Interesting, and a great idea to think about. But no getting around that it's a system, and you need the basic's no matter all the rest: an uncompromised water holding container, water, and a sanitization method. After that, it's all about convenience, style, and luxury. As I think back on my last pool, which was just a basic pool, with one pump, one manual jandy valve to balance skimmer and cleaner, one filter, one manual pool light, and a manual fill, and a suction side cleaner, the one thing I hated to be without was that cleaner. It was the one "luxury" the pool had, and when it was out of commission, it was not at all "fun" to have the pool.
With our new pool, which has automation, water features, led lights, swg, resting shelves, baja deck, pebble, bling-bling, auto-fill, spa, etc, I think the one thing I wouldn't want to give up is the spa. To be fair, I haven't gotten to really "use" all the extra things, but for years we dreamed of having the spa, but we couldn't afford it when we did the first one. And with age, comes ailments, aches and pains, and stuff that I believe will make this a worthwhile addition. We lived very happily without the other stuff, and as long as I can walk to the equipment, and keep the cleaner going, we will still enjoy the heck out of it. Not to say we won't enjoy the look and convenience of the other things, but in my view, they are not a "must" have.
Oh, I think there are two other "must haves": people to enjoy it, and TFP to help any pool sparkle..
