This place seems quite polarizing based on previous Yelp reviews, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I came here mainly wanting to check out the hammam experience. This place has been around for a long time, but I never came before because the prices seemed way too high. But they are offering 20% off all online booking this month, so I decided to use my insurance RMT benefits and try it out. A 60 mins. Swedish massage came to $112 instead of $140. Yes, it's expensive but with any service over $100 you get free access to the hammam.
I had a really relaxing experience here, despite it being a busy Saturday. There were a lot of people but it somehow never felt crowded, I never had to wait for a shower, and there was always room to sit in the tea lounge. There were a few instances were people were talking loudly in the changeroom, but generally, I found it much quieter and more relaxing than Body Blitz. It's also nice that it's co-ed (but it means you have to wear either a bathing suit or the wrap they give you... I brought my swimsuit because I think the wrap would still be kinda risque).
From start to finish, the service was excellent. I was given a walk around of the place and the facilities are really clean. Staff were constantly walking around clearing used towels, empty cups, etc. Everything smells amazing too! Eucalyptus oil everywhere... The change rooms have lockers and you can set the code (i.e. no having to keep track of a key). They provide robes (which are enormous, but I have never found a spa where they have small size robes) and slippers (which thankfully come in S/M/L/XL). There are rain showers and all the basics -- blow dryers, hair straightener, body lotion. But bring your own hairbrush.
After taking a shower, I went to the steam room. It was a lot larger than I expected. It is very steamy and you can barely see in front of you, but there's lots of room to sit and enjoy. It might be too hot for some people, but I loved it. I have been to hammams in Europe before and this was similar. In the hammam area, there are also showers to rinse off, a fridge with cool towels and cucumber water, and 2 suites (for if you buy a package that includes gommage scrub). I went back and forth between the steam room and the tea lounge (which has hot and iced tea, fruit, and magazines). You don't need to watch the time for your booked service, because once you arrive the staff know you are in the facility so they will call your name either in the steam room or the lounge. I thought that was nice, but it still would've been useful to have a clock somewhere.
My massage was with Connie, and it was great. Some people find the service rooms noisy (you can hear people walk by), but I was in a room that was farther away and it was fine. Connie checked in a few times to make sure the pressure was good. I didn't have any particular area of focus, but found the massage really relaxing and almost fell asleep... The massage table is heated too, which was nice.
Overall, this was a great escape in the middle of the city and the only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is because it is so expensive (I wish we had a hammam experience in Toronto that was more social and affordable enough that one could go regularly). But it is definitely a nice treat! read more