Rooftop Saunas Hackney — Local services in London

I arrived at 12.38 for my 12.45 reservation. Their toilet was out of order so I had to use the bar toilet. I only got back to change at 12.45. So it cut a little into my sauna time.

The area is stunning, and the view from the sauna is so impressive. It’s so peaceful in there. They have a 15 minute sand glass timer in the saunas which is good. I was in the sauna for 10 minutes. I then did a 2.5 minute cold plunge.

The cold plunges are ok - not very cold and don’t have different temperatures. Not the best for someone like me who enjoys different temperature ice baths and cold plunges. There’s also no timers around so you can’t tell how long you’re in for. I took my phone with and set a timer but the floors are wet (and this wouldn’t be possible if it were raining as it’s not under cover).

I then went back into the sauna for another 10 minutes. 5 minutes in, the alarm went off signalling I have 5 minutes left of my session. The alarm was not a pleasant sound and it went off for about 2 minutes really disrupting the peace of my last 5 mins. Considering I was doing a 30 min express session, 5 minutes disrupted is not really nice or fair. I think there needs to be some thought into this.

I got out the sauna 2 mins before the end of my session to have a final 1 min cold plunge. At exactly 13.15 I got out and went to grab my stuff. The staff member was there with cleaning product in hand and said “I need to clean the sauna in a minute”, to which I said yes I know (clearly I could see them) and I was just grabbing my things. This really upset me and left such a bad taste in my mouth.

My session as from 12.45-13.15. I was out and ready at 13.15 just grabbing my things, that’s still within my session. Had it been 13.16 ok sure, but it wasn’t and I was clearly leaving.

There is nowhere to keep belonging except for in a compartment before the sauna. So this meant I had to go back toward the sauna to get my stuff. Had there been somewhere else I else to keep my stuff by the changing rooms, I wouldn’t have even headed back to the sauna. Not that is matters as they are all with 5 seconds of one another, as the entire space is small.

Anyway I got changed in the changing rooms, which there are only two of. I left at 13.22.

I’m not sure if I’ll be back. It is beautiful I agree, so definitely worth it for the novelty. But that was not the relaxing experiencing I expect when doing these types of things for myself, which I often do.

I visit the community saunas frequently, and I love them. There’s such a lovely vibe there. There’s no alarms, but everyone is taking responsibility of their time. It’s also way cheaper and I would say equally as aesthetically pleasing except no view.

I hope some of these issues can be thought about, as this location is more convenient to me and I would come back if this was...

So good. Had such a lovely time at the Rooftop Saunas Hackney. The decour of the bespoke designed cabins was premium and pleasing to the eye. The view of East London was soothing. The smells, the cleanilness, the ease of checking in, it all it the spot for me. What really hit the spot though, was was their bespoke customer service - the day before, they called me to let me know that my booking would need to be rescheduled due to a cabin being faulty. I instead requested a refund (since it was booked as a birthday treat, and so therefore would not be relevant any other day). The attentive lady over the phone asked me to give her two minutes and she will try and see if someone else is willing to reschedule. A moment later, she returned the call to say my booking can still go ahead. I was so pleased because it was my partner's 40th, and she has expressed interest in going here since they recently opened their doors. This level of customer service (instead of the robotic, rigid type we see more and more with businesses these days) is really what felt like the icing on the cake. In the end, we had such a fantastic day and it was all due to a little bit of human-touch, which I think will make any...

Stunning views and a really innovative sauna idea - I loved the buckets to cold plunge however it feels a lot more impersonal and much more expensive than other saunas I've been to in Brighton /London. The main reason for the 3 stars is there's no secure place for bags /valuables, my whole handbag was stolen here in August - sauna staff suggested it might have been by someone who came across from the rooftop bar and whilst the staff sympathised they didn't really have anything practical advice and seemed pretty unsurprised by the situation however had at no point warned us not to leave things out.

Thankfully, although it was expensive and time consuming, everything in my bag was replaceable but friends at the same session had left expensive but also very 'precious to us' jewellery in the little trays provided which would have been so so sad to lose. Sauna owners should make it clear to clients that it's essentially a public space- as there's an open gate to the next door bar- within the sauna and either advice people not to bring anything of value or should provide some secure storage...