Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Hot tub in new holiday let or not?

125 replies

Loafbeginsat60 · 26/07/2023 21:30

We are building two three-bed holiday lets on our farm - they are quite private and have nice views over the countryside.

We will accept dogs and offer activities such as fishing and clay pigeon shooting and possibly options to get involved on the farm but not sure about that yet.

Anyway my question.... do we put in hot tubs or not - two small ones, one large one or none at all? I hear people think they are grim sex ponds and yet others love them.

What's does the collective wisdom of MN think - would you rent a rural properly without a hot tub or would you like to see one provided?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:08

I have had some really great opinions and advice on this thread which I am so thankful for.

I can't see a way around the hot tub taking a whole day to heat up if you change the water every time.

I'm now thinking that anywhere I've been before - and the hot tub has been hot on arrival - they haven't changed the water 😬 😱

We are in a lodge right now and it's not hot and won't be til tomorrow. It doesn't bother me despite siting in the sun and wishing it was.. it's just one of those things and I know it will be clean for us.

I get that it would annoy some folk tho!

OP posts:
Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:09

DisforDarkChocolate · 28/07/2023 19:03

I prefer a games area with table tennis over a hot tub.

Table tennis is a good shout - we have one of those already.

OP posts:
Tapasgoofy · 28/07/2023 19:09

Would the dogs from both let’s be able to be kept separate from each other? I wouldn’t want my dog sharing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:11

gingerguineapig · 28/07/2023 18:22

I'd prefer a hot tub over having to share the grounds with other peoples' dogs.

It's one thing allowing dogs when it's a standalone property. That said, I am guessing if you are a farm you have your own dogs anyway. But then, is it a good idea to allow guests to bring theirs? Most B&B owners don't allow dogs if they have pets of their own.

We have two dogs. But they wouldn't be mixing.

We love dogs so I'm happy to welcome them and their well behaved owners

OP posts:
Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:12

Tapasgoofy · 28/07/2023 19:09

Would the dogs from both let’s be able to be kept separate from each other? I wouldn’t want my dog sharing.

Oh yes separate dog gardens.

And a dog walking field with picnic benches

OP posts:
jannier · 28/07/2023 19:31

Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:08

I have had some really great opinions and advice on this thread which I am so thankful for.

I can't see a way around the hot tub taking a whole day to heat up if you change the water every time.

I'm now thinking that anywhere I've been before - and the hot tub has been hot on arrival - they haven't changed the water 😬 😱

We are in a lodge right now and it's not hot and won't be til tomorrow. It doesn't bother me despite siting in the sun and wishing it was.. it's just one of those things and I know it will be clean for us.

I get that it would annoy some folk tho!

I've been to some where it's cool the first evening and warm the next day that's fine it doesn't bother me

Roselilly36 · 28/07/2023 19:39

If you have hot tub, you can get a premium price… but they cost quite a bit to run, what with electricity, daily maintenance and chemicals etc. so factor that in. Bookings haven’t be great this season tbh. So if you are borrowing to build these units bear that in mind, and also damage & replacement of linen, towels etc, unfortunately a lot of “guests” don’t treat the holiday accommodation as you or I would. I frequently feel sorry for our cleaner. Not wishing to be negative, just realistic. Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 21:15

Roselilly36 · 28/07/2023 19:39

If you have hot tub, you can get a premium price… but they cost quite a bit to run, what with electricity, daily maintenance and chemicals etc. so factor that in. Bookings haven’t be great this season tbh. So if you are borrowing to build these units bear that in mind, and also damage & replacement of linen, towels etc, unfortunately a lot of “guests” don’t treat the holiday accommodation as you or I would. I frequently feel sorry for our cleaner. Not wishing to be negative, just realistic. Good luck, I hope it works out well for you.

Thank you. We are hoping not to have to borrow anything to finish them but if we can keep costs down then cutting out hot tubs would be a big saving.

The more I hear about the maintenance and upkeep the more I wonder is it worth it.

But then equally so many of you have said they wouldn't book without one.

I guess the only real option is to put one in and see how the bookings stack up against each other.

And then add another one if need be, or if it's a real PITA take the first one out.

Thank you to everyone who had taken the time to post and give their experience and views.

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 28/07/2023 21:23

There was one at a house we rented this summer but you'd paid extra for it (or offered a discount for not it, however you want to put it). I'd do that. We declined, not interested. Definitely not a joint one with another property. Would be weird.

Thelonelygiraffe · 28/07/2023 22:08

afaloren · 28/07/2023 11:53

I wouldn’t book a holiday let unless it had a hot tub and allowed dogs.

And I don't book holiday lets if they allow dogs!

Blossomtoes · 28/07/2023 22:15

Thelonelygiraffe · 28/07/2023 22:08

And I don't book holiday lets if they allow dogs!

Show quote history

Brilliant. All the more vacant dates for those of us who take our dogs.

bernieaa · 28/07/2023 22:29

SwedishEdith · 28/07/2023 21:23

There was one at a house we rented this summer but you'd paid extra for it (or offered a discount for not it, however you want to put it). I'd do that. We declined, not interested. Definitely not a joint one with another property. Would be weird.

