A new era of holistic health
The desire for profound physical relaxation and mental wellbeing is shaping current wellness trends. Because holistic health, sustainability, and a conscious lifestyle are more important than ever.
Short breaks instead of parties, silence instead of constant availability, and connection to nature instead of sensory overload; quality time and sustainable regeneration are increasingly becoming a priority and an essential part of our lives. Wellness solutions are becoming increasingly accessible in the private sphere, inspiring people to adopt a mindful lifestyle and actively participate in self-care. Compact, highly aesthetic saunas and steam baths with modern technologies support this trend. KLAFS, a pioneer in the sauna, spa, and wellness sector, shows where things are headed and provides insights into the most important wellness trends that will shape the future.
Multisensory experiences
Nature, technology, and design merge to create a new dimension of wellbeing. The concept of wellness is constantly evolving. It's no longer just about the traditional spa treatment, but rather a multisensory experience that engages all the senses. KLAFS is shaping this trend in an unparalleled way with innovations for saunas and spas. The latest KLAFS saunas and steam baths combine innovative functions with natural elements and integrate sound and colour ceremonies as well as aromatherapy to create an immersive atmosphere for holistic relaxation. New products such as the ESPURO® foam steam bath or the S11 sauna designed by Studio F. A. Porsche take wellness to a new level by specifically promoting both physical and mental health.
Multifunctional applications
Saunas are undergoing a transformation and evolving into holistic, multifunctional retreats that offer more than just the effect of heat. Additional treatments such as infrared or dry salt inhalation, which can be individually integrated into your own wellness concept, elevate the traditional sauna experience to a new level of wellbeing. The deep-penetrating infrared radiation, for example, directs the heat specifically to the back, shoulders, or neck area, loosening painful cramps. Wear-related joint pain and other non-specific back pain can also be alleviated with this treatment. With the handy Microsalt SaltProX, KLAFS also makes the positive effects of dry salt easily and widely available. This patented technology creates a fine salt mist that spreads throughout the entire cabin. Through regular inhalation of microscopically fine salt particles, the airways are cleansed and moisturised. They penetrate deep into the lungs, promote mucus clearance, and support the regeneration of the airways and vocal cords. Low humidity, such as in a sauna, creates a special microclimate with a high concentration of salt aerosol, which enhances the effect.
When Spa Design Speaks to All the Senses
Spa design is truly successful when it touches all the senses equally. It’s not only about what we see, but also what we feel, smell and hear. That’s why KLAFS places great importance on the precise interplay of colours, textures, lighting, acoustics, tactile elements, scents and temperature.
This multisensory approach draws intentionally on the principles of biophilic design: closeness to nature, natural materials and the purposeful use of daylight and views into greenery have an immediate effect on our emotional state, creating harmony, depth and a sense of connection.
New wellness design: pure wellbeing
A diverse range of wellness treatments and soothing sensory experiences is becoming increasingly important in hotels and spas. The focus is on a harmonious interplay between sophisticated aesthetics and maximum functionality. Only a well-balanced wellness design creates a truly inviting feel-good atmosphere. Natural materials, personalised design, and soft lighting quickly immerse guests in a world of relaxation.
KLAFS’ new design concepts and product innovations offer even more possibilities for exceptional furnishings and visual impact: stylish loungers and lighting, 3D engravings, and the beautifully designed ENYA infusion bowl, which perfectly complements the elegant MAJUS design, all help transform the spa into a refuge of peace and regeneration, promising a relaxing break from the very first moment.
Focus on sustainability
Sustainability and the careful use of resources also remain a focus. With solutions such as the GREEN SAUNA package and the insulated glass fronts, KLAFS has set itself the goal of minimising its ecological footprint. These features ensure that the sauna's heat is retained in the cabin for longer and energy consumption is generally reduced. However, its commitment to sustainability goes beyond pure energy efficiency. KLAFS uses sustainable materials such as wood from responsibly managed forests. Many KLAFS saunas have therefore been awarded the Blue Angel, the quality seal for particularly low-emission products made of wood and wood-based materials. This underscores the responsible use of resources and gives users a consistently positive feeling during their regular wellness routine – a further step towards sustainable relaxation.
DESIGN WITH VISION: HOW KLAFS IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SPA DESIGN
As a market leader, standing still is not an option. At KLAFS, we don’t rest on our laurels – we set the pace, driving innovation and raising the standard in wellness design.
