Staring face down at a white chrysanthemum—a flower once recommended by Confucius as an aid to meditation—my mind began to unwind after several stressful weeks.
The spider mum set the tone for an hour of bliss during a Mokara Spa signature massage, normally a 75-minute treatment. Warm and cold stones eased stiff joints and reduced inflammation, while detoxifying ginger oil and skilled hands worked out long-held knots.
I visited Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin’s Hill Country to preview the resort’s extensive renovation, which included the May debut of the new 13,000-square-foot Mokara Spa. It’s the largest spa in the Mokara brand and features 20 treatment rooms, including three couple’s suites.
Having three couple’s rooms is an advantage, according to spa director Jackie Flory, who previously led the Mokara Spa at Omni San Antonio.
“At many spas, the couple rooms book up immediately. In San Antonio they’re full on busy weekends, so having more available here will be really nice,” Flory said. “One of the suites will have a hydrotherapy room. We’ll be able to offer couples’ body treatments as well.”
Flory is bringing amenities and service standards that helped the Mokara Spa at Omni San Antonio earn recognition. Attention to detail is central to the experience.
“You’ll notice small touches like the little flower bowls beneath your face so you have something soothing to look at instead of the floor,” Flory explained. “Guests receive a warm neck wrap after treatments and an amenity tray from the therapist with water and fruit. We diffuse a sweet mango scent throughout the spa, and many guests say that scent is the first thing they remember. It’s a sensory cue that helps them recall their visit after they leave.”
Artist’s rendering of the spa’s adults-only pool and deck © OMNI BARTON CREEK RESORT & SPA
During a January pre-opening hard-hat tour, the spa was still in progress, but we previewed the treatment rooms, relaxation lounges and the expansive pool terrace that overlooks Austin’s Hill Country—a standout feature of the spa.
The facility includes separate steam, sauna and whirlpool areas for men and women, and guests who book a treatment receive full-day access to all spa amenities. Manicure, pedicure and hair stations are available as well. At press time the full spa menu was still being finalized, but Flory confirmed a partnership with New York-based Naturopathica for body treatments, massages and facials.
“It’s a natural, organic line that’s eco-certified—the highest certification available,” Flory said.
Mokara will work with Naturopathica to source ingredients that reflect the local environment.
“I plan to create a custom essential-oil blend for this property as a signature scent that incorporates Hill Country botanicals,” Flory said. “There are many lavender fields in Texas and cedarwood is popular in this region, so we’ll incorporate local elements to make the blend special.”
Confirmed treatments include the Mokara Signature Massage I experienced at the property, plus several Naturopathica body wraps such as an espresso-mud wrap and a lemongrass-mimosa scrub. A lemon-verbena body polish and wrap uses natural ingredients like aloe vera, oat protein and shea butter.
“We’ll offer herbal teas focused on skin health,” Flory added. “We’ll also serve a muscle-and-joint tea at check-in so guests can enjoy a small taste before their experience.”
Muscle-and-joint blends feature arnica, and other tinctures can be added for stress relief or immune support, such as echinacea.
“We’ll likely rotate teas during the week so frequent visitors can try different varieties,” she said.
For facials, Mokara will use Babor products, including the anti-aging HSR lifting series designed to firm and tighten. Babor also offers ampoule concentrates—single-dose vials targeted to specific skin needs, such as collagen-boosting formulas.
For groups and meetings at the resort, Mokara can coordinate pre-meeting yoga, express treatments, spa breaks and chair massages with event planners.
With Omni San Antonio only about 80 miles away, Flory noted the convenience of regional resources.
“It’s exciting to have another spa nearby so we can collaborate on large events and draw on shared resources,” she said.
Mokara Spa
Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
8212 Barton Club Drive
Austin, TX 78735
tel 512 329 4000
omnihotels.com