It's the question that comes up most on arrival: sauna first, or hammam? Both warm you up, both help you unwind — but the experience is nothing alike. Here's what you need to choose properly.
The sauna: dry heat
A sauna runs hot with very little humidity. The heat wraps around you, sweating starts quickly and unmistakably, and muscles release deeply. It's the more intense of the two — the one you appreciate after a heavy week or a workout.
You rarely stay long in one go: a few minutes is plenty, followed by a shower and a proper rest. The benefit comes from the alternation, not from endurance.
The hammam: steam
The hammam does the opposite: a gentler temperature, but humidity close to saturation. Steam envelops you, breathing opens up, skin rehydrates. The sensation is softer and less biting — many find it easier to handle when discovering the spa.
It's also the best companion for evenings when slowing down is the whole point: you settle in, talk quietly, and time stretches out.
So which one?
- You want to release muscle tension — the sauna, without question.
- You're looking to breathe and let go — the hammam.
- You're new to the spa — start with the hammam, it's more gradual.
- You have time — do both. That's the whole point of a private space.
In practice, the best answer is rarely one or the other. Alternating hot / cold / rest two or three times over an evening does far more than one long session in a single cabin.
Where to find them here
The sauna is in all three of our spaces. The hammam is in RiverStar — with eucalyptus — and in RiverWood, in a more spacious version.
RiverOne takes a different route: no hammam, but a pool heated to 30 °C and a jacuzzi at 38 °C, in the most intimate of our settings. If water appeals to you more than steam, that's where to look.
A few pointers
Hydrate between sessions, never push the duration, and give your body time to come back down before going again. If you are pregnant or have high blood pressure or a heart condition, check with your doctor before booking.
