Before your visit

1. What is a floating sauna?

KOS is a floating, public sauna, inspired by the stunning fjord saunas of Norway, where our Creator and Owner Kate lived for seven years. During 90-minute shared or private sessions, customers enjoy cycles of heat, a refreshing dip in the lake, and a brief rest in order to unlock proven physical and mental benefits.

We are a membership-based, community-driven business offering shared social sessions, private rentals, annual memberships, monthly passes, rituals and ceremonies, and sensory and art-based experiences. An affordable price point makes the sauna an accessible part of daily life and fosters social connection, especially during cold and dark winters.

2. Where are you located?

Marka, our sauna boat, floats on Saratoga Lake, New York. We are moored in the marina at Lago by Druthers, 550 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

3. What are your opening hours?

We are open Wednesday-Sunday year-round from 7am - 10pm, with reservation slots available on 90-minute increments. We are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and major holidays.

4. What does my visit to KOS include?

Your visit to KOS includes access to the 15-person sauna, lake plunge, roof terrace, and drinking water, straight from Saratoga’s treasured mineral springs.

5. What should I bring?

Please bring your swimwear, two towels (one for sitting, one for drying off), water shoes or flip-flops, and a refillable water bottle (we have drinking water). Please note that storage of personal belongings is in unlocked personal bins, so we recommend leaving valuables in your car. An employee is on duty at all times.

6. I am new to sauna and cold plunge. What should I expect?

KOS is a Finnish-style sauna, which means that the conditions inside are hot (between 80-110C / 176-230F) and dry (between 5-20% humidity), punctuated by brief intervals of increased humidity and heat due to steam (löyly) released by water on the hot rocks. To maximize the physical and mental health benefits, customers are encouraged to swim in the lake after the heat cycles, followed by a brief rest, and repeat this several times during their visit.

The cycle outlined above is simply a guideline. We strongly believe that every body is different; please listen to your body, stay hydrated, replenish lost minerals with electrolytes, and don’t overdo it.

7. Do you provide towels or slippers?

No, we don’t provide or rent towels, so please bring your own. We usually (not guaranteed!) have clean hand towels if you need to borrow one. Slippers are not mandatory, but we recommend them when walking around the boat.

8. Do you have a shower and toilets?

We do not have a shower, but we have a hose on the front deck that provides filtered water from the lake to rinse off. An outdoor, heated restroom is available on the outside of the main Lago building. Please ask the employee for the four-digit code to access the restroom.

9. Is there a changing room?

Our reception room also serves as a common changing area. For those who like more privacy, we have two private individual changing areas between the reception room and sauna.

10. What should I remember in winter?

There are several things to consider when taking a sauna and swim in winter. We recommend wearing something on your feet, such as wool socks or sandals, along with gloves and a hat. It can be icy and slippery on the docks and/or decks. Bring warm, dry clothes for after the sauna session. 

Also, never bathe alone. If you are new to winter bathing, we recommend taking short baths to start. And last but not least – don’t forget to breathe!

11. Do I need to reserve in advance?

Yes, we recommend reserving in advance online here for the social sauna and here for a private group session. If you can’t reserve in advance, we can take walk-ins onsite, provided there is availability.

Reservations in the social sauna can be booked two months in advance. Private group sessions can be reserved up to six months in advance.

12. Is there an age limit?

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and know how to swim. All bathing and sauna is at your own risk.

During your visit

1. Can I wear jewellery in the sauna?

Please remove all metal jewellery before entering the sauna; it may burn the skin.

2. Should I take off my glasses when I’m in the sauna?

Eye glasses don’t tolerate the heat of the sauna, so leave them in the wardrobe.

3. Is talking allowed in the sauna?

Some people prefer silence in their sauna, and some like to chat. We leave it up to you to feel out the vibe. If you prefer a silent sauna, check out our dedicated silent sauna sessions in our reservations calendar.

4. Can I use essential oils in the sauna?

Please ask the other guests before using oils; some people are allergic. We encourage you to try a 5mL sample of Marka, our signature essential oil - a blend of patchouli, juniper, cypress, and clary sage - available on a donation basis in reception.

5. Can I drink alcohol in the sauna?

Alcohol is not allowed in either the social sauna or in private group sessions. If you fancy a beverage after your session, we encourage you to visit our location partner, Lago by Druthers, a mere 50 feet away. Check out their new low-alcohol, electrolyte-infused sour beer Electra, inspired by KOS!

Safety is important. Our Kosierges have the right to deny entry and/or ask visibly intoxicated guests to leave the boat.

After your visit

1. What if I leave something behind?

We keep all the items we find for a few days. Come back during opening hours, and our Kosierge will help you find what you’ve lost. We do not keep a list of lost items.

Membership

1. How much does membership cost, and what are the benefits?

Personal members receive significantly reduced prices on both the social sauna and private group sessions, as well as access to the monthly pass, which offers unlimited monthly social sessions for $75. Personal memberships cost $99/year. 

Organizational members pay $499/year and save $100 on private group sessions - perfect for team-building, a tour package add-on, or entertaining clients.

Both personal and organizational members get two guest passes per month to the social sauna, as well as access to monthly members-only events.

In addition, 10% of membership fees funds training farmers in native seed production, rewilding, and ecologically restoring our sauna’s surrounding landscape through the WYRD Collective with collaborators Altær Sauna and The Seed Huntress.

Changes and cancellations

1. Can I reschedule or cancel my reservation?

If you need to reschedule your reservation, please email hello@kossauna.com and we are happy to assist you.

Social sessions: If you need to cancel, you can do so via the link in the reservation confirmation email up to 24 hours prior to your reservation for a full refund. No refunds will be honored with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Private group sessions: If you need to cancel, you can do so via the link in the reservation confirmation email up to 48 hours prior to your reservation for a 50% refund. No refunds will be honored with less than 48 hours’ notice.

Welcome to the warmth at New York’s first public floating sauna. We are on a mission of inspiring people to be happy, healthy, and connect through heat!

For more info: email hello@kossauna.com