Olena Amin, SPA Manager of the "MAVKA" Aquapark
— Olena, welcome. Let's begin with the main philosophy behind the "MAVKA" aquapark SPA.
— The philosophy of our SPA zone is deep restoration through the power of the Carpathian nature. Here, four elements – water, fire, air, and earth – come together to harmonize the body and mind. The space is designed like a fairy-tale forest, where every guest is immersed in an atmosphere of calm, legends, and natural energy cleansing.
Mavka Forest SPA is a cozy eco-oasis where the architecture and ambiance create the feeling of being in nature.
By choosing different zones and programs, you activate all the elements and the brain’s restorative systems.
Everything is aimed at deeply restoring the balance of body and mind, grounded in Ukrainian natural-mythological traditions.
— What do you want guests to feel after their visit?
— After visiting our SPA, we want every guest to feel:
- A deep reset – not just relaxation, but true rejuvenation of the body and emotions,
- Lightness – as if shedding everything unnecessary: fatigue, tension, and anxiety,
- Inspiration – a desire to live fully again, create, rejoice, and reconnect with nature – like after a walk in the Carpathian forest, when you breathe deeply,
- Care – the feeling of being treated with tenderness and love, with attention to every detail.
MAVKA SPA is not just about services; it’s an emotional experience. And we want that experience to stay with our guests' bodies and hearts for a long time.
— What are the most popular procedures and services among visitors?
— Our guests have already discovered their favorite locations and procedures, defining what true body and soul relaxation means to them.
Selenium Pool
A therapeutic bath enriched with the natural trace element selenium – gently cleansing, strengthening, and promoting overall wellness.
Classic Body Massage
A must-have for those looking to release tension, improve sleep, and simply… let go of everything unnecessary.
Floating
Sensory isolation in a warm space – 60 minutes that replace 4 hours of sleep. A complete reset for both body and mind.
French Beauty Rituals with Yon-Ka Paris
Exclusive SPA treatments featuring aromatic oils, phytotherapy, and active plant extracts.
Choose between deep hydration, soothing, rejuvenation, or cleansing.
Facial and body rituals with a natural “SPA glow” effect. And, of course, couples massages. A moment of absolute harmony with your loved one. Romance and relaxation in one ritual.
These procedures are the true favorites of our guests.
— Have you noticed any trends in the choices of your guests?
— Yes, at MAVKA SPA, clear trends have emerged in guest choices, which align with modern demands for recovery, naturalness, and deep self-care.
Here are a few key trends:
- A desire for deep relaxation and “switching off”,
- People seek not just care but nervous system restoration, a return to themselves, and the relief of deep fatigue,
- It’s not about beauty per se, but about inner balance and a sense of peace.
There’s also demand for premium rituals with meaningful intent.
Guests particularly value rituals that embody philosophy, atmosphere, and emotion:
- SPA rituals with Yon-Ka,
- Couples massages,
- Comprehensive programs (massage + floating or ReOxy).
Slow wellness is also trending – where the focus is on depth, not rush.
— What unique features and solutions have you introduced in the SPA zone to set it apart from other resort facilities?
— Great question! Let me share a list of key features and solutions that distinguish our zone from other resort SPAs.
Location in the Heart of Nature and Forest Restoration Philosophy
The "MAVKA" SPA integrates with the natural Carpathian environment, and it’s not just the backdrop, but part of the concept:
- Focus on wood, stone, and living water,
- Aromas of pine forests,
- Nature sounds in the relaxation zones,
- Wellness innovations: ReOxy, floating, selenium pool.
While most SPAs are limited to classic massages and saunas, we’ve integrated:
- ReOxy – medical oxygen therapy in a wellness format,
- Floating – a trending practice almost absent from resorts,
- Selenium pool – a rare solution with real physiological effects.
This places MAVKA SPA in the “new generation of wellness” category.
Premium Rituals with Yon-Ka Paris
- Working with a professional brand like Yon-Ka instantly raises guest trust. Yon-Ka is not just about care but also an experience through scent, texture, and ritual.
- The combination of manual massage techniques, aroma compresses, and steam phases creates a full beauty ritual.
