Banya Boat

Banya Boat is a boat on Lake Union in Seattle's Westlake neighborhood that works as a private bathhouse rather than a drop-in spa. The whole vessel is reserved for one group at a time, up to 12 people, so there are no walk-ins and no day-pass option — every visit starts with a reservation and a non-refundable deposit sized to the group.

Onboard, the layout follows classic banya logic: a cedar dry sauna and a steam sauna for heat, balanced by a cold plunge, cold bucket shower and outdoor shower, plus a wood-fired hot tub for a gentler soak. Relaxation areas and an upper deck give the group somewhere to sit between rounds and take in the lake views. The signature add-on is a venik ritual, using birch or oak bundles in traditional banya style, and couples can book treatments together.

Since the booking is exclusive, groups can run an extra sauna cycle or linger in the hot tub without rushing to make room for anyone else. Hours run 9am to 11pm most days, opening an hour later on Sunday. Staff determine deposit amounts at the time of booking, and all payments are described as final, though a reservation can be rescheduled depending on availability. Site language is English.