When we bought our house from a bachelor 15 years ago, the hot tub was here (surprise, surprise-house circa 1987!). It was in tough shape but, we cleaned it up and, with a little maintenance, have used it ever since. It is where we go to make major decisions, sit with mimosas on Christmas Eve morning, bond with our now teenage kids, or simply soak away aches, pains or chills. Never dreamt we would have or use one but, we love it.

ReMax, that is how I feel about our pool. When I figure the yearly cost, each lap must cost around $150.

Love them! We are very active outdoors, riding horses, working with horses, and doing actual work... sore muscles can't be had here. Very practical just outside our MBR.

I turn the temp down in the summer and it is our mini pool for the kids and they absolutely love it. We use don't have to use chlorine or bromine, we use a natural sanitizer but I cant remember what it is but it works for four months at a time. Super easy.

and about the comment on the cess pool of infection, not a problem if it is your own hot tub. Unless you are a cesspool of infection. I dont like to sit in public hot tubs for that reason. My own is very clean.

Hey Lou-- well, I wondered about that. I think that's true for swimming pools, too. Still-- what about that big tub of water attracting mosquitoes? I wonder about that with pools in back yards, too, but no one ever wants to talk about it, so I don't know if that's because there's not a problem, or there is and powerful pesticides keep them away ??

No problem at all with mosquitos. Maybe because the cover stays on it when it is not in use.

Interesting; thanks. I've always wondered.

We love ours! We bought 150 gallon triangular which is perfect for 2....3 if our daughter is visiting. Everytime I use it 'best purchase we ever made'.

Here in Africa the best solution if you have water standing around ,like our water reservoirs, is to put a table spoon of cooking oil on the water.it spreads out in a super thin film and stops the mosquitoes breeding. What to do with the hot tub, is to put a tea spoon of water based oil or baby oil on the top. the baby oil may make a line around the top, but its easily wiped.

In the mountains or where it is cold I LOVE a hot tub. Warms aching joints and muscles after skiing and snow shoeing.

You lucky people.its just hot hot hot here in africa, except for winter ..

One came with the house. After using it once or twice we read the maintenance instructions. It involved dumping chemicals in with great regularity. We drained it and now I'm trying to convince my husband to remove the eyesore from the porch.

We purchased a "Soft Tub" 15 years ago (almost new) and love it because it is INSIDE and used at least 2X per week, year round. Our large extention is tile floored and it divided into one half den, 1 quarter dining/bar area, 1 quarter hot tub area. The tubs in outdoor settings can be beautifully designed and landscaped around (I love to garden), but honestly, I know I wouldn't use it in the cold weather. While the soft tub is not particularly decorative, it's dark green vinyl bowl and cover are tucked into a corner, surrounded by plants and candles and looks OK. We particularly love it now that we are empty nesters - very romantic!

Thanks, maxwell20, for the baby oil tip regarding mosquitoes. But I assume that just keeps them from breeding (zero mosquito larvae), but that big body of water still attracts mosquitoes, no?

We find most people end up taking them out as they just do not use them. Soft tubs are great in that they are always available to use and do not have to wait for them to heat up....just not the most attractive in the landscape.

I would say if you will use then yes. I do wish we had one.

We find ours easy to keep clean, lots of jets and lights, sunken into deck, no issue with bugs or mosquitoes even though it is lakefront...maintenance about 10 minutes on the weekend, no biggie!

One more pic, the coloured lights are half the fun, change blue green pink every minute or so, very seventies!

Loving your view, oakleyspanky! We have thought about one at our lake. There used to be one on the covered porch. The previous owners took it with them. Probably better for us as they never bothered to properly attach the raised deck/porch to the house. Then add the weight of a tub, water, people and that was a tragedy waiting to happen! We'll put it on the 'ten year plan'. Yours is lovely. Enjoy!

Thanks for the encouragement Oakley - we are getting excited!

Hello dianahb, we have real problems with mosquitoes and malaria, so yes the oil will stop them breeding as they need still water to lay eggs, they cant lay eggs on moving water. So the oil will not attract them. Hope this helps

One of my best memories is watching a meteor shower in ours! Very awesome! A spa/hot tub is a must! They are great for connecting with others and health benefits for yourself. We have had one for about 24 years. There are researches/studies about health benefits of spas/hot tubs. As a swimming pool and spa/hot tub professional, there are some inaccuracies above. If you were interested in one and now are second guessing yourself, please discuss your concerns, proper care and maintenance, and models available with your local swimming pool and spa/hot tub professional to determine what is best for you!

Soak on!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/13498285/thumbs/Hot-Tubs---Spas---Premium-Collection

We got a great deal on a used hot tub from a friend and love it. It is so relaxing to go into the hot tub on a cool morning. I did not know if I would really use it at first but I love it.

Could not live without our hot tub! Absolutely healing and refreshing

just not big on my "want" list. I guess if I had tons of money and had bought everthing else, I would add a hot tub - but only after I had bought everything else I ever wanted...

Had the hot tub at previous home and used it occasionally, but at new home included an expensive jetted tub in the master bath....much more useful and enjoyable. The hot tub "group" experience was not for us!

