Hurrem Sultan Hammam — Attraction in Fatih

Bottom line- 100% recommended Here's my experience: Tried to book online in Jan 2023 but didn't receive confirmation so arranged my appointment via email. Received a WhatsApp reminder msg day of my appt. I had a last minute question that they answered via text. Shaved before my appointment! Ladies entrance faces Blue Mosque, not Hagia Sophia. I walked around the entire building before finding it. Lady outside entrance gives you booties to cover your street shoes then walks you across the relaxation room to check in. Ladies were lounging and drinking tea while I walked past fully clothed and in my winter jacket Filled out a questionnaire at reception about my experience at Hammams- none- and how hard I wanted to be massaged- medium. Paid in cash in EUR. Taken to a locker with PIN lock to store stuff. Given rubber sandals, thong, towel, and soap to take home. Told to remove all clothes, wrap in towel, and meet in lounge area. Makeup remover provided on the vanity, as well as cotton pads, qtips, and disposable hair brushes. As soon as I walked out in my towel, an attendant took me by the hand through a separate door, asked if I needed the WC, then led me to the steam room. About 5 other ladies already in the big chamber in various stages of treatment. Some getting a massage on the slab in the middle, some getting a mud pack applied, one was getting rinsed with water. We could all see each other but not a big deal. Light chatter between the friends who knew each other but once they left, it was a quiet room. Led to a low step to sit while the attendant dumped warm water from a sink- enough to wet my hair and body. She left the bowl and told me I had 10 minutes to continue washing and relaxing while my pores opened up. She brought me a bottle of water. There's nothing to do except sit awkwardly on the low marble step, naked, and occasionally rinsing in warm water. Attendant came with a scrubbing glove and started at my face. She rubbed everywhere except for bikini area. Dead skin came off and she washed it with more warm water. It's not a rough scrub but it is thorough - under arms, breasts, bottom of feet, etc. She took me by the hand and led me to the center slab. I laid down on my front while she whipped up soapy bubbles and covered me in a warm blanket of suds. Then she massaged it in. The slab is warm, you're on a towel, and there's a small head rest. She also rubbed my head a bit. This was HEAVEN! Front side gets same treatment. Other women were on the slab having the same rub down but we couldn't see each other/ didn't care. After soap, she took me into another room to rinse off soap with warm water. Finally, she filled the bowl with cold water and asked me to cup my hands and rinse my own face a few times. She also put cold water on my feet. My hair was wrapped in a towel and a fresh fluffy towel was for my body. Attendant led me to lounge room that I had walked through in the beginning. She had a spot designated for me on the bench. She brought me a tray of Sherbet (a fruity cold drink) and two bites of Turkish delight. She handed me a bag with a small bottle of lotion as a goodie bag and walked away. I didn't see her again. I lounged for a bit, drank my juice, and waited to see if there was more. I couldn't tell. Was I meant to get tea? Would I be walked to my locker? Lots of workers and new customers walking around in this space - it's not quiet but it is relaxing. I wish they would offer unlimited drinks- it seems this is how other places do it? I brought a book and could have gotten it from my locker during this time. Or my phone. Others were on their phone and there's wifi available. But I was too relaxed to do anything but sit. After my hair was mostly dry, I went to change, blow dry my hair, and leave a tip. Receptionist asked my attendant's name so make sure you note it if you're going to tip. It didn't feel expected though. I spent about 1 hour 15 minutes there. It was so relaxing! But expensive. I spent 95€ total...

This is a must do while in Turkey. I have had many massages throughout the world but a Turkish Bath is its own experience. It truly is a bathing ritual that has elements of a massage but is not a massage. If you are expecting an American style Spa experience, this is not it.

