Amberwave Sauna, tucked away in the SWG3 Community Garden in Glasgow's Finnieston area, offers a unique blend of sauna, cold water and community that left a first-time visitor feeling relaxed and already planning a return trip.
Having never been particularly experienced with saunas or known much about the rituals behind them, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived. But by the time I left, I was already thinking about when I could go back. My experience at Amberwave was genuinely amazing — the whole session was incredibly relaxing, and I was completely blown away by how calm I felt afterwards.
A traditional German sauna ritual in the heart of the city
Amberwave was founded by Doro Weber-Passmore, Claire Spence and Kate Oldham, with the venue centred around the traditional German sauna ritual of Aufguss. The practice involves water and ice infused with essential oils being poured over hot sauna stones, with the aromatic steam then circulated around the room using traditional towel techniques.
The sauna itself gets extremely hot, but there was something surprisingly calming about being encouraged to simply sit, breathe and take in the experience. The session I attended was led by Claire, who created a really calm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. You could feel the heat building as the session went on, but rather than feeling overwhelming, it became almost meditative.
The cold plunge: from nervousness to calm
And then came the cold plunge — and I'll admit, I was nervous. The water was, obviously, very cold, and the thought of getting into it was what I looked forward to least. But once I was in, something strange happened. After the initial shock, I began to feel incredibly calm. Spending three minutes in the cold water gave me a chance to completely focus on what I was doing, rather than thinking about the chaos of everyday life.
I can now understand why cold water therapy has become so popular, because for those few minutes my brain was completely focused on the present moment. However, it wasn't just the sauna and plunge that made the experience stand out. Amberwave has clearly thought about the little details that make the whole visit feel special. After the cold plunge, herbal tea was waiting for us, while oranges were left out after the hot sauna session to help cool down.
Building community and welcoming newcomers
They might seem like small touches, but they added to the feeling that this wasn't simply an hour spent sitting in a hot room. It was a proper experience. For Claire, creating that sense of community is a huge part of why Amberwave exists. She explained that her own journey into sauna and cold water began at a staff wellbeing event, where she was introduced to cold water dipping.
She told the Record: "I quickly became hooked on the feeling that contrast therapy gave me not just physically, but the sense of calm, clarity and connection that came from stepping away from everyday life and doing something challenging alongside other people." That experience eventually led Claire, Kate and Doro to create Amberwave, with the aim of making sauna and contrast therapy feel welcoming rather than exclusive.
Claire's background is in community education and teaching, having spent 18 years working in a trauma-focused school. She said creating spaces where people feel "welcome, safe and connected" has always been important to her. Since opening in June, she said the response has been even bigger than expected. "Probably just how quickly people have embraced it and how much people are looking for this kind of space," she explained.
"What's really surprised me is how much people value the social side of it. People don't necessarily come just for the sauna. They come to meet friends, make new connections, have a chat, switch off and spend time somewhere that feels different from everyday life."
A hidden oasis worth discovering
That sense of community is perhaps what makes Amberwave different from a traditional wellness experience. You don't have to arrive as a sauna expert and you certainly don't need to be someone who regularly jumps into freezing water. For Claire, her advice to newcomers is simple. "Well, my Granny would say, 'You don't know until you've given it a try!'"
She added: "You don't need to know anything about sauna. You don't need to be super fit, experienced with cold water or someone who regularly goes to wellness spaces. And you definitely don't need to be comfortable jumping straight into an ice-cold plunge! Come as you are."
This was certainly the feeling I got during my visit. There was no pressure to prove anything or push yourself beyond what felt comfortable. You could take part in the plunge, sit back and relax, chat with other people or simply enjoy the sauna. The location itself also adds to the experience. Although Amberwave is in the heart of Glasgow, stepping into the SWG3 Community Garden feels like entering a completely different world.
Claire describes it as a "little hidden oasis in the middle of the city" and it's hard to disagree. "You're surrounded by the energy of Glasgow, but once you're in the sauna and garden, it feels like you've stepped somewhere else," she said.
As someone who went into Amberwave knowing very little about sauna culture, I left with a completely different perspective. The combination of intense heat, freezing cold water, quiet moments and friendly conversation was unlike anything I'd experienced before. And while the cold plunge initially had me questioning my decision, it ended up being one of the parts I enjoyed most. I arrived curious but slightly unsure about whether sauna culture was really for me. I left relaxed, refreshed and already planning my next visit. If you've ever wondered what all the fuss is about, Amberwave might just be the place to find out. For those interested, the experience can be booked on the official Amberwave website.
