7 luxury European spas where privacy is guaranteed
Whether it’s women-only spaces, private rental or secluded swimming pools, these resorts and spas across Europe offer Muslim guests the freedom to truly relax
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The first Islamic hammams are thought to have been built in Syria and Jordan in the 7th century. Unlike Roman bath houses, which were predominantly places to wash and socialise, hammams were built into palaces and castles, often alongside mosques, as somewhere for Muslims to cleanse before prayer. They were sacred spaces, and a key part of life in ancient Islamic cultures.
Today most luxury spas in Europe and the UK are wholly dedicated to wellness and relaxation, whether it’s a steam in a sauna, a massage or a facial. But as the British-Bengali novelist and regular spa-goer Tasneem Abdur-Rashid points out, these kinds of spas are not always accessible for Muslim women.
“I’m an avid spa user,” she says. “I used to live in Dubai and would go to the spa at least once a month. It was a lot easier there as it catered for Muslim women’s needs.”
Now that she lives in London, Tasneem says she struggles to find appropriate spas because most cater for men and women in the same spaces.
“I would never go to a mixed spa. I just don’t feel comfortable in one even if I’m wearing modest clothing,” she says. “At a women-only spa I could wear a regular swimsuit if I wanted to. The whole point is to relax, so feeling uncomfortable would defeat the purpose.”
Luckily there are Muslim-friendly European spas stepping up to help maintain this historical part of Islamic life.
Tucked away on a private estate just outside Amsterdam, Nardinclant sets the bar high in catering to Muslim women. This sizeable spa and boutique cottage getaway offers a large heated swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and treatment room and can be privately rented by groups of up to 20 people at a time, with prices starting at €189 (around £160) for three hours.
As well as offering the option of a women-only space, Nardinclant adheres to halal guidelines across the estate. The level of privacy can also be tailored to your preference, with the option to have absolutely no interaction with strangers, even staff, if desired.
“Visitors receive the keys to the sauna complex and are in total control of everything inside, including the temperature, music and their level of privacy,” explains Nardinclant’s trainee Shontee Emanuelson, who is working with the estate as part of her degree in international events management, researching the rise in halal tourism across Europe. “They even have the choice of covering all the windows with painted landscapes of the Nardinclant gardens, or leaving them open to look out over the real thing.”
Getting together with friends and family is such an integral part of Islamic culture, and being able to do so freely in a spa setting taps into something even deeper.
“It’s what we do, spend quality time together. The importance of family and community becomes apparent on our traditional hammam days, which is part of our culture,” says Houda Loutfi from Amsterdam, owner of international halal caterer Sushique, who usually visits Nardinclant about three times per month.
“But privacy and modesty is essential in Islam. The need for appropriate attire and behaviour can’t be overstated. It’s such a joy to be able to fully unwind in a private spa that understands and adheres to these principles.”
Elsewhere in Europe, here are a few more of our favourite spas that can cater to Muslim women.
Casa Spa, west London
The ladies-only Casa Spa offers an authentic hammam experience for anyone wishing to tap into Moroccan spa traditions. It’s fairly compact with no pool, but has a classic hammam and a steam chamber. Be sure to try a body treatment with mineral-rich rhassoul clay from the Atlas mountains, which nourishes the skin and boosts circulation.
See Spa at Hotel Hoeri, Gaienhofen, Germany
The private spa suites at Hotel Hoeri boast aromatic baths and a host of wellness treatments such as hot stone massages, honey peels, salt scrubs and their signature Sacred Nature face and body rituals. Group bookings cater for two to four people and offer a sauna, double Jacuzzi and cosy daybed, where you can relax with a herbal tea or a soft drink from the minibar. Optional extras include chocolates and massages. For larger groups it is possible to reserve the entire area, including a private sauna, a whirlpool aromatherapy bath and water bed.
Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Gargnano, Italy
If you’re looking for total rejuvenation, check out Lake Garda’s legendary Lefay resort, famed for its holistic “wellness weeks” (week-long spa stays enhanced by classes and guidance from experts in a variety of health and wellbeing techniques such as hormone yoga and sound healing) and therapeutic restaurant menus. Although the pools are mixed gender, the lower ground-floor sauna is ladies-only and fully secluded, the treatment rooms are available for private hire, and halal food can be requested in advance.
Stilleben Hotel, Amot, Sweden
Stilleben is a home-from-home sort of spa which allows you to immerse your senses in nature. Although the facilities — including a wood-burning sauna with panoramic views, hot tub and cold shower — are mostly outside, you’re left to relax in seclusion for two hours. Stilleben is closed until 17 January but offers seasonal opening times throughout the year.
Adenya Resort, Antalya, Turkey
Adenya Resort’s extensive women-only facilities include traditional Turkish baths plus indoor, outdoor and seawater pools that are covered by canvas and tarpaulins. The seaside resort also has a ladies-only aqua park and a private beach for women and children made from white sand from Egypt.
Forte Village, Pula, Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
Soak up the blazing Sardinian sunshine in Forte Village’s 300-metre squared private garden, dining area and Thalasso pool circuit. Set in a secluded outside space, the four seawater pools, all set at varying temperatures and saline densities, offer a range of therapeutic effects such as improving circulation and relieving joint pain. When hiring the venue for exclusive use you will also have access to all Acquaforte spa treatments in your own private treatment area and personal staff, as well as a sauna, hammam and solarium. Halal meals are available on request when pre-arranged.
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