Some ideas, I like lots of lightening and greenery

You can't fool mother nature. What I think of - heard of a pond that in worst rainy time - and may have been a drain issue - yours is a true wetland - anyway think about placement of even fire pit close to water, though it makes me think of vacation!
along nature's way also think about prevailing wind - and where you want smoke blowing - your house, others' yards....
semi-circular deck? of course for both doors. Use fragrant flowers shrubs.

You can make it less linear by using natural stones, breaking up with planted areas, different levels:

Hi Kelly,

I might consider bringing the landscape to the house. We've had good success with wood decks or even concrete and stone patios which will help 'ground' the yard to the house. You can create a planting buffer up against the house to soften the structure a bit as well. Like others images show, the spa can be sunken into the deck or patio. Most people like the spa close to the house (especially with what looks like snow in the image) but also consider it as a destination point if that is something you desire. Take a look at the images attached for an example of an Ipe deck we did on a Farmhouse that also has a pool and spa.There is another image (image on right) where there is an Ipe deck at the level of the house and the spa is more of a 'destination.' just to the left of the fence and gate on the right of that image. Hope that helps and feel free to asking questions!

Love the zenscape in pcmom's second posting. Don't know if it suits your site, but it certainly would be a peaceful setting from which to appreciate the wetlands.

Love the ideas! Keep 'em coming. I think we would like to avoid a deck, preferring instead the look of stone/concrete. Is it possible to do a stone/concrete patio that is at the level of the house? Or do we keep the stone steps going to ground level? We did have a Japanese maple in front of the right windows that we just relocated to a more prominent place in the front yard. Just to clarify, the pond is man-made and there is no wetlands soil on the property. A soil scientist tested it and it drains well, thank goodness.

Pcmom--I'm thinking something like that hot tub in the "providence residence" photo might work in our space, close to the master sliders but off to the side so you don't see it when you're inside the bedroom. I'm sure you could install the hot tub so the access panels are open in the back, right? And with the stone patio elevated, the firepit could be a step down to a circle or semi circle.

I am glad it drains well, cause the overflow flooded the townhouses nearby.
Will you use solar lighting?

Sure, I'm open to solar lighting :)

What about something like this? And then have the hot tub off to the left like they have, a little lower?

Yes - and do you want to feel like you're in a body of water and not sticking up into view?
Well might as well say what you thought of pcmom's second view - do you crave a barrier, what's that called?
I wanted to say that tall [feathery especially pretty] ornamental grasses would seem great with pond, and could be used as natural barrier. Not right next to hot tub, but within boulder zone...?

Can't find particular grasses but one more, pretty in a group

I love ornamental grasses.! Those mixed in with some natural stone would look great.