Hammam Spas

Traditionally, they were public bathing facilities, health centres amongst the ancient Greeks and originating in Arabia. With variations most commonly including a Turkish Hammam, Turkish bath or a Moroccan Hammam, the principle is to offer cleansing, relaxing and restorative experience. A hammam bath is both a treatment in its own right as well as the perfect way to prepare the body for a spa therapy such as a massage or facial.

Today, many spas offer a variation on a hammam treatment, but often put their own twist on them. For example, at The Spa at Dolphin Square in central London, the hammam begins with a mint leaf foot ritual which adapts your body temperature for the steam room and start the relaxation process. They recommend combining it with a treatment, for example applying a purifying rose scented rhassoul clay scrub to face and body before giving you time to lie down on a heated bed in the steam room to relax and let the products work their magic in the heat.

Often combined with mud bath experiences, one of the lovely things about a hammam is that its shared practice and limited therapist input makes it perfect for enjoying with friends and partners, as well as being a gentle introduction to spa treatments for those who have not tried them before. Meanwhile, for seasoned spa goers, they invariably provide a central feature from which to make the most of your time in a spa.