Thank you @Patricia Colwell Consulting.

My husband and friend wanted 8x8 for look (more imposing). I on the other hand am scared it will look too big. The L shape us because we do not want to create much shade over the water (we will be using the hot tub more as a pool) but wanted to enhance the design with natural wood and height.

The hot tub is 94 inches (facing the river) by 90 inches.

I will post a few photos of the backyard.

Here is a photo showing where the hot tub will go (see the wood square on the left).

Here is an example of the look we are going for (it would only be L shaped though and we would not have any stone at the bottom of the posts like they did in the photo).

Here you can see the whole house; hot tub area on the left.

IMO you get the tub in first , then you design the pergola . I am still confused about the L shape IMO you could have a pregola and some seating along one side but don’ t see the need for the L

IMO get he tub in first and then work on designing the pergola and I am still trying to figure out the L shape I would do something like this

@Patricia Colwell Consulting, do you mean you don’t see the need for an L shape versus a full one? Or simply a pergola all together? And seeing the whole space, you think 6x6 posts would definitely look better than 8x8?

Thanks. We were simply trying to keep as much sun as possible (while doing something a bit different).

Also, we are planing this at the same time because we are redoing the interlock everywhere in the backyard and digging for the hot tub/interlock/electricity will already be happening.

The picture shows a full pergola over the hot whaich IMO you either choose that or no pergola then just that nice bump ut on the one side . You will get lots of light with the pergola and IMO will loo better than the L. I guess my real question is if you are not going to use this as hot tub why did you not just put in a lap pool .

I think the 6x6 is fine and I see no reason for the L have no idea what you mean by a full one, the picture shows a full pergola over the hot with an extension on one side for stool no L anyhwere. I think if you are not planning on using this as hot tub why not just do a above ground lap pool like this

Yes by full one I meant like in the photo you posted.

And I say we will mostly use it as a pool is because we have a 3 year old who will enjoy it a lot during the day. We won’t be able to enjoy it as much at night for now but we certainly will very soon. We will also be using it in the spring and early fall therefore we needed something very hot.

Maybe you are right about the pergola. The way we were seeing the L was longer side of the L above the bar at the back and the other side of the L on the left side... we didn’t think it was that bad of an idea but maybe it is! We were simply trying to add something cool to the new setup...

It sounds like you are considering an in ground hot tub?....like a pool?..as to the whole post and pergola question..it will look best if you repeat the look of the posts on the house...also a jacuzzi it much more friendly for year round use if it is covered...so you don’t fry when it is hot ...or get rained/snowed on when it is cold....trying to include too many activities around the tub in that location may be too crowded in any case....jacuzzi tubs are not entertainment centers as much as pools are...and are more suited for soaking and relaxing..even conversation ....the most i would do is provide a lip type ledge for drinks on all sides...another consideration is ...will this be a constantly heated tub...that needs a cover.... or one that you just heat for 15-20 minutes in advance of when you want it hot?.from your description it sounds like the latter would be better....but of course this requires a much more complicated unit...it should have controls in the house and a remote control...and will need above ground equipment and an area in the yard set aside to camouflage the equipment...making it easier for repairs and adjustments...

The best part of the not constantly heated tub is that you don’t need a cover.....and for the kids or any one ...you can set temperature any where from slightly warm too very hot according to weather.... or how you plan to use it at any time...

Thank you @btydrvn! No we won’t install it underground (especially for ease of access for repairs). The plan is to use it 3 seasons (early spring to mid fall). We are buying one with 2 pumps which we will be able to heat quickly. We will probably keep it around 87-92 degrees Celsius during the day (and heat it up at night). We will still have a cover.

Given that the backyard is facing the river, that the hot tub cover will go to the left side (when you look straight at the house from the river), and that there will be 2 steps on the right side of the hot tub (again when looking straight at the house), we thought we should only have a ledge/bar for drinks on the one side (closest to the house).

Here is a picture of the backyard facing the river to give you a better idea.

I essential just wonder what would make the backyard look wow. Would a full pergola be better (other than for shade), or perhaps no pergola but add a privacy screen on the left close to the neighbor’s side (left when you look straight at the house from the river)?

Figure out how you will open and store the cover while you are using the tub to make sure the pergola does not interfere with the use.

You have a beautiful location

Yes we will have a lever and it will go to the left (towards the neighbor); it folds into 2 before going backwards and thanks yes we would ensure we leave enough space back there if ever we do chose to go with a pergola.