We tried the country's first authentic Turkish Hammam
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The göbek taşı is a heated marble piece guests can lay on to relax. Photo: Hürrem Hammam
I was recently invited to experience a full-body kese exfoliation, followed by a coffee grounds and honey scrub and a traditional Turkish foam bubble massage.
- And if that sounds like 80-minutes of pure bliss mixed with the occasional "I am meant for this type of luxurious lifestyle!" mental note, then you are absolutely correct — it was glorious.
Why it matters: The Hürrem Hammam Wellness & Spa in North Miami is the country's first authentic Turkish Hammam.
- And, I — one who rarely indulges in a spa day (I dislike being indoors on a sunny day!) — am now a convert.
- My skin was soft and glowy for days.
State of spa: The immersive 20,000‑square‑foot destination that opened in early 2025, incorporates authentic materials and design elements.
- The marble stones featured throughout, including the göbek taşı, the heated marble centerpiece in the Grand Hammam, are sourced from Marmara, Turkey.
- Other design elements, including the textiles and decor, are also handmade or selected in Turkey.
The intrigue: Topkapi Restaurant offers Turkish-inspired cuisine inside the spa.
- I didn't try it, but Infatuation Miami did. Read their review.
How it works: Upon arrival, guests are escorted to their respective locker rooms, where a plush robe, towel and rubber slides are waiting.
- Once changed, a spa ambassador leads guests through what can only be explained as a mini museum highlighting Istanbul's grand hammams, centuries-old techniques and traditions and the story of Hürrem Sultan, the woman who inspired the spa's name.
- Guests are then shown the amenities, which range from the rustic sauna (different from the herbal sauna) to a steam room to an arctic room.
Zoom in: I tried every amenity but the arctic room and cold plunge, because anything below 75F is my nightmare.
Zoom out: The Hammam Journey (spa treatment of choice) is enjoyed in the marble scrub rooms where multiple marble tables are arranged in a row for guests. (Two others got their massage at the same time as me.)
- My "Hurrem Sultan Hammam" Coffee & Honey Ritual ($350), the spa's signature journey, began with the masseuse pouring warm water from my head to my toes.
- After using a kese (traditional rough glove) to scrub off all the dead skin, she lathered a substantial amount of honey-mixed-coffee grounds on my body before beginning her massage.
- Warm water is used to clear the mixture before beginning the foam bubble massage (essentially heaps of large, warm soap bubbles covering your body), an aromatherapy shoulder and scalp massage and scalp cleanse.
Between the warm water, coffee aromas and scalp massage, I was blissfully unaware that I had a full-day's worth of work to finish once I left.
Yes, but: The marble table is warm and the room is heated to 90F, so it's easy to get a little over heated if you're not used to warm environments.
If you go: I recommend a weekday, as even on a Thursday I was surprised to see the number of guests.
- A full-day pass (Mon-Thurs) is $85. A four-hour pass on the weekends is $125.
The bottom line: Hürrem Hammam is a luxurious experience from the moment you arrive — and the perfect place to ditch your phone and escape for a while.