Hammam

A hammam is a Middle Eastern steam bath, a series of marble-and-tile rooms at progressively hotter temperatures, where you sweat, get scrubbed with a rough mitt (kessa) and black soap (sabon beldi), then rinse, exfoliate, and finish with a massage. The Ottoman version evolved from Roman baths around the 7th century and spread across the Arab world. In luxury hotels, especially in Morocco, the hammam is the signature wellness experience: a 60-90 minute ritual that's totally distinct from a Swedish massage. Best in class: the hammam at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech (designed by Patricia Urquiola), Royal Mansour, La Mamounia. Outside Morocco, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul and Park Hyatt Istanbul also do proper hammam. Bring nothing, they provide everything, including the towel.