spa-freak

I cannot speak about Marquis as there were none available to me when we purchased, but I have been very happy with my HS grandee. It has various jets making each seat a bit different than the next. I find that I can only stand the same jet pounding the same muscle in the same way for so long, so I tend to move around and get variety. In this way, I can get different sensations on different muscles. For our family, we like the variety in jets and even no jets at all (we tend to use the tub 75% without jets....just the warm water and peace and quiet.) Based on your above statement, I would have to say that a variety of jets would be prefered to just one jet type. But, I also have admitted that we use our tub sans jets most of the time so jets in general are of lesser importance to our family. Your wet test will tell you how YOU like the jets....both brands are very good-- The HS grandee is the HS large version without the lounger. First, you will have to decide if you want a lounger tub or not. From reading posts it seems that folks either love or hate the lounger. We prefer a more "open seating" design as both adults and kids seem to move around in the tub alot and don't want to be hemmed in by deep, imprisoning seat designs. We would never sit still enough to use a lounger and wouldn't get one as they take up alot of tub room Once you have made that decision, you will be able to exclude alot of tubs out of consideration. Finally, my personal experience as a consumer is that the hot tub biz is a price haggling world. Reading posts from around the USA and Canada it is clear that people are getting different pricing deals and various extras thrown in or excluded. I found that the salespeople are fairly aggressive and will follow up with you with lower prices if you give them the chance. I also found that I could play dealers of similar lines against each other and learned that if I wasn't happy, I could bring my business elsewhere. Dont be afraid to throw a low ball bid and walk out the door (leaving them your name and number). I did this on 3 occassions and had all 3 dealers call me back to "renegotiate". Things like delivery, start up chemicals and cover are always included so dont let them act like they are giving you the deal of the century with these offerings. Items like ozonator, cover lifter, steps, stereo, etc. are things to haggle over (or freebies to get if you decide to buy with them as opposed to their competitors). You as a consumer have lots of negotiating power (not to mention your biggest negotiating tool= the $10,000 in your bank account. have fun shopping and let us know what you decide.

mendon, having just purchased a tub I know what you are going through. I hate to say it, but Yes, you may need to go to 5-6 different stores. This is because you need to take each tub for a test drive with your suit on. Once you wet test, you will quickly see what type of jets you like, whether the tub is powerfull enough or too powerful, what configuration you prefer (lounger or no lounger), etc. All of the brands you mentioned are suitable for Michigan, where I am from, and all will have their supporters on this and other forums (ie some people will love them, others will hate them)/ Re: price.... I found that the figures can, and will go down. If the dealer acts like the sticker price is it, go to another store since bargaining is the name of the game in the hot tub world. I also found that dealers of the same brand would beat the other's price or would add extras in for free. Things like delivery, set up, start up chemicals and a cover are always included so don't let them act like they are being generous by throwing those things in. Steps, Ozonator, lights are things to barter for. I would post quotes on this forum and let others tell you their quotes or opinions of your quotes. This will help you know if you are getting close to the average deal. I ended up with a Hot Spring and would be glad to expound upon why that choice was right for me. But, ultimately you will have to sit in a few and see what feels right to you. Good luck and let us know what you narrow it down to.

I recently purchasd a HS Grandee and we are loving every minute of it. I do see, however, a problem looming in the future. My wife is not 100% happy with the "redwood" color and has been hinting that I should paint/stain it to match the deck (our tub sits on top of the deck which is stained a tan color). Can we do this (i.e. does that everwood suface accept paint/stain)? Does this void the warranty for the shell? Thanks in advance to anyone with experience in these matters.

Both brands are certainly great and the wet test will decide for you. I was looking at both of these brands as well and went with the Grandee based on size and persoanl fit. I paid $8500 plus tax which included delivery and set up but no ozone (which I can add later). I have not heard of any problems with the moto massages, but folks seem to either love them or hate them. Again, your wet test will show you which is right for you. I should also add that I have been pondering whether I should get ozone as well. Of course, not having it now I can't really know if it will be worth it or not. I can say that I have owned the tub for a month and have found it to keep the water very clear and the water/chemical maintenance has been very easy. This is somewhat cooling my desire for an ozone since all seems to be well at this point. I wonder if others would recommend that we get them...hopefully we will get some feedback.

