I had a flush spa with my previous pool and I am doing a raised spa this time around. I chose the raised because it was a tad awkward to get into my flush spa and the PB said this would make it a little easier to get into, we shall see.

We are wondering what is the best way to go ourselves on this issue. Frankly, we are stuck on should we add a spa to our pool design or not. And then, is it worth the cost to raise your spa or not? Can people post from experience whether they are happy with there choice to build their spa raised or keep it at pool level? We have different opinions on not only whether it it looks better but how your view might be from the ground level spa. I didn't even consider the ease of getting in or out, that is a good one to consider too. Part of the issue for us is the cost factor with raising a spa. Why is it that to raise a spa it costs so much more even if it remains the same size and depth (and I assume same amount of gunite material, etc.) just to set it at a slightly higher elevation, say 1/2 foot to a foot and a half raised? Of course there is the additional cost of covering the exposed exterior with either tile or stone and such. But, if it remains attached (within the pool perimeter) and is only slightly elevated why should this cost so much more per surface square foot? Is there an elevation minimum that is typically not considered for an upcharge? Or, if your landscaping allows, is there a way to set the raised spa into an elevated grade where it would still be considered in ground (not exposed sides) but have the front portion spilling into the pool. If exposed and raised there is of course the added cost of covering the spa with additional material such as stone facing or tile. We won't want to go bigger than typical. What size spa do most people feel is good for accommodating 4 to six persons (square footage surface area, gallons of water)? Would a good size be a 30, 35, or 40 square foot surface size? Problem is when I've seen peoples actual pools and spas in the neighborhood they owners never seem to remember the actual dimensions in terms of square feet. For the cost you paid was it worth it for the spa addition?

I built mine 5 1/2 feet above the pool in a horseshoe that is inside of the actual pool perimeter. When the pump is on full blast, I get a nice sheet of water dumping into the center of the pool that is about 3' wide. The water level is also a foot under the spa edge so it gives a nice secluded feel to the spa when you're in there and if you want openness, you can hop onto the edge and still keep yourself wet from the shins down. You certainly can't make a quick switch to the pool to cool off unless you like to have fun and jump almost 6' down to the pool. We do that too.

We had a raised spa in our last pool. Our new pool has a flush spa. To be honest, I like he flush spa better. We have a step in the corner of it, so it is, in my opinion, just as easy to enter/exit as our raised spa.

As for cost, the wall has to be thicker when raised... even if raised 6".

Raising 6" is said to be a trip hazard. We considered 6" for a bit... we even considered 12". In the end, we went with flushed for us... if we went raised, I am afraid that the spa would have stuck out like a sore thumb.

The OP does not have a gunite spa... in that case, I'd leave it flush for the reasons you mentioned. Also, at 6", if it is a trip hazard then the kids could trip and fall into the spa.

-Gorilla

Here is a link that might be useful: My Pool