To be so upset about hot tub not working

[LookWhosInsideAgain]

I booked, fairly last minute, away for half term with DC as we’ve all had a bit of a rough time lately. Staying in a lodge with a hot tub and it was £1,500 for Mon-Fri in a 2 bedroom lodge 😱. It’s really expensive but there’s loads of free, outside stuff to do around here and loads of cycling/ walking routes which dc actually love plus whenever we’re back at the lodge I knew they’d be in the hot tub as they have been when we’ve previously stayed at places with hot tubs. There were loads of AirBnBs around that were around £800-£1000 for a full week rather than Mon-fri but none had a hot tub so, after discussing with dc, we decided to stay at the hot tub lodge.

Arrive on Monday (having paid an extra £30 for hour earlier check in) to be told hot tub is cold at the moment but will be warming up throughout today so will be ready to use Tuesday morning. Really disappointed as so looking forward to getting in it but suck it up as everyone in the ale boat apparently. Stick my hand in it Tuesday morning and it’s tepid, clearly been warming up but not warm enough to sit on. DC too excited so get in it anyway and get out after 10 minutes shivering and needing hot showers. I ask at reception and they claim it takes until midday on Tuesday to reach full temperature but it will now take longer as we’ve taken the cover off. We go out for the day, back in the evening. Hot tub then feels fairly warm and we manage 15 minutes before shivering, dc2’s lips turned blue 🥶. Reception is closed by this point so I can’t do anything.

This morning I go up as soon as reception is open as tell them hot tub is still not hot. She says she’ll send someone round. We go out for the morning. Come back at lunchtime and it’s still not hot. Go to reception again. She says that someone has been round and confirmed that it’s been checked, there’s nothing wrong with it, that it’s at the maximum temperature of 38.9. I don’t know what hot tub temperatures normally are but it simply isn’t warm enough to sit in. Reception has just sent another person round who has looked at it and said that it’s set to 38.9, can’t do it any higher, it probably just feels cold because of the outside temperature (it’s overcast but not cold here today). No one has an external thermometer to check it’s the temperature that the hot tub claims it is. Last hot tub person put their hand in and said that it definitely wasn’t cold but it didn’t feel like it was as hot as it should be, probably because I kept lifting the lid to feel it and letting the heat out 🤔

There’s nothing they can do, as far as they are concerned the hot tub is working fine. I had envisioned evenings sitting reading in the tub once dc were in bed with a glass of wine and instead I’m having to sit in the tiny bath doing it, which would be more comfortable at home. I’m so upset that I’ve spent this money on this holiday and that I’m being told that there’s nothing wrong with it. I know the hot tub is only a small part of most people’s holidays but it’s the sole reason I spent this amount of money on a shorter holiday.

AIBU? Should I continue to complain or will I seem like I’m overreacting?

You’ve paid all that extra money for a ‘tub’. Definitely complain again.

Forest holidays are far from cheap these days. I'd go buy that thermometer- 38 degrees should be nice and toasty.
If it's not at temperature complain politely but loudly at the reception. Ask to speak to the manager- I would expect a significant reduction for no usable hot tub - the lodges are usually less than spectacular, it's the ability to sit in the hot tub soaking up the view that justifies the high price.

If you can't find a thermometer can you put your hand in your neighbours hot tub ( with their permission of course) and feel the difference in relative temperature ?

We have had it a few times that the water is not hot when we arrive for the first night and it's been because they have emptied it an refilled it hence it's now got to warm up again.
Usually been ok for day 2 pm though . I never understand why they don't fill it with hot to start with?!

This! I only went in a hot tub once and it was set to 39.5, it was really hot and we sat in it for an hour - it was winter and there was thick snow everywhere as round us!!! I'm no hot tub specialist but it's total bollocks that a) you were in a 39.5 hot tub else you'd feel really hot like we did, and b) there's no way you cooled it down if we could sit on a snowy evening for an hour in one and it was still hot!!

Complain as they are taking the absolute piss. And if that doesn't work name and shame!!

A hot tub should heat up by about 2 degrees per hour with cover on. So from a base temperature of 4 degrees (cold tap water) it should heat up within 17 hour’s maximum. Out 8ft one usually is up to temperature of 38.5 within 10 hours. I would be asking for a refund as your hot tub is obviously not working. It should feel like a warm/hot bath, not tepid.

