Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Products used in Moroccan
hammams
and spas
Hammams and Spas
!
Hammam El Bacha
$
Palais Rhoul
One of the most historic
hammams,
it was initially used
by the staff of the Dar El Bacha
(see p69)
just across the road.
Still functioning, though poorly
maintained, the highlight is an
impressive 6-m (20-foot) cupola
in the steam room.
d
Map H3
• 20 rue Fatima Zohra, Medina
• Open: men 7am-1pm daily; women
1pm-9pm daily • No credit cards
The
hammam
is attached to
an exclusive Palmeraie villa
(see
p117)
but is open to all. Purpose-
built, it is palatial with a central
plunge pool and boasts the finest
masseur in Marrakech.
d
Dar
Tounisi Km 5, Route de Fès, Palmeraie
• 06 67 35 35 40 • Open 10am-7pm
daily; by appt only • www.palais-rhoul.
com • MC, V accepted
%
Massage
@
Hammam Etiquette
All riads offer massa-
ges on request, but for a
professional touch, visit a
hammam
or go to one of
the spas burgeoning in the
city. Most local masseurs
use essential oils, including
locally produced argan oil
(see
p90)
. Some also specialize in
particular techniques such as
tuina
or deep touch.
^
Bains de Marrakech
All
hammams
are
single sex and have three
main rooms: one cool,
one hot, one - the steam
room - very hot. Men
keep on their underwear,
women go naked. In public
hammams
, a masseur is availa-
ble for an additional fee. Carry
your own towels and toiletries.
£
La Maison Arabe
Cut-glass bottle
The
hammams
housed in
larger riads and hotels are
often restricted to guests, but
not at the Maison
Arabe. Book yourself
in for a vigorous
gommage
(rubdown)
with a
kissa
(loofah
mitten) and follow it
up with a thorough
massage.
d
Map H2
• 1 derb Assehbe, Bab
Doukkala • 0524 38 70 10
• Open 9am-12:30pm, 3-
8pm daily; by appt • www.
lamaisonarabe.com
• MC, V accepted
Located just inside Bab
Agnaou, this spa centre offers a
full range of treatments, from
Hammam
at Palais Rhoul
40
