There are two types of showers everyone experiences. There’s the quick ‘I’m clean, what’s next on the agenda?’ type of shower, and there’s the long shower. This one is a more of a deliberate ritual, with grooming, soaking, and exfoliating—the kind that makes you feel reborn. Or, at the very least, like you have it all together. Now, imagine that shower, but on steroids: complemented by good steam, a renowned therapist, and lavish spa products. That is the experience of a Hammam.
The Spa: Soho House Istanbul Cowshed Spa
The Hammam: Traditional Hamam
Treatment Duration: 45 minutes
When you first enter the Cowshed Spa’s Hammam, a renowned masseuse will greet you. They’ll set you up with towels and a beverage to unwind in the transition space — this is where you leave tomorrow’s worries behind. Then, you’ll enter the white marble room for the real deal. A full body scrub with the use of sea salt and a Kese mitt preps your body for the body mask of your choosing. And, you’ll have your hair washed to top it off. You can opt for the post-Hammam massage, and by then, you’ll be floating on a lavender cloud. Life stresses can stay in the transition room a little longer, while you soak it all in—literally.
The Spa: Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek
The Hammam: Pasha Hammam, Sherazad Hammam
Treatment Duration: 40 minutes, 55 minutes
You know the Hammam is legitimate when you see the marble, a lot of foamy soap, and a fountain to cool off after steeming like a vegetable stir-fry. Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek Hammams have all the makings of the real thing, with bonus decor exhibited in brightly-colored tile work. If you decide on the Pasha Hammam, expect to be rubbed with a mitt or, for a gentler approach, covered in a perfumed soapy froth. You can also try the Sherazad Hammam treatment, during which you’ll experience a massage of oils for muscle health and a focus on the scalp, hands, and feet.
The Spa: Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa
The Hammam: Traditional Morroccan Hammam
Treatment Duration:
Region Treatments–75 Minutes
marocMaroc Treatments–60 to 120 Minutes
Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa has done research on the thousand-year-old practice of thermal bathing. So now, your job is to sit back and enjoy the ancient wisdom known to perform skin miracles. You’ll be pampered like the king of Morocco in the walls of this old palace. There are a few treatment options based on the different regions of Morocco. For instance, Step Into The Atlas is a body wrap consisting of ghassoul (natural clay from the Atlas Mountains), lavender, and tulsi (sacred basil). While Step Into Taliouine offers a glow wrap treatment of saffron, orange blossom, and argan. The marocMaroc line emphasizes the use of natural ingredients and can be experienced in the Hammam Évasion treatment. The therapist uses exfoliator “Miel d’Ambre” and a kessa glove, plus orange blossom soap — because you can never have too much orange blossom.
The Spa: Kao Kamasa Spa
The Hammam: Aroma Rose Quartz Stone Ritual
Treatment Duration: 120 Minutes
Kao Kamasa Spa punches way above its weight. The Rose Quartz treatment is essentially the Honduran version of the Hammam. You’ll receive the full-body scrub with lemongrass and cedar scents, followed by an herbal mud masque, a scalp massage, and, to finish, a full-body aromatic oil massage. Instead of scrubbing you raw, it’s an incredibly gentle Hammam. Shockingly, it’s only $350, so it’s worth the plane ticket. To make matters even better, you hold on to rose quartz crystals during the process, so you can experience a karmic cleanse in tandem.
The Spa: Aman Spa New York
The Hammam: Hammam Spa House
Treatment Duration:
Half Day–60 Minutes
Full Day–120 Minutes
Aman, New York, is on the other side of the financial spectrum. One of the biggest splurges for a hammam experience in the world is in NYC. You’ll have your own Spa House with an outdoor hot bath and cold plunge on the terrace. The inside of the Spa House has a double treatment room, living room, and your Hammam. You can choose between a half or full day in your Spa House with the option of a customized massage or Aman’s signature, on a heated table. The full day also comes with a facial. And you’ll have access to refreshments after things get steamy.
FAQs
Q: Do I have access to any other spa amenities at Aman Spa New York when booking a Spa House?
A: Yes, Half-day and Full-day Spa House experiences both offer access to all general spa and fitness rooms.
Q: Can I purchase marocMaroc skincare used in the Royal Mansour Marrakech Spa treatment for home use?
A: Yes, the brand has an online shop.
Q: Is the Hammam treatment included in the all-inclusive concept at Kempinski Hotel The Dome Belek?
A: No, the Hammam is an extra experience that can be booked via email.
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