Holiday home with sauna in Belgium: private sauna for complete relaxation
A holiday home with a private sauna takes a weekend away to a different level. No queues, no swimming caps, no strangers sitting next to you on the bench. After a long day of hiking or cycling, you simply step into your own sauna whenever you feel like it. Belgium has plenty of beautiful holiday homes with a private sauna, spread across the Ardennes, the Kempen and other green regions.
For a holiday home with a private sauna in Belgium, the Ardennes and the Kempen offer the best choice. Prices start from around 120 euros per night for 2 to 4 people. Infrared saunas are more common in smaller homes, Finnish saunas in larger ones.
Private sauna vs. wellness hotel: why choose a holiday home?
A wellness hotel undeniably has its appeal, but a holiday home with a private sauna offers something a hotel cannot: total freedom. You decide when you go in, how long you stay, and who comes with you. No dress code, no receptionist granting access, no other guests dictating your experience.
For couples this is particularly appealing. You can plan a romantic evening entirely to your own taste: sauna, a good meal, a glass of wine, and nobody to disturb you. For small groups of friends it is equally ideal: you share the sauna with each other and nobody else.
There is also the price factor. A wellness weekend in a hotel for two people easily costs 400 to 600 euros per night. A holiday home with a private sauna can be booked for 120 to 250 euros per night, depending on size and region. Add the freedom to that, and the choice becomes obvious.
Infrared or Finnish sauna: what is the difference?
The two most common sauna types in Belgian holiday homes are the infrared sauna and the traditional Finnish sauna. They work differently and feel different.
An infrared sauna uses infrared radiation to heat your body directly, without heating the air. The temperature is lower (40 to 60 degrees) but you still sweat significantly. Infrared saunas are more compact and cheaper to install, which is why you find them more often in smaller holiday homes for 2 to 4 people.
A Finnish sauna works with heated stones onto which water is poured to create steam (löyly). The temperature is higher (70 to 100 degrees) and the humidity varies. This gives a more intense feeling of heat and is the most traditional sauna type. Finnish saunas are more common in larger holiday homes for 4 to 8 people.
Which is better? That depends on your preferences. Do you struggle with high temperatures or are you not used to saunas? Go for an infrared sauna. Do you want the real, classic sauna experience? Choose a Finnish sauna. Both help with muscle recovery, relaxation and a good night's sleep.
The best regions for a sauna holiday in Belgium
The Ardennes are the most popular region for a holiday home with sauna. The combination of vast forests, walking routes and cosy homes makes it the perfect destination for a relaxing stay. The provinces of Luxembourg and Namur have the largest supply. Towns like La Roche-en-Ardenne, Durbuy and Bouillon are popular bases.
In the Kempen, you will find more holiday homes suited to couples or small groups. The region is quieter than the Ardennes and less touristy. The supply of homes with a sauna is smaller, but prices are lower too. Ideal if you want to avoid the busy Ardennes high season.
Haspengouw and the Flemish Ardennes are less well known but have a growing range of luxury holiday homes with wellness options. Haspengouw is stunning in spring with fruit blossom and combines well with a peaceful sauna stay.
Want something different? A few holiday homes on the Belgian coast also offer a private sauna. That is ideal for a winter stay: beach, bracing sea air, and then into the sauna. The supply is more limited, but the combination is unique.
Combining with a hot tub or jacuzzi
Many holiday homes with a private sauna also offer a hot tub or jacuzzi. The sauna-hot tub combination is a classic: first the heat of the sauna, then cooling off outside, then relaxing in the bubbling water. It is a combination that completely unwinds the body.
When booking, note the difference between an indoor and outdoor hot tub. An outdoor hot tub is spectacular in winter: steam rising from the water while it freezes outside. An indoor hot tub is more practical in the shoulder season. Some homes have both.
Always ask about the hot tub capacity. For two people a small tub for 2 to 4 is fine. For a group of 6 or more you need a larger installation. And ask how the hot tub is maintained: clean water is not a luxury, it is a basic requirement.
What does a holiday home with sauna in Belgium cost?
The price of a holiday home with a private sauna varies widely depending on size, location and extra facilities. As a rough guide: for a home for 2 people with an infrared sauna, expect to pay around 120 to 180 euros per night. For a home for 4 to 6 people with a Finnish sauna and hot tub, you are quickly looking at 200 to 350 euros per night.
In high season (Christmas holidays, carnival, Easter and summer weeks) prices are 20 to 40% higher. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for a sauna holiday: the forests are at their most beautiful, prices are lower and it is less crowded.
Some hosts charge a supplement for sauna use or for pre-heating it. Always check this in the booking conditions. Most homes on our platform include the sauna in the price, but it is always worth confirming.
Practical tips for your sauna holiday
Ask in advance how many people the sauna can hold at once. A compact infrared sauna for 2 people is perfect for a couple but too small for a group of 4. A Finnish sauna for 6 is great for a group of friends.
Bring your own bath towels and a small bucket if you enjoy sauna sessions. Not all hosts provide sauna towels. Always ask in advance. A good host will have this covered, but it is better to be sure.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after the sauna. It sounds obvious, but in a relaxed atmosphere you easily forget. Take a bottle of water into the sauna and have another ready for afterwards.
Wait at least an hour after eating before going into the sauna. Blood goes to the muscles for digestion, which combined with the heat can be hard on the heart. Plan your sauna session before dinner or at least an hour after.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an infrared sauna and a Finnish sauna?
An infrared sauna heats your body directly with infrared radiation at lower temperatures (40-60 degrees). A Finnish sauna uses heated stones and steam at higher temperatures (70-100 degrees). Both relax and help with muscle recovery, but the feeling is different.
Is a holiday home with a private sauna expensive?
Not really. For a couple, prices start from 120 euros per night. Compared to a wellness hotel that easily costs 400 euros or more per night, a holiday home with a private sauna is considerably more affordable. In the shoulder seasons prices are particularly attractive.
Which regions in Belgium have the most holiday homes with saunas?
The Ardennes have by far the largest supply, particularly in the provinces of Luxembourg and Namur. The Kempen offers a smaller but growing supply. Haspengouw and the Flemish Ardennes are also gaining ground.
Can you combine a sauna and a hot tub in a holiday home?
Yes, this is a popular combination. Many holiday homes with a private sauna also offer a hot tub or jacuzzi. Search specifically for both facilities when booking.