A Look into Omni Hotel’s Tranquil Oasis: Mokara Spa
Walking into Mokara Spa in Omni Hotel is like stepping into a sunlit utopia—one where self-care and relaxation are top priorities. Simple, minimalist design details bring a sense of ease and tranquility. A feeling that there’s truly nowhere else you would rather be. The newly opened spa sits elegantly on the hotel’s third level, overlooking downtown Oklahoma City and boasts a variety of services and amenities. From massages and facials to hair care and relaxation rooms, there’s something for everyone. And the best part? The spa is open to the public—a true testament to the warmth and tranquility the experienced staff so effortlessly exudes here. We have a feeling you’ll want to stay a while.
Here, we chat with Spa Director Marcy Matney about how to choose the right massage for you, practicing self-care for your health, and her focus on making Mokara Spa feel like home.
Tell me about your background in the spa industry.
Originally, I was a customer in the spa because I was in a very high-stress job in the advertising industry in Atlanta, Georgia. I would find a massage therapist wherever I was and take care of my health needs that way. I realized spa work was going to become leading edge, so I went into it as a businesswoman about 25 years ago. I started my first small office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Since then, I’ve had offices in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, and have also worked as a medical massage therapist and teacher. It seems like a culmination of my experiences, leading me to where I’m supposed to be now.
Did you have a hand in choosing the services at Mokara Spa?
Mokara Spa has over 50 hotel properties and they have their own menus, so we try to replicate that. Some people come to see this location because they love Omni and expect to see what they typically see at a Mokara Spa. With that, I’ve instructed my staff to follow the protocol of each massage, but the number one priority is that we take care of the specific needs of the customer. Our bodies are all different, so we keep that in mind.
People need self-care and relaxation now more than ever before. Which massage is the most relaxing one, in your opinion?
With COVID, we need to take care of our immune systems. Getting massages keeps your immune system up. It’s a way of telling your body thank you. If you’re grateful to your body, it will be grateful back to you.
The Swedish massage (Mokara Signature) is the most relaxing service. I recommend the 80-minute session because it allows the therapist to focus on the upper back. Everyone has upper back issues right now because that’s where we hold stress. The customer will always tell us what’s going on with their bodies, and if the technician feels like there is a service that will serve the customer’s needs better, they’ll recommend it at that time. If customers change their mind when they get in the room, we can always accommodate that.
What are some unique services offered? Which massage is your personal favorite?
We have a room offered for bridal parties, a makeup artist on staff for brides and special occasions, haircuts, men’s beard trimming, manicures and pedicures, six types of massages, and more.
My favorite massage is the Himalayan Rock massage, and it’s very new in the spa world. The rocks have different shapes the therapists can take, like ovals, hearts, or whatever shapes the therapist thinks the client needs. It’s soothing on the body and exfoliates the skin, which is especially important during this time when our skin is drier than usual.
What sets Mokara Spa apart from other spas?
I have been working at, owning, or a customer at almost every spa in the state of Oklahoma. Without a doubt, this is the nicest spa in the entire state. It offers so much. You can come early in the morning and stay all day. We’ll get you food, a glass of wine, mimosas, an iced tea—whatever it is you want, we can do. That’s the beauty of this spa—it’s a true day spa and you can be here all day with no rush to leave.
COVID has required us to be more cautious than ever before. What precautions is Mokara Spa taking during this time?
The state of Oklahoma has regulations for us, and we’ve upped it quite a bit. We’ve left a 25-minute gap between every service so we can have time to clean before the next session begins. We have a deep cleaning service every single night as well. My therapists do their cleaning and then the hotel staff also deep cleans.
What’s the most rewarding aspect about being a part of this opening?
To watch it start from the ground up and see what it’s going to become. I feel like it’s the biggest blessing because I’ve been a part of these things in the middle or at the end where I was trying to fix the wrongs that had been created before I got there. But at Mokara Spa, it’s like it’s my child and I get to grow it up the way I think it should be raised. That’s the best part for me.
How would you like customers to feel when they enter the Mokara Spa doors, and how would you like them to feel when they leave?
When they come in, I want them to feel like they’re coming home. When they leave, I want them to feel so relaxed that they need to call a cab! I always felt guilty when customers were rushed to leave after a service, but that’s not going to happen here. Customers can come and stay as long as they’d like to. And if they’re on a time crunch or a lunch break, they can freshen up, shower, and head back to the office.
What would you tell someone who is apprehensive to try a massage or a spa service for the first time?
To me, watching a person coming to a spa for the first time is like Christmas morning and I’ve bought you a gift that I cannot wait for you to open. From the moment you walk into the Mokara Spa doors, we’re going to make you feel comforted and relaxed, and I really made sure that I hired a team that would embody that feeling. Although we’re the nicest spa, we’re still local Oklahoma women and men and we have that warmth. Mokara Spa will feel like your home away from home.