By JOSE PAOLO DELA CRUZ
If a simple warm shower can do wonders to your weary body by the end of the day, then imagine what a bath as luxurious as this can do.
Its origins go as far as Turkey, but one can easily enjoy it by stepping into the Terazi Spa of Discovery Primea. There you can experience a handcrafted Hammam, that will not just leave your skin feeling smooth and silky, but also rejuvenate your senses from within.
The experience begins with a 10-minute steam, where one can meditate. Since the first step involves sweating, you may hydrate with icy cold honey water given to you at the start of the process. The attendant also gives you an ice bag and dipper, which can be used to douse yourself to avoid developing headaches due to the increase in temperature.
With the skin moist from the steaming, you are then ushered to the nearby heated marble bed for the second part of the bath. There, Terazi’s therapist initiates a deep body exfoliation using the traditional ‘kese’ mitt and castile soap to cleanse every inch of your body. The attendants are meticulous in their methods — from the time they scrub you, to the time they lather you with foam. The steam-heated room also gives a certain veil of privacy that makes the entire scrubbing and washing of your body a little less intrusive, and all the more relaxing.
(A treatment room where one can avail of massages in peace)
(The steam room where guests can have a scrub on a heated marble bed)
Lying on the heated marble bed, as steam fills up the room, you feel the gentle trickle of foamy warm water on your back. You will find it impossible to not sigh with contentment. Before you know it, you are buried in a cloud of bubbles. Indeed, it is a bath unlike any other.
The scrub ends with a rinse of cold water that brings a refreshing jolt of energy to your body, signaling that it’s time to end the bath. You are then ushered into a nearby shower, where you clean yourself up once and for all. Your treatment is completed with a refreshing drink, served in The Terazi Tea Lounge.
The bath, which takes an hour, definitely has rejuvenating qualities. However, the level of relaxation is further amped up if you avail of a massage right after the treatment, in one of Terazi’s dimly lit, wooden massage rooms. After that, you’ll be sleeping like a baby, before waking up ready to take on the world once more.
Book your Hammam treatment today with Terazi Spa by calling (02) 955 8888 local 7310, or email terazispa@discovery.com.ph for reservations.
