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Original poster

To Want to Know What's So Special about Hot Tubs?

248 replies

Pembsgirl · 22/09/2020 19:21

I own a beautiful holiday cottage in West Wales, and often see people on FB saying that they'd like to rent a romantic holiday cottage for two BUT it must have a hot tub!

Personally I can't see the appeal, so what is it that makes people want them that badly?

OP posts:
Mousematts2 · 22/09/2020 22:27

I apply a filter now when looking for holiday cottages, excluding ones that don’t have hot tubs.

I really love sitting out in the dark looking at the stars with a glass of fizz in a nice warm hot tub.

The places we stay empty the hot tub after each set of guests...and I’ve seen them doing it so know it to be true. They also check the water daily.

I don’t understand why people call them filthy sex tubs. Maybe that’s what some people do but I wouldn’t have thought having sex in a hot tub full of chlorine would be good for you!

I personally like it for my bad back as well as it helps ease the pain a bit.

I’m happy to pay more for a place with a nice looking hot tub. Goes without saying a cheap looking inflatable one at a dodgy looking holiday cottage wouldn’t appeal!

PlanDeRaccordement · 22/09/2020 22:29

YANBU op
I avoid hot tubs. Just not worth the risk.

Tinyhumansurvivalist · 22/09/2020 22:33

We love a romantic weekend with a hot tub...

Its a really lovely way to unwind, glass of wine, relaxing massage from the jets, beautiful quiet surroundings...

My dp has a very demanding job he can take 2-3 days to chill out normally...hot tub has him relaxed and chilled in 20 mins...worth it's weight in gold...i am far too lazy to have my own though. Far too much time needed to care for it

klavierspielen · 22/09/2020 22:40

Total mystery to me. I'm not squeamish about the hygiene aspect but just don't see the appeal. I stayed in a lovely house on the Welsh coast that had quite a fancy one - we all had a try of it the first evening, and then nobody got in it again for the rest of the fortnight. I don't want to sit admiring a beautiful view while in a bath.

Lockheart · 22/09/2020 22:44

As long as they're properly cleaned and maintained they're no more unhygienic than a regular swimming pool.

That said, I'm not particularly fussed about them. They're not something I would actively seek out, unless I was doing some sort of Skandi spa / skiing holiday. Which I probably won't do because I hate the cold and I'm shit at skiing!

So no, if I was looking for somewhere in Wales a hot tub would not be on my list.

QuacksInTheDark · 22/09/2020 22:45

Look up hot tub rash. You’re welcome Envy -not envy.

Yummyplainscones · 22/09/2020 22:46

Ick 🤮

Alleycat1 · 22/09/2020 22:54

I shudder at the thought - festering soup of God knows what. Not so bad if it is your own private hot tub (although still gets a nope from me) but nothing would get me into someone else's. And before anyone asks I won't go in a public pool either since I wore my goggles in one once.

jakeyboy1 · 22/09/2020 22:59

A good one is bloody lovely.
Contemplating buying one as all my holidays get cancelled.

StandWithYou · 22/09/2020 22:59

DH is a solicitor for a holiday company - having seen the illnesses people get as a result of poorly maintained ones - he never, ever uses one.

CorianderLord · 22/09/2020 23:06

It's like a pool but warm because you're in a cold country. So you can chill with Prosecco and feel like you're on holiday.

Fantasisa · 22/09/2020 23:08

@GreyishDays Wow! What a lovely location for a hot tub. Bit far for me but thanks anyway.

movingonup20 · 22/09/2020 23:10

On holiday yes, but they need cleaning between guests if they aren't chlorinated. I love a nice soak in one but wouldn't bother at home because they cost too much to run and I hate cleaning

AlwaysLatte · 22/09/2020 23:12

I don't really get it, yes it's nice and warm but so is a bath. And it's really ok to sit out and look at the stars without having to be in a bath (maybe a chiminea to keep you warm). Things like this always remind me of characterised stuff. I saw a Simpsons toaster once. It's no problem to enjoy the Simpson's, and toasters, separately! Also there is the keeping the water clean aspect, it must be a bit of work to do that. Meh, just have a bath!

movingonup20 · 22/09/2020 23:14

In fact I'm now going to book a surprise night away with a hot tub to make up for the 3 events cancelled in the last 4 weeks

CherryPavlova · 22/09/2020 23:22

We have one. Good for ageing joints. Impossible to be angry in a hot tub, so good place to talk, aids good sleep. Lovely lying under a dark sky, in bubbling hot water, watching the stars. Lovely lying in the bubbly water in rain or snow.
Ours is chemical free and has very restricted access. It’s spotlessly maintained. Water definitely enhances most experiences. Baths are nice but don’t offer the space of a hot tub. No real ability to float in a bath. If we both got in the same bath these days, we’d flood the house.

Lots of our neighbours have one too, but it’s never a communal activity.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 22/09/2020 23:32

Warwick Davies joked about making your own with a wheelie bin and a kettle and that image has never left me!

Esspee · 22/09/2020 23:38

Chlamydia soup! No thank you. If it was completely fresh water with no chemicals then maybe. But that is what bathtubs are for!

Fillybuster · 22/09/2020 23:38

I adore lolling around in warm water but hate chlorine, so the hot tub thing has never appealed to me. A really huge bath, on the other hand, ideally with taps in the middle so that two people can hang out with cups of tea or a -bottle- glass or two of wine, maybe even with a skylight or window with a view over the countryside, well, now you’ve got my full attention OP Grin

Elphame · 22/09/2020 23:42

@Ontheboardwalk

Stayed at a lodge in the Lake District just before lockdown with one, didn’t want it

The noise overnight kept the bed room next to it awake

It was inspected daily that made me think there was often damage to it

All hot tub activity was only allowed between 10 am and 10 pm which made me think they’d been big complaints

Saying that the two lodged behind us were occupied 12 hours a day!

Daily inspections are a requirement and an indication you had a conscientious owner.
Leaannb · 22/09/2020 23:46

@QuacksInTheDark

Look up hot tub rash. You’re welcome Envy -not envy.
Have had hot tubs for years...never had had it
Abracadabra12345 · 22/09/2020 23:57

@gurglebelly

Wouldn't have one at home though - it's really nice as a treat, but I think they are exceptionally antisocial in the average garden
This is my main objection. Poor bloody neighbours
ViciousJackdaw · 23/09/2020 00:29

I've never been in one and I've got a question - how often is the water changed in them? Do you empty it after use (like you would with a bath) or is it a weekly thing?

HeronLanyon · 23/09/2020 01:25

I would be very much less likely to rent a cottage which had a hot tub. I think because I think they are so ‘naff’ and I’d assume the cottage generally would be.

Wouldn’t want to be sitting out (hopefully somewhere beautiful) with a hot tub plonked there.

However I think this is a minority level of aversion and understand a lot love them which may make it worth you installing one.

The only circs I can imagine using one would be if I had one from new. The thought of using one in a busy holiday rental isn’t great.

BritWifeinUSA · 23/09/2020 02:36

We have one - a proper solid structure, not an inflatable one - and we love it. It’s not grubby. We use frog cartridges and test the minerals, chlorine and Ph regularly. We also shock it when needed. It takes a fair bit of work and you have to stay on top of it but it’s certainly worth it.