Hot Tubs Add a Splash to Entertaining

by Mary Butler

Close your eyes and think of your backyard. Now think of your backyard with a hot tub. It adds a certain splash of fun, doesn't it? According to the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals the average hot tub buyer is seeking to create a "complete room" outside.

Once upon a time, a home spa was something that was added when a swimming pool was installed. But today, hot tubs stand on their own and for good reason: you can use them to unwind and socialize without the expense and maintenance of a swimming pool.

Home Spas Are Affordable Fun
You can find hot tubs in the back yards of million-dollar homes and $100,000 homes. Thanks to their affordability, hot tubs are a luxury enjoyed by the masses. Hot tubs price start around $2,000 but can increase to $20,000 or more when they are installed in-ground or include intricate rock work, waterfalls, and other special features.

Spas: A Perfect Party Favor
If you enjoy entertaining friends and family, you've probably swung open your patio doors and fired up the barbeque more than once. It's a joy to take the festivities outside into the fresh air and under the sun or the moon. Perhaps that's why more people have begun creating outdoor rooms. Carpets of grass are replaced with beautiful patios, lush landscaping, outdoor kitchens, gas fire pits, mood lighting, decorative accents--and hot tubs--to create the perfect space in which to have a gathering or relax with your spouse.

It's a four-season party favor. Hot tubs encourage relaxation--whether you're entertaining a group of 10 or just one very special person. What better way to cap off a day of skiing or snow shoeing than to take a steaming hot soak? The same can be said for summer, fall, or spring activities. Even when you host a simple dinner party, invite guests to bring their swimsuits for a post-dessert soak under the stars.

Source:
Association of Pool and Spa Professionals
New York Times