Soak It In: The Global Bathing Boom Is Here

In a world where we’re all a little tapped out—overworked, overstimulated and endlessly glued to screens—a quieter ritual is making a comeback. One rooted not in trend cycles or tech but in touch: the simple act of immersing yourself in water. As Condé Nast Traveller recently noted, contrast therapy (the rhythmic shift between hot and cold) has become 2025’s defining wellness trend, offering a reset that’s both primal and profoundly modern.

“Bathing in the Americas is really having a moment,” says Emma Darby, the global vice president of spa & wellness at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. “What’s fascinating is how it’s evolving. We used to look to Europe for these traditions but now places like Canada and New York are leading the charge.” She’s right—from coast to coast, thermal bath retreats are bubbling up in every form, from sprawling alpine sanctuaries to intimate urban escapes. The Spanish wellness brand Aire Ancient Baths has doubled down in New York City with a second location—and will bring its signature candlelit soak to Toronto‘s bustling Well area by year’s end.

That shift is embodied in Basin Glacial Waters, the new Fairmont Lake Louise wellness retreat carved into Alberta’s mountainscape. “This isn’t just a spa in a location, it’s a total wellbeing destination,” she adds. “People are outside walking, hiking, plunging in the lake… connecting.” It’s that sense of connection to nature, to others, even to yourself, that’s at the heart of this new era of bathing culture. Beyond its restorative benefits, the ritual is becoming a social experience, a shared pause in a world that rarely slows down.

From Japan’s mineral-rich onsens to Switzerland’s alpine springs, a new wave of thermal sanctuaries is redefining wellness—proof that the path to peace might just be paved in steam and stone.

Canada | Basin Glacial Waters | Lake Louise

Canada’s Rocky Mountains are already among the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes, and a visit to Alberta’s Lake Louise sits atop many travelers’ bucket lists. Now, there’s a brand new reason to make the trip. Enter Basin Glacial Waters, a just-opened thermal-bathing destination carved into the landscape that surrounds Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. More than 20 years in the making, it reimagines centuries-old bathing rituals through a contemporary alpine filter—think soaring arched windows that frame glaciers like artwork, high ceilings washed in natural light and warm woods that strike the perfect balance between a hush-hush meditative sanctuary and a chic social hub.

The ritual here is intentionally unstructured, but everything flows back to the source: the glacier waters of Lake Louise. Guests are encouraged to wander through a three-hour “trail” of thermotherapy, moving between indoor and outdoor spaces and letting the cold, mineral-rich water set the rhythm. That might mean sweating it out
in Finnish, bio and Aufguss saunas, plunging into a cold pool fed directly by glacier melt or dissolving into the stillness of the silent Salt Relaxation Room. Step outside and the environment becomes part of the therapy—an infinity pool that seems to spill into the turquoise lake itself, and a reflexology pool that grounds you against a backdrop of jagged peaks. Even the cold plunge feels different here: when you’re staring straight at the mountains, your body has no choice but to surrender and your mind goes quiet.

After a few rounds in the pools and saunas, you can drift into the Glacier Lounge, where the vibe is less spa café and more chic alpine hideaway. Expect light, nourishing plates alongside herbal tonics and adaptogenic elixirs–or, if the mood calls for it, a glass of champagne. Basin isn’t about rigid practices or prescriptive programs–it’s designed for you to explore at your own pace.

And with access currently limited to overnight hotel guests ($275 per person), the whole experience feels
like stumbling across one of North America’s most exclusive wellness secrets. Reservations for non-hotel guests will be introduced at a later date, with limited availability by advance booking.

HOT TIP: Don’t leave without trying the signature Aufguss Ceremony. In what is part aromatherapy ritual, part performance art, a trained ‘sauna master’ choreographs waves of scented steam into an immersive, theatrical experience you won’t find anywhere else in North America.

Iceland | Sky Lagoon | Reykjavik

In Iceland, your best chance of having a meaningful encounter with a local is in a “hot pot,” where you’re as likely to run into famed singer Björk as the baker who made the knotted kleinur doughnut you ate for breakfast. It’s a sacred place where phones are forsaken, so relax and socialize. Since 2021, one of the most picturesque spots to take a dip is Sky Lagoon ($162 per guest).

Located a stone’s throw from the heart of Reykjavík, the site is an oasis that connects visitors to Iceland’s history and landscape. The building resembles a traditional turf house )—a type of structure made with timber, earth and grass that was first used in the country during the ninth century. Inside, natural materials are a mainstay, from Westfjords driftwood in the saunas to a 2.5-tonne boulder hovering over the cold mist room. At every turn, the design immerses bathers in the Land of Fire and Ice and its powerful clash of sea, sky and rock.

