Today we’d like to introduce you to Woody Liles.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A few years after college, in the middle of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to take on a new role and relocate to Asheville, North Carolina with my wife. We both grew up visiting the North Carolina mountains, so the chance to move to Asheville felt especially meaningful.
I took a position as a civil field engineer on the large I-26 interstate construction project through the French Broad River Basin. During our time in Asheville, we visited the original Sauna House location for the first time and immediately fell in love. Its simple, Nordic-inspired approach to a modern bathhouse became the perfect reset after long days on the job site. The combination of sauna, cold immersion, and quiet communal space stayed with me.
Fast forward a few years, and we purchased a home in Greenville, South Carolina. As much as we loved Asheville, we always knew we would return to the Upstate long term. After years working in bridge and roadway construction in the mountains, the long hours on site and nearly two hours of daily commuting had me searching for a new path. My wife and I had often talked about the idea of bringing Sauna House to Greenville, and that vision began to take shape.
Through a mutual friend, I was introduced to Andrew Lachlan, the founder of the original Sauna House. The timing couldn’t have been better, Andrew had just begun considering expansion, and I was actively looking to change careers and bring a bathhouse concept to Greenville. Our first meeting in Asheville took place nearly three years ago, and from that point forward, the groundwork began.
Over the next couple of years, I balanced long days in bridge and roadway construction with late nights and early mornings dedicated to bringing Sauna House to life. Planning, learning, researching, and preparing for what it would take to build a bathhouse from the ground up. In November of 2024, I officially stepped away from my career in roadway construction and became the full-time project manager for the buildout of Sauna House Greenville.
What began as an empty shell was transformed over six months into the space you see today. I was involved in every aspect of the build-out, from plumbing and pool installation to sauna construction and finish work. In May of 2026, we opened our doors to a welcoming group of founding members and an incredibly supportive community.
While bathhouses are an ancient and well-established tradition across Europe, they were largely unfamiliar to the Upstate. A communal, tech-free space centered around saunas, cold plunges, and relaxation was a brand-new experience for many of our first-time visitors. Our early members quickly became our greatest advocates, sharing their personal experiences and helping us build a community of like-minded people seeking intentional wellness and connection.
Now, six months in, we are deeply grateful for the support of the Greenville community and honored to continue growing Sauna House as a place to slow down, reset, and connect.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting any business is a roller coaster of highs and lows. Through every challenge and setback, I held onto the vision of what we were building. Even on the longest days, imagining opening our doors made it possible to keep moving forward.
We’ve been impressed with Sauna House Greenville, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sauna House Greenville is a modern, Nordic-inspired bathhouse offering a communal, tech-free environment centered around contrast therapy. Our space includes traditional Finnish saunas, in-ground cold plunges, a salt room, and heated lounge furniture designed to support deep rest between cycles of heat and cold. Guests can move through the bathhouse at their own pace, creating a personalized and intentional experience.
For those seeking a quieter or more private experience, we also offer private sauna rooms that provide the same restorative benefits in a more secluded setting. While bathhouses are an ancient and well-established tradition across Europe, the concept is still relatively new to the Upstate. Our goal is to introduce this practice in a way that feels approachable, inclusive, and grounded in community.
Pricing:
- 2-Hour Drop In Vist is $45
- We also offer discounted multi-visit packages for guests looking for flexibility and a better value when enjoying the bathhouse.
- Memberships are available for guests seeking ongoing access to Sauna House as part of their wellness routine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://saunahouse.com/greenville
- Instagram: @saunahousegreenville
