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Miraj Hammam Spa
Category: Beauty and Spas Day Spas Day Spas [Edit]
1495 6th Ave WVancouver, BC V6H 4E9
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 733-5151
- Hours:
Mon 12 pm - 6 pm
Tue-Wed 11 am - 7 pm
Thu-Fri 12 pm - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
14 reviews for Miraj Hammam Spa
14 reviews in English
-
Review from Tracy P.
Vancouver, BC
3/19/2012
It loses 1 star because I haven't actually had a chance to try their hammam & gommage treatment lol Unfortunately, the day I booked my treatment, the steam just wouldn't turn on. They apparently had to rebook their whole day.
Thankfully, not only did they give me a complimentary voucher for a hammam & gommage treatment at a later date (which is booked for this Wednesday!), but I came in for my 15 minute massage and they upgraded me to the 30 minute, at no extra charge (which ended up being about $30 + tip).
Decor:
I cannot get over how stunningly gorgeous this place is. They definitely efficiently used the small space they have, to create this oasis of pleasure. The sound of water and soothing scents follow you everywhere. It's peacefully quiet (save the unfortunately noise from the street).
Service:
From the sweetly apologetic receptionist, to the friendly masseuse, my experience was completely stress-free. I'm generally a high-strung person, who gets nervous in new situations and I was vaguely nervous about the experience, as it's a little more exotic then your run of the mill spa treatment.
Thankfully, the website is helpful to prepare you, and the staff is more than kind, letting you know where everything is and exactly what they need from you.
The changing rooms are lovely and clean, and they provide you locked lockers for your belongings.
The massage was absolutely heavenly and I look forward to finally getting my hammam & gommage experience! -
Review from Olga P.
Mission, BC
4/30/2012
Of all the spas I've visited in Vancouver this is my favourite and the only one that I indulge in every few months. The decor, ambience an entire experience is an escape and everything smells so good. I always come out feeling like I sweat out all my toxins and that my lungs are clearer. Recently I went with a girlfriend and we had the steam, exfoliation, and half hour massage. The spa menu is simple which I like. The only downside is that the hammam is a bit pricy and I also wish they would allow male guests more than one day a week.
-
Review from Trish R.
10/29/2010
I treated myself to a massage and "hammam" experience as a celebration to myself. I'd always wanted to try Miraj, and I was disappointed.
The decor is nice and the place was clean. It wasn't very busy on a Saturday afternoon.
I was escorted to the change rooms and given a key-bracelet and told to shower down and wrap myself in a cotton wrap. I was then escorted into the "hammam" which was pretty, but I couldn't do as I liked -- I had to sit in a little glassed-in room for my allotted 15 minutes of steam. The little room was the only area in the hammam where there was steam and the walls and the bench were cold to touch -- but the steam was clean and scented, so it was somewhat nice. But 15 minutes wasn't near long enough to get myself in a relaxed state -- and I was seated right beside the steam nozzle so it was a little suffocating.
After my quick steam, I was escorted to the gommage table, and I was scrubbed on my back, my arms and legs for exactly 15 minutes -- but I think the girl got ahead of herself and ended up scrubbing the last foot for about 5 minutes. I had one very clean foot!
I was then promptly escorted back into the change room to shower off and wait for my massage therapist to come and get me. While I was in the change room, two of the girls were talking quite loudly for the entire time I was there -- glancing at me a couple of times -- and standing really closed me as I was showering and washing my face, as if I wasn't there. And then one of the girls ducked into the supply cupboard to make phone calls on her cell phone. I don't know about anyone else, but this annoyed me because I'm there, paying big bucks to get myself to a relaxed state and this rushing and minimizing and then lack of courtesy for patrons in the change room really wasn't cool.
After my shower, the massage was heavenly. The massage therapist (at least) understood what sort of vibe is required to relax and she kneaded me into submission. Ahhh. So good.
Afterward, I relaxed on their pillow room, a very pretty room especially at noon when the sun was streaming through the prettily decorated window. That was really nice too.
In summary, I would never go there again. I still dream of the Standard Hammam in South Beach Miami, and of the Russian Bath House in NYC -- where you can go, lounge, steam, sweat and relax for much less money that at Miraj. I can get good massages anywhere in the city -- for less than $160 bucks (Linda's has good therapists for $55/hr), and I will wait until Vancouver gets with it and opens a hammam where one can come in, sit around in the steam and bathe in hot water for as long as one likes for a flat fee of $30-40, and get someone to give a gommage for $30 add on fee, or a massage for another $45.
