I first had the pleasure of exploring Jennifer's Hamam in person. Five years ago, in anticipation of our trip to Istanbul, I prepared to SCOUR the internet for the one thing I always seek out prior to a flight: where to find locally produced, preferably handmade, textiles. Jennifer's Hamam had in its favor a few key facts. First, there would be no haggling/price negotiating. For some, this is a part of the fun of travel and local culture. For me, however, there is some anxiety in the uncertainty of this process and I like to know what it is I am getting into in advance (it also makes me much more likely to purchase more). Second, all of the threads and workmanship and designs are Turkish. The textiles are made on old-style shuttled looms with GOTS certified organic Turkish cotton (or silk/linen, depending on your item). This was more than enough to convince me. I will admit, however, that the only thing to give me a moment's pause was the owner being Canadian, rather than Turkish (my forever-apologies for this, Jennifer!). But, frankly, I could find NO other source or shop to indicate either this level of authenticity, originality, and quality of goods in my searches. So I thought, "Okay, I'll check it out, and if it doesn't feel quite right, I can always go wandering." Simple enough, no? Folks, let. me. tell. you. Aside from the fact that the wares are GORGEOUS (and I mean truly beautiful - exquisite designs rich in colour), the quality is superb. I've mentioned my penchant for textile collecting. And truly, there is nothing I have ever purchased to match in quality these cotton goods. The staff is also wonderful. Attentive without hovering, informed without attempts to up-sell, and accommodating without hesitation. I was hesitant to ask to see too many items because every piece was full unfolded for full review and I just kept thinking it must be such a bother to re-fold them, but I was assured not to worry and to take my time. Jennifer's undertaken has single-handedly endeavored to keep alive an art that is vibrant, skillful, and breathtaking. It's been five years since that first visit, so admittedly, I cannot recall how and why we were invited to go from the Bazaar location to the Showroom, but what a treat this was! I've since thought of Jennifer Hamam's often and lamented the pieces I didn't get on that trip (a few extra towels for myself instead of as gifts, a robe, and a bed cover), but treasuring the ones I did purchase. The quality and condition of them remains superb (I will admit I wash them in a load together, but on their own, when they need laundering). Recently, the opportunity presented itself to make a purchase virtually with the assistance of a shop attendant via video call. I was a bit nervous (worried I would feel pressured to shop immediately/purchase more than I was prepared to, not know how to indicate what else I'd like to see, and recognizing sometimes phone signal can be spotty which can make for awkward pauses). Once again, I worried unnecessarily. Ahmet was marvelous. I was reminded why I enjoyed my visit to Jennifer's Hamam in the first place - the wares and the service remain unmatched. Not only are all the bath towels in my home from Jennifer's Hamam (l literally haven't any from elsewhere), but I've since added to my collection a gorgeous pattered green bed cover, a luxurious thick-looped purple robe, and brightly colored thick looped hand towels. AND one of the best parts about the virtual shopping appointment? In less than 24 hours from the time my card was charged were my towels soaking in my bathtub :) Yes. My purchase made it to my front door in Brooklyn, New York from Istanbul Turkey in under 24 hours! I do not know about you, but nothing, NOTHING ever gets to me (or where I want it to) in that little time. I continue to recommend Jennifer's Hamam to friends both local and abroad (including friends from Turkey who revisit every summer holiday) and look forward to the time when I can visit again in person. Happy shopping, friends! read more

