Hot Water: Managing Risk in Spas, Bathhouses & Thermal Wellness Facilities

09 Sep 26

with Mackenzie Boling, Esq., Adam Wilkins

What should spa and wellness operators know before opening a bathhouse or adding sauna and cold plunge experiences?

As thermal bathing and contrast therapy continue to grow, Lisa Starr speaks with MacKenzie Boling of Longevity Law and Adam Wilkins of NFP, an Aon company, about the legal, operational, and insurance risks that can affect guest safety and long-term business viability. Their conversation offers practical guidance for owners who want to build a durable business, protect their guests, and understand the responsibilities that come with these increasingly popular wellness experiences.

What You’ll Learn

Why regulatory classification, permitting, and water-vessel requirements should be addressed before construction or opening.
How to evaluate insurance coverage beyond general liability, including professional liability and potential waterborne illness exposures.
Why marketing claims, waivers, informed consent, and staff training need to support the experience being offered.
How guest education and proactive supervision can help reduce risks associated with heat, cold, and social pressure.
What to review before adding new modalities to an existing spa, and how to identify gaps in your current risk management approach.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Why the growth of bathhouses is raising new questions for spa and wellness operators

07:47 – The regulatory and paperwork risks that can threaten business durability

10:02 – Insurance exposures beyond slips and falls

18:44 – How marketing promises can influence an operator’s duty to guests

29:14 – Why waivers need to be supported by informed consent and intake

36:13 – What to do before adding a sauna or cold plunge to an existing spa

43:48 – How additional modalities can complicate insurance procurement

46:31 – Two practical risk management actions operators can take tomorrow

Meet the Guests

MacKenzie Boling, Esq. is the founder of Longevity Law, where she conducts risk reviews for bathhouses, saunas, thermal bathing programs, and pre-opening projects. Her background includes criminal defense law, massage therapy, and sauna master training.

Adam Wilkins is a property and casualty insurance broker with NFP, an Aon company. He works with businesses in alternative wellness and medicine, including hot and cold exposure, helping operators understand and insure their business risks.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

The conversation explores MacKenzie’s risk architecture approach, including operational compliance, staff training, the guest journey, and alignment between marketing and practice. It also introduces her work on a nationwide water-classification database and the need for defensible sauna standards.

Closing Insight

A safe and successful bathhouse begins with informed decisions, clear operating standards, and an understanding of the risks your business is taking. Whether you are opening a new facility or expanding an existing spa, this conversation will help you approach growth with your eyes wide open.

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