Love Local with The List: Hot Haus

With a career in the health and fitness industry and a passion for sea swimming, bringing a bespoke sauna to Guernsey’s shores seemed like a natural fit for Kirstie, founder of Hot Haus, Guernsey's new sauna by the sea. Wellbeing has always been a big part of her life, and she immersed herself in research, exploring the health benefits of saunas and cold plunge. 

Located on the coast by The Bathing Pools and creating heat by burning kiln dried hard wood like beech which compliments the traditional Finnish stove, the experience is as authentic as it comes. But it wasn't an easy process - it took two and a half hours to crane the sauna into place and Kirstie had to look away!

Read Kirstie’s story here.

 

 

'I started sea swimming in 2016, which had a massive positive impact on my health and wellbeing. Now I’m addicted to the ocean, it’s my happy place.'

 

How It All Began.

I moved to Guernsey in 2012 with my family. We relocated because of my husband's job and it was tough at the time, uprooting our young family. I was born and raised in Hertfordshire, and with the rest of my family remaining in Hertfordshire I initially found it super hard. Now, 13 years on, I don’t think I could live anywhere else. I’m addicted to the sea.

Health and wellbeing has always been a big part of my life. I used to work in the health and fitness industry in the UK. Once I had moved to Guernsey, I was introduced to sea swimming in 2016, which had a massive positive impact on my health and wellbeing. I immersed myself in research, exploring the best sauna spots in the UK.

Saunas and cold plunge have huge health benefits which are widely documented, and the idea of combining these two wellness practices - authentic Nordic bathing traditions with invigorating cold water immersion - on Guernsey’s spectacular coastline seemed a natural thing to do, enabling the people of Guernsey and the place I call home to benefit from this on a daily basis… and Hot Haus was born!

 

 

'Craning the sauna into place was unbelievably stressful. It took two and a half hours and I had to look away!'

 

Bringing Hot Haus To Guernsey.

Hot Haus was designed by us, with an authentic Finnish influence in mind, then it was handcrafted in the UK by the Cedar Sauna Company. The sauna has no electricity or running water so we are completely self-sufficient, giving you the most authentic experience you can get. We burn kiln dried hard wood like beech, which compliments the Finnish stove we have installed.

Once all the paperwork was in order, the States were very supportive, but craning the sauna into place was unbelievably stressful. It took two and a half hours and I had to look away!

 

'Hot Haus will be joining with Guernsey Mind to enable some of their clients to join a six week program so they can benefit from regular saunas.'

 

The Health Benefits.

Saunas work as a safe cardiovascular workout where your body temperature will rise by one or two degrees. This gives your mind a huge endorphin dump and has a fantastic impact on your mental state that can last up to 6 weeks.

This in turn can help individuals manage depression and other key factors, which is why Hot Haus will be joining with Guernsey Mind to enable some of their clients to join a six week program so they can benefit from regular saunas - and an optional sea plunge if they want to take a dip.

 

 

'Knowing that our sauna makes people feel relaxed and happy, makes me smile and it’s a job well done.'

 

The Highlights So Far.

The most rewarding part of the Hot Haus journey for me has been receiving messages from clients to say how good they feel, or hearing that their muscle recovery has increased significantly. Some also say that they’ve managed to sleep well for the first time in ages or that their pain has reduced. This type of feedback, as well as knowing that our sauna makes people feel relaxed and happy, makes me smile and it’s a job well done.

We’ve also just added a couple of plunge tubs by the sauna, offering people an alternative cold water therapy experience if they just want a quick dip and the tide is against them or the sea is too rough. They are maintained using water probiotics, keeping them chemical free.

 

Challenges Along The Way.

The most challenging part for me is getting up so early, generally at 5.30am because the stove takes a few hours to reach temperature. The beautiful sunrises make it easier though.

 

 

Celebrating Local Life.

Guernsey is beautiful in the summer. Travel can become tricky in winter months due to the weather, but we love island life and the community we’re building around Hot Haus. Whilst it’s early days, we are increasing our hours and our clientele all the time. The reviews and messages we receive are so appreciated and heartfelt, and it’s very rewarding to know how it’s making a difference to so many local people. This makes us incredibly happy. 

Hot Haus 2? Who knows - watch this space!

 

It Might Surprise You To Know…

From the age of 16, for around five or six years, I modelled in and around London for the likes of the British Eye Council, at wedding exhibitions, promoting gym attire and I was cast in some adverts, even featuring on an Athena poster. 

 

Why The List Loves Hot Haus.

What's not to love? The wellness benefits, the design, the location... the list goes on! Hot Haus hosts islanders from all walks of life, from fitness fanatices to occasional sea swimmers, and all are met with a welcoming smile from Kirstie. The view from inside is incredible, looking out over Havelet to the islands.

And the best is yet to come - we think Hot Haus will really come into its own during the colder months.