It was hard to miss Jennifer's Hamam while walking through the streets of Istanbul last year. Spotting the distinctive, oversized Canadian flag in the window of the beautiful little shop provided a nationalistic breath of fresh air for this proud Canadian. I'll spare you the details of the typically warm and inviting Turkish/Canadian hospitality that we encountered upon entering the store and get straight to the reason that we bought 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 6 face cloths and a pair of decorative, wooden bath slippers, and why I fell in love with everything else that I experienced that day. The first bonus as far as I'm concerned, was the fixed price attached to each item which allowed me to immediately determine whether I could or could not afford to buy what I consider to be these works of art. The practice of bargaining, albeit apparently amusing to most, is one that I personally abhor, especially when it is directed to the level of workmanship associated with hand weaving and in this case, its unique Turkish tradition. Firstly, the organic, 100% Turkish cotton towels are simply irresistible in appearance, quality and workmanship - the same goes for the linen and silk versions. The traditional designs executed by the talented weavers (who ply their trade on old- school shuttle looms) with whom jennifershamam.com works closely, are a perfect representation of craft, tradition and respect for skills that should be prized and hopefully never forgotten. As I was unable to make an in-person return visit this year, I opted for the virtual tour that Jennifer and her staff graciously offer on line. Happily, for me the end result, on this occasion was as rewarding as my visit last year. Haci, the sales manager guided me as I treated myself to a couple of well-deserved, amazing linen and silk towels. Granted, the in-person, in-store shopping experience can hardly be replicated but, securely wrapping my entire, soaking, wet body in my wonderful, newly acquired, traditional bath towel is the closest thing I've come to in a long while that makes me feel imminently rewarded and truly connected. Connected in some fashion to a few noble ways of the past, to traditions that are being reprised and most indulgently, to the security of knowing that I deserve not only to be well dried but also to be able to pamper myself in the privacy of my home. For this, I wish to thank Jennifer, Haci and all the wonderful women and men who are doing their best to make this world a better place. Merci beaucoup, Ethné Grimes-de Vienne read more

My wife and I were looking forward to a visit to Jennifer's store after we discovered it on Google. The location is in the Arasta Bazaar, which is a block towards the Bosporus from the square between the Blue Mosque and the Haggia Sofia Museum. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that Jennifer has three stores in this bazaar. The main location, which is about two thirds of the way down the bazaar on the right, is where she can usually be found. It has a Canadian flag over the door. As you browse through the beautiful towels, robes and linens that are stocked in the main store remember they also will access the inventory in the other locations, plus the offsite warehouse for you. She also stocks beautiful soaps at reasonable prices and is a wealth of knowledge if one is shopping for other products such as carpets or ceramics. All of the products are made with Turkish workmanship on shuttle looms located in Eastern Turkey. Jennifer travels to the locations frequently to make sure the producers are appreciated and to work on designs for her stores. That is the difference between Jennifer's products and others in the Bazaars. Her items are genuine and of the highest quality. Also when you purchase from her you are helping to maintain an ancient craft. It is Jennifer's dream to establish a non-profit workshop to encourage young people to carry on the tradition. We were looking for a bathrobe. She didn't have the exact design we preferred, but fortunately she found it the next day in the warehouse. As in most Turkish stores, tea is offered to serious shoppers. Jennifer is a transplant from Edmonton, Alberta who has taken up permanent residency in Istanbul. Her staff is a delight and they are quite diverse. There are young Turkish people and expats from the US, Australia and other locations. A picture is attached. They truly make shopping fun and there is no pressure at all. Although the prices may seem high, serious shoppers owes it to themselves to take the time to understand the difference between her products and the quality we get in the US. One of her towels or robes can last up to 20 years, which makes the approximate $50 cost for a beautiful Turkish cotton towel quite insignificant. The rest of the Arasta Bazaar is also quite pleasant and much less crowded and hectic than the Grand Bazaar. It is approximately 200 meters long and contains stores that sell carpets, ceramics, spices and clothing. read more

