About Us
A Finnish sauna experience in Wānaka
Twig & Ember is a handcrafted sauna experience born from friendship, tradition, and a love for the Wānaka landscape. Built by three local craftspeople in 2023, it’s our tribute to the age-old rituals of Finnish sauna culture, adapted with care, precision, and a deep respect for the land around us.
Situated just off Mount Aspiring Road beneath the rocky out crop of Roys Peak, the sauna is nestled into the hillside, surrounded by birdsong, rock, and mountains. A continually replenished cold plunge pool—fed by the clear waters of Waterfall Creek—offers the full cycle of hot and cold immersion that Finnish saunas are known for.
Löyly - the Finnish word for the gentle, enveloping heat created when water is thrown onto hot stones
At the heart of our design is löyly—the Finnish word for the gentle, enveloping heat created when water is thrown onto hot stones. It rolls down through the sauna like warm rain, a key marker of an authentic Finnish sauna experience. Our two-tiered seating and attention to air flow and temperature balance reflect this tradition, creating the ideal space for true physiological and mental reset.
We sourced as many materials locally as possible and built every detail ourselves to the highest standard. The result is a space that feels elemental—wood, stone, fire, water—and entirely of its place.
