Al Hammam Traditional Baths — Local services in Athens

Two years ago, experience of massage was to end up in A&E. I was crippled, could barely move or walk, and ended up on powerful morphine-based painkillers for weeks. Then many more weeks to reduce the dose otherwise I would have been a heroin addict.

They are very very lucky I did not sue.

Then I was asked gentle, medium or strong? I chose strong. A foolish choice, but it was not explained, if first time, gentle massage, half an hour maximum.

I was therefore taking a big risk to visit two years later.

Twenty minutes to wait.

Surly receptionist, other than asking how long a massage I required and take a seat, did not make use of the time to explain anything.

Previous visit I was asked to take a shower. Not this time.

Young lady escorted me upstairs to a room. Told me to take my clothes off, lay on a table and she would return.

On her return, she asked gentle, medium or strong, but no explanation or advice. I wisely chose medium.

If this was medium, I was pleased I did not choose strong.

Halfway through I was asked to turn over. Then blindfolded. No explanation why

The girl said finished, and vanished.

No discussion of any problems found or remedial action required.

Two years previous, I had been led to a nearby room, asked to sit and relax, and offered a cup of tea and the girl sat and chatted with me.

I made my own way back downstairs.

On paying the surly receptionist, she demanded I left a tip.

For what? I drew attention to the girl had not discussed the massage. She could then have called the girl, but chose not to.

To be fair to the girl, an excellent massage. I walked away feeling relaxed, not beaten up.

Al Hammam is expensive. To put in context, massage parlour in Ermou half the price.

The following morning stretching, ached and fell sore. Did she pay special attention to the areas below my shoulders where tense? An hour would have given the time to be able to. I will never know, as no communication...

I suffered a large and painful second degree burn in Al Hammam when a pipe in their treatment room sprayed scalding steam directly onto my leg, leaving a very large burn and blisters. This experience was not only very painful physically, but the negligent treatment I received from staff left me shaken.

I immediately told a staff member that I had been burned, and instead of assisting me, I was made to remain in the very hot steam room while the burn got worse. This delayed proper treatment and exacerbated the injury, and I was very distressed to be shut in a hot steam room for several minutes, all the while knowing I needed to get out of there and treat my burn. I finally convinced them to let me into the locker room where I was able to run cool water on the burn to stop my injury from getting even worse. I received no help from the staff for about half an hour, when they finally checked on me.

During my conversation with one employee, she told me that the same had happened to her previously — I am horrified and afraid for the staff and customers that this has happened before and has gone unaddressed.

I was unable to receive the massage treatment I had booked, and left in a great deal of pain. I was shocked when the manager still expected me to pay, and offered me only a ten percent discount.

I left this establishment limping and in tears and had to cancel many of my vacation plans because I was in too much pain and nursing delicate, blistered skin. I am afraid I may be scarred permanently.

I later wrote to the business to let them know of my experience and to ask them if they plan to address this safety concern, and received no response. I feel an obligation to advise other tourists to avoid this establishment for their own safety...

The place is very beautiful, clean, and harmonious, and the therapist who treated me was excellent with very professional technique. However, as a woman, I believe there are some important aspects that could be improved in terms of communication.

I was not informed in advance that the therapist would be a man. Although he was very respectful and kind, I believe guests should be given the option to choose a male or female therapist, especially since massages involve being almost naked , and not all women feel comfortable in that situation without prior notice.

Also, I had been told the experience would last 45 minutes: 30 minutes in the hammam+15 minutes of massage but I only had 35 actual minutes that felt like 15 minutes in the hammam and 20 minutes of massage, which was really good and have to say the therapist included a back massage although I had ask the package with only feet massage , wich I really appreciatte it although they cut my time inside the hammam.

Lastly, I was not told that the hammam area was “mixed”. I entered calmly, assuming it was women-only at that moment, and had already removed my top when men began to enter. This made me feel very uncomfortable. I believe it is essential to clearly inform guests when spaces are truly mixed and to offer clear alternatives for those of us seeking more privacy.

With clearer communication, this experience could feel much safer and more positive for everyone.But in general was a really...