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Traditional Moroccan Hammam in Marrakech: Authentic Private Ritual from €25
The steam bath at Riad Vendôme is a traditional private Moroccan hammam. The ritual includes: eucalyptus-infused steam (15 min), beldi black soap scrub (15 min), ghassoul or rhassoul clay mask (10 min), and an orange water rinse. Total duration: 45 minutes. From €48/person. Available for couples and private groups.
The traditional Moroccan hammam is far more than a simple steam bath — it is an ancient purification ritual passed down from generation to generation. At Riad Vendôme, we perpetuate this ancestral tradition in a private hammam built with marble and tadelakt, equipped with a professional steam generator. Organic black soap scrub, rhassoul from the Middle Atlas body wrap, argan oil massage — each step uses 100% natural Moroccan products. From €48 per person.
In brief — Traditional hammam in Marrakech
- Traditional Moroccan hammam Marrakech €25: black soap scrub, kessa glove, ghassoul clay mask, marble steam room. Private ritual at Riad Vendôme.
- Full ritual (steam, black soap scrub, ghassoul clay mask, orange water rinse) from €48/person, 45 minutes, for couples or private groups.
- Private hammam built in marble and tadelakt with a professional steam generator; 100% natural Moroccan products (organic black soap, rhassoul, argan oil).
- Direct booking / WhatsApp: +212 600 608 608
The Spa Vendôme is the in-house spa of Riad Vendôme, managed by the house.
What Is a Traditional Moroccan Hammam?
Private Hammam vs Public Hammam: Which to Choose? +212 600 608 608
The word "hammam" comes from the Arabic حمّام meaning "hot bath". Present in Morocco for over a thousand years, the steam bath is as much a social institution as a beauty ritual. Traditionally, Moroccans visit the public hammam once or twice a week — it's a place of meeting, purification and relaxation that punctuates daily life. The steam bath is an integral part of Moroccan wedding preparations (the bride visits the day before the ceremony) and important rites of passage.
The traditional hammam is fundamentally different from a Finnish sauna or a Turkish bath. Where the sauna uses dry heat at 80–100°C, the Moroccan hammam produces moist steam at 40–50°C — much gentler on the skin and respiratory system. This steam, often infused with eucalyptus or orange, gently opens the pores and prepares the skin for the scrub that follows.
The 4 Steps of the steam bath Ritual at Riad Vendôme
Step 1 — The steam bath (10–15 minutes). You enter our private marble and tadelakt hammam (a traditional hand-polished lime plaster). The professional steam generator maintains an atmosphere at 40–45°C humidity. The steam, infused with eucalyptus or orange as you prefer, penetrates your pores and deeply relaxes your muscles. You feel the soothing heat enveloping your body — stress begins to melt away.
Step 2 — The scrub with black soap and kessa (15-20 minutes). This is the heart of the ritual. Our beautician applies organic black soap, a rich paste made from black olives from the Fès region, packed with vitamin E. After a few minutes, she performs the kessa glove scrub: a rough crepe mitt that, through vigorous expert strokes, removes dead skin cells in visible rolls on your skin. It is spectacular and deeply satisfying — your skin emerges incredibly smooth and soft.
Step 3 — Rhassoul clay body wrap (15–20 minutes, optional). Rhassoul (or ghassoul) is a saponiferous clay unique in the world, extracted from mines in the Moulouya Valley of the Moroccan Middle Atlas. Used since the 8th century, it's the only natural mineral to simultaneously contain silica, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium. Applied as a full-body wrap, it purifies, remineralises and tightens the pores. After 10 minutes, a rinse with lukewarm water reveals fresh, radiant skin.
Step 4 — Relaxation and mint tea. After the final rinse, you're wrapped in a warm towel and invited to the patio or terrace for fresh mint tea and Moroccan pastries. This rest period is essential: your body absorbs the ritual's benefits, your circulation normalises, and a sensation of profound serenity settles in.
Private Hammam vs Public Hammam: Which to Choose? +212 600 608 608
The public hammams of Marrakech (Bab Doukkala, Mellah, Mouassine) offer an immersive cultural experience at low prices (€5–15). You share the space with locals in an authentic atmosphere but with minimal comfort: no private changing area, you must bring your own supplies, cleanliness varies, and staff may not speak English or French. The private hammam at Riad Vendôme offers the same architectural authenticity (marble, tadelakt, traditional vaults) with every modern comfort: professional steam generator, organic products provided, fresh linens, qualified bilingual beautician, and total privacy (3 to 6 guests maximum). It's the best of both worlds — particularly recommended for a first experience.
The Proven Benefits of the Traditional Hammam
The steam bath is more than a moment of pleasure — it's a recognised therapeutic treatment. The moist steam stimulates blood circulation and helps eliminate toxins through perspiration. The black soap scrub removes 3 times more dead skin cells than a standard cosmetic exfoliant, activating cell renewal and revealing fresh, radiant skin. The rhassoul, rich in minerals, remineralises the skin and tightens dilated pores. The final argan oil massage nourishes and protects the skin for several days thanks to its high concentration of vitamin E and essential fatty acids.
On a mental level, the hammam induces a state of deep relaxation comparable to meditation. The gentle heat, the partial darkness, the scent of eucalyptus and the human contact of the scrub activate the parasympathetic nervous system and significantly reduce cortisol (the stress hormone). Our clients unanimously report an improvement in sleep quality from the very night after their session.
