Inside Saint Haven: the controversial club promising eternal youth
It’s dedicated to providing its members with the very best in wellness, ensuring that their investment in health yields extraordinary returns. But how much would you pay for access to this utopian wellness centre?
Nestled in the heart of Collingwood, Saint Haven stands as Australia’s most in-demand private wellness club, offering an exclusive sanctuary for those seeking assistance in extending and enhancing their quality of life through wellness. Founded by millionaire property developer Tim Gurner, Saint Haven is not just another high-end gym, it’s a holistic wellness haven attracting elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and wellness enthusiasts.
On arrival, Saint Haven resembles a five-star hotel. The high bar area is fitted with luxurious forest green stools and matching menus, where members can be seen networking over ‘blue zone’ meals — dishes inspired by the diets of the world’s longest-living populations—and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s clear that Saint Haven’s vibrant community of members spend their days here not just for treatments and workouts, but also to connect with other like-minded individuals.
“We wanted to create the Qantas Chairman’s Club equivalent of health and wellness, where members are treated to the highest level of personalised service that you can’t get anywhere else,” says Gurner. “We want to create an experience that is as seamless as possible — where, really, all you need to do is turn up, and everything else is at your service.”
In addition to high-tech treatment areas offering advanced therapies such as PEMF mats for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy and full-body LED sessions, there are soundproof meeting booths and co-working spaces. Members also have access to treatment rooms for massages, as well as facials by renowned skin guru James Vivian.
For Saint Haven devotees, the club is an investment in their health and wellness. “We have members who come to Saint Haven purely to rest and relax from the outside world, while others spend three to eight hours each day working, eating, and enjoying different treatment plans,” explains Gurner.
How much does a membership to Australia’s top wellness club cost? While Gurner has not provided specific details about membership costs, rumours suggest that prices range from $179 to $2000 per week. According to Gurner, members often find that they spend less per month at Saint Haven than they did on various individual memberships and classes elsewhere. This consolidation of health and wellness services under one roof is a major draw for many.
“What makes Saint Haven so special is the diverse variety of our members, who typically range from 25 to 70, who all share a common goal in caring for their health and wellbeing,” Gurner notes.
Becoming a member of Saint Haven requires more than just having the funds for a membership. Prospective members must pass through a rigorous application process, which includes interviews and personal and health assessments. This process is designed to assess their commitment to health and wellness. “We have a strict multi-stage application process which ensures the club is a good mix of people, with no set demographic,” explains Tim Gurner. This thorough process helps to maintain the club’s unique culture.
New members are paired with a Club Concierge who helps them set specific health goals and create personalised plans based on their individual health histories. “By using DNA, microbiome mapping, bloodwork, and hormone testing, we can create a personalised approach to health that spans training, nutrition, supplementation, and complementary modalities,” Gurner explains.
Currently, there are 15,000 people on the waitlist for membership at Saint Haven’s new locations. The Toorak location, set to open later this year, is already sold out, and the South Yarra club is quickly following suit.
The club enforces strict rules as part of its dedication to fostering a peaceful and respectful ambience. Similar to Soho House members’ clubs, the use of phones and photography is limited to ensure that all members can enjoy an environment free of distractions. “If any member does not abide by the Club rules, including restricted use of phones and photography of the club, they are moved on,” Gurner states.
The club also has a strict no-alcohol policy. However, Gurner recently introduced a new club concept, SAINT, which will open later this year. SAINT, which is targeted at a younger demographic, will serve organic alcohol and spirits alongside adaptogenic mood enhancers.
With plans to expand both domestically and internationally, the vision for Saint Haven is ambitious. “The future of Saint Haven is incredibly exciting,” says Gurner. “We are working diligently to bring our unique wellness experience to more locations, ensuring that our members have access to the best in health and luxury.”
From the personalised service to the state-of-the-art facilities, every aspect of Saint Haven exudes luxury and attention to detail.
SAINT HAVEN’S BEST TREATMENTS?
Fire and Ice
The standout experience during my time at Saint Haven was hands-down their signature Fire and Ice breathwork class. The class involved guided breathwork between sauna sessions and a six-degree mineral ice bath.
The breath coach, Eugene, explained how we would practice breathing before the fire and ice experience. He warned that I might feel tingly, lightheaded, and experience an almost euphoric feeling — which I didn’t believe until it happened to me. After the breathwork practice, we entered the sauna for the “fire” part before moving on to the ice bath. This was the most challenging part for me. The cold sensation was unlike anything I had felt before. Eugene talked me through the experience to keep me calm. I managed to stay in the ice bath for a few minutes, but then Eugene, sensing my discomfort, told me it was time to get out.
The most surprising part of my visit to Saint Haven was that the fire and ice experience ended up being the highlight of my day. It was truly unexpected, and I felt elated, invigorated, and motivated to come back and do it all again.
NOVOTHOR red light therapy bed
The NOVOTHOR red light therapy bed, which retails for $250,000, is a state-of-the-art treatment. It’s also said to help relieve pain and help treat muscles and joints. I had the opportunity to try the treatment, but I’m told it’s usually booked out weeks in advance. You can choose how much or how little clothing you wear and lie there for a maximum of 20 minutes. If you’re claustrophobic, I wouldn’t recommend this treatment.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber
The hyperbaric oxygen chamber is believed to help improve cognitive function and physical recovery. It involves inhaling pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber with air pressure two to three times higher than normal.
While inside the chamber, my ears popped a few times, and it felt similar to sitting on a plane. A staff member gave me a methylene blue drink before starting the machine, which, I was told, would enhance the session. I was informed that I could use my phone during the session, but the internet wasn’t working, so I just sat there and breathed—which was actually quite pleasant.
James Vivian facial
James Vivian is well-known in the beauty industry, and the dermal therapist has built a loyal following of skincare enthusiasts. After a thorough consultation covering my skin type, concerns, and current routine, I was treated to a luxurious facial that left my complexion glowing. Unlike James’ other clinics, which offer more intense treatments with prolonged downtime, his Saint Haven location is designed for minimal downtime and maximum radiance.
