Frequently Asked Questions

Start with a short heat exposure, often around 10 to 15 minutes, then step out to cool down. Rest, hydrate, and repeat if you want to. In a 50 mins session most people do 2 to 3 rounds, but there is no fixed requirement. Listen to your body and leave sooner if needed.

Sauna bathing can support:

● circulation and blood flow

● relaxation and stress reduction

● muscle recovery and reduced soreness

● improved mood and sleep

● general feelings of wellbeing

Cold exposure is optional and should be approached gradually. Beginners often start with 10 to 60 seconds. With more experience, some people build towards 2 to 3 minutes depending on the temperature and how they feel.

Focus on calm breathing and step out if you feel unwell or overwhelmed. Cold exposure can help with:

● recovery and inflammation

● alertness and focus

● mood and resilience

● adaptation to stress

A common contrast approach is:

● 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna

● followed by 30 to 60 seconds of cold

● repeated for 2 to 3 rounds

Move slowly between temperatures and always prioritise how your body feels. Each session can be different. Just because you were able to enjoy 15 mins in the sauna alternated with 1 min in the cold plunge last time you visited, your body may need something different this time.

Please aim to arrive 10-15 mins before the start of your session. This will allow you enough time to check in, and get ready to start your session.

Dont worry if you arrive late, you can still join the session. Unfortunately youre time in the sauna and plunge area cannot be extended, so the only downside of late arrival will be reduces time in the sauna and cold plunges.

On arrival, guests will be asked to remove outdoor shoes and check in with staff at the entrance or reception desk.

Any guests who have not yet signed a waiver will need to first sign this before joining their session.

Your host will be on hand to explain how the session works, point out the facilities, and answer any questions you might have.

Most sessions involve moving between heat of the saunas and the cold plunges. For the 50 min session for example, most people will complete 2 to 3 rounds, but there is no fixed rule.

You should go at your own pace, rest between rounds, hydrate, and choose whether to use the cold plunge at all.

Sauna temperatures commonly range from around 70°C to 95°C depending on the sauna and session type. Cold plunges may vary slightly in temperature, we aim to maintain two of the four plunges at around 8-10°C and two plunges at 4-6°C.

No. Cold plunge is optional. You are welcome to use only the sauna if that is what feels right for you. There are cold showers which can be used as an opportunity to cool down between sauna sessions, or simply take a moment outside the saunas to rest and rehydrate before returning.

Guests are advised to bring:

● swimwear

● two towels, one to sit on in the sauna and one to dry off

● flip-flops, sliders or sensible slip-on footwear (no outside shows are allowed past reception)

● a water bottle

● a bag for wet clothes/towels

● warm clothes for afterwards

● a padlock for your locker

Swimwear is required. Full or semi nudity is not allowed in our shared sessions unless otherwise specified.

You can book through the website.

You will need to purchase a credit before booking. Credits may be bought as one-off purchases or are included within a monthly membership. Full payment is required in advance to secure a booking.

On the website, go to the home page and select the booking link to view the timetable, then choose your preferred date and session. Go to the calendar, select a date and session.

Once booked, you should receive a confirmation email with your booking details and important session information. If you do not receive this, check your junk or spam folder first and confirm that your email address was entered correctly.

Yes, you can book for yourself and one other person for a session at a time. The person you are booking for will also need an account before you can book for them. This is because each guest will need to complete their own waiver or have their details provided in advance for health and safety reasons. The guest you book for will also get an email confirmation of the booking.

You will need to have the full credit on your account to cover both bookings.

Please always be mindful that shared sauna spaces are intended to feel welcoming to solo guests and small groups. Group conversations should not dominate the atmosphere or make the space feel exclusive to others.

As sessions need to be paid for in advance with credits, please make sure to check availability online and book into the session you wish to attend before travelling.

If a session is full, you will be able to join the waitlist through the usual booking process. You must already have the credit value of the session available in your account to join the waitlist, but the credit will not be deducted/held from your account until your booking is confirmed.

If a place becomes available, you will be notified by email. Waitlist spaces will be offered on a first come, first served basis, the first person to accept the offer will confirm the slot and the credits will automatically be deducted from your account.

● 50 mins

● 75 mins (1hr 15 mins)

● 105 mins (1hr 45 mins)

This includes access to sauna and cold plunge for the full length of the session. Guests are free to move between hot, cold and rest areas at their own pace.

Guests will be asked to leave promptly at the end of their allotted session to make sure the facilities are ready for the next booking.

You can view your upcoming sessions, memberships, credits, gift cards and account details by signing into your account on the website.

We will also send you an email confirmation once you have successfully booked a session

Yes, bookings can be cancelled or rescheduled online through your account, provided this is done before at least 12 hours prior to the session start time.

If cancelled within the permitted notice period, the credits will be returned to your account for any future bookings.

Late cancellations are usually not eligible for a refund or reschedule.

We offer three different tiers of membership. Memberships are monthly recurring plans that include a set number of credits per month. Those credits can be used for selected core session types, with discounted pricing available on additional bookings or special events.

