In a city as energetic and demanding as London, finding time to truly relax and restore balance is essential. For those seeking more than a standard spa visit, a traditional hammam experience offers a deeply immersive journey into wellness. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and enhanced by modern luxury, a hammam is not just a treatment, it’s a complete ritual designed to cleanse, rejuvenate, and revitalise the body and mind. At The Old Hammam & Spa in London, this ancient tradition is brought to life through carefully curated facilities that work together to deliver a full-spectrum wellness experience.
Understanding the Traditional Hammam Experience
A traditional hammam, also known as a Turkish bath, is centred around heat, water, and relaxation. Unlike conventional spas that focus on isolated treatments, the hammam experience encourages guests to move through a series of environments, each designed to stimulate circulation, detoxify the body, and promote deep relaxation.
Every space within a hammam has a purpose, guiding you gently from warmth to cooling, activity to rest, creating balance and renewal.
Dry Sauna: Deep Heat for Total Relaxation
The journey often begins in the Dry Sauna, where dry heat envelops the body at temperatures reaching up to 85°C. This intense warmth encourages sweating, helping the body eliminate toxins while improving blood circulation. Muscles gradually loosen, joints become more flexible, and everyday tension begins to melt away.
Regular sauna use is known to support muscle recovery, ease joint discomfort, and promote mental calm, making it an ideal way to prepare the body for the rest of the hammam ritual.
Bucket Ice Shower: A Powerful Refresh
After the warmth of the sauna, the Bucket Ice Shower delivers an invigorating contrast. With a simple pull of the rope, ice-cold water cascades over the body, instantly awakening the senses.
This dramatic temperature shift helps tighten the skin, boost circulation, and energise the nervous system. It’s the perfect way to cool down after heat exposure and leaves you feeling refreshed, alert, and recharged.
Steam Room: Gentle Detox and Skin Renewal
Next, guests can enjoy a 15-minute session in the eucalyptus-infused Steam Room, where moist heat creates a soothing and therapeutic environment. At a comfortable maximum temperature of 45°C, the steam opens pores, promotes detoxification, and deeply cleanses the skin.
The eucalyptus aroma helps clear the sinuses and supports easier breathing, while the warmth reduces stress and muscle tension. Steam therapy is also known to improve circulation and support overall wellness, making it a cornerstone of the traditional hammam experience.
Swimming Pool: Refresh, Relax, and Revitalise
A traditional hammam experience isn’t complete without water immersion. The 7.5m x 6.5m Swimming Pool offers a refreshing space to cool down, relax, or gently move the body. With a consistent depth of 1.2m, it’s suitable for all comfort levels.
The pool features two powerful hydro cannons, delivering high-pressure jets that massage the skin and stimulate circulation. Whether you’re unwinding after heat therapy or simply enjoying a moment of calm, the pool adds another layer of revitalisation to your spa journey.
Ice Room: Invigorating Cold Therapy
For those seeking a truly unique wellness experience, the Ice Room offers a striking contrast to the warmth of the hammam. Maintained at -15°C, this space challenges the body through cold exposure, encouraging improved circulation and oxygen intake.
Guests gently apply crushed ice crystals to the skin, which helps firm and tone while stimulating the senses. This cold therapy experience leaves you feeling refreshed, energised, and mentally clear, an essential balance to the heat-based treatments.
Spa Jacuzzi: Comfort and Muscle Relief
The Spa Jacuzzi provides a moment of indulgent relaxation. Warm water combined with targeted jets creates soothing pressure that eases muscle tension, reduces stress, and improves circulation.
Measuring 5m x 2.5m, the jacuzzi is ideal for unwinding aching joints and tired muscles. The gentle movement of the water offers both physical relief and a sense of calm, making it a favourite stop for many spa-goers.
Hammam Room: The Heart of the Experience
At the centre of the traditional ritual lies the Hammam Room itself. This spacious Turkish bath features 13 marble basins with hot and cold taps, individual gold bowls, and a large heated marble platform.
Here, guests can relax and enjoy authentic Peel and Foam treatments, where warm water, exfoliation, and rich foam cleanse the skin and leave it incredibly soft. The heated marble encourages muscle relaxation while creating a deeply calming atmosphere—true to centuries-old hammam traditions.
Showers & Final Refresh
The experience concludes in the revitalising shower area, equipped with adjustable temperature showers, a large cold shower head, and a cold bucket. High-quality body wash and conditioning shampoo are provided, allowing guests to cleanse and refresh before returning to everyday life.
Reception & Bar Area: Rest and Reflect
After completing the hammam journey, guests are welcomed into the Reception & Bar Area, a warm and inviting space to relax before or after their session. Enjoy the calming atmosphere and sip on a cup of authentic Turkish tea, allowing your body and mind to fully absorb the benefits of the experience.
Final Thoughts
A traditional hammam is more than a spa visit, it’s a complete wellness ritual that supports overall health, restoring balance through heat, water, and deep relaxation. For London spa-goers seeking genuine rejuvenation, The Old Hammam & Spa offers an authentic experience that honours timeless tradition while embracing modern comfort and luxury. Step inside, slow down, and reconnect with yourself. centuries-old health and wellness practices designed to leave you renewed, refreshed, and revitalised.
Show Comments (0)