Warmth and cold – relaxing highlights
To maximise the health benefits of a sauna session and optimally relax the body, KLAFS has reimagined the combination of heat and cold, enhancing the wellness experience with innovative highlights. The VITALITY BOOST automatic infusion ceremony delivers an intensive heat workout, while the FRIMAS ice steam bath provides gentle, moist cooling. Together, they offer commercial wellness areas a versatile programme that continually recreates the beneficial interaction of heat and cold.
Sauna bathers can choose between intensive and gentle treatments, tailoring their time out to suit individual needs. This supports recovery and allows guests to immerse themselves in new dimensions of relaxation.
Effortless infusion, anytime
Infusion ceremonies provide intensive, health-promoting heat training and are very popular with sauna guests. With the VITALITY BOOST , KLAFS has developed the perfect solution for this trend: an automatic infusion with precise air fanning that effectively complements the sauna experience. The integrated infusion and fanning technology distributes the rising heat and humidity evenly throughout the cabin and directs it directly onto the bathers. In this way, the VITALITY BOOST promotes an effective sweat bath and is a valuable upgrade for any sauna. Guests can enjoy an exclusive spa experience with infusion ceremonies any time – even in spas without a sauna master or when staffing is limited.
Cooling like in nature
To help the body relax after a workout in the heat, KLAFS has enhanced its programme with a gentle form of wellness cooling. The FRIMAS ice steam room provides refreshment and a gentle, health-promoting cooling effect after a sauna. Various forms of water merge into a unique wellness concept: The GLACIER arctic ice wall cools the room to 5 to 8°C, while the HOLLI snow and mist shower spreads dancing ice crystals and cool, moist air. Snow, mist, and ice bring the body into a soothing balance, without directly exposing it to excessive cold. There's no better way to begin the rest period after a sauna bath.
Steam baths with foam. The new ESPURO®
With ESPURO®, steam and bubble baths merge into a new bathing experience: The foam steam bath. Inspired by the fascination with foam, it combines relaxation, bathing pleasure, and soothing skincare. The unique interplay of steam, warmth, and foam made from exclusively natural ingredients transforms every bath into a journey of discovery for the senses.
The light and sound effects "Forest Bathing," "Ginger Lagoon," and "Senses of Nature," specially developed for the foam steam bath, complement this multisensory experience perfectly. During the treatment, the skin is gently warmed and moisturised. At the same time, the light, sound, and foam effects promote deep relaxation.
The ESPURO® foam steam bath can be part of a new installation or integrated into existing steam baths. An automatic hygiene programme ensures the cabin is cleaned, and odour- and germ-free, after each bathing session allowing for smooth and worry-free operation.
Spa en Suite
Cocooning, security, privacy – these trends are also changing the needs of hotel guests. Hoteliers are asking themselves: Where and under what conditions do hotel guests feel comfortable? KLAFS provides insights into sustainable private wellness.
Important impulses for the entire industry
What comes from KLAFS always sets a clear example: Design, inventiveness, and unusual ideas have made us the innovation driver of the entire sauna and spa industry.
S1 SAUNA – Compact luxury at the touch of a button
The latest breakthrough from our innovation team is a true revolution in the sauna market: the S1 SAUNA, the world’s first sauna that retracts to a compact size at the touch of a button – just like a camera’s zoom lens.
“Thanks to this innovation, significantly more hotel rooms can now be transformed into private spa suites quickly, easily, and with minimal construction effort,” says a delighted Andreas Erke.
The jury of the 2016 Intergastra Innovation Award also recognised the enormous potential of this revolutionary concept, particularly for hotels, and named our S1 SAUNA the winner.
Planning & conception by experts
Through our successful collaboration with international greats of the architecture and design scene such as Matteo Thun, Norman Foster and Mario Botta – to name just a few – we are always at the cutting edge,” explains Andreas Erke, Head of Architecture and Design at KLAFS, one of the key recipes for success.
A current example of the successful design process is the Schlosstherme in Schloss Weissenhaus , which was recently voted “Europe’s most beautiful beach hotel” by a jury of experts from the magazine GEO Saison.
“Through close collaboration, we can always ensure that the individual wishes and expectations of our customers and the ideas of the respective architect or planner are translated into an optimal product concept that is precisely suited to the respective property and its guests,” says Andreas Erke from experience.
Projects worldwide: Spa concepts that inspire
KLAFS has been creating places of relaxation for body and mind since 1928. "We are proud that our unique spa concepts are continually recognised by experts," emphasises Andreas Erke – and points to, for example, the Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe , which has been repeatedly named Germany's best wellness hotel by the RELAX GUIDE, or the Eden Roc in Ascona, which has been named Switzerland's most popular holiday hotel by the SonntagsZeitung for five years in a row.
