Warm Up to Wellness: Why You’ll Love Our Sauna at Cwm Connell
This new year we were delighted to welcome a Finn, two guests from Germany and a couple originally from Sweden and they all appreciated the benefits of our sauna. They enjoyed it as the winter sun dipped over the Preseli Hills, late on New Year’s Eve and after New Year’s day sea swims!
At Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages, we believe a holiday should be more than just scenic walks, sandy beaches and cosy cottages — it should nourish your body and mind. That’s why we’re delighted to offer free use of our mini spa sauna(and hot tub) to all guests when you book a cottage.
Whether you’ve spent the day exploring the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, splashing in the sea or just unwinding with a book, a session in the sauna is a perfect way to enhance your stay. Science agrees there are real benefits to stepping inside the heat.
I am reading a book called Wintering by Katherine May, a comforting meditation on enjoying the quieter, colder, darker days of Winter – very apt for our life here on the West coast of Wales.
Sauna as a State of Being, Not Just a Room
May describes how her Finnish friends speak of being “in sauna” rather than just being in a physical structure. For them, the sauna isn’t just a building — it’s a ritual, a communal and contemplative space where life’s rhythms slow down. It’s a moment in the day for deep connection, relaxation, and shared stillness with loved ones.
She notes that in these cultures the sauna plays a significant role in daily life — so much so that it was historically part of key life events like birth and ritual cleansing — and that sitting in the sauna can bring about a clearing of the mind and a sense of peace.
Health Benefits You Can Feel
1. Boost Your Heart & Circulation
Heat exposure in a sauna encourages your heart rate to increase — similar to a light workout — improving circulation and promoting better vascular function. Regular sauna use has been linked to reduced blood pressure and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in long-term studies.
2. Relax Tired Muscles & Ease Pain
After long walks along cliffs, beaches and coastal paths, soothing aching muscles couldn’t be easier. The deep heat helps relax tense tissues and can support recovery after activity, making your holiday feel like a true retreat for your body.
3. Detox & Refresh
Sweating in the sauna opens pores and helps the body clear some toxins naturally — leaving your skin glowing and your body feeling lighter after your session.
Mind Matters: The Sauna for Mental Well-Being
Saunas offer much more than physical warmth — they’re warm havens for the mind too:
🌿Stress Relief & Mood Enhancement
Time in the sauna helps lower stress hormone levels while encouraging the release of endorphins — your body’s built-in “feel good” chemicals — helping you unwind deeply after busy days.
💆Better Sleep & Mental Clarity
By relaxing the nervous system, sauna sessions can help reduce anxiety and improve sleep — leaving you refreshed and mentally clear for whatever adventures you have planned next. Heat-induced blood flow to the brain also supports focus and cognitive performance.
🧠Long-Term Brain Health Support
Emerging research links regular sauna use with improved brain function and lower risk of cognitive decline over time.
Book Your Wellness Getaway Today
At Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages, the sauna isn’t an extra — it’s part of your stay. Free with your cottage booking, it’s a beautiful way to warm up, unwind and truly recharge while enjoying Pembrokeshire’s wild, restorative coastline.
👉 Visit: https://www.cwmconnell.co.uk to book now and make sauna sessions part of your holiday wellbeing ritual!
