There are a variety of compelling reasons to invest in the spa life. For those desiring more family or entertaining time, a hot tub offers the perfect centerpiece to a welcoming backyard oasis, a place to retreat, unwind, and spend time with one another. For athletes and weekend warriors, a spa offers the best place to restore aching muscles and unwind after a strenuous game or workout. And for those suffering from chronic pain, a hot tub is a therapeutic sanctuary, with hydromassage jets strategically placed for optimum pain relief.
Sold on Spa Features
But once you buy into the benefits of a spa, you still have steps to take before purchase. There are many things to consider when you’re choosing the best spa for your lifestyle.
First, there’s the spa itself. Sundance® spas come in a variety of sizes and seat configurations, so you can find one that best suits your needs. Choosing the features you want is the fun part. Also important is determining the price point best suited for you. It may seem like a lot to think about, but local Sundance® Spa dealers are among the most knowledgeable in the industry and are willing to help you make the best choice.
Size Matters
One of the first features you’ll want to review is the size of the spa itself. When determining the proper spa size for your needs, consider the needs of your family, the amount of entertaining you do, and the space you have in your yard to accommodate the hot tub. Here are some sizing basics:
Large Spas. Perfect for big families or those who frequently have guests over, large hot tubs can comfortably seat up to eight adults. With this much spa space, your yard will instantly become your family’s favorite destination, and among the most popular spots on your block.
Most Sundance® spas are rectangular, and for good reason: this shape gives you more options, allowing for seats of various heights, lounge seats, and more points of entry. This shape also allows plenty of room for six to eight people to spread out.
Medium-Sized Spas. These are great for growing families or for accommodating groups of four, five, or six adults. These spas offer a variety of jet configurations and seating styles to deliver a high-quality hydrotherapy to any area of the body.
Medium-sized spas come in two shapes. Most are rectangular, but the Denali® spa, one of our most popular four-person spas, comes in a round shape. Or try one of the medium-sized rectangular spas.
Small Spas. At Sundance® Spas, our small hot tubs are big on features. Ideal for young couples, empty-nesters, and those who don’t entertain often, small hot tubs offer an intimate spa environment without compromising on quality.
If you have limited space of simpler needs, a small Sundance® spa with a capacity for two, three, or four adults will be perfect for you. Back-therapy seating and foot jets ensure you get all the hydrotherapy benefits you need, while the unique shape of these models lend style to your small space.
Bottom Line Concerns
Another consideration when it comes to buying a spa is the cost. Just like with a car, the bottom line price of a Sundance® spa is determined by a variety of factors, including features, shipping costs, and current promotions.
There are different model spas at different price points, from basic blow-up versions to top-of-the-line acrylic spas. Here’s a rundown on the basic types, by cost:
Acrylic Spas. If you are looking for a spa that’s stocked with features, including a choice of colors and finishes, plenty of jets, and room for family and friends, you’ll find it all in an acrylic spa. Acrylic hot tubs range in price from $4,000 up to about $25,000, with higher-end models featuring robust craftsmanship and patented jets, as well as more style and massage combination options. These spas offer the best return on investment, with options that deliver the best of the best in seating and safety.
Rotomold Spas. Constructed from a single polymer plastic shell, rotomold hot tubs generally sell for under $4,000. They feature integrated jets, and generally do not offer the bells and whistles associated with the acrylics.
Blow-Up Spas. Available for under $1,000, inflatable spas sacrifice most features in exchange for a lower price. They are useful for basic hydrotherapy, but lack the powerful and relaxing water jets of the upscale models.
Feature Selections
All Sundance® spas offer plenty of benefits: a place to relax, a method to help combat sleeplessness, a way to relieve muscle soreness and a great opportunity for family bonding.
Still, not all spas are built alike, so once you determine the size and type of spa that fits your needs, it’s time to consider how you would like to customize it. Determine what is most important to you and use that information to create the ideal spa space—a place where you will want to spend your time.
The Lounge Life. Spas with lounges offer optimum neck-to-feet relief for relaxation or therapy, while open seating spas have plenty of room for friends and family to gather. Not sure what works best for you? Ask yourself: When you are relaxing on your couch, do you prefer to recline or sit up?
Seating Options. For most spa owners, it’s all about massage variety. If that sounds like you, consider the Sundance® Spa premium series. The 980™ Series offers an upgraded Accu-Ssage™ therapy seat and a SunCooler™ storage area. The big draw here is up to 10 types of patented Fluidix® jets, perfect for hydrotherapy and relieving your body of stress and tension.
Maintenance and Upkeep. When considering spa features and costs, take time to weigh the price of the product against its value. Consider the spa’s reliability, ease of use, water maintenance system and expected lifespan before making a purchase. Getting a quality spa relative to your investment is the real meaning of value.
Worth its Salt? A recent option in hot tub water maintenance is a salt water filtration system. These systems produce chlorine through the use of a salt cell that reacts to the addition of salt to the water. Because a salt water spa system is an alternative to the traditional chlorine systems, there is a widespread misconception that these are chlorine-free. The truth is these systems do generate chlorine, which destroys harmful bacteria in the water.
Those who prefer a salt water system say it gives water a softer feel and is easier on the eyes and skin. However, if a person is sensitive to chlorine, a salt water system may not be an ideal alternative.
The Social Scene
Many people consider buying a spa as a way to invest in their bonding time—and that’s a wise investment. Research shows that socializing improves your brain health and immune system, and may even lead to a longer life.
If you are planning a lot of parties around the hot tub, consider the following:
- Look for open layouts and hot tub sizes with more seating options. Differing hot tub seat heights allow people of all ages to enjoy the tub comfortably.
- The 980™ Series is full of features like wide seats with plenty of room and a lounge deck for additional seating. Also check out its exterior lighting and designer touches, sure to impress your guests.
- If you’re looking for seating variety, consider the Aspen® model, with room for up to eight adults. It also has the most Fluidix® jet variety, bench seating and an illuminated grab bar for easy entry and exits.
What About a Used Hot Tub?
Sure, the lower price tag on a used hot tub may be tempting. Still, there are many things to consider before purchasing. When you are looking for the best deals on spas, you should consider overall value rather than price alone. After all, the true value of your spa is based on the entertainment you will get from it.
New spas will offer state-of-the-art technology, including features such as the BLUEWAVE® Spa Stereo System with marine-grade speakers and a Bluetooth® connection, or the SmartTub™ System, which allow you to control your hot tub from your smartphone and simplifies hot tub ownership. These features aren’t present on older used models.
New spas also offer excellent warranty coverage, because Sundance® Spas stands behind its products. And if you do choose to buy a refurbished spa from an authorized dealer, you’ll still have peace of mind knowing you’re getting Sundance® Spas quality.
Soak—and See—for Yourself
Sure, you can read all about how to choose a spa, but seeing is believing. Visit a local Sundance® Spa dealer to learn all about hot tub styles and service.
When you’re ready to dip your toes–or your whole body–in the water, schedule a wet test. Stepping into a full-functioning hot tub is the best way to experience and appreciate everything that Sundance® Spas has to offer. Even a dry test will showcase where the water line is, verify soaking depth and allow you to check on a variety of seats.
Reasons to Buy
We know you can buy your spa anywhere. Sundance® Spas boasts a long history of loyal customers who trust our brand to deliver the best portable hot tubs on the market. Sundance® Spas has been making award-winning products since 1979.
Download our Buyer’s Guide, then come on is to see for yourself why owners buy again and again. You’ll find that the #SundanceLife is a key lifestyle investment, and that our dealers have the knowledge and know-how to help you make the choice that’s best for you.