Our spa attendant, with gestures and paper underwear in hand, guided my daughter and me to blue floor mats, signaling us to disrobe. Stepping into the Moroccan Hammam, a world away from our usual family routine, I was completely unprepared for what awaited. Booking a “private and authentic hammam experience” at the 72 Riad Hotel sounded idyllic, but now, reality felt a bit daunting. My biggest question: would my husband and son be as open to this as we were?
Stepping into Tradition: Experiencing a Moroccan Hammam
Unveiling the Moroccan Hammam Spa
For Moroccans, visiting a hammam is more than a spa day; it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. Think of it as a Moroccan bathhouse, a communal steam sanctuary akin to a Turkish bath, where cleansing becomes a ritual. Historically, and still in many villages and towns, the hammam is a weekly social cornerstone. People would gather supplies from the souks, the bustling markets, before heading to the hammam.
These bathhouses, traditionally segregated by gender, were vibrant social hubs. Across social strata, people converged, sharing stories and discussions in their most natural state – completely nude. These purifying sessions fostered a sense of liberation and uninhibited communication. From business deals to marriage arrangements, significant life decisions were often shaped within these steamy walls.
A Glimpse into History: The Roots of Communal Bathing
The concept of public baths traces back over two millennia to the Roman Empire. Roman baths were designed for hygiene and social interaction, a practice that resonated across cultures. Morocco embraced this tradition, integrating it deeply into their society. Reflecting the importance of religion in Moroccan culture, early hammams were often located near mosques, emphasizing ritual purity before prayer.
Modern Hammam Indulgence: A Spa Retreat
What to Anticipate in a Public Moroccan Hammam
In a traditional public hammam, practicality reigns. Visitors typically receive a bucket, a mat, black soap, and exfoliating gloves – though some establishments require you to bring your own. The experience centers around self-exfoliation and cleansing in communal steam rooms. Using water from taps and your bucket, you navigate the space alongside others, all engaged in the same purifying ritual. For those seeking assistance, hiring an attendant for exfoliation is also common.
Not Quite Our Hammam: A Different Spa Setting
Nudity and Privacy: Hotel Hammams vs. Public Baths
The hammam experience takes a different form within hotels. While nudity remains part of the process, it unfolds in a more private and controlled environment. Marrakech’s Riads and hotels frequently feature Moroccan Hammams, offering various treatments. The common thread is a sequence of steam or soaking (nude), followed by rinsing, exfoliation, and often a massage. This blend of tradition and privacy caters to a diverse clientele, including families seeking a culturally immersive yet comfortable experience.
72 Riad Living: Our Hammam Haven
Our Marrakech journey was split between two distinct Riads: Villa des Orangers and 72 Riad Living. While both embodied traditional Moroccan architecture, 72 Riad Living possessed a more modern boutique hotel ambiance. Nestled in the Medina’s heart, 72 Riad Living exuded warmth and hospitality. Each room, uniquely decorated, offered a tranquil escape from the city’s vibrant energy.
Riad 72 Medina View: Rooftop Serenity
The Riad’s rooftop terrace provided panoramic Medina views, perfect for sunset watching or starlit dinners. Dining at La Table Du Riad was a culinary highlight, showcasing contemporary Moroccan cuisine with fresh, artfully presented ingredients. For an authentic Marrakech experience, 72 Riad Living, with its dining and hammam offerings, is a compelling choice.
Private Hammam at Riad 72: An Intimate Spa Experience
My primary draw to 72 Riad was its intimate, private hammam. As someone initially reserved about public nudity, the idea of a group hammam was daunting. Yet, I yearned for this authentic Moroccan tradition. Hotel spas in Marrakech present various hammam experiences at different price points, but authenticity with privacy was my priority.
Our Family Hammam Adventure: Embracing Vulnerability
Upon arrival at 72 Riad, the staff escorted us to the hammam and introduced our attendant. Our family of four was booked, but my daughter and I volunteered to go first. We entered a dimly lit, humid room, unsure of what to expect. Our attendant, communicating through gestures, offered paper underwear (opting for swimsuit bottoms is also perfectly acceptable). We followed her lead, lying on the floor mats as she filled basins with water.
Suppressing nervous giggles, we braced ourselves as the attendant returned, pouring warm water over us. She applied black soap, its earthy scent filling the air, and left us to relax on the mats. Returning with a Keesa glove, the exfoliation began. Every inch of my skin was vigorously scrubbed. As she worked, dead skin visibly peeled away, a slightly shocking but ultimately satisfying sight. A new layer of skin emerged, smoother and brighter.
Post-Exfoliation Bliss: Refreshed and Renewed
Next, fragrant oil was massaged into my skin. Lying there, feeling utterly cleansed and almost childlike, I watched as my daughter underwent the same transformation. The thought crossed my mind: would my husband and son embrace this level of vulnerability? Would they back out? Post-hammam, dressed in robes, sipping sweet mint tea, we decided to keep the boys in the dark, letting them experience the hammam surprise firsthand. We sent them off, omitting any details of the nude scrub-down awaiting them. 😉
Riad 72: A Visual Tour
Modern Bathroom Design: Riad 72
Elegant Room Ambiance: Riad 72
La Table Du Riad Dining Area: Riad 72
Dinner Presentation: La Table Du Riad, Riad 72
Riad 72 Dinner Setting: Marrakech Charm
Bathroom Elegance: Riad 72 Living
Living Room Comfort: Riad 72 Living
Room View Serenity: Riad 72 Living
Riad 72 Bag Transport: Medina Arrival
Preparing for Your Hammam Experience
Planning is key, depending on the hammam type. Always pack fresh underwear and clothes, flip-flops, a hairbrush, and toiletries. Inquire beforehand about provided supplies. Souks offer hammam kits with black soap, Keesa gloves, and argan oil lotion – essential for public hammams. Hotel spas typically include these.
A Moroccan Hammam is an unmissable experience. Once you embrace the initial vulnerability of nudity and shed inhibitions, you’ll be rewarded with incredibly soft skin and a sense of inner joy.
Riad 72 Courtyard: Tranquil Ambiance
For booking and pricing details at Riad 72, visit Riad72.
Explore More: Moroccan Food Delights | 7-Day Marrakech Itinerary
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