I'm happy to see Jennifer's Hamam on Yelp. I wasn't really sure how to add them before and I they deserve the mention. If you are a lover of textile, towels, linens this little artisanal shop is an absolute must on your list when visiting Istanbul. I'm a very picky person when it comes to my towels thanks to my father who brought home the most amazing towels from Turkey when he was stationed in there in the 60s. We used to fight over these towels at home. Since that time, I began to believe that the quality had to be something more than just the quality of the cotton because I've bought Turkish towels many times and was disappointed. At first I thought it was about the fringe, but I've bought fringed, Turkish towels from Michelle Keeler and Anthropologie and again ... total disappointment. The only other visual I had from these childhood towels (which by the way are still be used by my parents) was the fact the sides of these towels had no seams. When I finally decided to go to Istanbul for the 1st time 2.5 years ago, I did a lot of research on the net before visiting. The name that kept coming up over and over again was Jennifer's, but for the life of me I couldn't find any info about the edges. I decided to visit anyway. Jennifer was probably thinking that I should be in a mental hospital when I let out a huge YELP! with glee when I saw that her thick towels had NO SEAM!!! She went on to explain why I had been so happy with the towels of my past and how her towels were made the same way and that we were all very lucky because there are only 2 families left and the art is about to disappear. I re-outfitted my entire house with her products. They gave me a free canvas bag to help get them home (they would have shipped as well) and I can't tell you how happy I am. You do have to take some time to 'break-in' the cotton, but once you have, you've never used a better towel and the designs Jennifer is creating!!! I have been back 2 times since and have collected 2 more big canvas bags full of fabulous goodies and managed to branch out into some of her other amazing woven items. All I can say is take 2 hours out of your day; go visit Jennifer in person. You will learn a LOT and whatever you walk away with you'll be amazed at the quality once you start using it!!! I give Jennifer's Hamam 100 YELPS out of 100!!!! Keep up the great work!!! read more

Istanbul is, quite simply, a feast for the senses. The sights and sounds are not to be believed unless and until one experiences them first hand. I could say the same for this City's prowess as a shopping destination. Nothing short of an adventure, the variety and value are second to none. But before you delve into the labyrinth that is the world-famous Grand Bazaar, take a walk through the more sedate Arasta Bazaar tucked away behind the Blue Mosque, where you'll find a decidedly calmer shopping experience and my favorite shopping destination in all of Istanbul - Jennifer's Hamam. Jennifer - a Canadian expatriate with a track record of creating successful businesses abroad - has created the business model that everyone wants to copy. None, in my observation, have succeeded with their non-organic, machine made goods. Jennifer has three separate store fronts in this bazaar, each easily recognized by the Canadian flag in the window. They all stock luxuriously thick towels made from organic cotton and linen that are designed to last upwards of 20 years, robes, natural soaps rich in olive oil in a variety of scents, bath accessories made from everything from white birch tree bark to goat's hair, and scarves at a variety of price points made from exquisite silk, wool and cotton. What makes Jennifer's Hamam so unique is the obvious quality of the goods made by nine specific families in the south of Turkey steeped in the dying tradition of weaving on old-style shuttled looms. Jennifer's staff exude a warmth that is uniquely Turkish, absent the solicitous nature that you may find elsewhere, making it truly a pleasure to shop. The only thing that's not Turkish here is the owner! I never thought that I could be so excited about a towel or a scarf, but I bought my first ones here late in 2012, and couldn't wait to come back this year for more. By the way, there is no haggling at Jennifer's Hamam. Prices are fixed, but inexpensive when compared to what you'd pay for similar quality in the United States - if you could find it. These products are well worth every Lira you spend for them. Bring your cash or Visa or MasterCard - all much preferred tender to the other higher commission cards. Make this place your first stop in Istanbul - if you're going to blow your wad, this is the place to do it!! read more

Every time I dry off from a shower, I am reminded that Jennifer's Hamam is rare in Istanbul. It's not rare because they sell Turkish textiles - everywhere sells that. It's not rare because of the store's location - there's a ton of textile shops to choose from in Sultanahmet. It's rare because of the fact that all of their textiles are 100% organic, which, sadly, you will not find anywhere else in Istanbul. It's rare because all of their product is 100% hand-made from traditional weavers on vintage looms - again, many textile shops even outsource to Pakistan to produce 'Turkish' textiles. It's rare because the business genuinely gives-back to the culture and isn't just out to 'make a buck' like so many 'traditional' textile shops in the area. And, it's also rare because your product will outlive any of the other outsourced 'Turkish textiles' by generations (I'm pretty confident my hamam-sized bath towels will outlive me). Weaving is a dying art, sadly, as many talented craftspeople are being replaced by machines, and pools of potential artisans are migrating to the hustle and bustle of cities, away from the industry entirely. Many local 'textile shops' try to replicate Jennifer's patterns and quality - pretending to be her store, essentially - but cannot match either because they rely on outsourced machined goods that seem comparable to day-trippers and tourists. This in mind, Jennifer's makes sure that your purchase is not only honest and high quality, but that it goes towards keeping such an integral part of the Turkish culture and economy afloat, especially during such trying economic times. In addition to all of the aforementioned, Jennifer's is great because, as a client, you feel like family. Over the 3 years my Wife and I have lived in Istanbul, we have brought everyone we know to Jennifer's. Every visitor has asked, "Can we go to that place that Soandso bought their towels please?" Some have even flown back to visit us from LA simply because they wanted to outfit their entire home from Jennifer's and needed a place to crash... not kidding. While my review may seem superfluous, it's not. Nothing beats the quality and honesty of Jennifer's Hamam. read more

