Sauna in PDX

The Blockhaus Sauna at Tuwass in Germany


The out door warm soaking pool at Tuwass, Germany (see the snow around it)



The Finish Sauna at Tuwass, Germany

In Germany I love to go to the Sauna. We try to go at least once a week. In the Tuttlingen Sauna there is a Steamsauna with 50 degree C, Sanarium with 60 degrees C, Herbalsauna with 80 degrees C, Finish Sauna with 90 degrees C, and a Kelosauna with 100 degrees C. I personally love the Sanarium with its great light- and aromathreapy, and the Hebalsauna. Ron really likes the Finish, and also the Kelosauna. Then I like to cool off under the shower, jump into the cold soaking pool, and then rest on a reclining chair. Wonderful!!! - Here is a link to the virtual tour of Tuwass. It is of the entire place including the pool area. It will take awhile to load-up but if you have some time, take a look at it...http://www.tuwass.de/0_virtual_tour.htm

Today I really, really felt like going to the Sauna. Good thing we live in PDX as there now also is a private Sauna in SE. It is called Löyly and located on 2713 SE 21st Ave, PDX. They opened for co-ed, women only, and men only times. Co-ed times require mandatory bathing suits. I am used to the German Sauna were it is mandatory to be nude. So that is not so appealing to me. Women/Men only times however are clothing optional. Great! I went today for the very first time. The place is very serene, candles are everywhere, the scent in the air is heavenly, and there is - very quietly - music playing in the background. The cost is $15 for an hour, or $25 for three hours. For the $25 you will get two towels, and a robe. If you choose to go for an hour only pay an extra $3 for use of a robe. There are two sauna's. One is - I am guessing - around 80 degrees Fahrenheit or so, the other is a steam sauna. They are both small but nice.


I did miss that there is not a time in the Sauna (in Germany they are "sandtimers") so it is hard to keep track of the time spent in there. To cool off there is a cold water shower in between the two sauna's. It does the job. - There is an area to get a cup of water, or a cup of tea (add $3 - bottomless cup). Now the location is very, very small so they really tried to fit a ton of stuff into the area. But there are no reclining chairs, but there are matts you could put on the floor to lie down, or you can sit on a bench (a wooden bench) and put your feet up on the table in front of you (that's what I did)...This is my only gripe about Löyly that there is no place to actually relax after the actual sauna bath, and to me the relaxation is just part of the whole experience. At least a couple of recliners would be nice...

Another nice thing so is that you can get a massage while there, a nice foot soak, or even a facial.

Give it a try. It is almost like being home...at least its as close as we can get. I certainly will be back Check it out online at http://www.loyly.net/