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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hot tubs

139 replies

vickimum · 27/04/2020 18:10

AIBU to think that all of my friends might think we’re swingers if we purchase a Lay Z Spa hot tub for the Summer? I’ve suddenly become obsessed with finding one online and can’t think of anything better than jumping into a giant bubbly lilo thing at the end of each day (my search is somewhat fruitless so far, as the whole of the UK seems to have sold out!).
However, will we be ‘judged’ by our friends and neighbours for our rash decision?

OP posts:
Thewomeninthemirror · 27/04/2020 19:55

My DH and I love our chavy sex pond.
Sitting under the stars in it beats sitting on the sofa watching EastEnders.

SunflowerSeedsForever · 27/04/2020 19:55

They are contra indicated for pregnant women.

CheshireDing · 27/04/2020 19:56

Won’t you need Pampas Grass too 😉

Rosehip10 · 27/04/2020 19:57

Garden hot tubs are pretty vulgar.

rookiemere · 27/04/2020 19:59

In the current circumstances you're allowed to buy an inflatable hot tub without being dubbed a swinger. Having said that our neighbours have had a proper one for years and we've not had an invite yet.

Everyone at work got theirs from the Aldi special a few weeks ago, but they'd sold out. My amazing boss found them at Tesco - cleverspa at £325. Mind you I'd forgotten what a faff the chemicals are ( used to have one when DS was young) and they cost about £5 a day to keep hot so ours is now getting switched off during the week.

Definitely a good lockdown purchase, but as I said to DH I'm glad we've not got a proper one as outside of lockdown not sure how much use we'll get from it.

Enough4me · 27/04/2020 19:59

I have one that is still going after 5 years and one major fix, kids love it and I don't mind the faff of checking the chemicals and cleaning it as it entertains them and we are so limited at the moment. Normally I wouldn't put it up until May, but have used it lots over the past fortnight. We have a small table with towels nearby as it is pretty cold when you get out!

Ellisandra · 27/04/2020 20:05

@Rosehip10 do come back and actually explain that ridiculous and offensive statement. And I expect - snobby. You’re very rude.

Doggybiccys · 27/04/2020 20:12

Think a few posters need some sexual health education lol. Presumably same people never use a public swimming pool? And just so you know, you can’t get HIV from shaking hands or herpes from a toilet seat.

AdoreTheBeach · 27/04/2020 20:21

I’d absolutely love one! If you find one, go for it. As there’s likely to continue some sort of social distancing, no one will think you’re a swinger

FYI, some years ago I rented a hot tub when we were having a staycation. That’s a possible option until they come back in stock to buy.

SparklesAllOver · 27/04/2020 20:24

DH bought our Lay Z Spa last year, he loves it, I have only been in it a few times but we ensure it is turned off by 9pm as quite noisy and we wouldn't want to be a nuisance.

ThinkPink71 · 27/04/2020 20:41

Have a look on eBay...ive come across them on there!! Treat ya'sen

ItsGoingTibiaK · 27/04/2020 20:47

Are the ones from eBay second-hand? If so, do they come with the chlamydia ready-installed? 😉

We’ve had a Lay-Z Spa for a few years. Hadn’t considered what the neighbours think of us - quite like the fact that we might have a bit of a sexy reputation and they’re all just waiting for us to swing in their direction!

Ontheboardwalk · 27/04/2020 20:53

CheshireDing my mum innocently (or so she said) planted pampas grass. It's about 15 feet tall. She couldn’t understand all the comments she started getting

She hasn’t got a hot tub though

cocklepicker · 27/04/2020 21:07

Feeling a bit left out now that my hot tub hasn't given me chlamydia yet Sad

Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe · 27/04/2020 21:12

Can i jump in and ask all you hot tub owners a question? Sorry OP! Are the tubs expensive to run and maintain? Could anyone give me an idea of the cost of running one please?

TheClitterati · 27/04/2020 21:17

I would love one. Do you have to keep them plugged in and heated all the time or do you heat it up a bit before you go in?
Do you have to add chemicals?

MsTSwift · 27/04/2020 21:19

We have a proper one and remodelled garden round it. Am in it most days had for 3 years now. Our Best Buy. Am discreet about it though in our circles it’s looked down on more fool them. Reading in hot tub with a coffee can’t be beaten !

ItsGoingTibiaK · 27/04/2020 21:23

Can i jump in

You’re talking like a swinger already!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 27/04/2020 21:36

I know loads of people with hot tubs, never heard of the association with swinging/sex. I associate them more with ski chalets or villas in the Algarve.

FredAstaireAteMyHamSandwich · 27/04/2020 21:38

Don’t live your life based on others opinions. Who gives a flying fuck what other people think? People will always sneer at something you’re doing. Rosehip10 obviously feels very inadequate that she has to be so rude to find some attention. And as for the chlamydia urban myth...yawn yawn yawn. If you want one OP go for it. We have had one for 12 years. We are on our third though! We use it all year round, even Christmas Day Don’t always put the bubbles on. It’s just nice to stretch out in warm water, like sitting in a huge bath. Put the iPad on a table next to it and watch a film or listen to music.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 27/04/2020 21:39

Rosehip10

Who actually cares if they are vulgar, though?

Many people enjoy sitting in a hot bath. This is a bigger version that you can enjoy outdoors.

Caring what other people think is so aspirational. Yuck.

MsTSwift · 27/04/2020 21:49

Don’t give two hoots what people think I get a lot of pleasure from ours and not in a sexual way! It’s like having your own spa. Home exercise shower then coffee in hot tub with good book - feel awesome after that

CherryPavlova · 27/04/2020 21:54

Sexual activity aside (a time and a place for that), ours costs about £5-£8 a week running costs. Ours is sunken but well insulated. We keep it at 38 degrees in winter, 37 in summer.
My husband tests and treats it daily with a variety of chemicals that maintain a level pH and adds oxygen tablets. It’s always spotless. We have a sort of mini hoover in case leaves drop in. The filter is washed about weekly and it’s emptied and serviced twice a year.
The chemical faffing takes about two minutes and involves dipping a stick like a urinalysis stick in the water.
It’s never broken or leaked. Keeps the heat well and is on at all times as that is cheaper and more environmentally sound than turning it on and off.

pairofchairs · 27/04/2020 21:54

@Sallycinammonbangsthedruminthe Mine is a 5 person hot tub and holds approx 1200 litres. Not sure of the water costs to fill, but the initial heating to around 39 degrees costs approx £7.

After that, I reckon in the winter months it's about £1/day to keep it at that temperature. That cost obviously drops in the summer months as the outside temperature rises and less energy is required to maintain the water temperature, plus I also set it a few degrees lower in warmer months.

You then need to factor in chemical costs - maybe £10/month over a year. I also buy a system flush chemical which is a one off of about £20.

I should also mention the vast quantities of gin and snacks consumed in it...that all adds up Grin

Proper hot tubs are more eco friendly, better insulated etc than their inflatable cousins and therefore cheaper to run.

SomeoneInTheLaaaaaounge · 27/04/2020 21:59

Rank Corona jizz soup - sorry, it’s a no from me.