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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:
DrManhattan · 23/09/2020 10:07

Grim

Yesterdayforgotten · 23/09/2020 10:07

'Grubby sex ponds. Grim.'

What a grim attitude...mind out of the gutter

Yesterdayforgotten · 23/09/2020 10:08

'Smelly'

You obviously go in clean Hmm

hapagirl · 23/09/2020 10:12

Following with interest. I don’t really see the appeal either but we have a holiday home on the Scottish coast. My nutter kids like to swim for hours in the North Sea. It might be nice for them to warm up (thaw out) after in a hot tub.

seayork2020 · 23/09/2020 10:19

Not sure about the snobbish bit i just treat them the same as air fryers and Lamborghini's and feature walls as in i dont like these either i also dont think is a hot tub is a luxury item either

NastyBlouse · 23/09/2020 10:20

My house had been a holiday cottage before I bought it, and had a hot tub. I don't like them myself if I'm in water I like to be swimming so I had it taken out.

The previous owner made a comment about it being popular and a definite factor for attracting visitors, but the ongoing maintenance was a consideration expensive and time-consuming. It added £££ to her insurance, as this had to cover guests' use of the hot tub specifically. It also had to be serviced annually which costs hundreds -- and the filters needed cleaning at least once a month. And she had to clean the tub out and change the water at least once a week, and certainly every changeover. (Which meant twice a week on some occasions, given short lets.)

I also think she had fairly frequent issues with people misusing it. People do shag in them, don't be under any illusions. A common thing is for someone to lather themselves in body lotion or tanning lotion and then get in -- this clogs up the filters and jets a lot faster. If someone smashes a champagne glass in it the clean-up is hellish.

Also apparently one time someone did a poozer in it

ChiaraRimini · 23/09/2020 10:45

Well I have been in many hot tubs (mine, friends and at a holiday cottage) in my time and never suffered any ill effects so I'll take my chances. I make sure to keep mine clean, change the water regularly, and only I and my kids use it.
I assume the "chavvy sex pond" types are the same who spend their lives worrying about how to wash their tea towels....

Zaphodsotherhead · 23/09/2020 11:04

My brother has recently invested in one - he rang to tell me, all proud and everything and I had to pretend to be keen. I'm delighted he's so happy, of course, but...just....why?

I'm sure my neighbours have even less desire to see my head protruding out of steaming water as I stare down the length of my (tiny) garden, than I have to show them my flabby flaps as I clamber in.

Nope. I'll stick to being outside well wrapped up thanks.

ShebaShimmyShake · 23/09/2020 11:11

I get that some people dislike them, but surely it's not hard to see why others do? Lots of people like the sensation of being in hot water, I can see why it would be pleasant to effectively be in a hot bath while enjoying outdoor air. I've been in outdoor jacuzzis in spas, it was very nice. Horribly cold when you got out, admittedly.

I can't see how they're inherently dirty either, just as long as you properly clean and maintain them, and maybe shower before you get in.

IpanemaFlowers · 23/09/2020 11:14

I love using them on holiday and we like being outside and outdoor sports. When we move, it will be my first purchase for the new place.

Original poster
Pembsgirl · 23/09/2020 11:18

It's been really interesting to read the replies, but I notice that no one appears to have mentioned what it's like when you get out, ie, isn't it bloody cold? To me that would be a definite downside, but presumably not as so many of you seem to enjoy the experience.

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 23/09/2020 11:29

but I notice that no one appears to have mentioned what it's like when you get out, ie, isn't it bloody cold?

Yes. So you have a towel to hand and get inside quick. No big deal.

Time2change2 · 23/09/2020 11:32

Any of you skating them- have you actually rented a place with one or actually owned one? I thought I would hate it, rented a cottage with one as the kids went on about it so much. It was absolute bliss. I am only talking about the proper ones here, not the blow up ones. It’s not a tepid sex pond. It’s hot, very relaxing, when maintained it smells fine. It’s extremely good for sore muscles or a bad back. It help you relax for bed. It’s amazing being able to sit outside on a cold night and chat. I absolutely loved it in the end esp in the UK when sitting outside in the evenings is a luxury

TankGirl97 · 23/09/2020 11:45

We used to live next door to a holiday cottage with a hot tub. They are definitely tepid sex ponds, we used to hear the shagging! Friends owned it and said cleaning out the filter was grim Envy.
I can understand the appeal of owning one but you wouldn't catch me in one at a holiday house unless I was very sure it had been deep cleaned!

