We’ve all experienced the impossibly fresh feeling of postfacial skin: dewy, cleansed, and perfectly polished. In Morocco, this immaculate feeling is elevated into full-body bliss in the hammam––a traditional bathing and cleansing ritual. Though the exact experience may vary from place to place, the hammam is usually divided into three steps: Bare it all in an extra-hot steam room to open the pores; get lathered in olive oil–based black soap and scrubbed with the traditional kessa glove to remove dead skin; and finally get immersed in COLD water by bath (or bucket!) for an invigorating finish. The result? Silky-smooth skin and a refreshed feeling that can beat even the hottest of days in North Africa.
For most Moroccans, the hammam is more than a day at the spa; it is a social event that happens regularly, rooted in the tradition of Islamic cleansing ablutions. In towns throughout Morocco, the local hammam is sometimes located next to a bakery so the two venues can save energy by sharing heat. Many women bring their dough to be baked at the bakery while they slip into the hammam to catch up on gossip and relax. They emerge hours later with glowing skin and fresh baked bread—what could be better?
In local hammams, expect to find large group steam rooms and pools, frequently made from marble or stone. Modesty is not a necessity at these communal spas; in fact, you may catch a curious glance if locals see a Western visitor clinging desperately to her bikini bottoms. So do as the locals do and go the full monty. At public hammams, such as Hammam Dar el-Bacha, one of the largest in Marrakech, purchase your black soap and glove on-site and treat yourself to an authentic experience. Or do as the locals do and bring a friend for a literal “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” exchange.
For a bit more seclusion, schedule a visit to Le Bain Bleu. Smaller than Hammam Dar el-Bacha and located inside the old city medina, Le Bain Bleu is a favorite among locals who prefer someone else to do the scrubbing for only a few dollars more (many hammams in the medina or old city range between $10 and $30). Try the rose body wrap for an added treat. For those who can’t get enough of Morocco’s local ingredients, be sure to check out Hammam de la Rose in the medina, where aromatic orange blossom oil, verbena, rose, and amber are combined in its exclusive product line.
If full-scale, muscle-melting relaxation is more your thing, Marrakech has more than enough pamper palaces to keep your eyes permanently rolled back with pleasure. Travel a few miles outside the city center to find Amanjena, a reflecting pool–filled paradise. Perhaps best known as the playground of celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham, this pink-walled oasis houses one of the most serene spas in Marrakech. Here, the hammam ritual is performed in a steamy turquoise-tiled enclave and can include a one-hour massage.
But if you’re in search of the absolute crème de la crème, plan a trip to the Royal Mansour. The ultimate hammam venue (with a price tag to match), the spa inside this majestic hotel is literally fit for a king—the property was built at the request of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The spa itself is three floors of uninterrupted sanctuary, with private hammam suites as well as semi-private rooms. Opt for the Hamman Temps Pour Soi—a full 70-minute hammam experience followed by a 20-minute full-body massage. And make sure to plan extra time afterward to enjoy its elegant relaxation room, where privately curtained, fluffy daybeds; delicate, tiny pastries; and Moroccan mint tea complete the experience.