Ah, the sauna! In these gray days of winter’s chill, is there anything more satisfying than the relaxing, bone-deep heat of the sauna? It’s more than just a good sweat. In today’s luxury homes, the sauna is a vital component of holistic wellness suites, encompassing yoga, exercise, massage—everything from Peloton bikes to plunge pools.

We’ve come a few thousand years from the Native American sweat lodge and its sacred rituals, or the Bronze Age community-centric saunas of Finland. Today’s saunas come in many guises, from the traditional dry-heat sauna to the high-tech infrared models, which heat the body directly at a lower temperature. The theme, however, remains the same: Relax, recharge, and embrace the healing powers of the löyly—spirit of the steam—emanating from the hot rocks.

Thus, the ancient sauna takes center stage in this edition of Luxury Defined, as a 21st-century deluxe home amenity.

1. Luxury Massaria in Salento, Puglia, Italy

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This rambling contemporary farmstead was built in 2014 by local craftsmen using authentic materials such as pietra leccese (beige limestone) and carparo sandstone.

There are five spacious double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, each with a private entrance and courtyard access. Modern comforts include underfloor heating, air conditioning, smart-home technology, and a Sonos sound system, as well as solar panels and geothermal energy.

The main level offers stylish living and dining rooms, a fully kitted modern kitchen, a utility room, and a guest bathroom. The lower level houses a luxurious spa with a fitness area, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi with chromotherapy, heated floors, as well as a wine cellar with a refrigerator and storage.

The outdoor spaces offer a large, heated pool and deck, a tennis court, pétanque court, a pizza oven and barbecue, and two vine-clad pergolas for outdoor dining. The garden, with fruit trees, flowers, and lawns, is picturesque year-round.

The 28-acre grounds include centuries-old olive groves and three historic trulli, ancient drywall limestone dwellings.

2. Westlake Pinnacle Estate in Austin, Texas, United States

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Set on three acres atop a wooded hillside in the Austin suburb of Westlake, this opulent, 2024-built contemporary villa’s “compact” geometries unfold to 8,000 square feet of living space.

Glass walls enclose spacious, luxuriously finished interiors, providing open-concept common spaces and Texas-scale views, including the Pennybacker Bridge across Lake Austin.

The architect, Bernardo Pozas Design Group, created five sumptuous bedrooms and six-and-a-half exquisitely appointed bathrooms. The gourmet kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and custom cabinetry, is another standout feature.

A resort-grade outdoor oasis provinces an infinity-edge pool and expansive patio for sunbathing or evening gatherings by the firepit. A dedicated fitness studio, Jacuzzi deck, and sauna complete the wellness amenities.

Furthering the allure are a tranquil Zen garden and a beautifully appointed two-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house.

3. Vila Estate in Tivat, Montenegro

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Vila Estate is set in 1.4 acres of secluded woodland on Montenegro’s beautiful Luštica Peninsula.

This property comprises two luxurious villas, clad in local stone and punctuated with planes of glass with sightlines of Mount Lovćen and the Adriatic Sea.

Within are just over 6,000 square feet of integrated living space with six double en suite bedrooms and sleek entertaining spaces surrounding a central courtyard. The heart of which is a half-Olympic-sized, mosaic-tiled saltwater pool under a bioclimatic, remote-controlled pergola.

The home is finished to the highest specifications: Floors by Porcelanosa; lighting by Flos, Vibia, Luce, Bright and C4; an Effe Sky Sauna; two Nolte-designed kitchens with appliances by Bosch); smart technology and security systems; and eco-sustainable underfloor heating/cooling are a few of the details.

The wild beauty of the Montenegrin coast with its secluded beaches and fishing villages are all within easy reach, as are the marinas and luxury resorts of Luštica Bay.

4. Wanakiwin on Mount Desert Island, Maine, United States

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Wanakiwin is a grand summer “cottage” with 650 feet of dramatic, pink granite oceanfront on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

The 10,918-square-foot mansion blends the best of classic Shingle-style architecture with contemporary style and comfort.

The home exudes quiet luxury with handcrafted finishes throughout, covered and open-air porches, elegant living and dining rooms for entertaining, and 10 bedrooms, some of which are staff quarters. All have scenic views—even the sauna.

But it is perhaps the setting that really sets Wanakiwin (tranquility in the Otchipwe language) apart. Mossy woodland paths meander through colorful perennial gardens. The grounds are gated and accessed via a long driveway, which adds to the sense of peace and privacy.

Seeking a spa-style sanctuary? More luxurious saunas this way.