I'm sure you can't share hot tubs either

rookiemere · 29/07/2023 08:32

You can buy a hot tub cheaply these days as the market for them has dropped considerably since electricity costs have gone up.

I think the idea of doing one with and one without makes sense. It would be a big draw for us, but you'd need to do your research on how much more you can charge and see if it stacks up.

Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 29/07/2023 10:17

rookiemere · 29/07/2023 08:32

You can buy a hot tub cheaply these days as the market for them has dropped considerably since electricity costs have gone up.

I think the idea of doing one with and one without makes sense. It would be a big draw for us, but you'd need to do your research on how much more you can charge and see if it stacks up.

That's what we have been discussing this morning. We've just had a lovely hour in the tub in the sun before breakfast (but reading the discharge guidelines from sepa 😬)

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 29/07/2023 10:28

You will always have enough bookings without a hot tub. So don't let people saying they wouldn't book without put you off.

My experience is that people let their kids and dogs be absolutely feral on holiday. Never put in anything that they could kill themselves on or in.

Tapasgoofy · 29/07/2023 12:23

Wallywobbles · 29/07/2023 10:28

You will always have enough bookings without a hot tub. So don't let people saying they wouldn't book without put you off.

My experience is that people let their kids and dogs be absolutely feral on holiday. Never put in anything that they could kill themselves on or in.

You don’t know the OP will have enough bookings without a hot tub. No one can predict that.

Zipps · 29/07/2023 12:42

We also only book places with private hot tubs and that allows dogs. The hot tub needs to be proper not one of those plastic glorified paddling pool ones in a private location and have a shelter.

NigellaAwesome · 01/08/2023 15:18

My neighbour has a holiday let with hot tub, but tbh the guests can be noisy and inconsiderate. I also let out our house, and have no problem filling it back to back during school holidays.

We were chatting just last week, and I think we probably both have the same number of nights, but a different booking pattern. Mine are usually 4-7 day stays over summer and Easter holidays, and half term. Hot tub neighbour gets a lot more 2-3 night weekend bookings throughout the year. We both end up with approx 120 nights a year. He does charge more, but not that much considering the cost of the hot tub. He has just installed solar panels to heat the hot tub.

I would be inclined to try without a hot tub to begin with, but have the infrastructure in place if you later change your mind.

TwitTwont · 01/08/2023 15:22

I would hate a hot tub.

Especially after reading a post on here about the guests loudly having sex in it. At least that poster empties, cleans and refills the hot tub after each guest. Will you be doing that?
Sound vile.

BrassicaBabe · 01/08/2023 21:15

Glamping site owner here. We don't them them. But here's what I know...

  1. Yes, big attraction for guests. So more bookings.
  2. High maintenance and energy costs.
  3. Highly regulated...record keeping, temp and chemical checks, regulation as to when you change the water etc.
  4. Even more regulation if you don't use chemicals. The water is just a soup of bacteria as it's running at the perfect temperature for bacteria growth. The water needs changing after 4 hours. Wood fired hot tubs,,baths etc. I can find the regulations reference is you need it...
  5. Where will you dispose of the used water? Regulation there too.
  6. Do you have neighbours? Folks in a hot tub are often sat out late into the night, drinking. They will be noisy.

Then anecdotally..: a friend in the same field has a hot tub. Rather large folks got in, displacing the water, got out, water level dropped dramatically, motor burned out 🙄

Personally, love a hot tub. Would never use one without chemicals. Would never have them on my site.

Hope this helps Good luck!!

BrassicaBabe · 01/08/2023 21:18

@Tronkmanton that'll teach me. I don't normally post before RTFT. You are bang on the nose!

ThePatriarchyIsNotAboutHorses · 01/08/2023 21:20

Nope! Sex pits that cost a fortune to run

DaveWatts · 01/08/2023 21:24

Loafbeginsat60 · 28/07/2023 19:00

We have beautiful beaches 15 mins away. Amazing walks, lochs to swim in. Hills to climb, historic towns and villages to explore. But it's the north of Scotland, it rains a lot, it's windy, it's cold! But randomly we also have an amazing 2 floor soft play and cafe open 7 days a week which people love! They do heaps of classes and activities too which is just fab for little kids.

We have eggs to collect, lambs to feed at easter, goats to cuddle all year found, sheep to hand feed. I think we will make a wee wooden play park for the guests to use too.

In the near future we might have a fishing loch. Will defo offer clays.

Show quote history

OP where are you? It sounds amazing, I want to come and stay (with or without hot tub... but if you put one in I would definitely use it!)

My toddler would love the soft play and animals, and dh would love the hiking.

Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 02/08/2023 20:36

TwitTwont · 01/08/2023 15:22

I would hate a hot tub.

Especially after reading a post on here about the guests loudly having sex in it. At least that poster empties, cleans and refills the hot tub after each guest. Will you be doing that?
Sound vile.

Absolutely- I can't see how you wouldn't change the water. It goes a funny colour after a couple days

OP posts:
Original poster
Loafbeginsat60 · 02/08/2023 20:39

Thank you BrassicaBabe really informative

We have been looking at all the regulations today

Think we will try it without the hot tubs first.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page