What Is a Moroccan Bath? Your Guide to the Hammam Ritual

The Moroccan bath — or hammam — is one of the oldest and most satisfying body rituals in the world. If you have never experienced one, here is exactly what to expect and why it leaves your skin dramatically softer than any scrub at home.

It is an active ritual, not a sauna

Unlike a steam room you sit in alone, a Moroccan bath is performed for you, step by step, by a trained therapist. The combination of heat, traditional products, and manual exfoliation is what makes the result so different from anything you can do yourself.

The steps

1. Steam. You begin in a warm steam room, which opens the pores and softens the skin in preparation.
2. Black soap (savon beldi). A natural, olive-based black soap is applied across the whole body and left to work for several minutes.
3. Kessa exfoliation. Using a traditional kessa glove, your therapist works systematically over the body, lifting away dead skin. This is the moment most guests are amazed by.
4. Rhassoul clay (Royal bath). In the Royal Moroccan Bath, a mineral-rich rhassoul clay mask follows to draw out impurities, along with a scalp treatment.
5. Warm rinse. A final rinse leaves you clean, glowing, and completely relaxed.

How your skin feels afterwards

The single most common reaction is surprise at how soft and bright the skin feels — the kessa glove removes a layer of dead skin that builds up invisibly over time. Many guests make the hammam a monthly habit for exactly this reason.

Standard vs Royal

The Standard Moroccan Bath (45 min) covers steam, black soap, and kessa exfoliation. The Royal Moroccan Bath (60 min) adds the rhassoul clay mask, scalp treatment, and extra massage — the complete traditional experience.

Make it a full ritual

For the ultimate session, pair the hammam with a massage — the Swedish massage + Moroccan bath combination is a guest favourite. Explore the full Moroccan bath options or book on WhatsApp. We are on the 5th floor of Le Royal Méridien, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi.