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This new bathhouse in Adelaide is focused on community

Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
Adelaide just got a new bathhouse, and it’s all about community and connection.

It’s almost a rule that every year I get further from 30, the more all I want to do with my free time is bathe like a capybara in naturally hot water. In fact, I type this as someone who is about to take a long weekend with friends to do just that. So the news of bathhouse Aalto Community opening in September in Adelaide just means I have another wellness trip to plan.

Naming it a community wasn’t a mistake. The aim is “accessible, affordable and communal contrast therapy" that focuses on being a community, rather than an exclusive wellness club. To further this, it’s deliberately drop-in friendly. And the inspiration behind this motto? Four friends founded this place, who all had a shared experience in professional sports fields. They felt that spaces outside of work were vital to slow down, recover, reset and connect.

Aalto Community adelaide reception desk
Pop in for relaxation and connection. (Image: Jack Fenby)

For the last couple of years, I’ve been based in Western Australia playing football for the Fremantle Football Club," said owner Tome Emmett. “During my time over there, I first began to use saunas and ice baths for my athletic recovery due to the physical demands of being a full-time professional athlete. Eventually, I found myself returning to these spaces – not for the physical recovery benefits, but to get out of my social bubble and socialise with other people."

Emmet explained how the Aalto Community was born after he stopped playing for Fremantle and began to reflect on his wellness journey.

“On one end, I had stage four lymphoma at 16. On the other hand, I ended up becoming a full-time professional athlete. [These experiences] sparked my passion for social wellness, and in turn, Aalto was born."

Aalto Community adelaide ice baths
The bathhouse focuses on communal hot and cold therapy spaces. (Image: Jack Fenby)

Inside, discover Adelaide’s first social contrast therapy space. A modern, open-plan centre (perfect for promoting that connection element. Here, it’s about hot-cold therapy, so Finnish-style saunas and cold plunge pools are the order of the day. Plus communal spaces to relax in between therapies.

“We deliberately made the space feel industrial – with bare concrete and exposed copper piping – but then softened it with over 150 plants," Emmet says of the bathhouse decor choices. “The space is open plan with just some guidelines on the wall. That way, people can socialise and not be restricted to time slots in either the sauna or ice bath."

“Sitting in the sauna forces you to be present and talk to the person next to you to pass time," shared Emmett.

“We also have a big emphasis on our tea and lounge area, so people can stay for a little while longer, or have a cup of tea while they wait for their friend to arrive."

Aalto Community adelaide interior
The bathhouse wants to promote community. (Image: Jack Fenby)

The Details

Price: $35 per entry, $150 for a five-pack or $60 per week for a membership.
Location: Unit 1/72 King William Road, Goodwood, SA 5034
Website: aaltocommunity.com.au

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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