KLAFS, the world leader in sauna and thermal wellness solutions, continues its strategic expansion into the UK’s commercial hospitality sector with a landmark installation at the newly opened art’otel London Hoxton. The project represents a strategic advancement in KLAFS’ commercial growth across the UK hospitality sector, highlighting the brand’s capability to deliver technically complex and fully bespoke wellness solutions for high-end developments – including luxury hotels, spas, health clubs and leisure suites.
As part of the project, KLAFS and Guncast have delivered:
• 12m indoor Guncast swimming pool
• Custom built, commercial-grade KLAFS sauna
• Bespoke, ergonomic KLAFS steam room
A central component of the art’otel London Hoxton spa, KLAFS has delivered a fully bespoke thermal suite comprising both a sauna and steam room, each meticulously designed to meet the spatial, functional and aesthetic demands of art’otel. The sauna features a distinctive U-shaped, two-tier bench configuration that maximises comfort and guest capacity. Its interior is cladded in warm, high-quality spruce, selected for its natural aesthetic and traditional sauna appeal. The benches and backrests are crafted from Obeche, a softwood renowned for its low thermal conductivity, ensuring guests can sit comfortably even at high temperatures.
Echoing this tailored approach, the steam room also adopts a U-shaped layout that creates an open, ergonomic environment. Finished in large-format dark porcelain tiles, the space delivers a sleek, minimalist aesthetic with a luxurious, spa-like feel. Seamless surfaces and contemporary lines complement the hotel’s broader design while integrated LED lighting under the benches provides a subtle glow.
Both cabins are engineered with KLAFS’ advanced wellness technologies. The sauna incorporates a high-performance fan-assisted ventilation system that ensures continuous airflow for optimal heat distribution and air quality. Meanwhile, the steam room features KLAFS’ OPTISTEAM technology, which produces a rich, enveloping steam while operating with exceptional water and energy efficiency. These innovations ensure the installations are not only visually striking but also operationally sustainable. Situated at the heart of the spa is a 12-metre indoor swimming pool, delivered by Guncast Pools & Wellness.
Set within a minimalist, monochrome space defined by striking modern lines, the pool reflects the hotel’s creative identity while offering guests a calming environment. A key design consideration was the retrospective adaptation of the existing building envelope to support a fully water-retaining swimming pool structure. The Guncast engineering and design teams were challenged with reworking a complex first-fix layout to ensure structural integrity, water tightness and long-term durability. The pool was formed using a spray concrete shuttering method (shotcrete), followed by the application of a high-performance Steuler waterproofing membrane. Premium porcelain tiles were specified for the finish, providing both a refined visual effect and lasting resilience in a commercial setting. To elevate the sensory experience, the pool incorporates four seamlessly integrated underwater lights that enhance the ambient visual tone.
Gilles Darmon, Director of KLAFS UK, comments; “The wellness industry continues to experience exceptional growth across the UK, both within residential settings and the hospitality sector. At KLAFS, we’re proud to be partnering on premium commercial projects like art’otel London Hoxton, bringing our industry-leading thermal experiences to the capital. Our focus is always on precision, performance and delivering wellness environments that are as functional as they are beautifully designed.”
Andy Carr, CEO of Guncast Group (KLAFS UK), comments: “It’s a privilege to collaborate with hotels of this calibre, that place real emphasis 
on craftsmanship, guest experience and design integrity. Installing a pool like this one at art’otel London Hoxton requires deep technical expertise, close coordination with the wider project team, and an understanding of how to deliver luxury and longevity in equal measure. We’re incredibly proud of the result.” Unlike residential wellness products, KLAFS commercial installations are specifically engineered to prioritise durability, ease of maintenance and seamless operation under continuous use.
Each component is designed with high-traffic environments in mind. The benching structures, for instance, are reinforced to endure frequent and heavier usage, ensuring stability and longevity over time. Ventilation is supported by fan-assisted systems that maintain a steady circulation of fresh air, which is essential for optimal heat distribution, comfort and hygiene in both the sauna and steam room. Energy efficiency is also a key focus, with double-insulated ceilings and advanced control systems working together to minimise heat loss and reduce energy consumption.
KLAFS
klafs.co.uk
Guncast
www.guncast.com
