At first, they look like just a small cluster of unsuspecting cabins across from the Boston Harbor Hotel, but when you get closer, you realize that this is Moki, a full-scale health and wellness experience. With two saunas, a cold plunge pool, and a relaxing igloo, Moki is striving to provide a place of rejuvenation and connectivity – right in the center of the city.
How it Works: Located on The Greenway at the intersection of Atlantic Ave and High Street, you’ll enter the first small wooden cabin to check in. There, you get a towel and flip-flops before heading back to the heated changing rooms. Once you’re in your bathing suit, you can head to the igloo dome with lockers and heaters to relax and unwind. Then – it’s time to head into one of the two wood-fired saunas on the property. After about 10-15 minutes inside the saunas (which are kept at approximately 170-190 degrees), it’s time to cool down in the cold plunge pool. The pool is kept at a cool 40 – 50 degrees. As far as how long is suggested to spend in each? That’s where owner Mark Peloquin says it’s all up to what feels right for each individual.
“We feel like there is no specific metric people need to hit, but instead, we encourage everyone to do whatever feels right. We do have a small clock near the cold plunge if people like to track timing but it’s not needed. Every person is different, and so we like to accommodate and provide a platform where people can come, try things out, and pick what they want.”
The Benefits: If you’re like me and had never done a cold plunge before, you may be asking why anyone would willingly submit themselves to such an uncomfortable experience. Well, the combination of hot and cold has its benefits:
- Increases Circulation
- Enhances Immune Function
- Boosts Energy
- Promotes Muscle Repair
- Burns Fat for Weight Loss
- Improves Skin Health
- Reduces Stress
The Vibe: Mark Peloquin says that while the main objective behind Moki is to provide a place for relaxation, it’s also about the social aspect. Moki is meant to bring people together and offer a place to meet new people or experience something new with your friends and family. So don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with the person next to you. During my visit, I met a lot of friendly people in the saunas and by the end, the group had morphed into a small cheerleading squad – encouraging one another to try and reach our individual goals of staying in the pool for an additional :30 seconds or so.
What to Bring: Bathing suit, robe (optional) and a change of clothes. There is a heated changing area and rinsing station for before and after the plunge.
Pro Tip: If you wear a lot of jewelry, take it off before going into the sauna – with temps nearing 200 degrees, that silver and gold can start to burn quickly.
Price:
The most popular option is the 2 hour sauna pass – $55 per person
They also provide a 5 pack for $245 and a 10 pack for $450
Reservations are highly recommended
Once you’re inside, you can rotate between the sauna and cold plunge pool as many times as you’d like to
What to Look Out For: The Moki team is hoping to expand! With growing popularity, Moki is already looking to add a second plunge pool and a third sauna. The team is also hoping to expand to weekday pricing options at a cheaper rate.
Moki is open until the end of March!
Meg is an Emmy-award winning news and video producer. She worked for more than six years as a television news producer for NBC10 in Boston. Now, she works as a full time video producer for a nationwide venture capital firm.
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