To not be the appeal of hot tubs!

[BegoniaBampot]

They seem to be everywhere, are expensive and popular. Why do people have them, how often do they use them. AIBU to just not get it, especially living in the UK - not exactly Beverly Hills or the Gold Coast. Most gardens are surrounded by neighbours who can see your every move. Really what is the appeal and which Mnetters have them?

You can rent one for a week. I think us doubters should give it a whirl maybe?

I'd absolutely love one but it's way down the list of priorities. A few years ago, pre-kids, we stayed at a gorgeous B&B in Snowdonia in the middle of winter. We spent the day walking up Snowdon and the evening sitting in their hot tub, soaking our muscles, drinking whiskey and looking at the stars. What could possibly be tacky about that?

But when it's cold do you have to pluck up the courage to get out? Brrrr.

I associate them in no particular order with bacteria soup and swingers.

These things have that awful air of 'look at me I have made it' along with the massive tv, a personalised number plate and a huge satellite dish on the side of your house. My impression is that the people who buy them have maybe got a bit of money but have no taste. But each to their own I guess.

Taste aside, I am more alarmed that you need to put chemicals in it every other day - so your idea of fun is sitting in some sort of nasty chemical soup nightly whilst drinking Lambrini? Not for me thanks.

I think the ones in your own home seem to be ok re bacteria judging by the posts on this thread.

Yes - full of shitty chemicals instead....

A kind friend donated one to DS who has very tight muscles. The local swimming pool is just too cold for him. The hot tub has been brilliant for relaxing his muscles, he has a lot of fun splashing and kicking and sleeps so much better afterwards. I sometimes use the tub when DS is in respite just to destress and clear my mind. I have planted sub tropical palms around it and added fairy lights in the nearby foliage, when there is a breeze I close my eyes and imagine its the trade winds blowing...this is the nearest I will get to being on holiday somewhere hot for a long time

Mmmm. Maybe they aren't good for people with sensitive skin.

Acandlelitshadow I associate them in no particular order with bacteria soup and swingers.

Me too, in the UK at least. Think Donald and Jacqueline in Benidorm, that's the sort of people I mean.

In a way, i do want one, just for me (maybe dh if he is nice to me) but i kinda swym about them. I worry about all the water jet holes being grubby.
Also, i have a sneaking suspicion they largely appeal to older men who fantasise about sharing a hot tub evening with real or imagined bikini clad younger women friends.
I think they seem particulalrly unappealing when they appear on come dine with me. (Shudder at dress code"bring your swimming costume")

Just to say if you use a swimming pool it will have chemicals added to treat the water and you are sharing your water with lots of people

Which is why I avoid swimming pools.

For those of you worried about 'shitty chemicals' - do you not use swimming pools at all?

x-post - so do you DC not swim countrykitten?

Swimming pools are lots more diluted though.

Anyone remember a TV drama a while back when new neighbours moved in, installed a hot tub and had riotous parties in it every night?

The meek and mild put upon neighbour ended up sabotaging the wiring and electrocuting them.

Damned if I can remember what it was called but it was vair good.

Sparkling - they are not. The chemicals added are proportionate to the quantity of water.

I have no problem with people not liking them, but some people do get very exercised about the choices others make, when it affects them not one jot!

Oh right ok. aj. I must confess though I always shower before swimming and can't wait to wash the smell off afterwards.

For those of you worried about 'shitty chemicals' - do you not use swimming pools at all?

I don't. Piss and plaster soup

I had one in my old house.. It was sunken into the decking and looked out across my fields. No neighbours to annoy. I used to love sitting in it in the evenings with a glass of wine relaxing. It had jets which were great for massaging my bad back. Friends also enjoyed using it although I didn't make it compulsory!!
I emptied the water twice a year. The water was always clear as long as you keep the chemicals topped up. I loved having it.

Swimming pools are more diluted???
The chemical levels in swimming pools and hot tub should be at the similar level to work effectivlely. If you mean the levels of bacteria, then these are killed by the same chemicals whether in the pool or hot tub.

I was ecstatic when DS2 was 8. Meant I didn't have to go in the pool any more.

Ajandjjmum - well said. Some of the people who have been unnecessarily sneery or rude are on loads of of other threads being contentious for the sake of it. They have something negative to say about everyone and everything. I don't even think there is a need to point them out. I'm sorry that they feel so bad about themselves that they feel the need to be nasty about others in order to draw attention to them selves. It must be horrible to have so much bitterness that that you have to constantly spew vitriol.

I started reading this thread thinking yep hot tubs are a bit OTT but now wish I lived somewhere where I could have one overlooking fields or similar those who have one have painted a very positive picture !