The History of Bathhouses

Before the time of luxurious home bathrooms and extravagant bathing routines, there was the bathhouse. A location where communal bathing was the norm. While the ancient tradition dates back to around 2500 B.C., the ritual has gained a new life over the past decade. According to the Global Wellness Institute, bathhouses were among the top hydrothermal trends of 2024. What caused the sudden interest? The slow and steady expansion of bathhouse culture into modern wellness destinations. 

If you flip through a history book, you will see that bathhouses were found in early civilizations across the globe. However, specific regions created their own interpretations of the ritual for both municipal benefits and the sense of community. While this concept is certainly not new, it has created the opportunity for the ancient tradition to be reimagined for the 21st century. Whether it be small family owned Russian banyas or an elevated take on a Turkish hammam, bathhouse destinations are popping up across the world with a modern twist. 

To dive deep into the history of bathhouses, we tapped top New York City bathhouses and women who regularly incorporate the ritual into their wellness practices. Ahead, learn about the history of the bathhouse, what to expect on your visit, and how it is winter’s ultimate beauty practice.

What Is a Bathhouse?

Generally speaking, a bathhouse is a communal space with various bathing facilities. Depending on what type of bathhouse you visit, what that exact experience looks like will vary. Although the concept of a bathhouse is a global tradition, every region has adopted a unique interpretation of the practice. Among the most popular to date are Japanese onsens, Turkish hammams, and Russian banyas. 

Beauty founder Teyma Touati grew up in Carthage, Tunisia, surrounded by bathhouse culture, which inspired her to create her brand, Nerrā. The brand’s highly curated array of products brings the bathhouse experience into the home. Her unique upbringing exposed her to several types of bathhouses, making her familiar with the history of the ancient tradition. 

“The Mediterranean bathhouse tradition is a melting pot of influences, with each culture adding its own layer,” says Touati. “The Greeks introduced the concept of hot baths, self-care, and body care. This inspired the Romans to create the Roman baths or thermae, which were large wellness complexes with public bathing areas.” 

She notes that these were composed of three main chambers: the frigidarium (cold room), the tepidarium (warm room), and the caldarium (hot room). 

“The Turks then adopted this concept and created the hammam (the Arabic word for bathhouse), incorporating the three temperature chambers of the Roman baths but adding their own architectural elements, such as marble interiors,” she says. “In North Africa, we took inspiration from both the Roman baths and the Turkish hammam. Still, we also introduced specific treatments that are performed inside these spaces, such as exfoliation with the kessa [exfoliating glove], clay body masks, and the use of nourishing oils like argan oil.” 

It’s these very practices that have inspired some of the most coveted New York bathhouse destinations. 

“Roman thermae, Greek balaneia, and Ottoman hammams were not just places for physical cleansing but social institutions that played a central role in community life,” says Andrea Trillo, marketing director of Aire Ancient Baths. “These timeless traditions are universal because our bodies crave this connection to water and community,” 

Trillo notes that the goal of Aire Ancient Baths is to reinterpret these traditions for modern times. Similarly, Jason Goodman, co-founder of Bathhouse, had a similar mission in mind for his wellness destination. 

“We wanted to take the amazing things about bathhouse culture and traditions and present them with modern design and hospitality standards to today’s audience,” he explains. “We focus on efficacy and real outcomes. All of our amenities and treatments are informed by that fundamental perspective.”

What to Expect

Remember, modern bathhouse destinations are an interpretation of different bathing methods and traditions. The key word is interpretation. Some destinations focus more on the traditional benefits, while others combine modern technology and treatments, such as infrared saunas and massages, to create a holistic experience. 

“We are not a spa,” says Goodman. “Bathhouses differ from spas in many ways, the most obvious being that spas are generally a solitary experience. Bathhouses are social spaces and are about effective outcomes.”

Both Goodman and Trillo agree that their customers visit bathhouses to focus on the physical and mental benefits the experience has to offer. 

“The great thing about a Bathhouse visit is that it’s a mind–body connecting experience. As the information age continues with its momentum, there is a craving in the collective consciousness for fundamentally real and true experiences, and bathhouses provide that. What you see is what you get,” adds Goodman. 

“We want our guests to leave feeling completely rejuvenated, both physically and mentally. We are meticulous about the design of the spaces to ensure that our guests have a peaceful experience from the moment they walk through the door,” adds Trillo.

It’s Not Just About Relaxation

As bathhouses rise in popularity, so do misconceptions about the ritual’s purpose. 

“While relaxation is a key part of the experience, the true essence of a bathhouse ritual goes much deeper,” says Touati. “Bathhouses are about cleansing, detoxifying, exfoliating, and nourishing the skin. From the use of steam to exfoliating with tools and finally hydrating and nourishing the skin, it’s a comprehensive ritual that takes care of both the body and mind.” 

Similarly, Goodman shares an urge to focus on the impact bathhouses have on the body. 

“Bathhouses are … about how you feel at the end, which is amazing,” he explains. “It’s not about having a relaxing experience in the moment.”

The Benefits

While modern bathhouses have reimagined the ritual, some of the core benefits still remain strong. At the top of the list? The physical impact the experience has on the body. 

“I got into bathhouses almost 14 years ago, and now I go three to four times a week. I use them as a means for recovery because I’m an ultra runner, practice a lot of yoga, and fitness has always been such a huge aspect of my life,” says model and yoga teacher Mominatu Boog. “Using a steam and sauna and cold plunge cuts your recovery in half.” 

The anti-inflammatory benefits were a common theme when chatting with attendees of popular bathhouses. 

“Cold plunges are great for waking up the body. There’s a physical element, but it’s very mental, and I think it’s important to do things to mentally put your fear or hesitation into overdrive and just get through the thing,” shares Dianna Cohen, Crown Affair founder. 

But beyond the obvious physical benefits, the act of going to a bathhouse can be an intentional time for yourself. 

“I think [going to a bathhouse] is dedicated time to disconnect. Any bathhouse makes you put your phone and all your pieces of technology away, and they prioritize a quiet, peaceful environment. Especially in a city like New York, the overstimulation, being in small crowded spaces all the time, really gets to you after a while,” says Kayla Conti, Head of Black Media Communications at Google. “So having an hour or two of dedicated, true quiet time to disconnect, I think, is one of the biggest benefits for me, at least, personally.” 

For Touati, the benefits of bathhouse culture have become a nonnegotiable in her routine, even if she can’t visit a location daily. 

“In today’s fast-paced world, we don’t always have the luxury of spending several hours at a bathhouse. That’s why I continue to practice this ritual at home,” she explains. “For me, it’s a meditative and deeply personal experience, where caring for my body helps me find inner peace and simply be. I’ve kept the core essence of the bathhouse alive in my routine—relaxation, bodycare, and wellness—but in a way that’s adapted to the 21st century.”

The Concept of a Social Soak

Community has been ingrained into the bathhouse ritual since its inception. It was a common place for people to gather and have a shared experience. When Touati used to visit traditional bathhouses with her grandmother growing up, she remembers the experience being very social, filled with laughter, and having a strong sense of community. That is why you will find most modern bathhouses are designed to accommodate multiple people to experience the bathhouse space at once. 

“Our customers overwhelmingly visit in pairs or small groups. Bathhouses are inherently social places, and that aspect of bathhouse culture has stood the test of time,” shares Goodman. 

Not only are people booking bathhouse appointments with friends but these are becoming celebration destinations. Last winter, Conti was invited to a Valentine’s Day party for 10 of her friends at the Bathhouse location in the Flatiron District. Similarly, Cohen reflected on the evolving bathhouse culture in Miami, sharing that her friend coined the phrase, “Spa-rty,” to which she had an invitation later that evening.

On her recent trip to New York, Cohen visited two different bathhouses, Othership and Bathhouse Flatiron, which brought slightly different social tones. 

“My friend asked me to join her at Othership at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, which was completely guided. In which case it’s nice to do it with buddies because you’re kind of waiting for your ice bath together, and then you all go in the ice bath together, and it’s less of a flow on your own,” she explains, sharing that she even ended up meeting a new friend during the experience and going through the bathhouse together. “That Sunday evening, my husband and I went to Bathhouse with two friends, and it was social, but it was more like we all just needed to decompress and feel good. The Friday morning session with friends felt so much more community-driven.” 

While a bathhouse can inherently be a social experience, the decision is ultimately up to you and the location. 

“I prefer a solitary experience. However, it depends on where you go,” says Boog. “For example, I recently went to a speakeasy bathhouse in Chelsea with a friend, and it was a private experience with guided breathwork, cold plunging, and saunas. It was beautiful to catch up with a friend in that way. But for me, I find that my heart rate is already going up so high in super-hot saunas, and then transitioning to cold plunge, that I don’t want to exert much energy and make it social. I love to go by myself, close my eyes, and meditate in those spaces.”

Cohen and Conti note that they still prioritize solo bathhouse trips and often seek out environments conducive to more individual experiences. 

“For some smaller boutique hotels who offer bathhouse or hammam experiences, where they’re just frankly smaller spaces, I think it makes more sense to do those solo,” says Conti. 

“We do get a lot of solo guests as well, especially the hardcore sauna heads, who we love. They tend to be really regular users,” adds Goodman. 

Trillo even shares that Aire limits the number of guests per hour at each location to ensure everyone has privacy and space to explore the baths.

Advice for First-Timers

Doing anything for the first time can be intimidating, but just know that this experience is meant to be tailored to your needs. If you aren’t sure where to start, opt for a guided experience. If you are craving an exploratory session, following your gut throughout a space can be equally as freeing. To get yourself ready for your first bathhouse experience, make sure to pack the essentials. 

“Be prepared by bringing water, electrolytes, and a bikini,” says Boog. (But any swimsuit style will work.) 

Similarly, Cohen suggests bringing a refillable water bottle so you can prioritize hydration. 

“The towels there are tiny, so bring a hair towel. Book your appointment when you have lots of time to spare. If you’re going for the first time, do it on a Sunday evening with a friend. Don’t feel rushed,” adds Cohen. 

“If you find a place in an environment where it feels like all bodies and all backgrounds are welcome, really lean into it and try to disconnect,” suggests Conti. “There’s a level of vulnerability that everybody is embracing in these spaces by the mere purpose and requirements of having to be dressed a certain way or undressed in a certain way. The biggest thing I wish I had embraced earlier was getting out of my head and not being so worried about what my body looks like but listening to what my body is telling me it needs.” 

Lastly, try to remember that comparison is the thief of joy, and that holds true even in the bathhouse. 

“Go into it with the intention of relaxation and knowing your limits,” says Boog. “Don’t let your ego be your guide. If you’re in a room and you’re feeling super hot but there are people around you who are sitting in there for 20 minutes, don’t try and compete with someone else. Honor your body.”

The Takeaway

As you can see, there are countless ways to celebrate bathhouse culture in your wellness routine. While bathhouses can be enjoyed year-round, there is something especially appealing about them during the bitter cold months. Explore different traditions and bathhouse styles, visit alone or with friends, and remember the experience is completely customizable. No matter what type of experience your body craves, the treatment is meant to serve your specific needs. Here’s to all of us embarking on more time to intentionally disconnect.