The Arabic word for heat, hammam is a bath ritual distinguished by a focus on ambient steam and massage. A person taking a hammam first relaxes in a room heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air. The heavy perspiration induced by the sauna like environs releases toxins from the body. Bathers may then move to an even hotter room before splashing themselves with cold water. The ritual as a metaphor for molting is beauty as a form of holiness. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation.
 
Common for centuries, contemporary hammams are exclusive spa alternatives. Their appeal lies in the lengthy and relaxing, multi-step ritual of exfoliation, purification, and cleansing, a myriad of personalized services, and architecturally majestic decor. From the magnificent spas of Marrakesh to postmodern interpretations in New York City, here are ten of the hottest hammams. 
 
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November 2013