We have had our grandee for 2 weeks now and my wife just loves it. She let me pick out the tub of my choice, but she finds the grandee to be amazing. She says it is the only thing right I have done in months. I am sure you will enjoy it as we do.

Bgore, Beware! I have read many posts re: thermospa and the hard sell they do once they get in your home. It appears they cost a premium, but may not live up to that standard. The main problem I read about is the inability to wet test. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it around the block (or at least sitting in it). Yet I am not sure you will get this chance. I advise you do a search of previous posts on this forum and others and read what other buyers have to say about both brands. Previous posts should educate you in ways I bet the salesman you will meet won't. good luck and let us know what you find.

I can't speak to your specific prices on the sundance models, but I know from my shopping experiences that prices do fluctuate and I recommend finding two dealers that have sundance and playing them off each other. So many of the deals that folks have ended with seem to include cover, lifter, ozone, start up chems and delivery. Work toward that list of extras and see where it gets you. I ended up going with a dealer who was $500 cheaper and would deliver free over 70 miles away. I am not sure if I will have them service as I will pay a travel fee, but the local higher priced dealer already stated a willingness to service as well. Shop around and save some dough.

Ditto with above... I just purchased and struggled over whether to spend $6500 or $8500. Had I felt they were equal tubs I would have chosen the cheaper model, but you do get more for your money in the tub world. I just knew that I would not be buying another tub for many years (i.e. 10-15) and decided I had better go for the best. Imagine where you will be in 15 years...for many of us, we will be close® to retirement and can then get the next tub. I decided that 10-15 years is a long ways away and felt that those years would be improved with the better tub. I say if the finances can handle it, bump up to the one you will want. On a side note, I don't know anything about D1 as there are no dealers anywhere near me, but I have read alot about the benefits of a designated 24 hour circ pump, so I would look for a tub offering that as a feature. I also should mention that I ended up purchasing the Hot Spring Grandee, and would also recommend that line as well as the tiger river line as mentioned in an above post. I have seen lots of posts of tiger river folks who seem very happy. Finally, be sure to wet test for actual fit and I can honestly say that there are several great manufacturers (D1 and HS included) who can provide you with a tub that will have both features and longevity. let us know what you decide.

Chas, Thanks for your recent post--very helpful. So, let me see if i got this right...if if i got the Del Spa Eclipse, I have to change the CD chip every year, but with the Platinum (which costs more) I don't have that replacement? Do you recommend the Platinum for the HS Grandee? and do you know if this voids any part of the warranty? thanks in advance for any thoughts spa-freak

I am a recent hot tub buyer and have been lurking in this forum and in others for weeks. I have appreciated the vast amount of information I have gained and my wife thinks that, not only have we bought a tub, but that I somehow have a career as salesman. I must say, however, that I am saddened to see the negative interchange that is occuring on this simple request by ClayC for some comparison shopping. I immediately agree with Chas when he states that such posts, particularly the ones made by Jim, make this forum "less inviting to new consumers" I couldn't agree more. I disagree with Jim when he states in post #14 "If talking about the suction design of your product is not the topic, then you don't know what the topic is." He goes on to say, "I thought the subject was about the ridiculous design of your spas." Actually, the topic was simply "Sundance Cameo vs. HS Envoy. I feel bad for ClayC who is just trying to make a decision, only to have his polite request become tainted in an apparent long-standing battle between Jim and those not Jim. I understand that posters are not allowed to sell their wares through posts, however, I couldn't help but feel that this is Jim's motivation. (i.e. you know the old saying, "Bad press is better than no press.") ClayC I hope you get your question answered.