If you aren’t familiar with the Hammam, here’s a brief tutorial.
Hammam is a community Islamic bath and translates to “hot water” or “hot spring”, traditionally with separate bathing areas for men and women. Unlike a Turkish bath, the Moroccan hammam diffuses dry heat. Throughout the region of the Atlas Mountains, you will see small hammam buildings near homesteads where the ritual is practiced weekly. The modern hammam has become a spa experience, a time to relax and detoxify. It’s also a very unique and wonderful way to participate in the local culture.
I booked a 45-minute hammam at Alphais Spa with black soap exfoliation, a rhassoul or ghassoul (clay/mud) wrap, and a 20-minute back massage for 390 dirhams (about $39 USD). There are many hammam spas throughout Marrakech; the driving factor in choosing this location was the convenience of a two-minute walk from our riad – but the interior, the staff, and the experience blew me away.
Upon entering, you’re led to a changing room and provided with a locker for your belongings. I had to wait a few minutes in the Calm Zone, a quiet, peaceful waiting area in the center courtyard of the riad. Preparing for the hammam is simple – women are given disposable bikini bottoms (briefs for men) and a robe. Some choose to be mostly-naked, and some people choose to wear swimsuits; all options are based on your preference. I opted for the not-so-stylish, but perfectly serviceable bottoms.
The treatment rooms consist of tile benches with small inflatable pillows. The room I was led to had two benches – only one was used for my session, but the gummy (technician) can attend to two people at a time.
The hammam is a series of rinsing, soap, wrap and relax. Here’s how it works:
While lying down, you’re rinsed with warm/hot water from the room’s center basin, with a bowl or small pail used to scoop the clean water. The technician will then wash your skin with a lightly-scented soap. You will be touched all over, including breasts/chest and buttocks – this is normal, but if you have any reservations about that, please communicate it to the staff prior to starting your treatment.
The gummy will then scrub your skin with a Kessa (exfoliating glove) and a soap made from olive oil and black olive pulp. All of Alphais Spa’s products are local and natural, and the scents are fantastic. You’ll then lay with the paste on your skin as the dry heat helps detoxify and cleanse. After another rinse, your skin is covered in rhassoul or ghassoul, a grey clay extracted from the Middle Atlas Mountains. Full of minerals and provitamins, your skin will be regenerated and nourished. Ten minutes of dry heat with the wrap followed is by another rinse, and you are ready for a wash and shampoo – the shampoo is optional, but highly recommended and pretty wonderful. Keep in mind that during the experience there’s a bit of flipping over, standing, sitting, etc.; throughout the process, the gummy will instruct you as to what comes next.
After a gentle dry, you can put your robe back on and make your way to a relaxation room, where you can lay on a lounge chair covered by a blanket, and enjoy some aromatic tea and sweet biscuits. And there it is! Your hammam is complete. Alphais also offers massages, facials and a variety of beauty treatments, which you can book online here.
A few things to note:
- Allow for approximately 90-minutes, depending upon the hammam package you choose.
- They will touch areas commonly considered “private” (breasts/buttocks), but it very respectful and clinical.
- It’s better to go in without makeup and your hair all done up – your hair and face will get wet, as you are washed from head to toe.
- The technicians have seen bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors, so there’s no need to feel apprehensive. You can wear a swimsuit or a chest band (provided by some spas) if you’d feel more comfortable, but it’s better to wear just the bottoms offered and leave your inhibitions at the door. Whatever you choose, communicate with the staff prior to your treatment.
- Phones/cameras are not allowed in the treatment areas, but can be stored safely and securely in the provided lockers.