I had read good things about Jennifer's Hamam in several sources so decided to check it out myself. There are 3 shops in Arasta Bazaar behind the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet that are being knocked off - badly -- by merchants who sell machine or foreign made towels. Look for the Canadian flag in the window for Jennifer's shops. Stick with her - a warm and knowing Canadian whose products are first-rate and authentic. Bargaining is shunned there which works for those of us who become overwhelmed by feeling no matter how well we do we're still being ripped off. Not here. Everything I purchased was of high quality and certified by Jennifer as made by local Turkish weavers. Turkish materials are used and all the textiles are made on old style shuttle looms (only the boss is not Turkish!). Check out the website and you can even find a Youtube video starring Jennifer that was taken by one if her patrons if you want to get a better idea about the products. The towels, robes, and scarves are wonderful and there's choices for every taste. Leave room in your luggage or be prepared to carry an extra handbag that they will give you if you buy a lot of heavy items. Jennifer also introduced me to a rug dealer (some bargaining) who added my purchases from her shop to the rug that I bought from him which was too heavy to carry -- and he mailed everything together. My excellent guide, who made me a bit skittish about buying a rug and shipping from a shop he didn't know, turned out to be over cautious (or perhaps interested in hyping his own recommendation). Everything arrived as promised, very timely, and I was thrilled with my purchases. I especially love Jennifer's thin cotton robes and scarves that are nice for moderately warm weather. Sorry I didn't buy more. Go there - you won't be disappointed - you'll just have a lighter wallet. What's traveling without shopping for special things to remind you of your visit? read more

We found a wonderful gem in Istanbul. My story goes back to April 21, 2014 when I read an article in The Calgary Herald (Pg B5) about a Jennifer Gaudet who displays a Canadian flag in her store Jennifer's Hamam located in Istanbul's Arasta Bazaar next to the Blue Mosque where she sells traditional blankets, robes and towels made by elderly weavers who live in remote Turkish villages. What caught my attention in the article is how she found the weavers and revived the weaving industry which had almost gone bankrupt. Jennifer became a crusader for this lost art and pays her weavers by the piece. It was a win-win for me. I would buy products at their fixed prices which are three times less than in Canada and at the same time support rural villagers. My dream of visiting Istanbul came true in March, 2016. I kept the article which led me right to one of her two shops. The shops were easy to find because of the Canadian flag in the windows. The staff took us to her new showroom and educated us on their products. The products are made on old-style shuttled looms with silk, linen and GOTS organic certified cotton. The towels and scarves I bought are Turkish workmanship with Turkish materials and I love that my towels will last between 20-30 years. Unfortunately I was not able to meet Jennifer as she had gone home just before we arrived but I will visit Turkey again as part of my heart was left there! I would be remiss if I didn't share with you the website: www. jennifershamam.com. They ship worldwide and this is the only place I plan to buy my future towels and scarves from. You will be touched by this incredible success story! Thank you Jennifer for reviving this artisanal work. If it were not for you, this work would have died 6 years ago. read more

