Awakening Hammam Treatment: Experience a Turkish Hammam at The Marmara Park Avenue
Hammam is a time-honored spa ritual that will spur on a connection to history and stimulate the senses.
There is no doubt that past and present societies consider water to be a powerful source of life, tranquility and spirituality. The culture of communal public baths, where cleansing and socializing became an impactful part of the human experience, can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans. The Turkish Hammam is like a public bath, but it solely relies on running water, exfoliation and steam. Then there is the elegant architecture, which typically uses exquisite marble, water fixtures, and when possible, a dome. Spa lovers all over the world recognize the distinct design and pleasure of the Turkish hammam. It surely inspires relaxation and respect for the tradition of bathing.
What is a Hammam? The traditional Turkish Hammam is inspired by wellness techniques from the Ottoman Empire. To put it simply, the hammam is a steam bath meant to be used for socializing, exfoliating, and promoting general peacefulness. To the Turkish people, the hammam ritual is especially important before a life event, like a wedding. The hammam treatment is performed on the “göbek taşı,” which is a heated marble slab. At the center of it all is steam, which is meant to help loosen you up, while an attendant cleanses, scrubs and massages every inch of your body (almost.)
The Marmara Park Avenue Hammam Experience. While I consider myself quite the spa aficionado, trying a traditional Turkish hammam treatment was a first time experience for me. The Marmara Park Avenue traditional hammam bath package includes 45 minutes of invigorating three steps: scrubbing with a Kessa glove, a hydrating foam wash, and light massage.
How it works. Depending on the spa, you can either keep your bathing suit on or you are provided with a towel. I wore my bathing suit. Once you enter the steamy hammam you are told to lay on the marble with a towel underneath you. The attendant, Tellak for male and Natir for female, proceeds to obtain water from the running faucets and uses it to cleanse you from head to toe. Expect to get your hair wet and washed. This truly feels like a royal bath. The entire experience can be described as intimate; the hammam is no place for shyness. The feeling of getting washed by a stranger can be uncomfortable at first but as the attendant begins their work you feel absolutely taken care of.
Then came the full body exfoliation (this includes the face.) The Kessa glove exfoliation process gets rid of dead skin, leaving you soft and smooth. It was just what I needed for the upcoming summer season. I have sensitive skin and found the glove too rough, but pressure can be adjusted. After all, beauty does sometime mean pain. The most welcomed and fun step was the bubble bath. The attendant soaks a torba towel in hydrating suds aerating the cloth by swirling it in the air, creating a pillow of foam. The bubbles are then transferred to you as you lay on your front, with the process being repeated for the back. Then they are massaged into your skin. Once I was perfectly scrubbed and massaged, there was more rinsing. The treatment ended with me sitting on the marble and getting an awakening cold soak. Thankfully I do enjoy a cold plunge.
Whether you seek to de-stress, desire softer skin, or simply need a mental health day, The Marmara Park Avenue hotel aims to heal what ails you. The benefits of a hammam ritual are glowing skin, better blood flow, a relaxed state of mind, sore muscle relief, and improved sleep. In fact, there is nothing like a good spa day to help you dream better. I walked away with soft skin, feeling tranquil and armed with new knowledge on a culturally significant spa ritual. While I do wish to keep the spa at The Marmara Park Avenue secret, I can tell you that it is a must-try for anyone who needs an escape.
Make sure to carve out some time for the hotel’s saltwater pool. I found the pool to be a special perk. For even more pampering and wellness, the hotel offers a monthly members which grants you access to the hammam, gym and pool.
114 E 32nd St
NoMad
