Venues offering Sultan Massage

Sultan massage (Ottoman massage) is not a single massage technique but a package that brings the traditional hammam experience together with an oil massage in one comprehensive programme. The word "sultan" in its name does not describe a historical technique; it is a trade name that venues give to their comprehensive hammam packages. Because the contents vary from venue to venue, you need to ask what a Sultan massage includes before booking.

The typical flow of the programme

A Sultan massage programme usually follows this order:

1. Warming up and softening the skin on the hot marble platform, also called the navel stone, in the hot room of the hammam.
2. A kese (exfoliating scrub) with a kese mitt on wet skin.
3. A foam massage with the rich lather produced from a soapy cloth.
4. Hair wash and rinse with lukewarm water.
5. After drying off, a full-body oil massage on a table in the massage room.
6. Refreshments and rest in the relaxation area.

In a Sultan massage, the time spent in the hot room is adjusted to how well you tolerate heat. If you feel dizzy or unwell, you can tell the attendant and move to the cooler room; the flow of the programme can be changed accordingly.

At some venues a facial or body scrub is also included in the package. Two programmes offered under the same name can differ markedly in content and massage length.

Duration, preparation and frequency

A Sultan massage programme usually lasts 90-150 minutes, including the hammam part, the massage and rest time. Because you will spend a long time in a hot environment, it is advisable to drink plenty of water and not to start the programme on an empty stomach or straight after a heavy meal. Most venues provide a peshtemal, towel and slippers; whether a swimsuit or bikini is required varies by venue, so ask when booking.

Because kese clears away the outermost layer of the skin, Sultan massage is not something to repeat often. Most people have the programme on special occasions or every few weeks; in between, they may opt for just an oil massage or use of the hammam.

What to expect

The most noticeable effects of Sultan massage are skin that feels smooth after the kese and the relaxation that follows a long heat-and-massage programme. The heat of the hammam may help the muscles relax; the oil massage deepens this feeling. Temporary redness may appear on the skin after kese; moisturising the skin for the next day or two and avoiding long, very hot showers may help reduce the feeling of dryness. The programme does not flush toxins from the body and does not make you lose weight; the fluid lost through sweating in the hammam is regained when you drink water.

Who it suits and who should avoid it

Sultan massage is a popular choice for those who want the full hammam experience in one go, for special-occasion celebrations and for guests from out of town. It is also often requested as a couple. If you are going to a hammam for the first time or are sensitive to heat, you can ask for the hammam part to be kept short when booking.

Because of the hot, humid environment, people with cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy or respiratory conditions should consult their doctor. Hammam heat is inadvisable during pregnancy. The programme should be postponed if you have a fever, an active skin infection or an open wound. You should not go into the hammam after drinking alcohol. Kese should not be done on areas with sunburn, recent waxing or a flare-up of eczema; in that case you can ask to skip the kese and continue with the foam wash and massage.

How it differs from a classic hammam and four-hand Sultan massage

Sultan massage is most often confused with a classic hammam visit. In a classic hammam the programme is usually complete with warming up, kese and foam wash; a Sultan massage adds an oil massage, any extra treatments and a long rest period.

The name four-hand Sultan massage, meanwhile, is used for programmes in which the massage is given by two therapists at the same time; whether the hammam part is included varies by venue. Spa packages also bring several services together, but instead of the hammam they may focus on the sauna, steam room or facials.

What sets the price and questions to ask before booking

The price of Sultan massage depends first of all on the scope of the programme: the length of the oil massage, whether extras such as a facial or scrub are included, and the total duration. The type of venue (historic hammam, hotel hammam, thermal hotel), use of a private cabin or couples' room, and weekend or seasonal differences also affect the price. Before booking, clarify:

• Which steps the package includes and how many minutes the oil massage lasts.
• Whether the hammam section is separate for women and men or mixed.
• Whether a peshtemal, towel and slippers are provided.
• How long you can use the relaxation area after the programme.