Thousands of years ago in the Middle East, the divine hammam bathing ritual was born. Comprising of multiple steps all aimed at cleansing and relaxing both body and spirit, this ancient spa ritual has been embraced throughout the modern world. And emerging from a magical hammam experience, we think you’ll agree that some things should never change.
Cleverly adopting the age-old trend, more and more hotels are offering rejuvenating hammam indulgences. Here are 10 of the best.
1. Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus, Turkey
In a converted Ottoman palace right on Istanbul’s stunning seafront, enter the 2,100 sq m spa. Enjoy a private or a shared hammam experience with heated marble slabs and a luxurious foam bath afterwards.
2. ESPA, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore
The first authentic Turkish bath in Singapore, ESPA offers a Hammam Ritual and relaxing massage package. With a steam room, authentic marble slabs and thorough exfoliation, you’ll leave shiny and new. Don’t miss extra time in the tea lounge afterwards.
3. One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, UAE
In the far corner of this fertile, green property sits the hotel’s standalone Hammam Spa. Lie beneath a beautiful stained glass, mosaic style ceiling and let your worries drift far, far away.
4. Bentley Hotel, London, UK
Visit the opulent, Le Kalon Spa for an authentic, marble hammam experience. Your therapist will perform a black soap cleanse and full body exfoliation with a traditional kessa mitt, leaving your skin baby soft.
5. Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy
Cleanse your mind and body at this super luxurious hammam chamber, crafted from Italian Lasa white marble. With hair conditioning treatment and massage, the Ultimate Hammam is truly exceptional.
6. Six Senses at Porto Elounda, Crete, Greece
Gaze over the stunning Aegean Sea from the Greek marble domed hydropool room and enjoy an olive oil cleanse and exfoliation. If you can keep your eyes open, don’t miss the spa’s incredible stone sculptures.
SEE ALSO: 10 best spas in Europe for some serious pampering
7. Montelucia Resort, Arizona, USA
Boasting Arizona’s number one hammam experience, this top-notch spa will float you from the aromatherapy warming room to your scrub, to the steam room and waterfall – and finally to the whisper lounge. Zzzzz.
8. The Darling, Sydney, Australia
Offering a two-and-a-half-hour Moroccan Hammam Ritual, the Darling Spa is serious about you-time. Bliss out with a rhassoul clay and rosewater body mask and a full body massage with pure argan oil.
9. Blue Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden
A traditional Turkish hammam, right in the heart of Stockholm. Find inner peace amongst Blue Spa’s hot marble slabs, lakeside sauna, pool and massage beds, and emerge refreshed and revitalised.
10. Gstaad Palace, Switzerland
Go on a journey at Palace Spa, through seven heavenly hammam rituals. A soothing footbath, steam bath and time in the flotation pool will relax you – both in body and in mind.
– TEXT BY LUCY CLEEVE
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
