Pool, Sauna & Steam
City Tower Hotel offers a range of wellness and leisure facilities to help you make the most of your stay in Aqaba. Cool off in our swimming pool, relax in the dry heat of our sauna, or let the gentle steam of our steam room soothe your body after a day of exploring coral reefs, hiking through Wadi Rum, or visiting the ancient city of Petra. Our facilities are designed to help you relax, recover, and recharge in a clean, comfortable, and tranquil setting.
The Tradition of Heat Therapy
Heat therapy has been valued across cultures for thousands of years, from the Roman thermae and Turkish hammams to the Finnish sauna tradition. In the Middle East, the hammam — or public bathhouse — has been a cornerstone of social and wellness culture for centuries. At City Tower Hotel, we honor this rich heritage by offering our guests access to both a dry sauna and a steam room, each providing distinct therapeutic benefits that complement the active lifestyle of travelers in Aqaba.
Whether you prefer the intense dry heat of the sauna or the gentle, moist warmth of the steam room, regular sessions can help ease muscle tension, improve circulation, cleanse the skin, and promote a deep sense of relaxation. Many of our guests make it part of their daily routine during their stay, visiting after a morning dive or before dinner to feel refreshed and revitalized.
Our Sauna
Our Finnish-style dry sauna is built with natural wood and maintained at a temperature of approximately 80-90°C (176-194°F). The dry heat environment creates an intense warming experience that penetrates deep into the muscles and joints, providing relief from tension and stiffness. The sauna is spacious enough to accommodate several guests comfortably, with tiered wooden benches that allow you to choose your preferred heat level — higher benches for more intense heat, lower benches for a gentler experience.
Health Benefits of Sauna
- Muscle Recovery: The dry heat helps relax tight muscles and relieve soreness, making it ideal after a day of diving, snorkeling, or hiking in the surrounding desert landscapes.
- Improved Circulation: As your body temperature rises, blood vessels dilate and blood flow increases, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs.
- Stress Relief: The warmth triggers the release of endorphins — the body's natural feel-good chemicals — helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue.
- Detoxification: Sweating in the sauna helps flush toxins from the body through the skin, supporting your body's natural detoxification processes.
- Better Sleep: Many guests find that a sauna session in the evening promotes deeper, more restful sleep — particularly beneficial when adjusting to a new time zone or recovering from travel fatigue.
- Skin Health: The heat opens pores and increases blood flow to the skin, helping to cleanse impurities and give your complexion a healthy, natural glow.
Our Steam Room
The steam room at City Tower Hotel provides a warm, moist environment maintained at approximately 40-50°C (104-122°F) with near 100% humidity. The gentle, enveloping steam creates a soothing atmosphere that is particularly beneficial for the respiratory system and skin. Our steam room is tiled in natural stone and designed to be a calming retreat where you can sit back, breathe deeply, and let the warm vapor work its therapeutic magic.
Health Benefits of Steam Room
- Respiratory Relief: The warm, moist air helps open nasal passages, clear congestion, and soothe irritated airways. This is especially beneficial in Aqaba's dry desert climate, where the air can feel parching after a day outdoors.
- Deep Skin Cleansing: Steam opens pores more effectively than dry heat, allowing impurities, dirt, and dead skin cells to be gently released. Your skin feels softer, smoother, and more hydrated after a steam session.
- Joint & Muscle Relief: The moist heat penetrates joints and muscles, helping to ease stiffness, reduce inflammation, and improve flexibility — perfect after an active day of water sports or desert trekking.
- Relaxation & Mental Clarity: The warm, quiet environment of the steam room encourages deep breathing and mindfulness, helping to calm the mind and reduce the mental clutter of daily life.
- Improved Circulation: Like the sauna, the steam room promotes vasodilation and increased blood flow, supporting cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
Swimming Pool
City Tower Hotel features an on-site swimming pool where guests can cool off, swim laps, or simply relax by the water. The pool area is a popular gathering spot for guests of all ages, offering a refreshing escape from Aqaba's warm climate. Whether you want to start your morning with an energizing swim or wind down in the late afternoon sun, our pool is the perfect place to do it.
The pool area is maintained to the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Poolside towels are provided for all guests, and comfortable sun loungers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our staff regularly monitors the pool area to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Pool Guidelines
- The swimming pool is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Please shower before entering the pool.
- Glass items are not permitted in the pool area for safety reasons.
- Running, diving, and rough play are not allowed in the pool area.
- No lifeguard is on duty — swim at your own risk.
Sauna vs. Steam Room — Which Should You Choose?
Both the sauna and steam room offer excellent health benefits, and many guests enjoy using both during their visit. Here is a quick guide to help you decide:
Choose the Sauna If...
You prefer intense dry heat, want to focus on deep muscle recovery after physical activity, or enjoy the traditional Finnish sauna experience. The sauna is also a good choice if you find high humidity uncomfortable.
Choose the Steam Room If...
You prefer gentler, moist warmth, want to focus on skin hydration and respiratory benefits, or find dry heat too intense. The steam room is particularly recommended if you have been spending time in Aqaba's dry climate and want to replenish moisture.
For the best experience, many wellness experts recommend alternating between the sauna and steam room with cool showers in between. This contrast therapy can boost circulation, invigorate the body, and leave you feeling deeply refreshed.
Facilities & Amenities
Our wellness area is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing experience:
- Changing Rooms: Clean, private changing rooms with lockers, showers, and vanity areas are available for all guests using the sauna and steam room.
- Showers: Refreshing showers are located adjacent to both the sauna and steam room, allowing you to cool down between sessions.
- Towels: Fresh towels are provided for your use in the wellness area.
- Hydration: Drinking water is available in the wellness area. We encourage guests to stay well-hydrated before, during, and after their sessions.
Opening Hours
Sauna & Steam Room: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
The facilities are available to all hotel guests at no additional charge. No reservation is required — simply visit the wellness area during opening hours.
Tips for Your Visit
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water before and after your session. Heat therapy causes sweating, so it is important to replenish fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Session Length: We recommend sessions of 10-20 minutes in the sauna and 15-20 minutes in the steam room. Listen to your body and step out if you feel lightheaded or uncomfortable.
- Cool Down: Take a cool shower between sessions to help regulate your body temperature and maximize the circulatory benefits of contrast therapy.
- Avoid Alcohol: For your safety, please avoid using the sauna or steam room after consuming alcohol.
- Health Considerations: Guests with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or who are pregnant should consult their doctor before using the sauna or steam room. If you feel unwell at any time, please leave the facility and inform our staff.
- Quiet Environment: Please keep mobile phones on silent and conversations at a low volume to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for all guests.
- Hygiene: Please shower before entering the sauna or steam room. Sit on a towel at all times for hygiene purposes.