Want or wish for a genuine Turkish towel? Jennifer's Hamam in the Arasta Bazaar by the Blue Mosque, offers a superb array of bath items (towels, pestamels, robes) woven by Turkish artisans in the traditional way on old style shuttled looms from natural products grown in Turkey. I could feel the difference between the textiles in her three shops (each with a Canadian flag in the window) and materials in similar shops in the bazaars! The shelves are neatly filled with the soft, absorbent items in a variety of colors, edged with long-standing patterns. If you're looking for something small and easily packable, the shop has keses, or bath mitts for exfoliation, made from inside fibers of trees, and soaps hand made from olive oil (great bubbles!) and even pomegranates (sensational scent)! Plan on spending a little time, because Jennifer, the first woman to have a shop in the bazaar) and her very knowledgeable, enthusiastic Turkish staff are pleased to tell you about how the products are made and even show a video of the artisans at work. Jennifer is dedicated to helping the few families remaining in Turkey who are skilled in the weaving arts and would like to continue their craft but are confronted by the economic challenges posed by technology. As part of her effort to preserve traditional weaving in Turkey, proceeds from sales also help an all but vanished kind of farmer in Eastern Turkey, who has an orchard of mulberry trees, raises silkworms that feed on the mulberry leaves, then spins and weaves the silk into luxurious silk scarves using natural dyes. It's a three-fold opportunity: to buy outstanding products, learn about a traditional Turkish textile, and help an endangered craft survive and even grow! read more

We originally visited Jennifer's Hamam on a trip to Istanbul in 2015. On our first day, after already being hassled by vendors and lured into a rug shop we didn't want to visit, I was nervous and a bit distrustful when the shopkeepers in the Arasta Bazaar told us Jennifer had a larger showroom with a wider selection in a nearby residential neighborhood. However, it turned out to be a gorgeous shop full of hand woven textiles, and the folks on the sales floor were knowledgeable and not pushy. It was also great to talk with Jennifer herself (a Canadian), who gave us overwhelmed Americans some tips about navigating the city. We came home with a set of bath towels and a few gifts. They were exceptional towels, extra-large and plush, and have held up better than any textiles I've ever purchased. (They put store-bought towels in the U.S. to shame!) They also came with detailed care instructions. I wish I had purchased more. So when an opportunity came to support the store and its talented weavers in 2020 during the pandemic, I jumped at the chance. Haci set up a virtual tour of the shop, helping match towels to the colors of my bathroom and patiently pulling out products to examine. I felt like buying everything, but settled on two sets of bath and hand towels, 6 pestamels, and a tablecloth. They are gorgeous. Textiles from the shop are not cheap, but I consider them a worthy investment because they will outlast any other product and still look beautiful half a decade later. Outstanding service and quality at jennifershamam.com! read more

Being mindful of what material your fabrics are made from and where they're created is an important factor, and Jennifer's Hamam is showcasing just that. Jennifer seems to be a woman obsessed with quality, and doing the right things in order to achieve it. She has curated the best of Turkey's handmade towels and scarves under a single roof. The process of hand looming a towel has become near obsolete, though when comparing one of these to other machine made linens, it's difficult to understand how this happened. Each piece is carefully sourced from the last few families that are still producing the hand-loomed mini masterpieces, and practically smothers you with the lusciousness of top-shelf fibres and construction. This is the type of shop you hope to find every time you travel; with the perfect combination of outstanding products and superb value-for-money. Jennifer's Hamam is truly a unique gem of a store that you would expect to have been secretly serving generations of Turkish royalty, and not right under your nose in the Arasta Bazaar. If you can appreciate quality, hand-made items, and can understand the importance of keeping this rare and fading craft alive, please look no further than Jennifer's Canadian-flag-adorned shop (apparently now with three storefronts!). Special thanks, too, to highly recommended employee Haci; it's almost as rare in Turkey to find a sales clerk so knowledgeable, friendly, and respectful as he! A positively delightful, fulfilling shopping experience - not to be missed! read more

Last year my husband and I wandered into one of Jennifer's Hamam two locations in Sultanamet. We had heard about their use of organic cotton, traditional methods and good worker practices. To be honest when we heard about it, I thought "well quite frankly I have more and better things to do in Istanbul, than buy towels." Our last night in town my husband and I decided to check it out, one hour before closing, and ever since that moment, I regretted not visiting their workshop, learning more about the process, and buying more than the few towels that I did. The amazing quality, the hard work and the wondrous colours make this shop like no other I have seen in my many travels. And the customer service we received in store was impeccable!! After a a full year of using the same two hand towels everyday, washing them once a week and never swapping them out for others, I noticed that not only had they become softer, but the colours were still as pronounced and beautiful as the day I bought them. It was at that moment I decided to live with regrets no more, and simply contact Jennifer to see if it was possible to order more towels, and get them shipped to Canada. I never, ever, write reviews for stores. But I cannot help but take the time out of my day to thank you Jennifer for your excellent customer service and for all the work you and your team do to make these amazing products. Bravo et Merci Beaucoup!! Marika De Vienne et Ethne Grimes De Vienne read more

