Britain has caught the sauna bug. The British Sauna Society counts public saunas doubling from 45 to 90 in a single year between 2023 and 2024, with more than 200 expected by the end of this year. The Finnish-style ritual — hot room, cool-off, repeat — is being credited with better circulation, deeper sleep and less stress, and it's reshaping how people book weekends away.

The problem with the boom, though, is that most of these new saunas are communal. Great if you like the social buzz; less great if you'd rather sweat in peace. Condé Nast Traveller UK has rounded up 18 Airbnbs across the country that come with a private sauna, so you get the heat session without sharing the bench with strangers.

The picks span the length of Britain and cover different kinds of trips. Couples get The Lodge in Essex, a two-person escape with the sauna to yourselves. Families are pointed towards Horsepool Cottage in Kentisbury, Devon, which pairs a proper cottage with an outdoor heat session after a day on Exmoor. Larger groups have Belvedere Retreat near Bristol, and design-minded travellers get The Barn in Leighterton, deep in the Cotswolds. The standout for scenery is Kuro Cabin near Maxworthy in Cornwall — a compact hideaway where you can steam and stare at the view at the same time. The list also nods to quirkier options, including a wooden dome hut in an ancient forest and a fairytale-style cabin for anyone who wants their sauna stay with a dose of whimsy.

All 18 listings were vetted on Superhost status, ratings, amenities, location, guest reviews and decor — so you're not gambling on a random search result. Most are small cabins, cottages or barns rather than big houses, which suits the trend's core appeal: intimacy. You arrive, you light the sauna, you go to bed two metres away. No changing rooms, no timers, no queue.

Why does this matter for a weekend planner? Because it's a cheap upgrade. A private sauna at a rental often costs little more than a standard cabin in the same area, while a hotel spa pass or a public sauna session can run £20-40 per person each time. It also solves the winter problem: from November to March, short breaks in the countryside can feel like a lot of mud and rain for your money. A sauna gives the trip a purpose — a warm, deliberate reason to book a cottage in February.

Who is it for? Couples after a low-effort romantic break, families wanting a wet-weather activity built in, and the growing number of cold-plunge fans who want a sauna next to a stream or a trough of icy water. If you're booking, check the sauna details carefully — wood-fired vs electric, whether it's in a separate cabin, and whether towels and robes are included — and book early: the best-rated sauna stays tend to sell out for weekends months ahead.

Roundup via Condé Nast Traveller UK.