Why Are More Hotels Adding Infrared Saunas to Their Spa—and Is It Really Worth It?

Many hotel spas struggle to attract repeat guests. Wellness demand keeps rising, but old spa features feel the same. Infrared saunas¹ are now seen as a possible answer.

Infrared saunas are being added to hotel spas because they improve guest comfort, lower energy use, and support modern wellness trends². Hotels see better reviews, stronger differentiation, and clearer return on investment.

I have seen many hotels hesitate at first. But once guests experience infrared heat, interest grows fast. This keeps people reading, asking, and booking again.

Why Are Infrared Saunas Becoming a Must-Have Feature in Modern Hotel Spas?

Hotel spas face pressure to upgrade fast. Guests now compare spa menus online before booking rooms. Old facilities no longer feel special.

Infrared saunas offer gentle heat, fast warm-up, and a modern wellness image³. These features match what today’s hotel guests expect from premium spa spaces.

For hotels, resorts, and spa developers planning to include sauna facilities as part of their wellness offerings, working with a reliable professional sauna supplier ensures that the infrared sauna systems are designed and built for frequent use, optimized for guest comfort, and tailored to project requirements.

How wellness trends push spa upgrades

I often speak with spa managers who say the same thing. Guests ask about recovery, stress relief, and sleep. They do not ask about sauna temperature anymore. They ask about benefits.

Infrared saunas⁴ fit well into this shift. The heat goes deeper at lower air temperatures. Guests feel relaxed, not exhausted. This matters for travelers who want comfort, not endurance.

Why hotels prefer flexible wellness equipment⁵

Hotels also need equipment that works for many guests. Infrared saunas can be used by beginners, older guests, and people with limited heat tolerance. This lowers complaints and staff intervention.

Feature	Infrared Sauna6	Traditional Sauna
Warm-up time	10–15 minutes	30–45 minutes
Operating temperature	45–60°C	80–100°C
Guest comfort	High	Medium
Staff supervision	Low	Medium

From a supplier view at Holie, this flexibility reduces after-sales issues. Hotels prefer stable products that guests enjoy without extra explanation.

What Do Today’s Hotel Guests Expect From a Wellness Spa Experience?

Guest expectations changed fast after global travel restarted. Wellness is no longer a luxury add-on. It is part of the room decision.

Modern hotel guests expect clean design, clear health benefits, and easy-to-use spa facilities⁷ that fit into short stays.

Short stays change spa behavior

Many guests only stay one or two nights. They want quick wellness sessions⁸. Infrared saunas allow short use without long preparation.

I remember one resort client telling me guests skipped steam rooms because of humidity and waiting time. After adding infrared units, usage doubled within weeks.

Privacy and personal comfort matter

Guests also care about privacy⁹. Smaller infrared cabins¹⁰ work well for private or semi-private spa zones. This fits boutique hotels and luxury resorts.

Guest expectation	Infrared Sauna response
Quick relaxation	Fast heat-up
Gentle experience	Lower air temperature
Privacy	Compact cabin options
Clean feeling	Dry heat

These details affect reviews. Reviews affect bookings. That connection is now very direct.

Are Infrared Saunas More Appealing Than Traditional Steam Rooms or Saunas?

This question comes up in almost every project meeting. Hotels rarely remove steam rooms. But they often add infrared saunas beside them.

Infrared saunas appeal to guests who dislike humidity or extreme heat, while still delivering visible wellness benefits¹¹.

Guest preference differences

Steam rooms feel heavy for some guests. Traditional saunas feel too hot for others. Infrared sits in between.

Guests who try infrared often say they can stay longer. Longer stays mean stronger relaxation and higher satisfaction.

Operational comparison

From an operator view, infrared saunas are easier to manage. There is no steam generator, no constant moisture, and fewer corrosion issues.

Aspect	Infrared Sauna	Steam Room
Moisture	None	High
Maintenance	Low	High
Energy load	Lower	Higher
Guest complaints12	Fewer	More

This is why many hotels now treat infrared as a safe upgrade path.

How Does an Infrared Sauna Improve Guest Satisfaction and Online Reviews?

Guest reviews are now public sales tools. A few strong wellness reviews can change booking rates.

Infrared saunas¹³ often appear in positive reviews¹⁴ because guests feel clear benefits without discomfort.

Comfort leads to positive language

Guests describe experiences with words like “relaxing,” “gentle,” and “easy.” These words attract new guests who fear extreme heat.

I have seen reviews mention infrared saunas¹⁵ even when they were not highlighted in marketing. This means guests remember them.

Reduced negative feedback

Hotels also see fewer complaints. Dry heat¹⁶ reduces dizziness, humidity discomfort, and cleaning smells.

Review factor	Impact
Comfort	Higher ratings
Ease of use	Fewer complaints
Clean feeling	Better trust
Uniqueness	More mentions

This directly affects OTA rankings and repeat bookings.

Can Infrared Saunas Help Hotels Stand Out in a Competitive Wellness Market?

Competition in wellness hotels is intense. Many spas look similar online.

Infrared saunas help hotels create a modern wellness image¹⁷ without major renovation.

Visual differentiation

Infrared cabins¹⁸ have clean lines and warm lighting. They photograph well. This matters for websites and booking platforms.

Hotels can position infrared as a recovery or detox feature¹⁹. This works well for resorts, city hotels, and business hotels.

Marketing flexibility

Infrared saunas fit many wellness themes. They support recovery, relaxation, and stress care. This gives marketing teams²⁰ more story options.

