Ladies night and newfound pleasures

I've made a new discovery in Geneva. That's right, two and a half years of literally walking within feet of this place EVERY SINGLE DAY, never knowing that I had yet to discover the hottest place in town. Literally ... like 180 degrees Fahrenheit hot.

We had a bit of a discussion this evening whether the culture of community baths, saunas, hammams, etc. exists in the States, and have come to no certain conclusion. But I am quite certain indeed that hammams/Turkish baths will fall into that category of "Top 5 things I will miss most about Europe" if ever I head elsewhere.

They are fabulous.

A couple of weeks ago we checked out the baths in Yverdon les Bains for the first time. Final verdict? Great baths, easy access from Geneva, 30 bucks a pop and stuck with a time limit. (Like most places.) In my book the winner is still Leukerbad, with its 360 degree mountain views, but my wallet doesn't seem to be in frequent agreement.

Enter Bains des Paquis. 17 bucks, no time limit, three steps away from work, built ON the lake, best food in town and Tuesdays blocked out for women only.

A little slice of heaven.

Where else can you sit in the sauna and peer out of custom made windows that provide a view out over the lake across the Geneva night skyline, snowy mountains and glowing cityscape alike?

Where else can you sit in a steamy hammam with bay windows and feel like you are floating right on top of the water?

And where else can you escape to a women's-only world where the normally burka-clad mix and mingle with women of a dozen different languages and ages ... all while sweating, steaming and exfoliating away?

Apparently only at Bains des Paquis.