Size, Style and Comfort: Innovative Spa Options
While the idea of a glorious soak in the warm, bubbling waters of a hot tub will never go out of style, spa manufacturers know that with the trend toward "at-home vacations," consumers are expecting more from backyard leisure. They know that today's spa shoppers want more than to feel good in their hot tubs; they want these units to look good, have the best fit for their property and be versatile enough to meet various pleasure-enhancing needs.
Spa manufacturers have responded with unique hot tub features and styles to satisfy every shopper.
Get More with Jets
It's the therapeutic action of jets that make a hot water soak more than just relaxing; jets provide the therapeutic relief that soothes a stressed mind, and weary muscles and provide pain relief as well. Although most spas are engineered to provide the best action at specific points in seating, with today's hot tub models you don't have to worry about being stuck with just one configuration.
Some manufacturers, including Great Lakes Spas, build models that have interchangeable jets. With this standard hot tub feature, the jets can easily be released from the jet body in a few seconds and moved to another location: they just need to fit into the same sized jet body. "You can take several 5-inch rotating jets from the wall against your lower back, for example, and switch them with pulsating jets of the same size, which may be up near your shoulders," says Ray Lohner, national sales manager of Great Lakes Spas, based in Kentwood, Michigan. "You then get a different water flow and new sensation to both of those areas, and you're able to alter the water therapy whenever you want."
Master Spas® of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is another hot tub manufacturer that offers interchangeable jets. Company president Bob Lauter explains the concept: "It's similar to an adjustable shower head, but with more options. The biggest advantage is that the spa owner is not confined to the jet configuration and types they originally purchased."
Size Matters
An average five-to six-person spa retails between $6,000 and $12,000 and is ideal for many homeowners. But for those who are on a tight budget, have a small property, or plan to move in the near future, there are smaller and more portable units available. The "plug-and-fill" SplashTub by Splash Superpools – costing only $2,000 to $2,500 – is not only cost-effective, but requires no professional installation and allows for easy transportation. With a dry weight of 120 pounds, it can easily be lifted by two people, and while the tub measures only 74 inches across and 26 inches deep, it allows three to four people to enjoy a soak.
While practically all hot tubs can be uninstalled and packed onto a moving van if you relocate, "the SplashTub is a true cash and carry item," says company marketing director Tommy Thomason, whose company is headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. "You can buy it, take it home, fill it up and have it running all in the same day."
What allows for this quick and easy setup? The tub plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet, so it doesn't need the additional hardwiring of larger hot tub models with a 220-volt circuit. The load factor also meets that of most standard housing, so you don't need to lay a concrete slab beneath it. "You can put it basically anywhere – a wooden deck, a patio or right on the ground. And its portability allows owners to take the tub to a winter or summer house. We've even had some interest from RV-ers," says Thomason.
Super Sounds
While touch is the primary sense-sational motivation of many hot tub shoppers, there are those who want to tantalize their other senses. That's why sound systems in today's units rival those found in high-priced indoor stereo systems, complete with surround sound and iPod® compatibility.
In fact, these systems are the most requested options today for spa entertainment systems, reports Shiva Noble, executive vice president for Cal Spas in Pomona, California. "Homeowners want sound to flow seamlessly as they move from their living room indoors to their living space outdoors. They're accustomed to the high quality home stereo systems, and they've come to expect the same quality outdoors."
Master Spas has also seen a huge demand for built-in stereos with an iPod compatibility. "We sell about 5,000 units a year," notes Lauter. "They retail between $500 and $1,500, depending on the model, and can be added to almost any of our units at the time of purchase."
However, this does leave some to wonder, Why don't I just bring my radio or portable iPod speakers outside? Well, an integrated audio system has the advantage of convenience, sound quality and durability. "There's no lugging a stereo in and out of the house or looking for an outlet," says Noble. "And you don't have to worry about it getting wet, because most built-in stereos are marine grade and weather-resistant, so they are able to withstand the outdoors." And consumers can be sure that their iPod or MP3 player is safe under the water-resistant panel, adds Lauter.
Shells to Repel
Cleanliness is a must when you're ready for a calming soak, and keeping your spa clean means maintaining proper water balance, excellent filtration and a clean shell. That's why many hot tub manufacturers feature Lucite® cast acrylic shells with exclusive Microban® Antimicrobial Product Protection, which inhibits the growth of bacteria on the shell's surface.
"It works alongside the water treatment to ensure a clean spa surface, particularly above the water line where the cover creates a hot moist environment that's ideal for bacterial growth on the shell surface," says Chris Robinson, director of sales and marketing for Lucite International in Cordova, Tennessee, which manufactures Lucite with Microban. Microban is added to the acrylic sheet along with the color so it becomes part of the sheet and does not wash out.
"If the shell gets scratched, Microban still remains effective," says Robinson. Since it holds up to daily use, consumers need to do nothing more than follow the cleaning instructions recommended by the spa manufacturer to maintain a clean and attractive shell. "Our testing shows Microban does not appreciably deteriorate over 10 years of accelerated use, and the average life of a spa is about seven years."
One of the active ingredients is triclosan, found in most deodorants, toothpastes and antimicrobial hand washes. Microban is also used in some spa filters, as well as hundreds of consumer products, including solid surface countertops and air filters.