I want one! I'm a water person and hubby won't let me have a pool :(( But I think I might get away with asking for a hot tub :D

Hey happyclam... go get yourself one! I bet you get a swing vote in the house.

My husband loves ours. One of the reasons he can still play tennis and jog.

Look into the new salt water ones, happyasaclam. Very therapeutic both physically and mentally : > ).

I have had a hot tub at my home for over thirty years. Sometimes inside the home where you could watch TV. Sometimes outside where you could see the stars. Enjoy soaking in the rain or even the snow as it falls. Currently we have a pool and hot tub. Below are images of how our next hot tub will be designed.

Having a hot tub is really a fun life style. We believe a lot of hot tubers like to enjoy their hot tubs all year around unlimited by the rain or snow. Many of them are benefited from the hot tub enclosures or named "spa gazebos", e.g. like images http://www.cedarviewmfg.com/gazebo_sizes/pacific_1214.html In a well designed gazebo with sky dome and windows, the views to your garden and night stars are amazing.

Nothing like a hot tub after a long day of hard work or play, especially on a freezing cold night with steam rising all around and the only view is the stars.

I hot tub outside your bedroom door is a luxury that gives you instant peace and relaxation.

Not a must have, but it's definitly on my list of "really wants" :)

Hot tub = amazing. Hot tub inside a gazebo = epic!

There's just nothing like relaxing in a nice warm hot tub after a hard day's work!

I have to say that I like to feel the rain and snow on my head while I enjoy my hot tub experience.

True... I guess it depends on the mood...

We love ours. We use it all year round. The coldest windchill was minus 32 degrees last winter but that didn't stop us from enjoying our hot tub. It makes the worst winter bearable!

When we were looking at our new home for the first time and walked around the back deck there was a hot tub in what I considered the eating area of the deck. My husband and I looked at each other and said that has got to go. It did, to someone that really appreciated it for therapy reasons. And aesthetically they are downright ugly.

Hot tubs are a great feature to backyards, but when living in Houston the weather is hot enough! Pools on the other hand are a different story.

I always thought of them as kinda sleazy, after all that is the impression they were given. I never wanted one (they're just ugly) and never wanted to go in anyone else's. But recently on Houzz I've come across cedar hot tubs. OMG totally different story now; I'm obsessed. I MUST have one! There's just no comparison to the 80's looking plastic tubs. I have a yard that looks similar to below with the rough rock wall and a cedar tub would be the purrrrrrfect addition! I'm on a mission.......

If you have the money and the space, it's definitely a luxury worth having. Plus, it increases property value!

We had a high-end hot tub when our children were younger. It was enjoyable during Montana winters. When it is 25 degrees below zero, your hair freezes! After maintaining it for several years, I just dreaded the upkeep and checking the chemicals and Ph frequently. Our tub had an ozone system which was supposed to kill germs with fewer chemicals, but it was still a maintenance nightmare. It definitely adds to your power bill, but if you live in a warmer climate, that wouldn't be as much of a concern. I also developed very dry, itchy skin from using the tub. When you clean the filter, you can see the actual amount of body oils that are deposited there, it looks like lard. The sterilizing chemicals will bleach out your swimwear and towels. Basically, it is an expensive toy with which you will eventually get bored. Everyone who can afford a tub seems to want to try one, as they look very appealing in the commercials. As far as adding to resale value of your home, I would disagree. There is the ick factor of who else has used it, and whether or not it has been properly maintained. Many tubs are not taken care of and have problems with cracks and leaks, not always apparent until you use the unit. Personally, I would not pay more for a home with a hot tub. It would be a detriment in my opinion.

Would LOVE to have one. Have used them, so nice watching the stars & sitting in the .snow

Had one. Would like another one now that there are no kids. Gross to share.

Judy, I live where there are cold Alberta winters. We love our hot tub, especially in the winter. We have not tired of it in the last ten years. My husband and I are the only two people who use it so there is no problem of chemicals fading out swimsuits if you get what I mean:)
We love our hot tub and when this one wears out, we will be getting another. I agree with you that a hot tub does not add value to a home. It would not be a selling point for me if I were looking to buy a new home but, I would probably install one after I moved in.

oakleyspanky and anyone who has advise :) I love your hot tub! I live in Wisconsin and would like to get one. I am so torn... should I get it screened in, into an all season room? Or outside with a quick entrance into some type of room? We will be remodeling and I just do not know what to do. Any input I would appreciate !

We have a hot tub in our winter home in Arizona and absolutely love it. After Covid hit and we were unable to travel, we purchased a hot tub for our home in Alberta. Helped us keep our sanity during this past year.

We bought our hot tub about three years ago and use it all the time. We got a good price on a quality unit and we keep it covered. Because it is insulated and covered, it does not require much power and we did not notice a change in our electricity bill. It sits under a high roof on a covered porch, which also protects it from the worst of the elements. Maintenance takes about 10 minutes a week and costs peanuts.

We love our hot tub. We sleep well at night after using it, it helps ease aches and pains, and it creates a special little haven where it feels like our own little universe for a while.