Rates of the steam bath at Riad Vendôme
| Treatment | Duration | Price / pers. |
|---|---|---|
| Hammam + scrub black soap | 30 min | 25 € |
| Hammam + scrub + body wrap rhassoul | 45 min | 35 € |
| Hammam + 1hr massage | 1hr30 | 49 € |
| Pack complete (hammam + rhassoul + 1hr massage) | 2hr | 65 € |
Rates up to date as of 21 August 2026 · valid until August 2028. Written quote within 24 hours on WhatsApp +212 600 608 608.
New: spa packages with lunch included. We also propose 3 packages combining spa and authentic Moroccan lunch: Jacuzzi + Pool + Lunch at €38/pers (half-day relaxation), Hammam + Massage + Lunch at €68/pers (complete traditional spa experience), and Massage + Jacuzzi + Lunch at €68/pers (relaxing package). Lunch is prepared on site by Chef Naima.
Open every day from 10am to 6pm, riad guests and outside visitors. Reserve 24h in advance recommended. See our spa & massage rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Moroccan steam bath and a sauna?
The Moroccan hammam uses wet steam at 40-50°C, a lot gentler than a Finnish sauna (dry heat at 80-100°C). The hammam includes a complete ritual of scrub and treatments, whereas the sauna is limited to heat. The hammam is better suited for sensitive skin.
Is the steam bath mixed at Riad Vendôme?
The Riad Vendôme hammam is private: it is reserved exclusively for you and your group (couples, friends, family). There are no shared sessions with other guests. You can come as a couple, with friends or family in complete privacy.
What do I need to bring for a hammam?
At Riad Vendôme, everything is provided: towels, hammam linens, black soap, rhassoul, kessa glove, sandals. You only need to bring your swimsuit. We also provide shower products and mint tea after the session.
Is the hammam suitable for children?
The hammam is suitable for children from age 6, with reduced temperature and duration. The scrub is carried out more gently. It is a lovely cultural experience to share as a family. Children under 6 can enjoy the pool and the jacuzzi.
How Many Guests Can Use the Hammam at the Same Time?
Our private hammam can accommodate 3 to 6 guests simultaneously. For larger groups (hen party, birthdays), we organise rotations: while some enjoy the hammam, others are having a massage or in the jacuzzi.
How much does a public hammam cost in the Marrakech medina compared to a private one at Riad Vendome?
A public hammam in the Marrakech medina, such as Bab Doukkala or Mouassine, costs 5 to 15 euros and offers an authentic but very basic experience shared with locals. The private hammam at Riad Vendome starts from 48 euros per person for the full 45-minute ritual, adding a professional steam generator, organic products, fresh linens and total privacy for 3 to 6 guests. It is particularly recommended for a first hammam experience.
What are the proven benefits of the rhassoul clay used in the hammam ritual?
Rhassoul clay purifies, remineralises and tightens the pores during the body wrap step of the hammam ritual. Extracted from the Moulouya Valley in the Moroccan Middle Atlas and used since the 8th century, it is the only natural mineral clay containing silica, magnesium, iron, zinc and potassium at once. At Riad Vendome it is applied for 15 to 20 minutes before a lukewarm water rinse reveals fresh, radiant skin.
Where exactly is Riad Vendome located in Marrakech?
Riad Vendome is at 217 Derb El Halfaoui, in the Dar El Bacha district of the Marrakech medina. It is a 7-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fna square, close to the Koutoubia and the souks, so you reach the main sights on foot without needing a taxi. A member of staff meets you at the nearest vehicle drop-off point on arrival.
How do I book, and how quickly do you reply?
You book directly with the riad, not through a platform. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608 and you receive a written quote within 24 hours. There is no automated booking engine: every stay is confirmed by a person, and the payment terms are set out in the quote you receive.
Can the whole riad be privatised, and for how many guests?
Yes, Riad Vendome can be hired exclusively. The main riad has 12 rooms and goes up to 20 rooms with our second riad 100 metres away, for exclusive hire of up to 45 guests. During an exclusive hire there are no other guests: the pool, hammam, jacuzzi and rooftop are reserved for your group alone.
When in the stay should the hammam be booked — on the arrival day or later?
On the second day, not on the arrival day. After a flight, a transfer and check-in at 15:00, a steam bath and a black-soap scrub leave most guests half asleep for the evening, and the first dinner is wasted. We keep day one for the pool, the rooftop jacuzzi at 36°C and a quiet dinner in the patio, and we place the hammam on the morning or the afternoon of day two, when the body has rested. Slots are held for riad guests, so tell Éric your arrival time on WhatsApp +212 600 608 608 and the slot is set in writing before you land.
How far in advance should the hammam and massage slots be reserved?
Before you arrive, in the same message as the room. The hammam is private and takes one group at a time, so on a full riad the good slots on day two go first. Éric confirms the day and the hour in writing with your quote within 24 hours; changing an hour on the spot is usually possible, finding a free hour on the arrival evening is not. Ask on WhatsApp +212 600 608 608.
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The Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
Related: Spa Day Marrakech.
Families with children are welcome at the riad: the pool and jacuzzi are accessible, and a babysitter can be arranged on request (€20/evening) so parents can enjoy the hammam and a massage together.