Feeling buffed, as smooth as a babies bottom and clean is the least of your expectations when hitting the Hammam! You also expect to unwind and feel relaxed.
Chillax and say “Ahhh” There’s nothing nicer than that new baby feeling you have when you leave the Hammam or Turkish bath, squeaky clean scrubbed up & feeling sleepy is usually the way I’d describe it!
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What Is A Hammam?
Hammam is an old traditional cleansing ritual of many Arabs & Turks alike, which is spread across the Middle East, also called a Moroccan Bath/Turkish Bath. While the Moroccan bath uses the traditional black soap, which has the consistency of butter, or a gel with a black loofah/scrubber.
The Turkish bath uses a natural Olive Oil or Rose soap which, along with a foam bag, feels lush!
This ritual is done to clean, whiten and soften the skin and it also helps to relax the tired nerves and muscles while enhancing the blood circulation of the body.
The Moroccan Bath starts in a steam room with a head to toe application of traditional Moroccan black soap to prepare the skin for exfoliation. Moroccan black soap it is obtained from a mixture of oil and crushed black olives; it is also rich in Vitamin E. Thanks to its exfoliating and moisturizing properties, it softens and nourishes the skin. Following the application of black soap, the body is rinsed thoroughly with the water and then the exfoliation procedure starts with special gloves called loofah. While scrubbing with the loofah, dead skin and dirt are removed from the body. Lavish shower and application of moisturizer to the body to perfectly finish the Hammam.
So What’s The Deal?
Feeling frazzled after travelling, I felt I needed a scrub, and a buff to make me feel all shiny & new again. That’s where my handy Groupon app came in! I opened it to immediately find an offer on a Spa with a really good deal!
The ad read –
Conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Emirates Towers, Suzans Ladies Beauty Salon pampers customers from head to toe with a range of bespoke treatments. These include hair and nail care, as well as waxing and threading services, facials, spa treatments and Moroccan baths. Boasting experienced and dedicated staff, the salon aims to create a friendly atmosphere in which guests can relax and enjoy their beautifying sessions.
Need I read more?? I was all set and booked in for the following day! I didn’t actually purchase the offer on the app, but the staff on the phone just advised me to come along and they would charge me the same amount when I get there.
There were three options to choose from –
- AED 59 for a Moroccan bath session (51% off) *£11-12
- AED 119 for a Moroccan bath session with a classic manicure and pedicure (48% off) *£23
- AED 179 for a Moroccan bath session with a manicure, pedicure and blow-dry (46% off) *£35
I decided to go for option 3 and asked if I could also get waxing, I was told over the phone they do not do waxing even though it says they do in the spa description… OK, fine, buffing and blow-dry it is!
The Let Down –
Arriving to, what was part apartment/part business building? I asked security for directions and went up to the spa.
This was a little disappointing as I was expecting a SPA, plinky plonky music, relaxing mood lighting….. when in actual fact, it was a converted apartment, a hairdressers, with rooms for massage/treatments and a steam room. There were residential neighbors which I found odd. Being a Hijabi, I did not like the fact anyone could open the door and see ladies getting their hair done. There was no partition so if the door is open you have full view of everyone inside the waiting area/hair area.
While waiting I overheard someone mention waxing another client, to which I asked if they did waxing & why I was told over the phone they did not? So I decided to get a wax on top of my treatment.
I was wearing an Abaya & the lady told me to strip off….. to wax my legs?? I gave her a strange look and when she returned I lifted the Abaya and said you are only waxing legs!! So she just smiled and began, once that was finished they began my Manicure/Pedicure. They did initial scrubbing and left the colour for after the Hammam session.
I was called into the cubicle and told to strip….. NAKED :O to which I said no!
I have been to Turkish Baths and Hammams in the UK, Turkey and Algeria, every single one, I’ve always worn swimwear/bikini or underwear!! Never been asked to strip naked. I would not feel comfortable, nor is it permissible for you to show your Awrah (Intimate Parts) to another person, female or not, it ain’t happening!!
They insisted that I be completely naked for the Hammam, I sternly told them no thank you, I have a bikini and will wear that!
My friend had the same situation but never had a change of clothes with her. She was finished before me & the staff made fun of her for not taking off her underwear! This was really unprofessional, Imagine…..We are paying you for a service, for something that is supposed to relax us and make us unwind, yet you’re mocking your clients?? BIG no no!
The steam room was very basic, a shower in the corner and a tiled slab table (not a hint of marble in sight) with a small cubicle to change in, no lockers to safely store your bag and other valuables.
You are to bring your own loofah/mitt or you’re charged an extra 50AED (£10 for a sponge I kid you not!) Then you are rubbed with the black soap and left to melt in the steam for 10 minutes before the lady returns to scrub you. Although I felt cleaner, I did not feel one bit “pampered” like they say in their advert. It was more like falling into a muddy puddle as a kid and ya mum is angrly scrubbing the mud off you in a hurry! 😀
After the Hammam I completed my mani/pedi, which was good! I opted to not have my hair blow dried because the manicure took so long and it was already getting late. They didn’t offer any refreshments, I had to ask for water & then another member of staff brought me some Mint Tea.
I give Susans Salon Dubai a ThrifDee rating of 3/10
The price was good, but everything else was lacking! The staff were unprofessional and whilst I was in the steam room, my friend left abruptly because of the treatment she received from them! I will NOT be going back, nor will I be recommending my readers visit! There are plenty of options out there, my advice is, read the reviews (including mine) before you rush to grab that coupon offer or deal online!
This is not a sponsored post, just my views! Do you have any Spas or deals you can recommend? Or maybe you’ve visited here or had a rough experience with a salon you’d like to share? Please let me know in the comments below & don’t forget to share!
I had never heard of these baths before either! I have super dry skin, and that sounds absolutely wonderful. I wonder if they have similar places near me! I could use a good scrub! 🙂
Author
Yes it’s very good for dry skin & it’s 100% natural… can’t go wrong! 🙂
WOW! I have never heard of a Hammam or these baths! They sounds amazing. You made me want one immediately. I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience at this particular place!
Author
They really are amazing… if you get it done properly, you’ll feel so relaxed 😊