I lurked also for quite a while in this forum and also liked (loved) all my friend's hot-tubs and had great fun with them. I went ahead and bought, but I find the novelty wears off. The first year was good, with no regrets...but the 2nd year it wasn't used very much at all. Now I'm down to using once a week. SO, not sure if I would do it all again if I was just starting out. It's really not worth the upkeep/maintenance/expense for the amount of use it gets. I also got an 8 footer, and in hind-sight a 7 footer would have been adequate....since I'm in there by myself most times Yes to basic lighting, no to the extra lights....I find those to be 'over-kill'. Yes to an IPOD/Stereo jack and speakers. No to a waterfall are my opinions. Oh ya, and I got a hand-rail thrown in as a freebie...and have never attached it, so completely unnecessary.