Spas, Saunas & Self-Care

Forest Bathing

The Rise of the Nature Sauna

Remote saunas provide a place for wellness and connecting in the wild.

11:15am By Zoe Baillargeon

Travel

10 Grand Lodges of the Pacific Northwest

For every season, there’s a dream destination.

10/07/2026 Edited by Ramona DeNies By Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Portland Monthly Staff

Thermophilia

Portland’s New Riverside Saunas Invite a Proper Cold Plunge

Warm up, then take a brisk dunk.

02/11/2026 By Rebecca Jacobson

Self-Care

6 Local Spas Where You Can Shake the Cold Weather Blues

A Hawaiian massage, a float tank, a wine-infused bath, and your choice of soaks and facials.

11/10/2025 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen and Portland Monthly Staff

Hot Spots

The Best Saunas In and Around Portland

Bask in fir-scented steam, lounge near the hearth in a 200-degree cabin, or blast Mitski in your own private suite at one of these Portland spas.

11/05/2025 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden, Isabel Lemus Kristensen, and Allecia Vermillion

Skin Contact

In Northeast Portland, You Can Take a Bath in Wine (Sort Of)

Hey, it’s cheaper than a trip to Bordeaux.

07/28/2025 By Rebecca Jacobson Illustrations by Tara Jacoby

City Soak

A Luxe Hotel and Thermal Spa Opens in NE Portland

Cascada brings thermal pools, fitness classes, and Portuguese-Japanese dining to the Alberta Arts district.

01/15/2025 By Alex Frane

Editor's Note

Oregon’s Nordic Roots Are Most Visible in the Winter

Oregon’s love for saunas and skiing can be tied to its Finnish and Scandinavian immigrants.

12/03/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Fact Check

What Is Contrast Therapy and Does It Work?

Advocates say alternating between hot saunas and cold plunges can have major wellness benefits. The research is a little more complicated.

11/05/2024 By Erin Ross Illustrations by Derek Abella

Heating Up

Oregon’s Sauna Scene Has Never Been Better

Meet the new sauna evangelists changing the way we shvitz.

11/05/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Sauna 101

A Beginner’s Guide to the Wide World of Sauna and Steam

Should you go electric? Wood-burning? What the heck is infrared? And how do you avoid the spa faux pas?

11/04/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden Illustrations by Derek Abella

Warming Up

How Knot Springs Makes Its Saunas Smell So Good

The Portland spa enlisted fragrance design studio Maak Lab to develop custom oil blends for its steam room and sauna rocks.

10/30/2024 By Brooke Jackson-Glidden

Heat Seeking

Destination Saunas in Oregon and Beyond

Shvitz in a “wine barrel,” cold plunge in a river, or soak up the steam from a bubbling hot spring.

10/30/2024 Edited by Brooke Jackson-Glidden and Rebecca Jacobson

Getting Steamy

Portland’s Gay Bathhouse Scene Hasn’t Dried Up Yet

The city has lost almost all of its gay bathhouses, but the LGBTQ+ community still finds solace in the sauna.

10/28/2024 By Byron Beck Illustrations by Derek Abella

Spa Day

Explore the Healing Powers of Reflexology at These Portland Spas

From Overlook to the Central Eastside, Slabtown to SE 82nd, check out these local spots for different takes on the traditional Chinese medicine practice.

01/26/2023 By Jordan Michelman

Hot Tub Time Machines

Hot Tub Rentals, Delivered to Your Backyard, Are a Thing in Portland Now

We deserve this.

04/12/2022 By Julia Silverman

Fix-It Guide: Garden Amenities

Add a Steamy Sauna to Your Backyard

Call it sweat equity.

03/26/2019 By Marty Patail

Winter Relaxation: Floating World

Welcome to Portland’s Flashiest New Spa

Knot Springs boasts soaking pools, panoramic views, and Pendleton towels.

12/20/2016 By Zach Dundas

Portland Monthly

Spas, Saunas & Self-Care

The Rise of the Nature Sauna

10 Grand Lodges of the Pacific Northwest

Portland’s New Riverside Saunas Invite a Proper Cold Plunge

6 Local Spas Where You Can Shake the Cold Weather Blues

The Best Saunas In and Around Portland

In Northeast Portland, You Can Take a Bath in Wine (Sort Of)

A Luxe Hotel and Thermal Spa Opens in NE Portland

Oregon’s Nordic Roots Are Most Visible in the Winter

What Is Contrast Therapy and Does It Work?

Popular Content

10 Grand Lodges of the Pacific Northwest

The Rise of the Nature Sauna

Portland’s New Riverside Saunas Invite a Proper Cold Plunge

6 Local Spas Where You Can Shake the Cold Weather Blues

The Best Saunas In and Around Portland

A Luxe Hotel and Thermal Spa Opens in NE Portland

Oregon’s Sauna Scene Has Never Been Better

A Beginner’s Guide to the Wide World of Sauna and Steam

How Knot Springs Makes Its Saunas Smell So Good

Destination Saunas in Oregon and Beyond

Portland’s Gay Bathhouse Scene Hasn’t Dried Up Yet

Explore the Healing Powers of Reflexology at These Portland Spas

Hot Tub Rentals, Delivered to Your Backyard, Are a Thing in Portland Now

Add a Steamy Sauna to Your Backyard

Welcome to Portland’s Flashiest New Spa

Latest Issue

Our Super Markets