Hi all! We’ll be starting out in ground pool and attached spa build in late fall. I’m just starting to second guess the cost and additional maintenance of an attached spa in comparison to its use. For those of you that have a similar setup, are there any regrets? Is it worth the additional cost? The last thing I want to do is invest a bunch of money into something that will go untouched and then have to deal with maintenance on top of that. Thank you in advance for any feedback.
Are attached spas/hot tubs used by most who have them?
- Thread starter mrrr0809
- Start date
809,
If you have never been in a gunite spa, you really, really need to try one before you buy one. My unofficial, pull it out of my rear, opinion is that only about 50% of the people that get integrated spas, actually use them.. It seems like you either love them or hate them.. It is important to know before you plunk down $20K for something that looks great, but almost never gets used. Far better to build a bigger pool for the same $20K.
Ask around your neighborhood and see how many times a year your neighbors use their spas..
In your location, where you close the pool for winter, you need to see if you can even use the spa in the winter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
If you have never been in a gunite spa, you really, really need to try one before you buy one. My unofficial, pull it out of my rear, opinion is that only about 50% of the people that get integrated spas, actually use them.. It seems like you either love them or hate them.. It is important to know before you plunk down $20K for something that looks great, but almost never gets used. Far better to build a bigger pool for the same $20K.
Ask around your neighborhood and see how many times a year your neighbors use their spas..
In your location, where you close the pool for winter, you need to see if you can even use the spa in the winter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,674
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1,434
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We use ours in the winter so it’s nice for that since I can just heat it quickly. Previous owners built ours and it’s pretty. If I built a pool however, I’d skip to save money.
DrewLG
Gold Supporter
- May 31, 2022
- 674
- Pool Size
- 8000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-20
In the winter, I hardly ever heat my pool but I use the attached spa multiple times per week. Even in the summertime, the spa gets used more often than the pool.
But I'm the kind of person who only uses the pool for relaxation. I don't swim laps, I don't have kids, I don't invite people over to play pool games, etc. I mostly just float around and look at the sky. So soaking in the spa, for me, is a lot like what I'd be doing in the pool, except warmer.
If you're not certain that you'll use an attached spa, maybe save the money -- or spend it on a bigger pool -- but leave room (and perhaps run 220V wires and/or pour a concrete pad) for a standalone hot tub in case you decide to install one later.
One thing, though: There's not really any extra maintenance required for an attached spa, since spa and pool share the same water (and can share the same pump, filter, and heater). But a standalone spa requires its own separate maintenance: water balancing and sanitizer addition, periodic draining, purging and cleaning, etc.
But I'm the kind of person who only uses the pool for relaxation. I don't swim laps, I don't have kids, I don't invite people over to play pool games, etc. I mostly just float around and look at the sky. So soaking in the spa, for me, is a lot like what I'd be doing in the pool, except warmer.
If you're not certain that you'll use an attached spa, maybe save the money -- or spend it on a bigger pool -- but leave room (and perhaps run 220V wires and/or pour a concrete pad) for a standalone hot tub in case you decide to install one later.
One thing, though: There's not really any extra maintenance required for an attached spa, since spa and pool share the same water (and can share the same pump, filter, and heater). But a standalone spa requires its own separate maintenance: water balancing and sanitizer addition, periodic draining, purging and cleaning, etc.
Last edited:
- May 23, 2015
- 25,695
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If I could build my pool over again, I would get rid of the attached spa. I would have added more Baja shelf with bubblers instead. We don’t ever use it and don’t really plan to because it’s honestly not comfortable and the jets are not great. Attached spas are nothing at all like hot tubs. They are, at best, a spot for adults to sit in when the kids are splashing around in the pool.
But I agree with @Jimrahbe … probably a 50/50 love-hate split.
But I agree with @Jimrahbe … probably a 50/50 love-hate split.
Hello mrrr0809: I recommend that you NOT do it. Since 1969 I have seen numerous pool/spa combos. Typically, in the winter, people don't use it. You live in PA correct? The payback you will receive from that set up will probably be non existent. Put the in-ground pool in. Purchase a "stand alone" hot tub. I promise you that you will be using that hot tub in the winter, even more often than in warmer months. Just my opinion. Hot tubs are great and provide many benefits to you.
