Urban Jewel: An Extraordinary Art Deco spa in Amsterdam

PLACES & SPACES | ROOMS & GARDENS | WORLD OF CABANA

Emma Becque and Isabel Bronts enter Amsterdam’s Sauna Deco, a city sanctuary where the quiet allure of Art Deco thrives. Rare Lalique glass, vault furnishings from a historic bank, and vintage treasures from Parisian department stores encourage urban flâneurs to indulge themselves in the glamour of a bygone era.

BY EMMA BECQUE | ROOMS & GARDENS | 9 NOVEMBER 2024 

Founded in 1979 by the Snabel family, Sauna Deco blends Parisian opulence with Dutch craftsmanship, preserving a rich legacy of history and design © Isabel Bronte

“My parents started it. They worked together for years to transform this space into something extraordinary,” says Melle Snabel of his family's Art Deco spa, hidden within an unassuming canal house in Amsterdam. Founded in 1979, Sauna Deco - a former office which lies within a schoolhouse-style building designed by Dutch architect H.P. Berlage in the 19th century - has become a trove of Art Deco splendor, filled with treasures from a historic Parisian department store.

The story begins in the late 1970s when Melle’s parents discovered that the heritage department store Au Bon Marché on the Rue des Sèvres in Paris was undergoing extensive renovations. “They were going to throw it all away,” Melle explains. “My parents couldn't believe it. They managed to negotiate with the directors and were given a year to carefully remove individual pieces.”

For nearly a year, the Snabels made trips to Paris, dismantling and transporting intricate Art Deco elements on weekends. “Weekdays were for dismantling, and weekends were for transporting everything back to Amsterdam,” Melle recalls with pride. These precious artifacts now grace the interiors of Sauna Deco. Large, curved stained glass windows, originally part of Au Bon Marché’s ceiling, have been meticulously reinstalled around the cold plunge pool. These colorful glass panes from Lalique now cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the serene space.

Upon entering Sauna Deco, visitors are greeted by a cascading staircase with wrought-iron railings designed by acclaimed silversmith, Ruhemann. The intricate metalwork serves as both a functional and decorative feature. “The staircase is one of my favorite elements,” Melle shares. “It’s like stepping into another era.”

The spa’s unisex facilities include two Finnish saunas, a steam room, wooden panelled relaxation room and an infrared cabin © Isabel Bronts

The plunge pool, with its emerald green and brutalist grey mosaic tiles, was salvaged from the historic Twentsche Bank. “Even the turquoise tiles in our shower rooms came from there. And we used dark-veined Italian marble, which my parents and I selected during a trip to Italy. I still remember going to pick out the slabs.”

In addition to the grand staircase, the spa boasts ornate gold detailing and sandblasted glass panels, all carefully dismantled from the ceilings of Au Bon Marché. “My parents had to cut the gold trimmings into sections to transport them, then reassemble them piece by piece,” Melle explains. Visitors will find thoughtful decorative touches throughout, such as antique silver bowls sourced by Melle’s parents and plush chairs from the historic Hotel Suisse. The dark-veined marble sinks and handcrafted wooden paneling add layers of texture and warmth to the space.

Melle feels deeply connected to the spa. “I was a small kid with my brother here,” he reminisces. “We grew up playing in the sauna, and my mother still lives above the spa, surrounded by the same Art Deco decor.” Now at the helm of the family business, Melle is dedicated to preserving his parents’ vision. “This place is a monument,” he says firmly. “It needs to stay open for the people of Amsterdam.”

The lighting fixtures, also rescued from Au Bon Marché, bathe the space in a warm golden glow. “These lamps were originally installed in the famous Tuschinski cinema here,” Melle notes, drawing a connection between the city’s rich Art Deco heritage.

Situated along the picturesque Herengracht canal, Sauna Deco is a tranquil escape like no other. “We want people to feel revived,” Melle sums up. “Inside, you forget the world outside. It’s a place to completely relax and let the past envelope you.”