Living Well: Estonia Spa Culture & Homes Dedicated to Wellness

The steam bath is an ancient aspect of human culture. Imagine the joy of that first nomadic cave-dweller who doused the home fire and, instead of moving on, lingered in the soothing vapors emanating from the hot hearthstones.  

Our present-day sauna, invented in Finland some 2,000 years ago, was the ultimate inspiration of that first perspiration. Just across the Baltic Sea, in Estonia, the sauna looms large in the contemporary lifestyle, and spa tourism is big business.

Whether at home, in the country, or in the gym, Estonians have been savoring their saunas since the 13th century. As they say in Estonia, “Terviseks!” (“to your health”!) 

On Estonia’s northern coast, a stunning family home in Harju County epitomizes the traditional spa experience, updated with a harmonious feng shui aesthetic. 

There are, in fact, two spas at Villa Tuulevahtra, where tradition dovetails with the contemporary to produce a magnificent family home.

Designed and built by the owner in 2018, the 48-acre (19.33 ha) property is a stately blend of Colonial and Nordic styles, its stone construction clad in wood and painted sky blue to balance the white columns, balconies, and terraces. 

The main hallway sets the tone for the 3,388-square-foot (314.8 sq m), three-bedroom, three-bathroom property. In all the interiors, the layout and placement of furniture, ornaments, and art is in keeping with the principles of feng shui, encouraging a sense of harmony and balance.

It is the same for the sauna: It’s a rich mix of olivewood walls, ash seating, and an aspen ceiling, with a decorative stainless-steel heater produced by Finnish designers SAWO taking center stage.  

“This is a typical Finnish-style sauna, with electrically heated coals—it’s one of the most popular in Estonia,” says the listing agent Ebe-Kai Mutso of Signature Estate Collection. “Estonians are very particular about their saunas!”  

The summer house replicates the white and blue colors of the main house. Set on a raised wooden deck and reached by a stone pathway, the 610-square-foot (56.7 sq m) single-story cottage has the property’s second sauna, this one wood-fired, and a greenhouse.

“Summer houses for entertaining and barbecues are prevalent in Estonia, and this one has the usual kitchen, plus a sauna,” Mutso says.  

Both buildings sit in landscaped grounds, the lawns split with color-popping flowerbeds and water features, surrounded by natural forest. “It’s very quiet and secluded,” Mutso says.

“The size of this plot is extraordinary. Generally, it is only old farmhouses with agricultural land that have so much acreage.” Surrounded by national parks, the Türisalu limestone cliffs, the Keila waterfall, and Laulasmaa beach, the property is just 20 minutes’ drive from Tallinn, the capital. 

Related: Discover the Latest Spa Design and Architecture Trends

For a slice of serenity or a burst of reinvigoration in other parts of the world, these three spa-worthy properties all offer a unique experience. “Terviseks! 

1. Dordogne Chateau in Sarlat-la-Canéda, France 

A pinnacle of majestic elegance with its classic Neo-Gothic architecture, this exceptional château offers 18,944 square feet (1,760 square meters) of living space.

With both entertainment and pampering in mind, a former orangery and wine storehouses have been transformed to encompass a salon, gym, and casino on the upper floor, while the lower level houses a mosaic-tiled pool and a wellness suite featuring a massage room, sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, and lounges, as well as a bowling alley, games area, and bar. 

Listed by Maxwell-Baynes Real Estate 

2. The Vines Resort & Spa in Mendoza Valley, Argentina 

More than 1,480 acres (600 ha) of private vineyards surround The Vines Resort & Spa, a boutique wine and gastronomic resort in the Uco Valley of Mendoza province, the most recognized wine region in Argentina.

In addition to its hotel, The Vines offers 22 villas, designed by Mendoza-based Bórmida & Yanzón Architects, specialists in wine cellars. The villas, with full access to hotel amenities, have three different floor plans, ranging from 990 square feet (92 sq m) to 2,691 square feet (250 sq m).

Residents can collaborate with consulting winemaker Santiago Achaval and his team to create personalized small-batch wines. A rental program allows owners to occupy their properties up to four weeks each year. 

Listed by ReMind Group S.A. 

3. Spa Orient in Marrakech, Morocco 

In the heart of Marrakech, Spa Orient is an oasis of calm amid the vibrant buzz of the old city.

Laid out over three stories, its luxury amenities provide an exclusive wellness retreat, offering tranquil treatment rooms, a steam room, and a sauna, all executed in natural stone and marble. 

Listed by Kensington Luxury Properties 

Searching for a spa-worthy property in Estonia or closer to home? Explore our collection here. Or read about the world’s most beautiful wellness retreats in the latest edition of our magazine.