Ivanka Trump Goes Turkish and More

Have you been to the Spa at Trump SoHo yet? Well, it’s a must, and get there as soon as possible.

Inspired by her visits to high-end Turkish baths while traveling through Istanbul, Ivanka Trump decided to create her own mosaic-tiled sanctuary at the new Trump SoHo in Manhattan. Spanning two floors of the hotel, the sprawling 11,000-square-foot spa is calming, minimal, and chic. The two Hammam rooms in particular are beautifully designed and well executed. They’re meant for only two people—the guest and the Hammam Attache—but there’s ample space.

A therapist performing a Turkish Hammam Ritual on a guest, encasing her body with bubbles. My Turkish Hammam Ritual began with warm-to-hot water poured from head to toe as I lay on a heated marble bed covered with a couple layers of toweling. Then, using water from a large, shallow silver bowl, my specialist started to alternate between heated water and cool water, which I found to be incredibly exhilarating. (This combination isn’t for the lighted-hearted, or perhaps anyone with a heart condition. It is recommended that you check with your doctor before experiencing the treatment.) I was then exfoliated with a traditional Turkish Kessa mitt (given to me at the end of my treatment as a gift) and detoxified with an oil-based castile soap placed in a small, soft pillowcase-like cloth. The specialist caught air in it and held it like a balloon; then as he caressed it down my body, creating a soapy froth that engulfed me. I was simply in heaven. The Moroccan Hammam starts off in a similar fashion to the Turkish Hammam, but authentic Moroccan black soap made from olive oil is used instead. Then the body is masked with warm, detoxifying Ghassoul clay.

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The entrance to Trump SoHo’s spa.Trump SoHo’s treatment room.Beautiful Turkish tiles line the spa.Inside a Turkish Hammam Ritual room at the Trump SoHo.A bathtub in one of the treatment rooms. Plush towels and Turkey-inspired lighting pay homage to the spa’s theme.During the summer, guests can swim in the pool, which overlooks the city.

Lucky me, my heavenly Hammam experience was followed by one of the four Trump Signature Gemstone Spa Treatments: Balancing Diamonds, Purifying Emeralds, Revitalizing Rubies, and Calming Sapphires. I opted for the Balancing Diamonds Massage, which was to balance out my crown chakra to provide clarity and enlightenment. I must compliment my massage therapist, Slavic (who was also my Hammam Attache), who knew exactly which muscles needed more attention without my having to say a word.

My assessment? Perfect. It was an all-around feel-good, wonderful experience to the max, from head to toe. I would recommend this combination of the Hammam and Gemstone treatments wholeheartedly. No doubt, I will be going back there again, and again, and again, and again…

via Ivanka Trump Goes Turkish and More | Sunhee’s Beauty Blog | Vanity Fair.