Market type	Infrared positioning
Resort	Deep relaxation
Business hotel	Stress relief
Wellness retreat	Detox support
Boutique hotel	Private experience

This flexibility adds value beyond the hardware.

How Much Does It Cost to Install an Infrared Sauna in a Hotel Spa?

Cost is always a serious question. Hotels need clear numbers.

Infrared sauna installation costs²¹ are usually lower than steam rooms because of simpler construction and lower technical requirements.

Main cost components

Costs depend on size, material, and customization. Power supply is simpler. No water line is needed.

From our projects at Holie, many hotels choose modular cabins²² to control budget.

Cost item	Infrared Sauna
Cabin	Medium
Electrical work	Low
Plumbing	None
Ventilation	Simple

This makes budgeting easier for new or renovated spas.

What Is the ROI of Adding an Infrared Sauna to a Hotel or Resort?

Return on investment²³ matters more than trends.

Infrared saunas generate ROI through higher spa usage, better reviews, and stronger room booking appeal.

Revenue and indirect value

Infrared sessions can be included in spa packages or sold separately. Even when free, they support room pricing.

Hotels also save energy compared to steam rooms. This reduces operating cost.

ROI source	Value
Spa usage	Increased
Energy cost	Reduced
Reviews	Improved
Brand image	Stronger

Many hotels recover costs within one to two years.

Are Infrared Saunas Easy to Maintain for Hotel and Spa Operations?

Maintenance affects daily operations.

Infrared saunas are easy to maintain because they have fewer mechanical parts and no moisture system.

Staff workload

Cleaning is simple. Dry surfaces reduce mold risk. Staff training²⁴ is minimal.

This matters for hotels with high staff turnover.

Maintenance task	Frequency
Surface cleaning	Daily
Heater check	Monthly
Electrical inspection	Annual

This lowers long-term stress for spa managers.

Do Infrared Saunas Consume Less Energy Than Steam Rooms or Traditional Saunas?

Energy cost is a growing concern.

Infrared saunas usually consume less energy²⁵ because they heat the body directly instead of heating air or water.

Energy comparison

Infrared heaters²⁶ work efficiently at lower temperatures. Steam generators²⁷ require constant power.

Sauna type	Energy use
Infrared	Low
Traditional	Medium
Steam room	High

This supports sustainability goals and cost control.

Which Types of Hotels Benefit Most From Infrared Sauna Installations?

Not every hotel has the same needs.

Infrared saunas benefit hotels that value flexibility, fast guest turnover, and modern wellness branding²⁸.

Best-fit hotel types

Boutique hotels love compact designs. Resorts like guest comfort. Business hotels value fast use.

Hotel type	Benefit level
Boutique	High
Resort	High
Business	Medium
Budget	Selective

Infrared adapts well across segments.

Infrared Sauna vs Steam Room: Which Is Better for Hotel Spas?

This is not a replacement question. It is a balance question.

Infrared saunas offer comfort and efficiency, while steam rooms²⁹ offer tradition and humidity-based relaxation.

Combined strategy

Many hotels install both. This gives guests choice and reduces negative feedback.

Factor	Infrared	Steam
Comfort	High	Medium
Tradition	Low	High
Maintenance	Low	High

Choice often wins.

Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Sauna: What Should Hotel Owners Choose?

Owners must think long-term.

Infrared saunas suit modern guest behavior, while traditional saunas appeal to experienced sauna users.

Decision logic

Hotels with international guests often prefer infrared. Nordic-focused resorts may keep traditional saunas³⁰.

Guest profile	Better option
First-time users	Infrared
Sauna fans	Traditional
Mixed guests	Both

This reduces risk.

Are Infrared Saunas Safe and Compliant for Commercial Hotel Use?

Safety is not optional.

Infrared saunas are safe when built to commercial standards and installed correctly.

Safety features

Modern infrared saunas include temperature limits, timers, and certified heaters.

Hotels should work with experienced suppliers. This avoids compliance issues³¹.

Do Hotels Need Special Certifications to Install Infrared Saunas?

Certification depends on market.

Most hotels need standard electrical and safety compliance³², not special spa licenses, for infrared saunas.

Market differences

EU, North America, and UK require CE or equivalent. Local inspection rules apply.

This is where supplier experience matters.

What Should Hotel Owners Consider When Buying an Infrared Sauna for a Spa?

Buying decisions shape long-term results.

Hotel owners should focus on durability, certification, after-sales support³³, and supplier reliability³⁴.

Key buying checklist

Item	Why it matters
Certification	Legal compliance
Materials	Long lifespan
Warranty	Risk control
Packing	Safe delivery

At Holie, we focus on these points because hotel projects allow no mistakes.

Is Custom Branding or Private Label Infrared Sauna³⁵ Important for Hotels?

Brand image matters more now.

Custom branding³⁶ helps hotels align spa equipment with their interior design and brand story.

When branding adds value

Luxury hotels often want logo plates or custom wood finishes. This strengthens brand memory.

OEM options also help wellness brands expand product lines.

Is an Infrared Sauna the Right Wellness Investment for Your Hotel Spa in 2025?

The final question is timing.

In 2025, infrared saunas match guest demand, operational efficiency, and wellness branding³⁷ needs for many hotels.

Final thought

Infrared saunas are not a trend alone. They are a response to guest behavior, cost pressure, and competition.

Hotels that act early gain reviews, loyalty, and positioning. Those who wait may follow later at higher cost.

Conclusion

Infrared saunas help hotels improve guest comfort, reduce operating stress, strengthen wellness branding, and achieve better long-term returns when chosen and installed with care.