "This project started with one question: how do you make the sea part of the sauna experience? Once we'd answered that, every other design decision became much clearer. The benches, lighting, and proportions of the room were all designed to draw people towards the coastline, while behind the scenes, we were solving the practical challenges of creating a commercial sauna that could withstand a beachfront environment and perform every day.
"Winning Best Sauna Design is particularly rewarding because it recognises more than the finished look. It reflects the thinking behind the project, creating a space that's beautiful, commercially practical and genuinely accessible from day one. That's what we believe great commercial sauna design should deliver."
Developed in collaboration with The Saltwater Sauna, architects and the wider project team, SAUNA HOUSE offers a blueprint for the growing number of hospitality, leisure and wellness operators investing in premium communal sauna experiences. Finnmark Sauna also presents the project in a detailed case study on the Boscombe Beach Sauna, outlining the design choices behind the award-winning installation.
For Finnmark Sauna, the Boscombe project demonstrates that commercial sauna design is no longer just about creating a beautiful space, but creating one that continues to perform for operators and guests long after opening day.
