Bain-bleu-hammam-and-spa-geneva Geneva Swiss Bliss Travel

Bain Bleu Hammam & Spa Geneva

An enchanting urban escape...

“You cannot change the world, but you can change scenery” - such is the Bain Bleu’s motto. Opened in 2015, this urban Turkish-style bathhouse is a unique concept in Geneva. Located just a stone’s throw from the city centre, along the shores of Lake Geneva, it offers 3000 m2 of stylish facilities dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation. Bain Bleu is designed to provide a spa experience to those who traditionally might not be able to afford a luxury spa; it is unlike anything you might come across in a five-star hotel. Whilst it may not offer all the bells and whistles that five-star spas provide, it does offer an enchanting escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Designed with a North African theme throughout, it offers a very sleek indoor bath, an incredible 6-step hammam and a very cool rooftop bath, terrace and lounge-café with an indirect view on Lake Geneva and the Jura beyond. All the pools are heated to 35 degrees centigrade. The décor plays on a mixture of incredible textures, ranging from grey concrete to bright turquoise mosaics mixed in with north-African furnishings in hues of deep orange, gold and red.

Bain Bleu’s best feature is definitely its unique 6-step hammam. It all starts off with a long steam to prepare your body for the hot and humid temperatures throughout the hammam. This is followed by a brief visit to the “exfoliating room” where you can scrub your body down using a traditional Moroccan kessa glove. You are then invited to relax for a while in the beautiful baths, before moving onto the essential oil steam room. The fifth step – and by far my very favourite – is the hot stone relaxation area, where visitors can just lounge around on these beautifully smooth heated, black hot stones that provide a deep sense of relaxation. I could have stayed here for an hour without hesitation. The last step is the “dry area”, a fancy lounge where you can just relax and enjoy some refreshments.

The hammam also has a number of massage rooms where you can book a range of treatments such as a rhassoul clay body wrap or an argan oil massage, all inspired by traditional Moroccan beauty rituals. These treatments are guaranteed to leave you feeling pampered and relaxed. Personally, I tested the 25 minute body scrub. You are invited to lie down on a stone massage bed and given various props to rest your head and knees on, all this whilst covering your modesty with the sarong-like cloth you are given on entering the hammam area. The therapist first rinses you off with warm water, then with the help of a loofa sponge gently exfoliates your skin using long, firm strokes on your arms, back and legs. She then rinses you off with warm water before lathering you in soap bubbles and massaging you lightly, before rinsing you off again. You are left with super soft skin and feeling very invigorated. And if you want to have a truly romantic time, this treatment can be booked for two as can all the massages. They even have a number of private rooms available. Check out their website to see all the options, some even involve a glass of prosecco

These treatments are so successful that in 2016 alone, Bain Bleu got through 3 tonnes of rhassoul clay and 550 litres of organic argan oil, sourced from a women’s cooperative in Essouira, Morocco. Rhassoul, which is a naturally occurring clay, is very rich in minerals and is known for absorbing impurities from the skin and hair, improving skin texture and elasticity and reducing dryness.

Don’t miss the very large rooftop outdoor heated bath with an indirect view of the lake and the Jura mountains in the distance, it is sooooo relaxing... It comes complete with a number of built-in jacuzzi areas, jet streams and an area where you can just lie down and enjoy the bubbles. Just inside there's the rooftop indoor lounge where you can get a light bite to eat or enjoy a drink, all the products served are sourced locally. The café also has a lovely selection of baklava pastries, taking you once again back to North Africa. The self-service cafe with plastic trays is a reminder that you are not in a five-star spa, but a unique urban spa, open to everyone. Do look out for their packages which change throughout the season. At the moment, they are offering a great package which includes access to the baths, a body wrap and a 25-minute massage followed by lunch at the Restaurant du Parc des Eaux-Vives just across the road. They also offer a number of fun afterwork packages. And Tuesdays are reserved for ladies only. This is a great place to come to with your other half, for a romantic afternoon, or with a group of girlfriends, to relax, catch up and simply let go of your accumulated tensions.

Further information

Baths: Chf 28.-

Baths + hammam: Chf 42.-

Massages range between Chf 49.- for a 25-minute massage and Chf 90.- for a 50-minute massage.

A range of packages are also available combining different treatments. These range from Chf 99.- to Chf 185.-

The lunchtime package with a 2-course meal at the Restaurant du Parc des Eaux-Vives is Chf 120.-

All treatments can be booked online in advance.