I visited Turkey September/October of this year and was really hoping to find some good quality towels. No luck at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, but by sheer good fortune I happened to find Jennifer's Hamam. Honestly, it felt like entering a temple to Beauty. The quality of the towels is breathtaking. The customer service made me feel totally welcome and unpressured. I could look and even touch the towels for as long as I wanted. I could only fit two towels in my suitcase but I wish I had been able to buy more. I purchased two exquisite bath towels for about $100 total, which seems like a ridiculously good bargain. From conversations later with the owner, I learned that the prices for these products at Jennifer's Hamam are fixed to guarantee fair financial distribution to the Turkish craftspeople who make these works of art. All of these textiles are made on old-style shuttled looms, using silk, linen and GOTS certified cotton. This is a major difference between what you'll find at this store and what you'll find in many other shops, where the textiles are machine made out of non-organic products. And you can certainly tell the differences in quality. If you love luxury, high quality customer service interactions, and keeping traditional crafts alive, then you must go to Jennifer's Hamam. There are now two shops in the Arasta Bazaar plus a showroom. Look for the Cnd. flag in the window to ensure you are in the right store! read more

My husband and I visited one of the Jennifer's Hamam stores (she has three stores in the Arasta Bazaar area) on our visit to Istanbul last month. I had read excellent reviews of her products and her shop when I was doing my research for our trip. During our visit to the Arasta Bazaar, we happened to walk past her shop (with the Canadian flag decal on the window) and stopped in for a look, not even intending to buy anything. Oh my goodness! I fell in love with the gorgeous towels! All of her textiles are made of organic Turkish cotton and hand woven on old style shuttle looms in Turkey. She explained that others are trying to copy her products, but they don't use the organic cotton and are making their textiles on machines. Jennifer has a goal to support traditional weavers in small villages in Turkey and keep the shuttle loom craftsmanship alive. I love this idea! We bought a set of the fluffiest, most beautiful bath towels with a subtle stripe on each end and little tassles. Then we found the perfect bathrobe for my husband, so we bought that too. I'm sorry I didn't buy several of the pestamels (flat woven traditional Turkish hamam towels) for gifts while we were there. Next time! Jennifer supplied a sturdy zippered bag to carry home our purchases, and she gave us a couple bars of olive soap as a thank you. If you are in Istanbul, it's definitely worth a stop at one of the Jennifer's Hamam stores. read more

Jennifer's Hamam is a FANTASTIC store in Istanbul that sells beautiful towels, robes, and blankets of a quality that you cannot buy here in the United States or anywhere in the world. During my recent stay in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, I walked through the Arasta Bazaar and found their store with the Canadian flag on the front window. (Always look for the Canadian flag in the top of the display window to make sure that you are in Jennifer's Hamam and not one of the many shops that sell non-organic, machine-made items.) One of their very patient and informative salespersons, Erkan, then walked with me a few blocks to their flagship store so I could see the entire gorgeous collection. Prices are fixed but very reasonable for the excellent quality of the merchandise. I am so happy with the items that I bought for myself and as gifts (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, robes, and a blanket). You can read about the art of loom weaving and see some of the merchandise on their website: jennifershamam.com. The threads and workmanship are Turkish. All items are made of silk, linen, or GOTS certified organic Turkish cotton, on old-style shuttle looms. Jennifer Gaudet, the founder of Jennifer's Hamam, has kept the art of hand loom weaving alive in Turkey through her business. She and her organization provide a great example of social entrepreneurship, "doing well by doing good." read more

