After a challenging time driving around Morocco (as a single Mum with 3 kids), I was really eager for us to have some downtime and do something relaxing but fun. After hearing about Hammams (a traditional Moroccan bath) I knew we had to try one.
This post is all about how you can book a kid-friendly Hamman in Marrakech.
A Moroccan Hammam In Marrakech
Not many hammams are keen on children and with gender segregation, it would be a girls vs boys experience. I wanted us to enjoy the experience together like we did in the thermal baths of Hungary.
Just by chance (oh how lucky we were) we walked down a side street in the Medina and saw a sign advertising “ISIS, a spa dedicated to families“.
How perfect for us and for you too, because it really was a great experience and we want to share it with you.
We Walked In Off The Street But You Don’t Have To!
Whilst in Marrakech, we took to wearing our dirtiest clothes and walking boots at all times so when my husband (who joined us for week 4) suggested we just walk in to see what it was like, I did baulk a little! Couldn’t we just ring and make a good impression on the phone? We really did look very terrible and I was embarrassed.
Following the signs and meandering the back alleys of Marrakech, we found the spa and walked in. What a haven of cleanliness and beauty in comparison to where we’d been walking & how we were feeling.
The young man at the reception made us feel very welcome, even if I did feel like the dirtiest and messiest thing there! He put me at ease and we soon booked our retreat.
There Are Different Packages To Choose
We were invited to sit in the seating area with a steaming glass of delicious mint tea whilst we considered the menu.
I just wanted to feel clean and shiny again, so to be honest I would have signed up for everything, but the kids wanted to try a massage and a jacuzzi.
We chose the family package which comprises a steam hammam with a chocolate & mint soap scrub and a Rassoul body mask, followed by an oriental massage, mint tea and a jacuzzi.
We put down a cash deposit and booked our slot. We were under no pressure to purchase a package which was refreshingly different to everything we’d experienced in Morocco. It was so nice to feel like we were respected and not just seen as cash cows.
Arriving To Get Changed
We arrived back two days later, greatly anticipating the next few hours.
We were provided with a family changing room but I’m sure if you were to ask, you could have separate rooms. You’re provided with two lockers with locks and keys, white bath robes and some rubber shoes.
What Should You Wear For Your Hammam?
In the hammam, you’ll be stripped down topless so it’s best to either wear your knickers/pants or bikini bottoms for women and for men, budgie smugglers or tighter shorts.
Rich wore knee-length, board shorts but they were cumbersome and became very wet – obviously – and dripped everywhere.
Ladies: there is no way to avoid removing your top half, so if you’re shy this might not be the best package for you. Also if you have a teenage daughter, it would be best to prepare them. We weren’t prepared for this and it did cause some embarrassment although it was easily rectified.
What To Expect From Your Hammam
The hammam is warm and steamy but nothing as intense as the steam rooms in Hungary. The tiles are heated which makes the padded seats warm and welcoming.
We had three hammam ladies for our family session and they were all wonderful, friendly and multi-lingual.
Firstly we were washed with hot water – well, I say washed but more like we had buckets of water thrown over our heads! Lying face down on the padded mats we were massaged with a chocolate and mint body scrub before being turned over and massaged again. After everyone was massaged, we were roughly but nicely showered with a hot shower from the roof and then scrubbed with Rassoul body scrub before being sprayed with orange flower serum. My skin has never felt so soft!
Whilst the experience wasn’t relaxing per se it was therapeutic. The lights were dimmed, and we lay there listening to the sound of running water and being enveloped by the heat of the steam and the aroma of chocolate. Just writing this now, I wish we were back there!
The heat from the steam and the massage left us feeling drowsy and I’ve never felt so clean. Our skin was unbelievably soft and we smelled really good. The kids and Richard said they lost a lot of hair from their legs. I’m guessing this is because their hair is light and fluffy!
Do You Fancy An Oriental Massage?
Bundled up in our gowns and towels on our heads, we were taken downstairs to the massage rooms. Here we were separated into groups of two’s with one left over. It was our teenage daughter who was left alone and I was incredibly worried about her but I needn’t have bothered. She had a great time.
The massage lasted about forty minutes in darkened rooms with light music. Our son fell asleep TWICE during the massage which made our two massage ladies giggle.
Drinking Mint Tea
We were taken downstairs to chill out in the family sofa room whilst we drank little glasses of mint tea. Our son would have easily gone back to sleep if we’d let him but he was bribed with a glass of tea and the promise of a jacuzzi.
The room is small and warm and has black and red decor. The sofas are low lying and the smell of burning oil provides are gently.
Please excuse the terrible quality of this video. It was taken with a very old GoPro.
Ending Up In The Jacuzzi
For our kids, this was the most exciting part of the day. Sure, they loved the hammam and the massage but all those jacuzzi bubbles are enough to send a kid wild lol,
The jacuzzi was in a darkened room with oil burning. Of course, it was supposed to be mildly therapeutic but who are we kidding! Two kids giggling, splashing and squirming is not exactly relaxing but it was really fun.
We had such a fabulous time and we cannot thank the staff there enough for their time and skills. We would 100% recommend ISIS spa and hammam – even if you don’t book this package, you’d still have a great time here.
You Can Stay Here Too!
You can stay at the beautiful Riad here and get spas every day. Imagine how fresh your skin would look.
Click here to see how nice the rooms above the spa look.
Where Else Could You Stay?
Use this interactive map to search for other accommodation in Marrakech.
Book Cheap Flights To Marrakech
We flew to Marrakech for less than £30 each.
Click here to search for flights.
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