kimpur

This would be interesting. Question for the Spa Doctors (and the Unruly One) - how much water would be displaced in the tub?

OH! And I almost forgot.......a floating penquin thermometer. Must-have. Absolutely. And don't listen to any of these yankees out here about ducks or gators.

Very good, thick, plush, extra large Turkish-style bathrobes. I found a steal of deal last year on Amazon for Pinzon brand "hydro cotton bathrobes" - at $25 bucks each at the time (I don't see em out there anymore)! Not used much in these warmer months, of course....but boy when it's cold out, these are a MUST-HAVE. Consider them an investment, though, cause I don't see any for that quality at that price now. And get white or cream color for easy washing. Those darker colors can cause me some serious Laundry Incidents.

Yessss......for solo usage, I do see your point. You'd have the best of everything with the lounger!

1) What does that price include? Steps, lifter, chems, etc.? 2) Typically I like to use the logic that you'll own this spa for 10, 12, ... years so think of the extra $800 spread over time and it'll seem more palatable. However, in your case even the smaller one is pretty big and being that you will be mostly using it yourself I'd personally go into the wet test with the thought that unless the bigger one shows itself to clearly be the better choice for you I'd lean toward the smaller one in a tiebreaker and go to Vegas with the difference! We bought our Vista last November and were looking at the same two - the Envoy or the Vista. As Spatech says, we made our decision based on spreading that cost difference over the probable years we'll have the tub, and said heck yeah, we'll take the Vista - may be one of those once-in-a-lifetime purchases, ya know? So grab all the gusto! Anyway, we are very pleased with our choice. But as I have stated before in some other posts - think and then rethink on the lounger. My sweetie loves it, as he is over 6'. But I still like the openness of the Grandee - with the 4 corner seats, there wouldn't be a bad view/seat in the tub, plus you get the 2 moto-massages! The lounger limits that somewhat.

oops......scuse me.

HA HA!!! Good one!

I soak my filters in a 14 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck tote. Just the right size to completely submerge 5 HS Tri-X filters. I use the same tote to store my chems and stuff. I think I paid about 10 bucks at wally world. Thanks for the response, Mike! Great idea. Once you're done, how do you dispose of the cleaner solution? I'm still curious about the gal saying the stuff is "reuseable" - doesn't sound very practical (or safe either) to be storing 10 gallons of that stuff after it's mixed up and used (?) Or did I just misunderstand something?

HS Vista/2-level Deck Trap door....... Composite Lumber Deck and Rails and finally, The SECRET Color.......

Our HS man has a deck man that he recommended to us when we were starting from scratch, removing a beautiful (but too-close-to-the-house) live oak tree and replacing it with a new deck (composite lumber) and hot tub. Taking our general ideas, these 2 guys put their heads together and designed a fabulous set-up for us. It's a 2-level deck, angled in such a way that the tub "looks" mostly recessed, but it's actually open and free on the 2 "back sides" of the lower level. We learned that placement is EVERYTHING. We have complete privacy on both sides from the neighbors. They did have to build in a trap door, as the control side of the tub butts up to one of the high sides of the deck. But they did it in such a way that it is practically unnoticeable, and when the cover is open, it is unobtrusive (it opens and rests on the lower deck) and gives us additional privacy. Anyway, with some forward thinking and planning and some creative angles, we were totally satisfied with our finished outdoor paradise. We ain't DIY'ers, and I much preferred leaving this work to these professionals. They had to do some excavation work where the tree was, run all the electrical, etc. They knew what they were doing, and I appreciated that. Will try to get some pics posted. You know, I really thought I'd miss that oak tree.......nah!

Hey, look at me! I just got promoted to Junior Member!! Yay me!

Hey Petey......are you talking about the HS brand filter cleaner? Is that the muriatic acid? 'Splain to me how you do that, what kind of container you soak in, and is it true the stuff is reusable (this is what a gal at the HS store told me)?

As newcomers to the hot tub community, we had the same thoughts when initially checking out the various brands and models. My first impression of the HS models was the same as yours - "looks kinda plain" compared to the others. We did settle on the HS Vista, though, and after 8 months, I think I understand a bit more the nature of these beasts. Now I LOVE the calmer, more relaxing "pool" look of the HS. Looking at the others now, they look more like industrial mixers to me and I can see how much more "hardware" is just the potential for more "stuff" to go wrong. You want some fabulous jet/massage therapy? You'll get it with the Hot Spring. You want a calm, relaxing, pool-soak experience? You'll get that, too! One thing, though.......I do think if I could do it over again, I'd get the Grandee. I have said before that the lounger is just not for me, and I would love to have the openness of the Grandee, and the 2 king seats with the moto-massage. But that's just ME. OK, I guess I'm sounding like a HS salesman now. I'm not, though........right, Uncle Jeremiah? NO, NO........that was a JOKE! Just a JOKE!

Wannago..........city dealers don't know quack about ducks. Check out the penguins.

Well, Gators might be OK for Florida, but here in Mississippi, Penguins rule the pool!