Rooted in tradition, a hammam, is a Middle Eastern wellbeing practice that dates back to the Roman and Byzantine eras and is essential a steam bath experience that can be shared with other people.
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.
