We want you to have a lovely time with us, and to stay safe.
Please read the following booking terms carefully. They cover the booking and use of the sauna unit and apply to all users, regardless of which member of the party has booked the sauna. By making a reservation to use the sauna and/or using the sauna, each sauna user confirms that they have read these conditions and agrees to them:
Booking: Persons over the age of 18 can make a reservation to use the sauna. You can do so by using the online calendar on the website.
Reservations are subject to availability. The number of available spaces will be shown on the calendar. An order can be placed for individual spaces up to the maximum capacity of the sauna. The total payable will be based on the number of seats booked.
It is possible to reserve the whole sauna for maximum capacity, subject to age restrictions and availability
Bookings are confirmed when the reservation fee has been paid and the booking has been confirmed by us.
Valid gift vouchers issued by us may be redeemed using the online calendar and the value of the voucher will be deducted from the balance due.
Each reservation is for 1 hour in total starting from the time stated and includes any time spent outside the sauna.
An attendant will notify sauna users at the end of the 60 minute session and all users should leave the sauna at that point.
Iona Hotbox Sauna reserves the right to change the hire price at any time. This will not affect the fee for any reservation made prior to the change.
Age Restrictions: Children between the ages of 10 and 17 are not permitted to use the sauna unless they are accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian). It is only possible to book a space for 1 child per session. The adult must be present at all times while the child is using the sauna and are responsible for the safety of the child while making use of the sauna. The ratio of child to adult while using the sauna is 1:1. Children under 10 are not permitted to use the sauna. The Iona Hotbox attendant is responsible for the overall safety of its users and the safe operation of the sauna. They are not responsible for behaviour of your child that may put them or any other users at risk of harm. Regular breaks from the sauna and keeping well hydrated is particularly important for children using the sauna.
Late Arrivals: if you or any person within your party are late for your session, no refunds or reduction in fees will be given. We will hold your slot for 20 minutes. If you are more than 20 minutes late or miss your slot entirely, your reservation will be considered a ‘no show’ and no refund will be given.
Cancellations and rescheduling:
Cancellations: Iona Hotbox Sauna will refund you in full for cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance. If you would like to reschedule your session and it is more than 48 hours until your scheduled slot, please cancel your existing reservation and rebook via the online calendar.
If you have to cancel within 48 hours of the start of the booked slot, any payments made are non-refundable. Rescheduling is at the discretion of Iona Hotbox and is subject to availability.
If it is necessary for us to cancel your session due to weather or for other safety reasons, we will offer a refund in full. Your safety and the safety of Iona Hotbox staff are our primary concern.
Damage and deep cleaning fee: Iona Hotbox Sauna reserves the right to charge an additional fee to cover the costs of any repairs or deep cleaning required to the sauna or any equipment occurring as a result of your or your party’s misuse of the sauna, negligence or failure to comply with these terms and conditions. Iona Hotbox Sauna reserves the right to charge the person who made the reservation.
Sauna conditions of use
All persons using Iona Hotbox Sauna do so at their own risk. We ask that you contact your medical practitioner if you are in any doubt about safely using the sauna. We advise you to seek advice from your medical practitioner if any of the following conditions apply to you (please note this is not an exhaustive list):
- If you have had a heart attack or stroke
- If you have asthma or breathing conditions
- If you have epilepsy or diabetes
- If you are pregnant
- If you are prone to dizziness or fainting
- If you have an infectious disease or condition
- If you are under the effects of alcohol, illegal drugs or psychoactive substances
- If you have an open wound
- If you are taking any medications
- If you are generally feeling unwell
All users must make the operator aware of any conditions which may affect their safe use of the sauna prior to using the sauna.