Go and buy a thermometer.
Take photos of the reading with the thermometer still in the water.

Very struck by the absolute rubbish that is their excuse that you are letting the heat out by lifting the cover to check the temperature. The hot tub should be maintaining its temperature for hours with the cover off as that’s how you use it. That makes me very suspicious that they know there’s a fault and they’re trying to pull a fast one on you. I hope your own thermometer proves you right.

We had a forest holidays lodge with hot tub a few years ago (in the winter) and it was too hot to sit in for very long, yours is definitely not right.

It’s normal for it not to be ready on arrival because they’ve changed the water between guests.

But it does sound like it’s not working. Get the thermometer, take photos, make a fuss.

If you've found one that abides by the guidelines then that's one more then I've found. The worst I came across tested and dosed between guests and cleaned once at the start of the season. They are a very popular lodge holiday provider.

I know people with domestic hot tubs that have never (properly) cleaned...

Mine is set to 38 and it feels hot, especially compared to the outside temperature. They’re completely taking you for a fool. If I were you, I’d get hold of a thermometer somehow and take a reading of what it is.

Basic thermoregulation.

Normal human body temp is around 37 degrees, so 38.5 should feel hot, as our body recognises that we need to work to keep cool.

My gym pool is 27 degrees and is not noticeably cool.

Whilst I understand why your upset and I would be demanding a refund in just amazed your not loving a “cold tub” it’s so warm I would give anything for a tepid hot tube right now.

My hot tub at home is set to 37 and that is hot, even if it is cold outside you just submerge your shoulders in. The outside temperature does not make the water temperature feel tepid. This isn't like a bath where the water cools and you have to move a bit for it to feel warm again. It maintains the temp and feels hot for hours. Them saying removing the lid has caused it to cool is also bollocks because then the heater kicks back in. Running the bubbles does cool it but in all honesty you should be able to see the display to check the temperature of the hot tub so you can see when it cools and turn the bubbles off for a bit. It shouldn't be hidden behind a panel, it should have a viewing window.

Sadly to prove they are wrong you need that thermometer.

I just knew this would be Forest Holidays 😂

Stayed many times over the years and unfortunately problems with the hot tub has been a fairly regular feature. Keep on at them.

It’s 12 degrees here today! I had to wear my winter coat on our walk but a couple of days ago I was sat in shorts and a tshirt on the beach all day

I stayed in a Forest Holidays in the midst of a cool September and was sweating in the hot tub.

Having googled, 37 - 39 degrees is the recommended temperature for a hot tub.

The recommended bath temperature for a baby is 37 degrees.

If the hot tub is turning your child's lips blue and they're shivering in it, there's no way it's 37 degrees!

Get a thermometer yourself (I bought a digital meat thermometer in Asda last week for £5.50) and ask them to come back with their thermometer and you'll show them yours.

I agree with seeing if you can check other people's hot tubs though.

FH are very active on social media, so a few comments on some of their facebook posts might elicit a response.

I wouldn't be happy either OP.

Raise hell, I would.

I went to a lodge once with a wood burning hot tub which was great fun, but it was hard dealing with disappointed kids having to wait hours for it to warm up.

You’ve actually helped me make up my mind about booking with Forest Holidays for a long weekend. The hot tub was a big pull and if they are known for issues that they refuse to admit exist then it puts me off. If they’d sorted it out quickly then I’d be reassured but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

That doesn't sound like a correctly functioning hot tub to me. Definitely get a thermometer to prove it and demand a partial refund!

Very disappointing for you. Im not surprised you’re cross. I’m a lodge owner who rents out and am shocked how much you paid for a 2 bed lodge. £1500 for 4 nights!!! That’s more than double what I charge although there’s no hot tub. What a previous poster said upthread about them having to be drained cleaned and refilled after each guest is correct. So I’m guessing someone was in directly before you and the tub was taking an age to heat up. One of the many reasons I don’t have a hot tub. You should ask for a partial refund.

I've stayed at various Forest Holiday sites at differing times of year and have never had any problems with their hot tubs not working.

I'm shocked they aren't being more helpful tbh as I've only ever experienced amazing service.

OP, definitely complain as that's not right. I've never had issues with not being able to use the hot tub until day after arrival. I've never had any issues with their hot tubs but their customer service is usually really good.
Which site are you staying at?

To be fair when we've had problems they've always sorted it out within 24 hours.