We undergo Amatara Wellness Resort's 16-step Thai hammam spa treatment
For anyone who’s tried a Turkish hammam, you know that it can be rough (and we’re not just talking about the state of your skin).
Traditional Turkish baths are a hot and steamy affair that involves an intense full-body exfoliation and foam bath while you lay practically naked on a heated slab of marble. Depending on the strength of your therapist, it can be a gruff experience that leaves you feeling raw.
But for those who want the benefits of Turkish hammam with the soft touch of Thai spa therapy, Amatara Wellness Resort in Phuket has introduced the world’s first Thai hammam.
Available in either a 105 or 165-minute treatment, the Thai hammam is a 16-step process that will leave you rejuvenated, detoxed and energised. We recently tried it out at Amatara Wellness Resort and here's how it went:
Hot and cold therapy
After changing into our hammam outfit, which consisted of a barely-there black mesh bandeau and booty shorts, we were guided into a dry sauna heated to 80 degrees Celsius for five minutes.
Next, we cooled off under a rain shower to stimulate blood circulation and boost the immune system, and were then guided into a very hot Thai floral steam sauna for 10 minutes.
The black soap massage was next, which took place in the main hammam room on a heated marble bed. The natural, organic black soap—made with olive, argan oil and essential oils—softens the skin and has many nourishing benefits. Once that was applied, it was back into the Thai floral steam sauna for another five minutes.
(Related: Meaghan See Embarks On A Wellness Journey In Amanoi)