Bastuflotten Mariestad: a floating sauna on Lake Vänern that runs without staff

Imagine taking a sauna on a floating deck in the middle of Lake Vänern - surrounded by open water, sky, and silence. In Mariestad, Sweden, that dream has become a reality.

Bastuflotten Mariestad is a perfect example of how local creativity and smart digitalization can combine to create something sustainable, accessible, and profitable.

Anchored near Mariestad’s guest harbor, the sauna raft offers visitors - locals, winter bathers, and tourists alike - the chance to relax, take a dip, and enjoy the peaceful views over Vänern all year round.

From vision to reality with Rentalbuddy

Behind Bastuflotten Mariestad are local entrepreneurs with a clear goal:

“We wanted to create something beautiful and accessible for everyone — without having to be there in person to handle every booking.”

To make that possible, they needed a sauna booking system that could automate everything — from online bookings and payments to digital access control.

They chose Rentalbuddy, the all-in-one booking system that made it easy to launch a self-service sauna rental without technical complexity. By using Rentalbuddy, the team could focus on delivering the perfect sauna experience — while the system handled all the logistics.

How Rentalbuddy’s sauna booking system works

Rentalbuddy automates every step of the rental process, so Bastuflotten Mariestad is open every day from 07:00 to 22:00 with nobody on site:

1. Book online – customers select a date and time at bastuflottenmariestad.com

2. Pay instantly – secure payments are processed through Stripe

3. Get a time-limited code – the button in the confirmation email opens the guest’s unlock page, where the code for the key box shows shortly before the start

4. Enjoy the experience – everything happens seamlessly, without manual administration

Guests book at least three hours for up to six people – 600 SEK for the sauna for three hours. At the jetty, their own time-limited code opens a key box with the sauna key; when they leave, they lock the key back in and confirm their return on their unlock page. Summer or winter, nobody from Bastuflotten has to be there.

“We’re super happy with Rentalbuddy!”

“We want to thank Emil for all his help and support — he’s been amazing! We’re extremely satisfied with Rentalbuddy and also grateful for the support from our local municipality that helped make this idea a reality.” - Bastuflotten Mariestad

From sketch to sauna

Before construction began, the team built a mini model to test different plank types and design details — the foundation for what would become their self-service sauna in Mariestad.

Step by step, the floating sauna on Lake Vänern took shape. Every joint, beam, and board was crafted locally, combining traditional handiwork with modern thinking.

Today, the finished sauna stands as proof that great ideas — supported by the right digital tools like Rentalbuddy’s sauna booking system for self-service rentals — can move from model to masterpiece.

📸 In the gallery below, you can follow some of the steps in the build.

Start your own self-service sauna rental

As Bastuflotten Mariestad shows, all you need is a good idea, some dedication, and the right tools.

With Rentalbuddy’s sauna booking system, you can:

• Manage bookings, payments, and access in one platform

• Take bookings and payments around the clock, with nobody on site

• Reduce admin time and increase availability

• Offer your guests a smooth, modern experience

Igloohome, the lock maker, tells Bastuflotten’s story too, in its case study on two floating saunas run with Rentalbuddy.

Book your sauna experience on Lake Vänern:

Bastuflotten Mariestad