My daughters bathroom will have the only bathtub in the house. There was an old school cast iron soaking tub there that is 5.5 ft but it seems very slippery and not terribly wide. The finish is in good but not amazing shape.

So do we reuse it? Do we refinish it - and if so- can they add more "grip"? Do we buy a new one?

This if for an alcove bathtub. 32" wide is fine.

Looking at the tubs people like, there are a ton of options and materials:

1. Kohler Archer seems to be the budget conscious quality choice.
2. Kohler Bellweather / Mendota - cast iron, lots of discussion, but no idea why.
3. Kohler Highbridge - I read something saying this was more meant for combined shower/tub usage than the Bellweather
4. Bain Ultra - expensive for acrylic, good anecdotal reviews
5. Toto - cast iron, but shallow?
6. American Standard - no real discussion of any of these, most seem to say go with Kohler.

I am sure there are others I have missed.

What would a perfect tub look like? As much water volume as possible, with a low sill for easy stepping over, enough grip to never be slippery, but not so much the grip parts got dirty or were uncomfortable to sit on. Basically everything at once even if they contradict each other!