Until then... -
Review from Daniela H.
Vancouver, BC
12/27/2010
My experience at Miraj in a nutshell:
- my appointment started 20 minutes late (not a big fan of that)
- the hammam & gomage was interesting but seemed to be lacking something - not sure what
- the 15 minute beauty massage was amazing and the oil used was very nice
- the 45 minute facial was really nice but the aesthetician had either bad breath or bad B.O. which was not so pleasant
- the tea and biscuit at the end were absolutely delicious
- when I booked, I was quoted $188 but when it was time to pay I was charged $193 + tax + tip (which was optional of course), I mentioned this to the receptionist but she said that it must be wrong on the website (not a big fan of that)
This spa offers a cool experience overall but could use some brushing up in the customer service area in order to be truly amazing... -
Review from Jason A.
4/22/2009
For a truly unique experience for couples visiting Vancouver, you have to consider a 1.5 hour escape at Miraj Hammam Spa. It is full body exfoliation treatment that brings couples off to a steam room to help prepare your body for the next step which is a full body scrub down that takes away all that hard to remove gunk that we carry on our skins. The next step is a massage that is available in different lengths of time and helps you drift away into lala land, especially after being in a steam room for a good 30 minutes. At most places you would think that's the end, but no! Both of you will get escorted to the lounge area that is really like oversized bed/couch filled with pillows as you wrap up your excursion to the Middle East with a sweet cake and a mint tea.
Coming to Miraj Hamman, you get a renewed feeling and a new spa experience that is hard to find outside of the Middle East. -
Review from Kristen W.
Vancouver, BC
6/14/2010
I'm sorry, what? I have to go back out into the real world? No, no, nooooo!
These were the words I was screaming as I was dragged back out onto the street after my most amazing session in Miraj. Well, no, I wasn't dragged, or even pulled, but it sure felt like it!
As soon as you step through the door you enter a whole new world. Warm, inviting, soothing, relaxing.
The staff here are all amazing. From the owner Surinder, to the Gommage specialist and massage ladies - they all make you feel so welcome. I don't think I've ever felt so comfortable getting my kit off in front of strangers (not that I do that often!).
I highly recommend the whole package - steam room, gommage body scrub, massage and then into the sultana lounge for tea and sweet cake and generally lounging around, plotting ways you can hide in the building and stay forever.... -
Review from Barb G.
6/22/2010
Well..I feel sorry to have to be the downer in reviews on this place.
It is a beautiful facility, and the best part for me was the aesthetics; felt like being in the baths in ancient Rome, the steam area was beautiful marble and arched doorways and ceilings.
The 'gommage' was just okay.( I have to admit I have been ruined for scrubs by being a regular user of Korean spas ) , and the technique used here was very light scrubbing, really just washing basically, and took about 10 minutes.
The one hour massage I had after was decent, but not up to the standard I usually have experienced in Canada, where massage therapists have much more extensive training than in the states.
The tea and cookie, taken in the cushioned back room authentic in middle eastern atmosphere, was pleasant.
But the price, over $200 for a steam, quick 'washing' and massage..just seemed a bit ridiculous. But I am really glad I tried it. (I try every unusual or ethnic bath or spa in every city I visit, or try to). -
Review from Leah M.
Richmond, BC
3/20/2011
Very relaxing and inviting. It seemed like it was well run and organized. The lady (Veronica I think) who did the gommage was very nice and made you feel completely comfortable even though you're naked. It's 15 mins in the steam and 15 minutes of exfoliation and then you're out.
The steam room was great, you could hardly see through it. Just loved it. Had a massage afterwards and it was relaxing.
The tea and sweets after were nice in the lounge, there's no way you could shoot back into the world right away anyways and not wander into traffic.
Overall I really enjoyed it but it's so expensive that it will not likely become a regular indulgence. -
Review from Sunny S.
Vancouver, BC
2/17/2009
Treat your loved one this Valentines Day to an exotic Middle Eastern treat at Miraj Hammam-Spa. Your treatment takes place in a low-mist massage chamber and they use an old world treatment called Gommage (an exfoliating process with black Moroccan soap).
For a little extra pampering, you can also add on a facial. After your treatment, enjoy mint tea and sweet cake in the silk pillow lounge. The spa is reserved for women, except on Thursdays and Sundays are reserved for couples. This would be a great kick start to Valentines Day.