During a day at the lagoon, you can explore the seven-step Skjól Ritual, which includes time in a geothermal infinity pool, a cold plunge, an ocean-view sauna and a steam room. The invigorating final stage involves sipping locally made saft, an elixir that blends Icelandic herbs with antioxidant-rich crowberries. Prefer something a little stronger? Order a crowberry martini at the swim-up bar and enjoy it while you watch the sun set.

On your way out, stop at the gift shop to pick up Sky Lagoon’s signature body scrub. The organic treatment is crafted to evoke the fresh scent of an Atlantic breeze, making it a perfect gift or an indulgent keepsake.

HOT TIP: To round out your restorative experience, settle into an on-site meal at Keimur Café, whose sourdough breads and pastries are made by Sandholt, a fourth-generation bakery in town.

Japan| Amanemu | Ise-Shima

Natural hot springs (onsens)—whose steaming mineral waters bubble up across the volcanic landscape)—have been part of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years. From Yunomine Onsen (a hot-spring village whose Tsubo-yu bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to Ginzan Onsen (situated on a former silver mine), each destination offers a uniquely soothing experience. Visitors typically stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), where communal baths invite deep immersion in local customs.

But for travellers seeking a more refined retreat, high-end hotels with bathing amenities are a splurge-worthy option. Among the most tranquil is Amanemu, a sanctuary in the hills of Ise-Shima whose 2,000-square-meter spa is devoted to the healing powers of mineral bathing and herbal remedies. Guests can while away the hours lounging on daybeds around the thermal spring gardens—a pool fed by a nearby hot spring or unwind in the onsen-style bathing facilities, dry sauna and steam room, all of which are included in your stay. Those craving extra privacy can reserve one of the property’s two secluded onsen pavilions.

You can look forward to uniquely luxurious spa treatments, too. Try the purifying facial, which releases tension through soft-tissue massage and lymphatic drainage while boosting your complexion’s glow with pearl, regenerative copper and marine extracts. Or consider the purifying body polish and mud wrap ritual, which uses locally sourced ingredients such as kaolin clay, sea lavender and seaweed to increase circulation, soften skin and promote collagen production.

If you have a full day to unwind, book Amanemu’s wellness program, which includes a two-and-a-half-hour spa treatment, as well as a movement class and lunch.

HOT TIP: Female free-divers—known as ama (or ‘sea women’)—have collected shellfish and sea urchins from nearby Ago Bay for centuries. Book lunch with an ama via Amanemu and get a glimpse into her life.

Switzerland Badrutt’s Palace, St. Moritz

Where there are hot springs, people will gather. Such is the case with the Mauritius waters in Switzerland’s Engadine Valley
– home to the resort town of St. Moritz. Since the Bronze Age, the iron-rich spring has been a source of renewal, with people travelling from far and wide to “take the waters.” The ancient tradition laid the foundation for St. Moritz’s dual identity—not only as a world-class ski destination but also as a wellness mecca, where practically every hotel of note features a spa with multiple pools.

One of the most iconic is Badrutt’s Palace. Dating back to 1896, it has played host to famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock and Marlene Dietrich. The hotel resembles something out of a holiday movie—a towering castle with alpine lodge charm set against a mountain backdrop. Inside, a regal atmosphere awaits: high ceilings, carved woodwork and sparkling chandeliers.

On the lowest level rests a spa and its pools. Whether you prefer to soak indoors or breathe crisp mountain air during a heated outdoor plunge, you’ll look out on picturesque snow-capped peaks.

For anyone who’s weathered the cold and wind, the Regenerating Vernix Facial is a must. It’s powered by high-performance French skin-care brand Biologique Recherche and designed to soothe and restore the skin barrier after long days on the slopes. The spa’s two treatment rooms have Jacuzzis and saunas—the perfect addition to a luxe pampering session.

Badrutt’s also runs some of the region’s top eateries, including Chesa Veglia, a farmhouse built in 1658 that’s home to multiple concepts, such as a rustic pizzeria and an intimate fondue resto. Plus, if you love to dance, you can let loose at King’s Social House, known as Switzerland’s oldest nightclub.

HOT TIP: Forget Uber—get whisked from the train station to the hotel in Badrutt’s Palace’s vintage Rolls-Royce, which once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.