ShebaShimmyShake · 23/09/2020 11:50

I'd expect cleaning a filter to be unpleasant...the whole point is to catch dirt so that the actual water and mechanism stay clear.

user1471538283 · 23/09/2020 11:51

I like the ones in nice hotels and spas where I know they've been cleaned and are not full of germs and I am only in them for about ten minutes. But I would never hire one or buy one. I think it would be extra work and expense for you to have one and you would need to get a really good one not this horrid Easy Spa things

EmbarrassedUser · 23/09/2020 11:53

It was on my must have for our air bnb trip next year. However, for at home I’m really not bothered. I bet if you got one you could easily charge 25% more a night.

Zaphodsotherhead · 23/09/2020 11:54

You also have to have the unoverlooked space outside. Most modern gardens are barely big enough for the washing line; do you want to have to take in the trampoline every time you want to get the hot tub out?

Not that many are going to have gardens large enough and with nice enough views that you a) COULD have a permanent hot tub and b) would WANT a hot tub.

Staring at the night sky from a remote cottage in Wales in your hot tub is a very different kettle of fish from staring at next door's extension and your rotary washing line in Wolverhampton.

Trousersareoverrated · 23/09/2020 11:57

They make it feel more like a holiday in good or bad weather. Need to be cleaned out between visitors obviously so a bit of extra work. If you are struggling to rent out the cottage without one then consider investing!

justwinginglife1 · 23/09/2020 12:00

We have booked several cabins in this country and always go for ones with hot tubs and wood burners. It's lovely especially in the winter at night time, plus the kids love them and gives something extra to do in the evenings if there's nothing else close by.

We actually bought our own this year during lockdown as our holiday got cancelled so we used the funds from that to get one. They do need maintenance but are easy to keep up together if you keep on top of it.

I can understand the concerns of maintaining them in rented accommodation though as you can't always rely on all guests to look after it

Reedwarbler · 23/09/2020 12:03

I was amused by the poster earlier who said her neighbours had installed one in a shed. Sitting in hot water admiring acres of B&Q tongue and groove around you doesn't sound very romantic, or, if it was my shed, gardening implements and a lawn mower.

blubberball · 23/09/2020 12:06

I love them on holiday. We had one in Cornwall, and it was cleaned out between every guest stay.

Enrico · 23/09/2020 12:08

I can see the appeal in theory but actually I would not want to dip myself in a bubbly pond that loads of other greasy bodies had been in previously, even if a random Airbnb person I have never met assured me that they fully complied with the stringent hygiene programme required to avoid foot mushrooms. At least with a bath you can just wipe it down with flash before you get in.

mrsm43s · 23/09/2020 12:31

We have one. It's situated in an elevated position at the top of our garden where we can look out onto a wonderful panoramic view of the North Downs.

It's clean, water levels checked daily, chlorine dispenses continuously (except for when we are in it), we change the water frequently, and its only used by our family. Obviously we don't have sex in it, just as we don't have sex in the garden at any other time!

It's really lovely, a spot to relax and look at the view, warm bubbly water soothing my rheumatoid joints, and a chance for DH and I to chat away from the teenagers.

One of the best things we've ever bought, I honestly cannot understand what objections anyone could have to it! Do people really not like nice views, warm, bubbly water or spending time relaxing with their partners? (As its clean as a whistle and we don't have sex in it, then obviously any comments about germs, infection or sex ponds aren't relevant!)

CherryPavlova · 23/09/2020 12:37

@Reedwarbler

I was amused by the poster earlier who said her neighbours had installed one in a shed. Sitting in hot water admiring acres of B&Q tongue and groove around you doesn't sound very romantic, or, if it was my shed, gardening implements and a lawn mower.
No, I cannot fathom why you'd want to sit amongst the lawn mower and spare freezer either.