We recently visited Istanbul and just so happen to stop into Jennifer's Hamam shop in the Arasta Bazaar located in the Old City near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. There we met Jennifer, the owner, and instantly fell in love with her shop and her towels. She explained all about the art and value of handwoven, versus machine woven, fabrics. There are only 9 families left in Turkey that hand weave on old style shuttle looms, using only organic materials to make their towels. It appears to be a dying craft and Jennifer is making it her mission in life to help keep the art of hand weaving and the livelihood of those 9 families alive in this part of the world. The quality of the hand woven towels and other products she sells are exceptional. Jennifer runs 3 small shops in the Arasta Bazaar, mixed in with her competition ....other shops who sell machine woven products.....trying to duplicate the handwoven materials she sells. But the quality cannot be matched. You can distinguish her stores from others by the Canadian flags hanging in the windows. She may be originally from Canada herself, but has a heart for the native Turkish people and especially for the remaining hand weavers she keeps employed. I highly recommend stopping in and checking out the quality of Jennifer's towels and other woven products. read more

I first visited Jennifer's Hamam in March 2019 and have since gone back a few more times as I can't get enough of her products! The shop in Arasta Bazaar is a little jewel, stocked to the ceiling with lovely Turkish towels. The looped Ottoman towels and pestemals are made from GOTS certified Turkish cotton and are hand-woven on wooden looms by Turkish artisans. There are also some linen/cotton towels and silk scarves - all hand made in Turkey. The looped towels are so soft and thick and are a pleasure to use after a shower or bath. The gents at the Arasta Bazaar shop are very helpful and explain the entire weaving process and history of the business. You may also ask at the shop to go to the showroom. The showroom is a few minutes walk away and has even more stock! Greg at the showroom is wonderful - very helpful and friendly. Prices are fixed so you don't have to worry about haggling and you can just enjoy the shopping experience. Prices may be higher at Jennifer's Hamam but you are buying a quality product and are supporting an industry that was almost lost due to mechanization. The hardest part about shopping at Jennifer's Hamam is choosing what the buy as I usually want one of everything! In Arasta Bazaar, look for the Canadian flag in the shop window! Website: www.jennifershamam.com read more

Great staff! I found Jennifer's Hamam in my guidebook before heading to Istanbul and visited the store in the Arasta Bazaar on my last day. We worked with very knowledgeable young sales rep who took us to the larger 4-story a few blocks away once he realized we were interested in purchasing several items. We purchased several mid-range pestemals (ranging from 60-100 TL each, if I remember correctly) and we gave away many as gifts. There were less expensive pestemals and more expensive pestemals in the store, related to the density and pattern of the weave. The colors are beautiful. My husband also purchased a very fluffy bath towel and handtowel that has held up well in near daily use since our purchase six months ago. We also bought some kese scrubby mitts that haven't gotten enough use but we were told they would last a very long time and I believe this to be true. In the end, we had purchased so many beautiful things that they gave us a convenient zippered bag to travel home with. I had previously purchased an inexpensive pestemal elsewhere in Turkey and it has held up equally well. However, I'm more than happy to pay more in light of Jennifer's commitment to using organic cotton and supporting Turkish artisans. read more

Jennifer's Hamam is not just a towel shop, its an exceptional Turkish experience. We had excellent service from Haci and Greg, and even got to meet Jennifer. We were welcomed into one of their two stores in the Arasta Bazaar, and then they took us to the showroom a few blocks away to choose from millions of different patterns/ sizes, etc. These are genuine Turkish towels. My sister got towels here 7 years ago and they are still in perfect condition. As a group, we bought housecoats, towels, blankets, scarves, body scrubbers, and some lovely soap. We are all completely satisfied with our purchases. It's also nice to know you are supporting local Turkish economy by buying hand made textiles. They are made by Turkish families, with Turkish materials made on old-style shuttled looms. The cotton is certified, so you know you're getting good quality from hard workmanship. The prices are fair and are all firm, which takes away the stress of trying to bargain. They sell them for fair prices, so knowing you're paying what they are actually worth is peace of mind. You'd be truly missing out if you didn't at least visit the store. Ask for the amazing Haci, and he will hook you up with the best towels in Turkey! read more