What makes this different
Most “saunas” in Austin are wellness add-ons at gyms or spa rooms with an electric box. Thermae is a dedicated Finnish sauna house: two stoves, real cedar benches, no music, no scented oils, no nonsense.
The smoke sauna specifically
The wood-fired smoke sauna runs Tue/Thu/Sat (it’s a 6-hour heat-up). The smoke is vented before guests enter — you don’t sit in smoke — but the residual aroma and the soft heat are noticeably different from electric. The first time most people try it, they prefer it.
Plan to spend 90 minutes minimum. The format is 3 rounds of 15–20 min sauna with cold plunge or outdoor cooling between.
The protocol Tiina recommends
- Quick rinse (showers in the entry)
- 15 minutes in the warm electric sauna (acclimatize)
- Cold plunge — 60 seconds, longer if you can
- Outdoor courtyard, 5 minutes (the air is the recovery)
- 20 minutes in the smoke sauna (the main event)
- Cold plunge again
- Courtyard final rest
Total: 90 minutes. You can do shorter rounds if you’re new.
Pricing
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Single 90-min slot | $40 | One visit, both saunas, plunge |
| Three-pack | $108 | $36/visit, valid 3 months |
| Membership | $185/mo | Unlimited, including smoke days |
| Private booking | $300 | Whole space, 2 hours, up to 6 people |
The 3-pack is the right place to start if you’re trialing. Membership only pays off at 6+ visits/month — high if you’re not actively integrating sauna into your routine.
Practical notes
- Bathing suits required (mixed-gender setup)
- Towels provided
- No phones in the saunas (water + heat damage)
- Cash tips appreciated for staff who clean between visits
- Parking is street — East Austin gets busy on weekends