1495 West 6th Avenue (at Granville)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6H 4G1
Tel: 604.733.5151 -
Review from Trisha S.
6/24/2010
My sister suggested this place to me. It is my first time to any type of bath house.
You walk in to a completely comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. The staff is friendly and it smells good inside. I was taken back to the shower area to rinse off then you are taken into a steam room for about 20-30 minutes. The steam is so thick you can't see anything in front of you. The aromas in the steam room are very relaxing. After the steam session you lay on the cold stone and the lady washes and scrubs you down. Good exfoliation after the steam room! After your bath you are taken to a different area for a massage(optional). When the massage is over they don't kick you out and send you on your way they take you back to lounge area where you can relax as long as you need to. You are served Arabic tea and a sweet biscuit while relaxing. Great experience for a first timer to the bath house. -
Review from John G.
Vancouver, BC
10/5/2009
Once upon a time, I decided to take the day off from watching NFL football on a Sunday to enjoy a "couples package" at this middle-eastern themed spa.
The spa provides a very nice ambiance - in many ways, it's like being immersed in a proverbial "Arabian Nights fairy tale."
"I'll be Aladdin, you can be Jasmine ... " (sung to the tune, "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.")
This particular package features a great 15-minute steam (Hammam), followed by an exfolication/scrub (gommage). The steam includes herbs, the scrub is provided with a mixture of black Moroccan soap and olive and eucalyptus oils.
Be forewarned, you are completely nude for the procedure. It caught me a bit off guard, at first. Myself and the Divine Ms. K. did have the entire steam/exfoliation room to ourselves (I think they must book it that way, one of the reasons it's probably so expensive), but at the time, it was a bit disconcerting for me to be completely naked, being scrubbed down by a female who was a complete stranger, but I just rolled with it. It seemed to be par for the course.
That was followed by a wonderful 60-minute private full-body massage from an RMT named Samantha. Of course, all good massages include music, and even the music played was authentic, in terms of blending in with the Middle Eastern theme.
We finished off in a private room that was essentially raised mattresses and pillows where we enjoyed Moroccan chai and some middle eastern sweet cakes. Very nice!
I'd highly recommend it to anyone living in, or visiting the Vancouver area. -
Review from Tomomi G.
8/25/2009
It's really a magical experience. For about 1.5 hours (or longer if you choose to) that you are in this place, you'll be totally immersed in an exotic atmosphere.
The treatment starts in a spacious steam room. l spent 10-15 minutes in high intensity steam bath. It was very steamy, I couldn't see anything which helped me to relax. Somehow it was not uncomfortably hot like some other steam bath I have been in. Then I was cleansed with warm eucalyptus oil followed by a full body scrub. The treatment was done in a separate area within a steam bath, so it was very warm and comfortable. I also added 1/2 hour massage after that, which further helped me to relax. (They offer other options.) After I was done with all the treatment, I was escorted to a lounge area where I could stay and relax. They served me a little pastry and sweet herb tea. Only thing disappointing was that this lounge area was facing to the street side of the building, so you hear cars driving by and people talking. Maybe it was intentional to help my mind to come back to reality that I completely forgot about for last 1.5 hours.
The other thing I really liked about this place was that I was constantly hearing a sound of running water. I love listening to a sound of water, it is very relaxing to me.
If you like the exotic aroma you smell when you step into this spa, you will like how you smell when you step out of this place. You will go home with a clean&soft skin that smells exotic. -
Review from Jill H.
7/5/2011
What a COOL spa - I planned a short trip to Vancouver from Seattle and thought I would give Miraj Hamman a try. It sounded interesting, but little did I know that I would end up feeling like I went to Turkey for the weekend. What an AMAZING spa experience - in fact, one of the best I've had in years. Everything was 5 stars from the Hamman & Grommage treatment (Thanks, Darleen!), to my wonderful massage and facial (Thanks, Ashley!) The staff was exceptional - friendly, professional. The ambience was truly special.
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Review from kate t.
11/28/2010
I went to Miraj for the first ever time today with a friend. We had a fantastic time - the gommage was lovely, we were never rushed, all around absolutely worth it and will go back! The mint tea and cookie at the end was a great touch, and we relaxed in the lounge until they closed. The thing I liked the most was that no one ever tried to push any products on me, which invariably happens at other spas I've visted.
Highly recommended!
