Hammam recommendation in Istanbul?
Jun 20th, 2013 | 04:49 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 202
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Hammam recommendation in Istanbul?
Hi --
Have visited a hammam once, in Morocco and I'm ready to try it again. Am adventurous, but squeamish about hygiene, so looking for something semi-upscale (but authentic -- not a 5-star hotel). Any recommendations for where to go in Istanbul?
Your suggestions are appreciated.
- esme
Have visited a hammam once, in Morocco and I'm ready to try it again. Am adventurous, but squeamish about hygiene, so looking for something semi-upscale (but authentic -- not a 5-star hotel). Any recommendations for where to go in Istanbul?
Your suggestions are appreciated.
- esme
Jun 20th, 2013 | 06:08 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,709
Likes: 1
Jun 22nd, 2013 | 07:41 AM
#4
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
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I really wanted to do this when I spent 16 days in Turkey last year but if you read the reviews on Trip Advisor re. the major Istanbul hammams, the reviews are mediocre at best, an oftentimes downright negative, especially on the men's side of the hammam. Let us know what you end up doing.
Jun 22nd, 2013 | 02:15 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 254
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We visited Cemberlitas (mentioned above). My husband & I had very different experiences. He talks about this more than anything else we did or saw in Turkey. It was extremely physical, almost painful but he liked it! On the women's side, it was much more mellow. The massage "upgrade" was a waste of money and I'm pretty sure they had no professional massage training....
Facility was plenty clean and "nice". The only thing I remember questioning was the massage table...smelled musty.
All in all, an interesting and memorable experience.
Facility was plenty clean and "nice". The only thing I remember questioning was the massage table...smelled musty.
All in all, an interesting and memorable experience.
Jun 22nd, 2013 | 02:31 PM
#6
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
I can remember my mother visiting Cemberlitas.
She did not enjoy the experience at all.
She also told me that the German women walked around in the nude, which scandalised the Turkish and Arab women.
My mother, who was born in the UK, wore her bathing suit and was well received.
When we all went back to Istanbul years later, my mother headed straight to Spa Services at the Ritz Carlton.
Thin
She did not enjoy the experience at all.
She also told me that the German women walked around in the nude, which scandalised the Turkish and Arab women.
My mother, who was born in the UK, wore her bathing suit and was well received.
When we all went back to Istanbul years later, my mother headed straight to Spa Services at the Ritz Carlton.
Thin
Jun 27th, 2013 | 03:07 PM
#7
Original Poster
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Thanks, all.
These are that look possible from some initial online research:
o Cemberlitas Bath, Cemberlitas Square on Divanyolu Street, next to Vezirhan Monument
o *Kilic ali pasa
o Cagaloglu
I'm going to do more research, pick one and go for it. If it's wonderful, great; if not, it will still make for an interesting trip report.
Will report back.
- Esme
These are that look possible from some initial online research:
o Cemberlitas Bath, Cemberlitas Square on Divanyolu Street, next to Vezirhan Monument
o *Kilic ali pasa
o Cagaloglu
I'm going to do more research, pick one and go for it. If it's wonderful, great; if not, it will still make for an interesting trip report.
Will report back.
- Esme
