A hammam inside the riad, in the Marrakech medina

You do not have to book a spa across town and walk back through the souks afterwards. The hammam is in the house.

On site

It is in the riad, not around the corner

Most riads of this size send guests out to a partner spa. Riad Dar Alhambra has its own hammam, inside the building. That matters more than it sounds: after a proper hammam you are warm, loose and slightly undone, and the last thing you want is fifteen minutes of medina lanes between you and a bed.

Here you go back upstairs.

What we offer:

The traditional Moroccan hammam — the full steam, scrub and rinse ritual.
Massage.
Other treatments on request — tell us what you are after and we will tell you honestly whether we can do it.

Prices on request Ask when you book your stay, or at reception once you are here.

Arched alcove with a hammered brass basin and tadelakt walls at Riad Dar Alhambra, Marrakech

If you have never had one

What actually happens in a Moroccan hammam

A lot of first-time visitors quietly worry about this. It is worth knowing before you go in.

A hammam is a steam bath followed by a serious exfoliation. It is a washing ritual, not a beauty treatment, and it has been part of ordinary Moroccan life for centuries. In its traditional form it runs roughly like this:

Steam. You sit in a hot, wet room until you have thoroughly softened. Ten to fifteen minutes, usually.
Savon beldi. A dark olive-oil soap is worked over the skin and left to sit.
The kessa glove. Then you are scrubbed — properly scrubbed — with a coarse mitt. This is the part people talk about afterwards. Grey rolls of dead skin come off. It is completely normal and slightly horrifying the first time.
Rinse. Buckets of warm water, poured over you.
Ghassoul or argan, if you like. A clay mask or an oil to finish, and then you are left alone to cool down.

You come out feeling like you have shed a layer, because you have.

The description above is what a traditional Moroccan hammam involves generally. Exactly what is included in yours, how long it runs and what it costs is confirmed with you before anything is booked — so ask, and we will tell you precisely rather than approximately.

Pale tadelakt wet room with rain shower and folded towel, Riad Dar Alhambra

Two white bathrobes hanging on a carved door at Riad Dar Alhambra

Towels and amenities in an arched tadelakt niche, Riad Dar Alhambra

Tadelakt shower with arched niche and amenities, Riad Dar Alhambra

Carved plaster niche and zellige detail at Riad Dar Alhambra

Rooftop terrace at twilight with lanterns and lounge seating, Riad Dar Alhambra Marrakech

Afterwards

Go straight up to the roof

The best hour of a hammam is the one after it. Mint tea on the rooftop terrace, a daybed, and no particular plan.

In the warmer months there is a small plunge pool up there too — a few strokes of cold water after the steam is the whole point of the exercise.

And if you would rather not go anywhere at all, dinner by Chef Khadija can be laid on the roof or in the courtyard, and breakfast is served wherever you want it the next morning.

Questions

Before you book

Is the hammam actually in the riad?

Yes. It is inside the building, not a partner spa elsewhere in the medina. You do not have to go out and walk back.

What treatments can I have?

The traditional Moroccan hammam ritual and massage, plus other treatments on request. Tell us what you would like and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.

How much does it cost?

Prices are on request. Ask when you enquire about your stay or at reception, and we will give you the price before you commit to anything.

How do I arrange it?

Just tell us — when you book your suite, or once you have arrived. It is arranged for you rather than booked through a system.

Do I need to bring anything?

No. Tell us what you would like and we will confirm exactly what is provided when we set it up for you.

Is a hammam suitable if I have never had one?

Yes — most guests having one here have never had one before. The section above explains what the ritual involves so there are no surprises. If you would prefer something gentler, say so and we will arrange it that way.