Holiday 2026 | 9 Alexis explained: “Everything we do is designed to support that – whether it’s through the physical benefits of hot and cold therapy, or creating a space where people can genuinely catch-up and connect.” She continued: “Wellness can sometimes feel quite individual or even isolating, but at Soak Bathhouse we’ve created something that’s both restorative and social.” The goal is for people to leave feeling better than when they arrived, in a way that fits into their daily lives and has a real impact on how they feel. Its success in doing so all comes down to the details, from its large travertine mineral pools to the quality of its water and the way every space is designed. Everything just ‘flows’ from the moment a person walks in, and all of the facilities here feel elevated and considered without seeming out of reach. Again, this feeds back to the key point that Soak Bathhouse makes about seeing feeling good as part of a routine, not a one-off. “We’re really proud of building something that people don’t just visit once – but somewhere they come back to regularly because it fits into their lifestyle and genuinely makes them feel better.” There is something bigger going on in the world of wellness that this relates to, and Soak Bathhouse has struck a chord with so many people because wellness is becoming ‘more’ – more supplements, more biohacking, more steps in their routine. This is overwhelming for many, as wellness should be a way to switch off from the ‘more’ of daily life, not become part of the problem. Alexis sees Soak Bathhouse as being the antidote. “Instead of adding more, we’re creating a space where people can actually do less”, she told us. “It’s a simple, self-guided experience that takes the guesswork out. You don’t need to know exactly what you’re doing or follow a strict routine.” For those who favour some level of structure, the Soak & Massage service (a 50-minute massage paired with a 90-minute bathhouse session of pool, spa, steam, and cold plunges) is one of its popular experiences, but many others prefer simply to relax. Both, of course, are fine. By looking at everything through the lens of the guest, Soak Bathhouse is continuing to enhance its offerings to remove as much friction as possible, empowering people to fully switch off and make the most of their time at one of its locations. Long term, the aim is to continue to shift the idea of wellness into something more social and consistent, without it being a burden. The overarching message is that self-care does not have to be lonely or infrequent, it can be something that fits into daily life in a positive way. Contact: Alexis Dean Company: Soak Bathhouse Web Address: https://soakbathhouse.com.au/ Bathhouses have been luxurious centres for relaxing and socialising since back in ancient Rome, but they are increasingly relevant in today’s non-stop world. Recognising this, husband-and-wife duo Niki and Alexis Dean established the family-owned Soak Bathhouse to make wellness as affordable and accessible as they felt it should be. Following its recognition as the Best Luxury Urban Bathhouse & Spa 2026 – Australia, we spoke with Alexis for more on its five locations. A Modern Australian Bathhouse Making Wellness Easy and Affordable fter collectively spending years juggling the demands of their professional careers, family lives, and looking after their health, Niki and Alexis Dean had both come to rely on annual visits to health retreats as a way to rest and rejuvenate. Their experiences in these settings were incredible, but they felt as though this level of wellness should not only be accessible to a select few, leading them to look for ways to incorporate wellness into the regular schedules of people in their home of the Gold Coast and beyond. They decided this should be a space people can pop in and out of at their leisure, somewhere they could visit either solo or socially to disconnect from the grind and reconnect with themselves and those around them. Of course, it had to be affordable so that anyone could experience the benefits of taking the time to slow down and switch off. This vision was realised in 2020 when Soak Bathhouse Mermaid Beach, a communal bathhouse offering simple and affordable relaxation and rejuvenation, was born. Built on a foundation of inclusion, acknowledgement, and respect, all underpinned by a distinctive sense of social wellness, Soak Bathhouse has expanded to include five locations across Australia. Alongside its location in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast, Soak Bathhouses can today be found in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Bondi Junction. Each of these locations is guided by the same belief: that happiness, connection, and day-to-day feelings all play a huge role in shaping a person’s wellbeing. A
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