Best way to make a hot tub look like built-in (brick wall etc)

[venexiano]

Since I got quoted 55k to add a built-in spa to my pool, I am considering getting a hot tub and making a custom structure that makes it look like built-in, as in the pictures in this thread (Pool Build - Hot Tub/Spa help - Separate vs. Integrated, copied below for your convenience). I have a few questions:

1) Are the dimension of the hot tub standard to the 1/4 of an inch or so? What I mean is: If I build a circular or square brick wall and drop the hot tub in, and then in 7 years the hot tub fails and I need to change it, will I find one of the same size tub if the one I bought is discontinued?
2) Should I go square or circular for this drop-in setup?
2) I read that the problem is accessing the hot tub for maintenance. Are there hot tubs for which I am fine by just adding a door on that custom wall in one spot for maintenance? Or they need to be accessed all around?
3) Other way to nicely conceal it that you suggest? Maybe adding fake bricks to the hot tub, and cutting those panels where the door is for maintenance? it should look pretty flush.
4) Should I go for electrical, otherwise I will have an ugly gas tank next to it, right? Pros and cons of electrical and gas for my drop-in setup?

 

[RDspaguy]

Get an inground tub and put it in whatever you want. The equipment is separate, like a pool, and the fittings used are different than most portable spas as they can usually be repaired from inside the tub.
Enclose a portable spa and I guarantee you (or someone) will regret it. Equipment access is frequently required, and access to the remaining sides will be needed at least several times in the life of the spa. Warranty does not cover accessing the spa, so if it has to be removed it will cost you even if it's only a day old.
There are many brands of spa with many options for cabinet. I have even seen faux-stone. I'd suggest you shop around in your area (a reputable local dealer is your best bet) and see what they offer.

 

[venexiano]

I am shopping to add a spa to my pool. I got quotes for:

-A 78"x78" spa, in concrete (or better shotcrete), with a waterfall that connects it to the pool. The contractor ballpark quoted me 55k+ depending on options, since he said he "must cut into the shell of the pool quite a bit to tie the pool and spa together which then requires the pool to be replastered and tiled, and an engineer is needed".

- From a different contractor I got quotes for:

a) A 7x7 foot in-ground acrylic spa, with a waterfall that connects spa to the pool. In particular, the model SW-504 sold by SpillwaySPA (The Spillway Spa Non-Spill Hot Tub Spa Collection). The quote is 26k, and it includes the acrylic spa, the Gas Heater (StaRite Max E Therm LP LOW NOX propane Gas Pool Heater 333,000 BTU #SR333LP), one Pentair pump (1.5HP UP Rated SuperFlo single speed pump 115/220V 1.5 HP), Spa footers and cut concrete for plumbing + repair deck with rough finish, Jandy IQ 904-PS automation center with two actuators and web connect, CMP Delta UV D80 CMP Ulta Violet sanitizer 100GPM Flow 2".

b) A 7x7 foot in-ground acrylic spa, with no waterfalll. In particular the model NS-301 sold by SpillwaySPA (Spillway Spas NS-301 Hot Tub Spa for Relaxation & Hydrotherapy). The quote is 26k, and it includes the same items as the spillway quote above, except that it needs an extra pump (two instead of one). The extra pump is $800, and spillway spa costs ~$800 more than non spillway spa, so both quotes are ~26k.

It seems like a no-brainer to go for the acrylic one rather than the shotcrete. The contractor said that acrylic is more comfortable than shotcrete, and cheaper because he doesn't need an engineer, they do not need to modify the pool shell, they just dig a hole next to the pool wall and put the spa partially inside it, with the waterfall at the edge as in the pictures you see on Spillwayspas website or their Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/spillwayspas/). The questions I have for you guys are:

1) Do you agree this acrylic pool is a better choice than the concrete one, or am I missing something?

2) Do you think in-ground acrylic is better than hot tub? And those 26k would also go the house value if in 8-10 years I happen to sell, while in 8-10 years a 10-15k portable hot tub is probably almost worthless

3) Do I agree I should go for a spillway version rather than a separate one? I need to clean a single body of water. Isnt it better from a point of view of bacteria and viruses? Spillway has also the advantage of having, for the same price, a beautiful waterfall and I can also heat up my pool if I wanted for a special occasion in the winter. So it seems like 3 points in favor of spillway.

4) Is there any issue with adding the weight of the spa next to the pool? I was thinking to have it two feet or 1 and 1/2 feet off the ground. So for 2 feet and a 78"x78" spa, that would give a 84.5 cubic feet that are 5300 pounds of water. This assumes that there are 6 people inside (who weigh like water, more or less) and who make water raise to the edge. In reality, I think it should be a bit less than that, soil is dug out to make space for the piping, so most of the part under the acrylic is air.

5) How tall should I make the spa above the ground? Or should I go flush with the ground? On those Instagram pictures, you see from flush to probably 2.5 feet high. If you think the weight is a problem for the pool wall I can keep it maybe around 1 foot, which makes stepping in easier with no need for a couple of steps, the waterfall would have some decent size. A higher spa would make the waterfall nicer and more dramatic (especially if I put lights behind it)

Any other concerns? Thank you