When visiting Morocco, one thing you must experience is a hammam. A hammam is a traditional steam room where you go to cleanse yourself and most importantly scrub off dead skin! It sounds soothing and beautiful, doesn’t it? In Marrakech, there are hammams for all budgets. If you only want to spend a few pounds you could visit a public hammam or if you’d like a treat, you could go from mid market spas to upscale hotel ones.
On the first day of arriving in Marrakech I had booked a hammam appointment. Having miscalculated time and distance, I missed my appointment and was recommended to visit Les Bains De Marrakech instead. I’m so happy I missed my initial appointment because it turned out to be the best spa experience I’ve ever had.
The entrance is hidden in a backstreet so make sure you know where you’re going. You will see a sign on the wall where to turn and you literally turn into a different world.
Les Baines De Marrakech is a peaceful haven from the moment you walk in with low-lit corridors, aromatic smells and tranquil relaxation areas. The Moroccan decor is beautiful and luxurious. Everything is perfect.
I chose the duo traditionnel, a 45min hammam and one hour massage, for £40 which is incredible value for money if you compare it to London prices. Once you’ve changed into the bathrobe provided you’re taken to the steaming hammam room. You can keep your bikini on when you go in but everything comes off either way. You can apparently do the hammam in pairs which is great for couples who aren’t shy. As soon as you step into the Hammam you immediately feel more relaxed thanks to the warmth and the minty smell.
Watch out of the walls though, they are pretty damn hot.
The lady starts by splashing a few buckets of water on you and proceeds to rub in minty black soap. She then leaves you soaking in the heat for your skin to go soft, making it easy to scrub. You’re left alone in the room for 15 minutes at least, a little too long I think. I love heat but even I felt the need for fresh air. You’re not really notified of what the next step is, the lady smiles and you just roll with it.
The lady finally came back in for the scrub and it was not gentle. You can literally see your dirty dead skin on the mattress, great success! (I’m not even being sarcastic). A hammam isn’t good if no dead skin is involved. Lastly she applies Moroccan mineral clay across your body. This is left on for another 10 minutes and then you’re free to shower.
Your skin will feel so beautiful and trust me, with all that crap gone you tan much better as well. As an Iranian I’m used to this and love it, but for those that aren’t its definitely an experience worth trying – do it.
You’re then given around 20min to relax with Moroccan tea and water before being taken to the massage room. They have two types of massages, draining and relaxing. I chose the relaxing massage which was extremely soft and at times felt a lot more like stroking. This wasn’t my type of massage considering my body becomes stiff like a zombie after all those hours stuck in an office. However massages are always based on preference so don’t be scared to let them know.
The whole session took around 2.5hours. I personally think it would have been just as relaxing without the massage due the whole aura of the place. The hammam experience and the relaxation rooms in-between alone are amazing.
They have a beautiful pool area too. If you want to use it I suggest you come after 10AM when the pool opens. They don’t allow use of the pool after a massage because A: The oil would ruin the pool. B: With the amount of people coming and going, they limit the time to in-between treatments only to avoid crowds and to keep it peaceful. Since my treatment was early in the morning I didn’t get to try the pool but they were kind enough to let my mom relax away there whilst I had my treatments. The staff were amazing, very helpful and polite throughout.
Once we were done at the spa we enjoyed the last bit of sunshine during our 3-day trip. Little did we know it would be grey and dull for the rest of the time. After hunting down some classic Argan oil (which by the way you should never get from the souk, please) we headed back to the Jemaa El Fna for a small meal and some fresh OJ.
Here I am glowing, relaxed and make-up free with oil still stuck in my hair.
Les Bains De Marrakech was definitely the highlight of my trip
5/5
00212 5 24 38 14 28
45 avenue Maurice Berteaux
Batiment B 78600 Le Mesnil Le Roi