- Journey Programs Instead of Individual Services
Guests can experience more than just a massage or wrap, they can embark on:
- A complete SPA adventure (e.g., “Forest Walk,” “Exotic Journey”),
- Programs focusing on breath, energy, and sleep restoration,
- Couples rituals with romantic or family undertones.
Guests don’t just choose a service; they live through an experience. Additionally, the aesthetics and emotional atmosphere include:
- Soft lighting, natural aromas, nature sounds,
- Professional hands that work not just with the body, but with the soul,
- A space where you want to remain silent, breathe deeply, and be with yourself.
Here, we don’t heal – we embrace the body with peace.
— Is the combination of Carpathian nature and relaxation practices vital to your SPA’s philosophy?
— Yes, the combination of Carpathian nature and relaxation practices is the heart of the "MAVKA" SPA philosophy, and it’s what makes our space not just comfortable but healing on a deeper level.
— How was Carpathian authenticity considered in your SPA concept?
— Carpathian authenticity in the "MAVKA" SPA concept is not just décor or marketing. It’s a deep idea that creates an emotional anchor for each guest: “I’m not just at a SPA – I’m in the Carpathians, in a special place with a soul.”
The space design features wood, stone, linen, clay – materials from the mountains – as well as a natural color palette – greens, grey-brown shades, the color of bark, mist, and spring – long with handcrafted elements that recall the crafts of the Hutsul region (carving, embroidery, weaving).
— How do you ensure the high quality of service?
— At MAVKA SPA, we care not only about your comfort but also about ensuring your complete confidence that you are in reliable hands. Every procedure, every contact, every detail is thought through to perfection.
- All specialists undergo professional training and certification,
- We follow internal protocols that guarantee a consistently high level of service,
- Our staff adheres to service standards— from the first word to the completion of the procedure.
The main rule is hygiene and sterility – no compromises.
- Rooms, equipment, and surfaces are sanitized after every guest,
- We use disposable materials and medical-grade disinfectants,
- There is a ventilation and air purification system in all zones.
For maximum comfort, medical supervision and personalized care are available.
- Before certain procedures, we conduct surveys or consultations,
- All programs take possible contraindications into account (pregnancy, cardiovascular diseases, etc.).
— What are your internal standards for service?
— We don’t just greet our guests—we embrace them with attention.
Before each procedure, we don’t ask, “What would you like done?” Instead, we ask, “How are you feeling today? What does your body and soul need?”
That’s when the magic begins. We open a palette of Yon-Ka Quintessence aromas for the guest. Not just bottles – but emotions in liquid form.
The guest intuitively chooses the one that resonates most deeply. We add the chosen scent to the oil, inhale it in a compress, or release it into the air via warm steam. All of this is designed so that the touch becomes not just physical but deeply felt.
Our service standards are simplicity that hides perfection:
- A prepared space – warm, aromatic, sterile,
- A sincere greeting, with no mechanicality,
- A specialist – attentive but invisible when needed,
- The result – always individual, because it’s co-created with the guest.
After the procedure, we don’t rush to say goodbye. We accompany the guest to the lounge, offer a cup of herbal tea, and leave them with a drop of the same aroma on their wrist – as a reminder of their true self.
At MAVKA Aquapark, service isn’t measured by the number of touches. It’s measured by the depth of the experience.
— You are doing an incredible job! I have one final question. Are there plans to expand services or introduce new procedures in the upcoming season?
— Yes, we plan to update our SPA program according to guest needs and the seasonal rhythm. In the upcoming season, we will focus on deeper body practices – particularly massages and bath rituals.
We are introducing new massage techniques that combine both Western and Eastern approaches – from deep tissue work on muscle tension to rhythmic lymphatic drainage using natural balms and aromatherapy. We’ll also have a special focus on massages inspired by the natural rhythms of the Carpathians: with a slow pace, heated stones, wooden elements, and herbal compresses.
We are also preparing to launch an expanded bathing program. This won’t just be a classic sauna or hammam, but complete aroma-cleansing rituals. In each program, we’ll combine natural scrubs, clay wraps, pine brooms, and calming final stages with cooling, teas, and honey compresses.
For us, it’s important that the procedure is not only effective but holistic – to relax, cleanse, and energize at once. That’s why we test all new treatments ourselves, adapting them to the rhythm of MAVKA aquapark and integrating them with our philosophy of natural restoration.