I used to love the Washington Baths.. I haven't been back in a couple years 1) because of an experience I had the last time I was there; and 2) they are kind of rude. As another reviewer pointed out, when you walk in, the desk person ( who was not typically warm or welcoming ) asks which locker room you would like to use, men's or women's. As a cisgender woman who identifies as female I said, "the women's." While I was using the baths, I noticed an older man in a speedo. (I only noticed because he was an older man in a speedo.) Later, when I exited the women's sauna, he was walking in. I was startled and kind of jumped and must've exclaimed something -- mostly because I thought I had somehow walked into the men's sauna. He said, in kind of a creepy whisper, "No, no it's OK." And actually, in that moment, it was not OK. At no time was this person female presenting or lacking male anatomy. He (they?) was clearly creeping. No matter how he identified, I doubt his safety would not have been compromised in the men's locker room. Either have gendered locker rooms or don't, but if I choose the women's locker room, it's because I would like to be in a women's (cis or trans -- I don't care) locker room without men (cis or trans). If they cared about women's (cis or trans) safety, they would just have an all-gender locker room, or offer a non-binary choice. What's the point of gendered locker rooms? Also, you pay $300+ for a 10 pass card, and they can't be bothered to keep a record for you. At one point, I thought my wallet had been stolen with my pass in it. I still had eight uses on it, and they were like " yeah, no sorry it's gone" (my wallet eventually turned up). The Luddite technology for that kind of accounting is an index card box. The technology that's been around for 30 years is a barcoded loyalty/membership card. Every once in a while, I think I want to head over there, and maybe I will one day. The facilities are nice, and it's just the kind of thing you want on a cold or rainy night, but the vibe is totally hit or miss. read more

What an overall nice experience! Great space, relaxing vibes & energy and good looking well priced food options. I will be back next time I'm in Portland. There are a few things I think can be improved for a better overall experience.... Wait List Priority: we came on a very rainy day, and the W's Sauna was full. We were soaking wet, and sitting in the lobby waiting for an hour. The front desk called numerous clients on the list and waited for them to arrive. I wish they had prioritized guests waiting in the cafe, instead of those waiting at home in order to reduce wait times for all. Men's and Women's?? Still?? I would prefer to see one side for clothing required vs. clothing optional for all genders. This will allow more people to choose how to bathe. Have the reading lounge outside the sauna area so that people can stay and read, lounge, and eat their food while others waiting can use the sauna and pools. During our visit, the reading room was packed with readers, the sauna was empty and we were waiting in the cafe in wet clothes. It seems like the sauna is growing quickly and gaining popularity. I hope they can find a way to maintain the easy and relaxed flow while also helping people to flow through quicker and enabling shorter wait times...all without time limits or reservations. Thank you! read more

Lots of double standards. Since people have no options everyone speaks highly. (low standarts of pleasing.) They say "you cannot bring food and drinks" RESPECT THAT. However this is only applicaple those who are foreigners and tourists. Locals can bring their drinks even inside the hot sauna. I have been going there since couple of months now. Just waiting my membership to run out. Low hygine, no respectable sauna etiquite, and down low subtle racism. They will tell you wait is 2 hours long (trying to get rid of you) meanwhile I waited 15 min and guess what? It emptied out quickly. It started well but now payment made, treatment is terrible. I wrote 5 star before but I must take it back after double standards and bad customer service. Go elsewhere.. read more

amazing as always at the baths-- staff continues to softly welcome guests with warm smiles, and offers first time bathers a thorough guide for how to use and respect the space. the merchandise offerings expanded from tshirts to body soap, oil, and small lighters. read more

Washington Baths - exterior signage--can't miss - Saunas Near Me - Portland, Maine

Brutalist design is cool, authoritarian leadership and monoculture is not! This place oozes of potential- it's beautiful, and there is no other sauna like it in Portland (maybe my university gym, but come on)-- but you must let us be people! That means... don't shush us outside. Your Quiet rule is stupid. There is no where to talk. I didn't feel like it was a promulgated "safe space" as all conversations around me in the tub were hush-hush fear-based, side-eyed, and paranoid. For having an owner who heroically stopped traffic as a Christmas tree, contextualizing this type of Quiet rule is yet more bizarre. Let us talk and be merry in the banya! I really would like to go back, but it was uncomfortable and weird. Please reconsider the dictatorship. read more

Washington Baths - Baths staff, walking by the hot tub and cold plunge to a tub full of competent adults - Saunas Near Me - Portland, Maine

Affordable, unique experience. Coming from NYC, I've had an array of sauna/bath experiences. While Washington Baths is small, it provided an overall relaxing afternoon. Entry fee was fair, and they have a max capacity of 40 which seems appropriate for the amount of square footage. I appreciated the quiet policy on Fridays, as I have no interest interacting with strangers lol. The sauna was smaller than I'm used to and pools, crowded. The coffee/ snack shop looked great but I didn't get the chance to try it. Overall, I would definitely return. read more