Membership credits are valid for selected session types and do not roll over into the next month.

Not always. Membership credits can be used for all standard sessions. Special events, workshops or guided sessions may require a separate ticket, although a membership discount may still apply at checkout.

Membership credits are for the named member only. However, members may use their discount to purchase additional tickets for a friend or guest.

Memberships can be purchased through the website.

Yes, rolling memberships can be cancelled at any time, however, please give at least three days’ notice before your renewal date to make sure it can be actioned before the next payment. Cancellation is handled by email: hello@southlondonsaunas.com

Membership credits will not roll over into the next month, but any individual purchased credits will be redeemable for a year before they expire.

To help create a good experience for everyone:

● always sit on a towel in the sauna

● keep sauna rounds moderate, especially if you are new

● ask others before adding water to the rocks

● add only one ladle of water at a time

● Always shower before entering a plunge pool

● keep noise levels low

● do not comment on other people’s bodies or appearance

● respect others’ privacy and personal space

● follow staff instructions

We aim to balance both. Some saunas or areas are intended to be quiet or listening-focused, while others are more social and relaxed. Guests should be aware of the tone of each area and be considerate of others.

Light conversation is welcome in social areas, but voices should be kept low and respectful. Quiet or listening saunas should be treated as silent spaces.

No. Guests are asked not to bring their own oils or fragrances, these can create allergy risks, damage equipment, make floors slippery, or present a fire risk. If essential oils are used, this will be done by trained staff during guided rituals or facilitated sessions.

Yes. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted before or during sauna and cold plunge use. We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone who appears intoxicated.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed within the sauna, lounge, changing or indoor spaces.

Our sauna operates a respectful community policy. Guests are expected to:

● respect all identities and backgrounds

● harassment, staring, inappropriate comments or unwanted contact are not tolerated

● practise consent in all interactions

● help maintain an atmosphere that feels safe, welcoming and inclusive

Please speak to staff about anything that is making you or others uncomfortable

Anyone who does not uphold these expectations may be asked to leave.

● two saunas

● Four cold lunges, two are maintained at 4-6degrees, and two maintained at 8-10 degrees

● 2x cold showers in the sauna and cold plunge area

● 6x private hot showers available to use after your session before you leave

● 10x private changing rooms

● 2x toilets

● lockers or hooks for belongings

Yes, showers are available before and after your session.

We have:

● 2x cold showers in the sauna and cold plunge area

● 6x private hot showers available to use before/after your session

Lockers are provided for you to store your belongings whilst you take part in your sauna and cold plunge session, please bring your own padlock.

As no outdoor shoes are allowed past reception, you will be able to store your shoes on the shoe racks in reception before entering the sauna and cold plunge area.

*Guests should avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, all items are left at the owner’s risk.

Currently we do not offer any towel hire. Guests are required to bring two towels:

● one towel to sit on in the sauna

● one towel to dry off with

We currently do not sell food and drink, but have plans to offer hot and cold drinks and some light snacks in the near future. We please ask that no outside food or drink is taken into the sauna and cold plunge area, other than your reusable water bottle.

There is no car parking available for customers at the venue. The nearest public car parking is in battersea park.

Guests are not permitted to bring and store their bikes inside the venue. There is limited bicycle parking at the front of the sauna, the closest bike racks are on Prince of Wales Dr outside the Tesco express. Please make sure to lock and secure all personal bikes. They are left at the owner’s risk.

You can find us on Google maps by searching Hotdrop, or or the full address:

Arch 66, Queens Circus, Nine elms, London SW8 4NE.

Phone use is discouraged to maintain a calm, present atmosphere. We ask our guests not to bring phones into the sauna and cold plunge area at all.

Personal photography may be allowed in some areas, but only with the consent of everyone visible. Photography and filming are not allowed in private changing rooms, toilets, or showers.

Yes, all our sessions are strictly 18+ due to licensing and insurance requirements.

Yes. Beginners are welcome, but are always encouraged to should start slowly, stay hydrated and listen to their body. There is no pressure to use the cold plunge.

If you are pregnant, injured, have a heart condition, circulatory issue, respiratory illness, seizures, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, migraine, infectious illness, skin condition, or any medical concern that may be affected by heat or cold exposure, you should consult a GP or healthcare professional before attending.

Yes. Do not attend if you have a fever, cold, flu, infectious illness or any contagious condition.

If you feel dizzy, faint, distressed, or unwell at any point, leave the sauna or plunge immediately and rest whilst asking someone to tell a member of staff.

It is generally recommended that you do not wear glasses or contact lenses in the sauna, as heat may damage them.

Guests are advised:

● not to eat a heavy meal shortly before a session

● not to consume alcohol before sauna use

● Not to consume caffeine immediately before/after sauna use

● to be cautious if taking medication that may affect heat tolerance, blood pressure, awareness or perspiration

If you leave something behind, the fastest option is usually to return to the venue and ask staff onsite.

We will often donate unclaimed items after a set period, with shorter periods for low-value items and longer retention for valuables.