Choosing the Right Size and Layout That's Suitable for You
So, you’re picking out a hot tub. Whether it’s your very first, or one of many in a long lineup, you may have some questions about which size and layout are right for you. In this article, we are going to answer some of those questions, such as…
- What are the different sizes?
- Should you shop by size, or by number of people?
- When is a bigger tub better?
- Should I get a lounger or not?
What Sizes of Hot Tubs are Out There?
There are many different size hot tubs on the market today, the concepts we are going to cover will apply to all makes and models. At Hydropool, we offer the following size and seating options in our Signature Self Clean Collection
- A 2-3 Person model Measuring 85 Wide, 65 deep and 30 or 37" tall.
- A 3-4 Person model measuring 79 x 75 x 37
- A 4-5 Person model measuring 80 x 80 x 37
- 2 5-6 Person models measuring 84 x 84 x 39 or what we would call a 7-foot spa
- 2 6-7 Person models measuring 90 x 90 x 39 or what is considered in the industry as an 8-foot spa
- A 6-7 Double Lounger model measuring 94 x 94 x 39
- A huge 7-8 person model 110 "x 94 x 39" perfect for large families or to act as an entertainment center.
Notice how as the size increased, the number of people increased as well? This is not always a common practice in the industry. Many brands will showcase multiple 6 person options at various sizes. What we are asking you to consider is this: just because there are 6 seats does not mean it will hold 6 people comfortably.
Taking this into consideration, you may be asking yourself the question in our next topic...
Should I Shop by Size, or by Number of People?
So, how do you select the right size? Should you shop by size or by number of people? Well, it's a combination of the two. Let's give you some examples.
First, consider how many people will be using the spa 90% of the time. There is no point spending extra money buying a large 6-8 person spa if there are only 2 people in the home who will be using it 90% of the time. It would make much more sense to buy an 80 x 80 or 84 x 84 size that would comfortably hold 2-4 people. This way, you have a variety of seating available for different types of massage, and extra space in the event you have guests over. However, if you are a two-person home where entertainment and social gathering is a big part of your lifestyle, then it would make sense to buy a large spa to accommodate your guests.
For a family of 3-4, we would recommend an 84 x 84 or 90 x 90 size spa. This size will allow for adequate room between each of you, plus provide 1-2 additional seats in case you want to switch things up or invite people over. One other consideration you would want to consider is how tall is everyone in the family. Are you all of similar height, or is there a dramatic difference (ex. from 5'2 tall to 6'2)? This is where the height of the spa comes into consideration.
Luckily, all of our spas are 37" or taller to ensure we can provide a variety of seating depths and seat incline. This ensures that at least one seat will provide a full-body immersion for everyone to achieve a great upper shoulder and neck massage as well as keep you warm in cooler temperatures. The variety of seat depths also works well to ensure everyone in the family has a comfortable seating position and enjoys your time together.
When is a Bigger Tub Better?
As we mentioned before, our tubs tend to accommodate everyone in the family -- even the taller members. That, combined with our honest and accurate descriptions of seating accommodations should give you a good idea of what size you need. But, you may still wonder if a larger tub is right for you. Well, here are some examples of when we would recommend a larger spa.
If you have a large discrepancy of height in your family (ex. from 5' to 6'2 plus), a bigger tub will likely be more comfortable and provide better legroom in the footwell.
If you love to entertain and frequently have friends and family over, it would make sense to consider a 90 x 90-foot print or larger. Remember, this should only be the case if you plan to entertain regularly. That bi-annual cookout is likely not enough reason to purchase a larger tub than your family needs for daily use.
Should I Get a Lounger?
To lounge or not to lounge, that is the question. When it comes to choosing an open seater or lounger, here are the main points you should consider.
An open seater without a lounge is excellent for conversation and entertainment because all of the seats face inwards towards one another, promoting engaging conversations. The barrier-free seating allows you to easily transition from seat to seat and provides exceptional lower mid and upper back massage, as well as jets for your neck and shoulders.
A lounger typically reduces the seating capacity in the spa by 1 -2 seats compared to the same size of an open seater. So, if your goal is to have as many seats as possible in any given size, an open seater would be a better option.
Now, if you are an avid runner, cyclist or sports enthusiast, you would likely benefit from a head-to-toe massage that a well-designed lounger provides. Think about how you use your current furniture and living room space in your home. Do you have all chairs or couches, and usually sit upright, or do you have reclining furniture and love relaxing and stretching out your legs?
These are just a couple of points to consider that will help you decide between a lounger or open seating.