I'll, as usual, buck convention and say that we use our attached spa more than actual pool; the only time we don't is this time of year where the heat is excessive and the spa is just a bit too much. I am a huge fan of only managing a single body of water, and I like how quickly the spa can be heated up even in the spring, fall, and early winter.
However, I'm in Texas. In the north I doubt I would really want an attached spa.
However, I'm in Texas. In the north I doubt I would really want an attached spa.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,070
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
We use our spa several times a week in the winter. A couple of key points:
- I designed our pool to be able to clearly see and hear the TV from the spa. Its easy for us to decide to get in and watch something after dinner, which we do quite often. With no TV, we would use it much less.
- We keep our pools open all year so the spa is never winterized. In PA, I would assume you would need to winterize the pool/spa and would not be able to use it in the winter.
- A gunite spa is a cement spa. The warm water is great and the jets are okay, but also do not expect tons of jets and moulded seating like you get in a fiberglass spa.
- I designed our pool to be able to clearly see and hear the TV from the spa. Its easy for us to decide to get in and watch something after dinner, which we do quite often. With no TV, we would use it much less.
- We keep our pools open all year so the spa is never winterized. In PA, I would assume you would need to winterize the pool/spa and would not be able to use it in the winter.
- A gunite spa is a cement spa. The warm water is great and the jets are okay, but also do not expect tons of jets and moulded seating like you get in a fiberglass spa.
Might depend on your age and preferences. Between us and our guests, we use the spa so much more frequently than the pool that if I had it to do all over again, I would only do the spa and no pool, or maybe much smaller “cocktail” pool. The pool looks nice but really gets little actual use. Before ruling put the spa, if there’s any way you can try one — friend or neighbor who has one — see if it’s something you think you & your family would enjoy and go from there. It was expensive so if it’s not your thing, then not worth it.
wayner
LifeTime Supporter
- May 31, 2012
- 966
- Pool Size
- 100000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I am in Toronto and I was going to put in an attached spa when I built my pool 15 years ago. I changed my mind and put in a stand alone Jacuzzi spa and a regular pool. I am glad I did as the spa is near the house and under a deck so it is easy to access in the winter, even when there is snow on the ground.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,118
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We are in our spa more than our pool. We sit in our spa at night with drinks and snacks, look at the stars, and talk.
It is easier and less expensive heating up a spa then a pool for an evening dip.
If you want a spa all year round then get a separate standalone hot tub.
www.troublefreepool.com
It is easier and less expensive heating up a spa then a pool for an evening dip.
If you want a spa all year round then get a separate standalone hot tub.
Gunite Spas - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
We're in Mid-Michigan, and totally echo what DrewLG said. We have a separate standalone spa closer to the house.
We keep the pool at around 86-88 during the summer months, so we're not using the spa to warm up, or looking for a plunge-pool kinda thing going between the too. In the summer, on a 90+ degree day, the last thing I want to do is jump into 104 degree water.
We close the pool mid-October, and then the Spa is probably used daily until we open the pool again in the spring. As it's literally 3 steps from the sliding glass doors, it's a quick hop-skip into the wonderfully warm water...even if it's snowing.
I guess in the early spring, and the late fall, there are a couple weeks where the overlap is nice - getting out of the pool on early-October day can be 'bracing', so jumping into the hottub is kind of delicious. We did get in the spa yesterday, but it was 65F outside, and a bit on the cold side for swimming in the pool itself, but that's just Michigan deciding it wasn't going to put up with Summer's crud anymore, and storming out...
We didn't get the choice because we bought the house with a pool/spa combo. We've used the hot tub exactly twice. Both times just to see how and if it worked. We're in the pool constantly though.
It is a nice look. But it also increases maintenance. The robot can't help, it's difficult to brush and skim because of all the tight corners. If I had the choice I would have put more into the pool or just saved the money.
On the other hand, my father in-law is in the hot tub literally 365 days a year. Never touches his pool.
It is a nice look. But it also increases maintenance. The robot can't help, it's difficult to brush and skim because of all the tight corners. If I had the choice I would have put more into the pool or just saved the money.
On the other hand, my father in-law is in the hot tub literally 365 days a year. Never touches his pool.