6 November 2026
Marrakech's Finest Luxury Spas and Hammams
From neighbourhood hammams to grand palace spas, Marrakech has cultivated the art of relaxation for centuries. Here are the addresses I recommend to my guests, and how to make the most of them.
In Marrakech, visiting a hammam is not the same as visiting a spa. The former is a neighbourhood ritual, passed down through generations; the latter is a more refined interlude, born from luxury hospitality. The two complement each other beautifully, and the best approach is to experience both during your stay.
The Hammam: A Ritual Before a Treatment
The principle is straightforward: you enter a steam-heated room, let yourself perspire, then have your body scrubbed with black beldi soap using a kessa glove. Your skin emerges smooth, almost renewed. Next comes ghassoul, an Atlas clay that serves as a mask for both body and hair, sometimes followed by an argan oil massage.
I always warn my guests: the scrubbing is thorough. If you have sensitive skin, say so from the start, and they'll adjust their touch.
In the Medina: Les Bains de Marrakech and Hammam de la Rose
These two addresses have the advantage of being standalone hammams, not steam rooms attached to a hotel. At Les Bains de Marrakech, you pass through a riad with tadelakt walls before descending into vaulted rooms lit by candlelight. Hammam de la Rose plays with pink and cream elegance, featuring private cabins where you can come as a couple.
In both cases, the staff is attentive, the towels are thick, and mint tea arrives at the end without asking. It's the perfect format for an afternoon following a morning in the souks.
The Grand Houses: Royal Mansour and La Mamounia
The Royal Mansour spa is a place of silence. It's designed like a small palace, with carved woodwork, pools, and light-filled patios. Treatments are long and precise, and you can easily spend a full afternoon there.
La Mamounia, meanwhile, has that slightly theatrical charm of old Marrakech palaces. Its spa blends marble, zellige tilework, and an indoor pool, remaining one of the most pleasant addresses in winter, when you want warmth sheltered from the Atlas wind. Both establishments welcome outside visitors by reservation, which requires booking well in advance.
A good hammam is judged by how you feel when you leave: lighter, a little slowed down, with no urge to check your phone.
The Neighbourhood Hammam: Understanding the City
If you have an hour and a taste for exploration, try a public hammam like Mouassine in the medina. Nothing luxurious: buckets, stone benches, regulars greeting each other. But you'll see how the city has maintained its hygiene and social warmth for centuries.
Bring your toiletries and be prepared to share the space. It's a different experience, one I love recommending alongside a more refined spa visit.
How to Choose, and When to Go
A few guidelines I often share with my guests:
- For authenticity and an intimate setting, choose a riad hammam in the medina.
- For longer treatment programmes and comprehensive service, opt for palace spas.
- For a treatment for two, request a private cabin when booking.
Make your reservation the day before at the latest, especially from November to April. Avoid the hammam immediately after a heavy lunch, and drink plenty of water afterwards. Late afternoon is ideal, as you leave the heat of the day and return to the cool of evening.
Returning to the Villa After Your Treatment
At Villa Soukarya, we're nestled in the heart of the Amelkis golf estate, about twenty minutes from the medina. This short journey has its own charm after a hammam: you leave the city behind and find yourself in the peaceful grounds, the heated pool, and suites where you can rest without a care. If you wish, we can help you choose an address and reserve your time slot before you arrive.