Sauna users should not spend more than 15 minutes at a time in the sauna. We recommend spending 5-12 minutes in the sauna before exiting to cool down and rehydrate. This is particularly important for those who do not use saunas regularly. It is advisable to build up tolerance over several sessions. Sauna users are responsible for ensuring they use the sauna safely and do not put themselves at risk. Please vacate the sauna if you feel dizzy, faint, drowsy or otherwise unwell, to cool down and rehydrate as required. Make sure you eat a light meal or snacks a couple of hours before the sauna so that your body has fuel for the sweating and cold exposure processes. A heavy meal just before entering the sauna is NOT recommended.
Iona Hotbox Sauna reserves the right to refuse admission to intoxicated persons or for other reasons which may be deemed a health and safety risk and any refusal shall not entitle any user or any person who has booked the sauna to a refund of the booking fee in whole or in part, other than at Iona Hotbox Sauna’s discretion.
Sauna Etiquette and safety
For the purposes of safety and comfort, sauna capacity must not be exceeded at any one time. Iona Hotbox Sauna reserves the right to refuse entry to the sauna or to remove users who do not follow the following rules:
- Remove shoes, sandals or flip flops before entering the sauna.
- Remove jewellery and avoid wearing swimwear with metal fastenings before entering the sauna as these can get very hot.
- No electronics or other equipment which may be prone to rusting, water damage or heat damage should be taken into the sauna. Any use of such equipment within the sauna is at the user’s own risk.
- Enter and exit the sauna safely, take care to avoid any risks of tripping or slipping.
- Keep access points clear to ensure safe exit for others.
- All sauna users must sit on a clean towel when inside the sauna to minimise the risk of burns and for hygiene.
- Do not touch or sit on any part of the stove, stove frame or rocks and follow the attendant’s instructions on how to pour water on the hot rocks. Only use the provided ‘sauna water’ on the hot rocks. DO NOT add your own essential oils to the hot rocks.
- Alcohol, nudity and smoking are not permitted within the sauna. Changing facilities are not provided by Iona Hotbox and all users are asked to dress appropriately for using the sauna and travelling to and from the sauna site.
- Respect the sauna space and others sharing. Time spent in a quiet space for heat therapy can be more enjoyable for everyone in a peaceful state.
- Glass or metal containers are not allowed inside the sauna and sauna users are required to leave those outside of the sauna. Fresh water and water cups are available on site.
- No food or drinks are permitted other than water.
- Do not bring sharp or breakable objects into the sauna.
- Keep well hydrated before sauna use and while cooling off outside the sauna.
- Iona Hotbox Sauna is not responsible for damage or loss of customer’s property at the sauna site.
- Wild water swimming/plunge/dipping is done completely at your own risk and our attendants do not offer water safety. Our sauna is sited by the beach for views, and we provide fresh water in buckets to cool off.
- Any sauna user who wishes to use a body of water for a cold plunge must ensure that they are a capable swimmer and can handle exposure to cold temperatures and other potential dangers. After exposure to cold water do not enter the sauna immediately as there is a risk of dizziness and fainting. Transition slowly and acclimatise between the thermal shifts.
- For information on water safety please visit watersafetyscotland.org.uk for general cold-water safety advice.
Group Bookings
If booking on behalf of a group, it is the responsibility of the person making the booking to ensure all sauna users are aware of the Iona Hotbox terms and conditions before the day of the booking.
Right to refuse admission
Iona Hotbox reserves the right to refuse admission to or to remove anyone who does not abide by these terms and conditions, intoxicated persons or for any other reasons which may pose a health and safety risk to any person present at the site. If we refuse admission or eject anyone in your booking party from the sauna. Refunds will not be given in this circumstance.
Liability
Iona Hotbox will not be responsible or liable to any sauna user for:
- Any medical or health conditions which are caused by or exacerbated using the sauna.
- Any loss or personal injury arising from any sauna user’s non-compliance with these terms and conditions
- Loss or damage to personal property or belongings at the sauna site.
Disclaimer
By placing an order with us and/or using our sauna facilities, you agree that you have read and agree to abide by these terms and conditions.