30 Questions Visitors Ask Before Booking
Some questions are easy to ask a friend and awkward to ask a business. Do I tip? What do I wear? Is it strange to come alone? Will anyone speak English? This page collects the thirty questions we are asked most often — by visitors to Istanbul in particular — and answers them without marketing gloss.
They are grouped into five sections: booking and prices, before your session, during the session, hammam and spa etiquette, and health and safety. If your question isn't here, message us on WhatsApp; nearly every question on this page arrived that way first.
Booking and prices
1. How do I book? Send a WhatsApp message with a day, a time window and the session you want. We reply in English with available slots. Two or three messages and you're done.
2. Do I need to book in advance? Weekday mornings and early afternoons are often available same-day. Evenings, weekends, hammam blocks and the VIP package benefit from a day or more of notice.
3. What does a massage cost? From ₺2,000 for classic and Swedish; ₺2,500 Sultan; ₺2,750 aromatherapy, deep tissue, Balinese, Thai and targeted therapeutic; ₺3,500 hot stone; ₺4,500 couples (two people); ₺5,000 jacuzzi VIP; ₺1,800 hammam.
4. What is the morning offer? Every day 10:00-13:00, sessions start from ₺1,200 — same therapists, same rooms, limited capacity.
5. Is there a deposit? No deposit, no prepayment, no cancellation fee. Payment is made after the session.
6. Can I pay by card? Yes, cash and all major cards including international ones. Prices are charged in Turkish lira.
Before your session
7. What should I bring? Nothing. Towels, wraps, slippers and disposables are provided; showers are available. A swimsuit is useful for the jacuzzi.
8. Can I eat before? A light snack is fine; leave 90 minutes after a full meal. Arriving hungry is equally unhelpful.
9. Should I shower first? Everyday cleanliness is enough; showers are available before and after the session.
10. How early should I arrive? Ten minutes; fifteen on a first visit, for the pre-session conversation.
11. What if I'm late? Message us — we either shift the session or fit it into the remaining time, depending on the next booking.
12. Which session should I choose as a first-timer? Classic massage: 45 minutes, moderate pressure, whole body. For something specifically Turkish, the Sultan ritual.
13. Can I come alone? Of course — most guests do. Nobody in a spa pays attention to anybody else; everyone is in their own session.
During the session
14. What do I wear? Underwear stays on; the body remains covered and only the area being worked is uncovered. Thai massage is performed clothed, in loose garments we can provide.
15. What if the pressure hurts? Say "a little lighter" — it is adjusted immediately. Enduring pain does not improve results; it reduces them.
16. Do I have to talk? No. Silence is welcome and is not taken as dissatisfaction; the therapist will only ask about comfort.
17. Is it rude to fall asleep? The opposite — it's a compliment. Many guests wake at the closing movements.
18. What if I'm ticklish? Say so; increasing pressure slightly usually removes the reflex, and any area can be skipped entirely.
19. Can I keep my phone? You can, but we recommend the locker. Fifty minutes of disconnection is part of the value.
20. Does the session time include preparation? No — the stated duration is actual table time. Welcome and changing are additional.
Hammam and spa etiquette
21. Is the hammam private? Yes — it operates by appointment; the area is reserved for you and anyone you arrive with.
22. What do I wear in the hammam? A peştamal (traditional wrap), provided by us. A swimsuit is recommended for the jacuzzi.
23. Does the scrub hurt? It should feel firm, not painful. Brief mild redness afterwards is normal; pressure is reduced for sensitive skin.
24. How long does the hammam take? The ritual is 45-60 minutes; with a massage added, plan two to two and a half hours.
25. Sauna or steam room — which should I choose? Sauna is dry heat, more assertive; steam is humid and gentler. Both work well as a short round before a massage.
26. Is tipping expected? No, and it is never implied. The most valuable thing you can leave is a review.
Health, safety and practicalities
27. Is massage safe during pregnancy? Only with your doctor's approval and with pregnancy-appropriate positioning and technique. Hot stone, deep tissue and heat rooms are not used during pregnancy.
28. I have a medical condition — can I still book? Tell us and, where relevant, consult your doctor first. We adapt the session within their guidance, or decline if that guidance says so. Radiating pain, numbness, weakness or post-trauma pain go to a physician first.
29. Does anyone speak English? Yes — booking and pre-session conversation are handled in English, and pressure feedback during the session is simple and clearly understood.
30. How far are you from the airport and the tourist areas? Istanbul Airport is roughly 35-45 minutes by car; Taksim and Sultanahmet 30-45 minutes; the Bakırköy coast 15-20 minutes. Metro line M1B stops at Bağcılar Meydan, a short walk away.
Anything else?
The list above covers the questions that arrive most often, but it is not a closed set — it grew from real messages and it keeps growing. If something is on your mind that isn't answered here, however small it seems, send it to us on WhatsApp. Questions about health conditions, accessibility, timing around a flight, whether a particular session suits a first-time guest, whether a gift booking can be arranged from abroad — all of these are routine for us and none of them are an imposition.
One final word for visitors specifically: you are choosing a spa in a city you don't know, in a sector where quality varies more than price does. Ask direct questions of any salon you consider — about therapist certification, about what's included, about their policy on services. A business that answers plainly is showing you how it operates. That is the test we apply to ourselves on every page of this site, including this one.
Quick answers
What are your opening hours? Every day, 10:00 to 22:00. The last session starts at 21:00.
Where exactly are you? Central Bağcılar, on the European side, a short walk from Bağcılar Meydan metro station (M1B). We send an exact location pin with your booking.
Do you accept male guests? Yes — women, men and couples are welcomed with the same professional standard.
Can I book a gift for someone? Yes — flexible-date gift records valid for three months, with a printable gift note; the recipient chooses their own day.
Is there parking? Street and covered parking are nearby; mention when booking and we'll send the most practical option.
Do you offer any service other than massage and spa? No. We provide professional massage and spa services only.
Question not answered here?
Send it on WhatsApp — we answer every question, however small, in English and usually within minutes.
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