A bougie new floating sauna just opened near the waterfront
It’s definitely the most picturesque contender to arrive in recent years
The age-old practice of sauna has been around for millennia, but in Toronto, it’s never been trendier. In the past three years, a slew of new saunas have entered the circuit, offering cold plunges and rejuvenating heat for those looking to escape the chaos of the city. This week, a buoyant new contender joins their ranks. Löyly Floating Sauna, located on a barge, has opened its cedar doors, welcoming wellness seekers to heat, cool, rest and repeat in the Toronto Harbour.
The unique sauna experience, which opened December 10 at 275 Queens Quay W., marks the BC company’s first foray into Ontario, after launching Löyly Floating Sauna in Kelowna in December of 2023.
Related: Eight spas with the best hangover cures
Docked across from HTO Park in the Harbourfront, the refined hut-like building contains a glass-paned cedar sauna offering panoramic views of both the lake and the city skyline. Outside, guests can access cold showers and relax in the outdoor rest area, though the plunge pool has yet to open. And anyone prone to seasickness can rest easy—the vessel is moored to the dock, so you won’t get nauseous while trying to achieve zen.
According to co-founders Jess and Nick Rastas, a marine-based sauna has multiple benefits that place it above anything on land. “The water creates a natural buffer from the city, so you feel supported by the environment without feeling boxed in. In Toronto, you can even see the streetcars moving along Queens Quay, and even though they’re close, they feel distant, almost like a moving backdrop.”
The name Löyly (pronounced “low-lou”) comes from the Finnish word for the steam that rises from sauna stones when water is poured on them. Nick has Finnish roots, and Jess is part Norwegian, so the couple say that the sauna and cold plunge ritual is woven into their roots.
Billed as “a calm, intentional space built for real downtime,” the Löyly experience is sure to invigorate guests, but it’s also a way to breathe life back into the lakefront during the winter months. “Toronto’s picturesque waterfront is a destination that can be experienced year-round,” says Löyly partner Mat Slaman. “The Waterfront BIA has been clear about the need for more activity here in the winter. This brings people to the shoreline at a time of year when the area is usually quiet and gives them a simple way to enjoy it.”
Related: Geary Avenue’s new spa serves a sauerkraut martini
Bookings are $45 for an open session of up to 10 people or $465 for a 12-person private session. Both are self-guided, but Löyly recommends five to 15 minutes in the sauna, 30 to 120 seconds in the cold plunge or cold showers, and one to three minutes of rest in the lounge. Get ready to feel revitalized—intended benefits include improved circulation, mental clarity and elevated mood.
Teagan Sliz covers Ontario real estate for Toronto Life and Storeys. She also writes for Cottage Life and has reported on everything from hidden-gem restaurants to Canadian wildlife and forest fires. She graduated from Queen’s University with a bachelor’s in history and art history and from Centennial College, where she studied Canadian publishing.