Upon arrival you are asked to put shoe coverings on over your footwear by the gentleman checking women in. He is located outside the building at the women’s entrance. I did not see any men inside the Hamam, neither customers nor employees. Men and women have separate entrances at opposite ends of the building. Once inside I was greeted by a young woman who offered me something to drink. Her English was rather good so communication was easy. She had me rest on a comfy bench after completing a health waiver form. Then she showed me to my locker and I changed out of my clothing into a scarf like towel that was surprisingly wide enough to fit me. I am a size 18 so I was a little concerned that the towel would not cover my body but it did. There was also a thong like pair of “underwear” and some sandals. The sandals fit my size 12 feet which never happens when in Thailand or Japan. Yay!! The underwear was tiny. It doesn’t cover much of anything and it really more like a thong. It fit well enough because it’s pretty much like a maxi pad on stretchy strings. Each guest has a private locker with a guest selected secret code (like the safes in hotel rooms) to secure your belongings. Once in my towel (which was not see-through, as other reviewers noted) my hamam met me outside of the locker room. She took me to the bathing area, instructed me to remove my towel and showed me how to use the Turkish basin and bowl. Some reviews have called this a shower, it isn’t. You are required to rinse yourself throughly with the hot water from the marble basin. There is a lot of water in the basin so it is a good rinsing but it isn’t a shower. There is no shampoo or soap. I recommend not wearing deodorant to the hamam as it’s very difficult to remove without soap. The rinsing is done in an alcove with two other bathing areas. In theory there could be three women in each alcove at a time but I was there alone. After rinsing off, I rested. The room is comfortably warm so you don’t get chilly waiting. My hamam. Gulseven, was excellent. She introduced herself when she met me in the waiting area and she guided me to the “shower” area. She was clearly a professional. The scrubbing happens in the same three basin “shower” area where you rinse off. Gulseven had me sit next to the marble bowl as she re-rinsed me. If you don’t like the feel of water on your face, this experience might not be for you. There were several bowls of warm water poured over my head and on my body by Gulseven. She was very thorough. Her English was good enough that I knew when she wanted me to move this way or that way. She told me to stand as needed. After she finished scrubbing me, she rinsed me again and then took me by the hand to the large marble table for the bubble massage. That was wonderful!! I have never experienced something so invigorating. Gulseven worked the bubbles and oil into my skin. It was heavenly! After the massage we went back to the “shower” area where she washed my hair and gave me a final rinse. She wrapped my hair in a towel and my body in another traditional white towel. We went to the resting area where I was served tea, juice and some Turkish delight. The experience was excellent.

A few notes: This is a cultural experience.. you may feel a little uncomfortable at times but try to not let yourself get in the way of the experience. If you are truly uncomfortable being naked around other women you may want to consider a morning appointment. The hamam is busier in the afternoon and evening. Try to remember that the hamam isn’t a massage therapist at your local spa. They are more like a doctor administering a (wonderfully enjoyable) health treatment. They aren’t going to check in to assess your comfort level. If you can book with Gulseven, you should. She...

Great experience! I got the Zevki Seka package and my attendant was Nedla.

NOTE: read the policies/terms BEFORE you book online. There’s a 48 hour notice to cancel for a refund, or they can reschedule you. In the fine print it just says “menstruating or pregnant not to book”. However I called and if you have a tampon they say it’s okay just let them know. (I don’t know if they have a pregnancy term limit.) Important if you’re traveling for limited days and your cycle is unpredictable.

I have been to many spas, western and Asian. I would say this is “semi-private” and “semi-nude”. The vibe is “pleasantly efficient” from expert staff. Imagine artisans making baskets or bread by hand. That’s you. It’s very nice but just know that it’s slightly different than a western spa experience.

Here is what happens:

Arrive 10-15 early. Check in and the outside attendant gives you shoe covers. At the inside to check in desk sign the forms: standard stuff: do you have illness or injury, are you pregnant menstruating, what pressure do you like medium soft deep tissue, etc.

Be respectful and quiet as you enter. The check in desk is in the lobby which is also the spa resting area between treatments. I mention this because some people came in and were immediately taking photos and videos, but please don’t do this, as some women are in towels enjoying tea between treatments and dont want to be in your Instagram.

You are introduced to your attendant and brought to a changing locker room, given paper underwear, a locker to stow your things with a key code, plastic slippers, and a wrap cover.

You’re led to the warm steamy communal Spa area, disrobe with other patrons and rest on the hot marble. You are topless but not bottomless and everyone is respectful. (A tour guide told me you can wear a bikini top if you prefer). They brought me cool mineral water to drink which I liked.

The attendants wash you with water from the marble fountains and gold bowls, and then scrub you with the AMAZING exfoliator.

Next patrons lay on a pashmina in the center octagon stone while attendants do the bubble treatment and massage. How they do the bubble thing is a mystery but it was lovely. (If you opt for the clay treatment that’s this stage also)

Next: brought to a smaller room and rinsed again with gold bowls, and re-wrapped in a clean towel for your body and hair.

Return to the lobby area and enjoy tea and juice and Turkish delight: relax and wait or chat if you want. I hung out for maybe like 10-15 mins and enjoyed my tea and just listening to the music.

Then they bring you up to one of the second or third wooden floors for the massage. It’s kind of like a bird cage, the wood lattice is private but not sound proof. The architecture is stunning and it was awesome to have a massage under the ancient stain glass and dome like that!

The door was left open and there was a fan which was nice for ventilation, but I’m sure if you request them to close the door they will. I could still hear the sounds of the spa but that didn’t bother me.

My attendant was AMAZING and made me very comfortable through the process. She said she’s been working there ten years and the expert experience shows! She made pleasant small talk, and gave great prompts for all the next steps.

At the end they even give you the scrubber glove and shampoo soap conditioner they used to take home in a bag! It smells HEAVENLY so I made room in my bag to keep it.

I paid in advance with my American credit card online and I was able to add tip for my attendant to the card there on check out, since I didn’t have enough lira.

They have it down to a science every minute is planned. Definitely go if you have time and the desk staff are helpful and speak English if you have questions in advance. I actually emailed to ask about menstruation and they got back to me right away. Highly...