Recovery · Using the spa well
Spa etiquette: what to wear, what to bring and how not to be that member
The unwritten rules of a club spa, written down. Swimwear and towels, phones and talking, how long to hold a lounger, and the differences between UK clubs and the textile-free norms in Germany and the Nordics.
Updated September 2026 · Facilities and prices are illustrative and need verification
UK versus Europe
| Question | UK premium clubs | Germany, Austria, Nordics | Southern Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimwear in the sauna | Required | Usually forbidden; towel to sit on | Required |
| Towel on the sauna bench | Expected | Mandatory; no skin on wood | Expected |
| Phones | Banned in wet areas; enforced unevenly | Banned, enforced | Banned, loosely |
| Talking | Quiet expected; not silent | Silence in saunas | Conversational |
| Shower before entering | Expected | Mandatory | Expected |
| Children | Age limits, usually 16+ for thermal areas | Varies; often 16+ or family hours | More relaxed |
| Reserving loungers | Frowned on; towels removed after 20 min at good clubs | Frowned on | Common |
| Aufguss / sauna rituals | Rare | Scheduled and popular; join in silence | Rare |
General norms; individual clubs set their own rules. Check signage and ask staff.
What to bring
Swimwear, flip-flops, a large towel and a small one for your face, a water bottle, and a robe if the club does not provide one. Leave jewellery and watches in the locker; metal gets very hot. Most premium clubs provide towels and robes; check before your first visit.
The lounger problem
The single biggest complaint about club spas. Use a lounger while you are resting; take your towel when you go for a swim or a sauna round. Good clubs clear unattended loungers after 20 minutes. If yours does not, say so; it is the cheapest fix a club can make.
Using your membership abroad
If you take a UK membership to a partner club in Germany or Scandinavia, expect textile-free saunas, mandatory towels on benches and silence. Follow the locals. Our membership abroad guide has the club-by-club detail.
Health basics
Hydrate, do not drink alcohol before heat or cold, leave if you feel dizzy, and do not plunge alone. Our sauna and cold plunge guide (not yet available) covers who should check with a GP first.
FAQs
Common questions
Do I wear swimwear in a UK club sauna?
Yes. UK clubs require swimwear in all wet areas. Sit on a towel.
Can I take my phone into the spa?
Almost every club bans phones in wet areas for privacy. Leave it in the locker.
Are children allowed in the spa?
Thermal areas are usually adults only, often 16 plus. Pools have family hours. Check your club.