O'Kari

The brainchild of Algerian-born Karima Lasfar, O'Kari offers everything you'd expect from an 'Oriental' hammam, with a few exotic surprises thrown in for good measure. The place is clean and calm to a fault, and offers a wonderfully indulgent experience, starting with the thick pearl-white bathrobe you're given at the entrance.

As you enter the changing room, you'll find that all the trappings of the luxury spa are present and correct: comfy slippers, discreet lockers and enough towels to dry a herd of elephants. Once you've taken off your makeup and pampered yourself to your heart's content, you're led into the hammam proper, where you're subjected to the kind of severe yet tender massage that'll have you wincing and smiling in equal measure. Your skin is pinched, spanked and smeared in Aleppo soap; on your way out, you'll find to your mild surprise that you're several layers lighter.

Then comes the icing on the cake: a glorious soak in a large bath surrounded by large clay amphoras, where an obliging attendant serves you fresh lemonade. It's a novel touch, somewhat disorienting (by this point you'll have lost all track of time and sense of reality) but utterly relaxing. Which is, after all, the point.

Prices start at €59 for an hour-long session. Female-only.