Optimal Options

Cover lifter
A hot tub cover can weigh as much as 100 pounds, and its awkward shape and positioning can make it moving it difficult. The solution? A cover lifter does the work for you. Besides providing easier and faster access to the hot tub, a cover lifter decreases the risk of injury due to heavy lifting.

Steps
Most aboveground hot tubs are more than three feet high, so climbing in and out can be awkward. Steps offer a simple, safe and attractive solution to this dilemma. To cut down on resources, some step manufacturers are now using recycled materials that are practically maintenance-free.

Towel warmers
Available as a freestanding outdoor cabinet or an indoor rack (both usually including interior lighting), a towel warmer is ideal after soaks on chilly evening. Just remember to consider the power capacity of your outlets.

Set the Mood

Lighting
Today there are an endless variety of hot tub lighting options that will allow you to set an ideal theme - from festive to romantic. For nighttime soaks, soft interior lighting not only creates a quiet and relaxing mood, but also adds a safe means of getting in and out of the spa. For a big party, glowing colors that flash and change create an upbeat and energetic feel. Look for LED hot tub lighting, which is energy-efficient, long-lasting and requires little maintenance.

Water features
Envision the look and sound of a natural waterfall. Does it alter your mood and put you in a tranquil state? Hot tubs can be accessorized with a number of different water features--from an attractive waterfall to a mini-Trevi fountain. Furthermore, certain high-end water features have changeable fountainheads to showcase a number of different looks.

Aromatherapy
For a pleasant aroma to complete your relaxing soak, there's no need to bring out the scented candles. Many of today's hot tub models feature built-in topside pods where you can drop in a bag of aromatherapy beads that dispense a mood-enhancing fragrance throughout the spa water.

Entertain!

CD/MP3 players

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body," said 19th century poet, Oliver Wendell Holmes. In this case, with a hot tub sound system, why not combine a music bath with a water bath? CD/MP3 players with an AM/FM radio and a waterproof remote control allow you to select the right tunes to meet your mood. With the advancement of wireless technology, most spa stereos work without any cords or electricity and can be installed either at the time of purchase or onto an existing hot tub. And with the iPod® boom, more and more manufacturers are featuring hot tub models that are iPod-ready.

TVs and DVD players

Many spa companies offer hot tubs with pop-up TV/DVD players so you and your best buds can watch a TV show or movie while soaking or hanging out by the hot tub. While experts recommend that hot tub soaks should be limited to 15-minute sessions, having a TV by the spa lets you to utilize the whole surrounding area. After enjoying the pleasures of bubbling warm water, you can watch the remainder of your favorite show as you dry off, grab a snack and have a seat at the bar or picnic table. Spas with built-in TV/DVD players combine the entertainment element of your family room with the beauty of the outdoors.

These hot tub entertainment systems are marine-grade so they can withstand the rain, yet be cleaned with a garden hose. When browsing hot tub models, look for TV screens with low glare so the picture is as vibrant during the day as it is at night.

Surround sound speakers
If sound quality is paramount, consider adding surround sound speakers to your hot tub. Some sound systems even come equipped with special transducers that transform the spa into a giant stereo speaker, which sends sound waves through the bottom of the tub and into the water. Really feel the music!