I originally wrote a review on google, the owner responded, and I updated my review. A few days later my review was not showing up and I'm not sure if that was because of the owner or google, but here is my review below: When I was in the women's locker room a person who looked like a normal 25 year old male came in and fully undressed. I am grateful I was in a towel as I would have felt uncomfortable if the person saw me naked. As soon as the person went into the sauna about seven women left immediately. Normally people shower before leaving, but these women all went straight from the sauna to changing into clothes. I don't know for sure, but I'm assuming they also felt uncomfortable. A few hours earlier there was a girl there who looked like she was 12 years old. My concern is that any man off the street could abuse these policies, say they are non-binary and get a key to the women's locker room. There's no way to know who has pure intentions and who doesn't. I was writing my review to warn any women that they might see a naked biological male or have that person see them naked. It can be incredibly triggering for a woman who has experienced SA to be caught off guard in that situation. I hope people are understanding of this. I don't know what the solution is, one reviewer suggested a third sauna for trans and non-binary people. Or maybe have an all genders sauna where people wear a towel or bathing suit? Along with trans and non-binary people, women (and men) all deserve the right to feel comfortable and safe. read more

I've never left a yelp review before but feel compelled because my experience was entirely unlikely the recent negative reviews. What a rad, restful spot! Staff were lovely. Nice selection of snacks. No drama. read more

Clean environment, friendly staff, and well worth the price! I love the special events they put on. I love the renovations and the cafe space they now offer. Anyone who reads complaints by the negative Nancy's in the past and decides not to come will miss out on a great experience. read more

Washington Baths is the best. So grateful to have a space in the neighborhood that offers sauna, stargazing while soaking, and live music + unique events. I love reading my book in the back nook with a cup of tea. The staff makes an extra effort to make everyone feel safe and welcome. (Anything less than 5 stars just doesn't get it) read more

Didn't like the size of the outdoor space. Too small, need more baths. Building is industrial feeling and no room to expand. Overall just gives an uncomfortable vibe. read more

Went for the first time skeptical because of the reviews. The staff was fine. Not overly nice but certainly not as standoffish and rude as some people had mentioned. The facilities are nice and clean, although the sauna itself got completely full while I was there and people had to wait to go in. The courtyard being silent seemed odd as it looks like a social space, and if you want silence it would be easy to bring earplugs. The hot bath itself is very shallow, unlike a hot tub which I did not like. You have to sit on the ground and take up extra space if you want water even up to your chest, otherwise it comes to just over your hips when sitting in the bench. Overall I enjoyed myself although the price tag will limit my visit frequency. read more

The person at the front desk was very unhelpful and pretentious. I wonder why they work with the public as they emanate annoyance with basic questions about the process and space. I assume the front desk person is the point person for welcoming patrons to the establishment. I also assume that answering guests questions is part of their job description. Why do people think it is ok to be rude to patrons? I was simply asking questions about wait time and options for waiting so my partner could go ahead since there was availability for 1 and an hour wait for me. I'm not from Portland and drove a long way to enjoy the sauna. I left after being so turned off by the interaction and will not return. Reading other reviews, it seems there is need for some shifts in the vibes and staff. read more

Personally, i think a visit is worth the price. Occupancy gets capped ~40 people, as there are 20 men's lockers and 20 women's lockers (go where you identify! Super safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks.) On Fridays, silence is observed, which added a very lovely bit to our relaxation. I thought all spaces were clean and I am happy to have this in our community. read more

This place is amazing. Beautiful facility. Clean. Friendly. Staff are so kind and helpful. Great price point too.

Staff is generally just unkind. They make you feel like you're doing them a favor by gracing them with your presence and money. How lame to create a unique experience for the community and then be so blasé and dismissive in your communication that you exclude people by the very nature of acting like they don't matted! read more

My group of 6 had a wonderful experience at the Washington Baths last night. Coming up from MA, I'd called ahead to learn more about what to expect. I was told that Saturdays tend to be VERY BUSY, so I expected a full and vibrant scene. We got there when it opened, so there was no wait. In addition to the personal health benefits I experienced, I loved the community feel and small conversations that transpired between guests. Also there was plenty of "permission" to just be quiet and internal. At the end of our bathing/sauna experience, we enjoyed beautifully prepared snacks and treats that got our electrolytes back in balance. Also, my one friend with a gluten allergy felt totally comfortable with the thoughtfulness and care put into the predominantly gluten-free menu. Thank you Washington Baths for a lovingly and consciously curated experience! read more

I have been going here for years, and finally feel compelled to write a review. The positives: The Baths are sanitary, chic in design, and, for what it is, decently priced. HOWEVER. For a business that is about the promotion of relaxation, warmth, bond, and healing - there is a lot to discuss. Aside from a few occasional workers that are capable of smiling and saying hello, I have never once felt welcome. An air of Pretension permeates. Very unwelcoming feeling. From my very first time, I felt like I was paying money to participate in an environment of callous interactions. I have spoken to many of my friends who feel entirely similar. Now that Silence is being observed throughout each room of the Sauna, it is almost impossible to engage with other similar minds and potential friends. Most of the whispered conversations poke fun at the restrictions. Its peculiar to be an adult and pay money to be separated by the gender of your friends, and then chastised for trying to be social while in the community environment, as a staff member will be coming through the rooms on occassion and remind us all not to interact. I would say it would make sense to come by yourself, as even the slightest verbal interactions are shunned - but this last experience in coming by myself the staff made me feel even more unfamiliar and ostracized, as if it were a pathetic thing to come on your own. The food is rather expensive and generically bland. Were it not for the shining beacon of light that they offer the LGBTQ community for all gender bathing, I would not support their business any more. read more

this place is a joke! staff absolutely sucks for no reason. swearing at the patrons is never a good look. we pay so much for this place and everything has gown down hill the last two seasons. i tore up my punch pass which still had some visits, i will never return. read more