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Authentic Moroccan spa in Three Sisters apartment complex provide relaxing steam treatment, massage
Published Apr 29, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read
Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun have opened the Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa in downtown Moncton. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS
Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun described the opening of their Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa Friday as a dream come true, after two years of planning and work.
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The authentic Moroccan-style spa was officially opened Friday at 49 Foundry Street, the ground floor of the Three Sisters apartment complex overlooking the Petitcodiac River. Champoux said it is the first Moroccan style spa of its kind east of Montreal. He travelled to Morocco last year to visit several authentic spas. Spread over 4,000 feet, it includes a hair salon, steam spa, private massage rooms and relaxation room. It will offer various spa packages ranging in price from $95 to $300, depending on the time spent and services provided. The spa has created 15 jobs for Moroccan immigrants to Moncton.
Champoux, who is originally from Montreal, worked in the field of economic development with the City of Moncton and the 3+ Economic Development Corporation for more than 20 years, and later travelled extensively as a photographer. Benjelloun moved to Dieppe from Morocco a few years ago and they became partners in the development of the spa.
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Champoux said they approached developer John Lafford about leasing space on the ground floor of the 15-storey apartment building. Lafford said Friday the spa was a “perfect fit” that will provide services for tenants and the general public. The Three Sisters complex will include three 15-storey buildings with a total of 458 units. Lafford is also developing two more 17-storey buildings on the other side of Assomption Boulevard which are expected to include a cafe and gateway to the walking trail along the Petitcodiac River.
During a tour of the facility Friday, Champoux said the spa was designed and constructed to be authentic, with custom fixtures, furniture and materials for the walls and ceilings, including hand-made porcelain sinks. The facility is decorated with Moroccan artworks and enlarged prints of Champoux’s own photographs.
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He said the Hammam spa has a long tradition in Muslim countries like Morocco as a place where people would go for physical cleansing before going to the mosque for prayers. Traditionally, he said, spas would generate revenue for their mosque, but in recent times they were privatized and become tourist attractions.
The services will be for women only on Mondays and Wednesdays, men only on Tuesday and both men and women on Thursday through Sunday. The main service of the spa is steam cleaning of the body, exfoliation, massage and relaxation.
Champoux said clients will receive a kit with their bath robe, sandals, soaps and other accessories, then proceed to the main hammam spa room, which has sinks along the walls, massage tables in the middle and a steam room on the side. The relaxing mood is set by the soft music and lighting, while the ceiling is designed with a dome shape to maximize the steam and high humidity.
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Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun described the opening of their Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa Friday as a dream come true. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS
One of the private massage rooms at the Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa in Moncton. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS
After being doused with hot water, clients are covered with black soap and then go to the steam room. He said the steam opens the pores of the skin, which sucks in the essential oils from the soap and releases anxiety and stress and toxins in the body. When the soap is scraped and rinsed, it exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, resulting in a feeling of rejuvenation.
“You feel like a newborn baby with soft skin,” he said. There are private massage rooms, and one that opens into a double for couples to share the experience. There’s also a relaxation room where people can lie down after their treatment, which could range from 90 minutes to a few hours depending on the package they choose.
Moncton’s population has grown tremendously over the last few years, with several thousand immigrants from Morocco. Champoux said he expects clients to come from the apartment towers, the general population, and from visitors to the city. The towers are a short walk from downtown Moncton and the new Avenir Centre.
Full details on spa packages are available on the website at safirmammam.com.
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Authentic Moroccan spa in Three Sisters apartment complex provide relaxing steam treatment, massage
Published Apr 29, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read

Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun have opened the Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa in downtown Moncton. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS
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Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun described the opening of their Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa Friday as a dream come true, after two years of planning and work.
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The authentic Moroccan-style spa was officially opened Friday at 49 Foundry Street, the ground floor of the Three Sisters apartment complex overlooking the Petitcodiac River. Champoux said it is the first Moroccan style spa of its kind east of Montreal. He travelled to Morocco last year to visit several authentic spas. Spread over 4,000 feet, it includes a hair salon, steam spa, private massage rooms and relaxation room. It will offer various spa packages ranging in price from $95 to $300, depending on the time spent and services provided. The spa has created 15 jobs for Moroccan immigrants to Moncton.
Champoux, who is originally from Montreal, worked in the field of economic development with the City of Moncton and the 3+ Economic Development Corporation for more than 20 years, and later travelled extensively as a photographer. Benjelloun moved to Dieppe from Morocco a few years ago and they became partners in the development of the spa.

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Champoux said they approached developer John Lafford about leasing space on the ground floor of the 15-storey apartment building. Lafford said Friday the spa was a “perfect fit” that will provide services for tenants and the general public. The Three Sisters complex will include three 15-storey buildings with a total of 458 units. Lafford is also developing two more 17-storey buildings on the other side of Assomption Boulevard which are expected to include a cafe and gateway to the walking trail along the Petitcodiac River.
During a tour of the facility Friday, Champoux said the spa was designed and constructed to be authentic, with custom fixtures, furniture and materials for the walls and ceilings, including hand-made porcelain sinks. The facility is decorated with Moroccan artworks and enlarged prints of Champoux’s own photographs.
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Article content
He said the Hammam spa has a long tradition in Muslim countries like Morocco as a place where people would go for physical cleansing before going to the mosque for prayers. Traditionally, he said, spas would generate revenue for their mosque, but in recent times they were privatized and become tourist attractions.
The services will be for women only on Mondays and Wednesdays, men only on Tuesday and both men and women on Thursday through Sunday. The main service of the spa is steam cleaning of the body, exfoliation, massage and relaxation.
Champoux said clients will receive a kit with their bath robe, sandals, soaps and other accessories, then proceed to the main hammam spa room, which has sinks along the walls, massage tables in the middle and a steam room on the side. The relaxing mood is set by the soft music and lighting, while the ceiling is designed with a dome shape to maximize the steam and high humidity.
Advertisement 5
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Ben Champoux and partner Hiba Benjelloun described the opening of their Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa Friday as a dream come true. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS

One of the private massage rooms at the Safir Moroccan Hammam and Spa in Moncton. Photo by ALAN COCHRANE /BRUNSWICK NEWS
After being doused with hot water, clients are covered with black soap and then go to the steam room. He said the steam opens the pores of the skin, which sucks in the essential oils from the soap and releases anxiety and stress and toxins in the body. When the soap is scraped and rinsed, it exfoliates to remove dead skin cells, resulting in a feeling of rejuvenation.
“You feel like a newborn baby with soft skin,” he said. There are private massage rooms, and one that opens into a double for couples to share the experience. There’s also a relaxation room where people can lie down after their treatment, which could range from 90 minutes to a few hours depending on the package they choose.
Moncton’s population has grown tremendously over the last few years, with several thousand immigrants from Morocco. Champoux said he expects clients to come from the apartment towers, the general population, and from visitors to the city. The towers are a short walk from downtown Moncton and the new Avenir Centre.
Full details on spa packages are available on the website at safirmammam.com.
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