The Serenity Spa By Maximus

[wineo]

I am looking at buying from :

http://www.absolutetan.com

Has anyone heard of these people.

Any info on the company and spa would be great.

Looking in this forum I think its made from infinity.

Thanks

#FLA-20 Maximus Spa

80 Jets, 2 6HP Pumps, 5.5KW Heater

Galaxy Green Microban Acrylic, Gray Synthetic Cabinet

[IL Parrothead]

Never heard of that dealer. Looks like Serenity is made by Hydropool. Dunno.

For that price point, you can start getting into some of the middle series of the premium tubs.

[wineo]

Never heard of that dealer. Looks like Serenity is made by Hydropool. Dunno.

For that price point, you can start getting into some of the middle series of the premium tubs.

[wineo]

Never heard of that dealer. Looks like Serenity is made by Hydropool. Dunno.

For that price point, you can start getting into some of the middle series of the premium tubs.

Where else would you recommend looking?

[prof_chop]

I checked into AbsoluteTan - the person I talked with is related to the owner of Infinity, and their store is a few blocks from Infinity. So I think it is safe to say that their spas are made by Infinity, just have a different name (in fact, if you look at their website and the Infinity website - the logos are identical, just a different name - Serenity Spas vs. Infinity Spas as I recall). Both Infinity and Serenity have slightly higher prices than the spas made by Infinity and sold through Costco, and a shorter warranty. If you don't mind the limited selection of colors and set features, seems to me that Costco would be a better way to go (if nothing else for the return policy and longer warranty) IF you are interested in this line of spas.

Prof

[ncspa]

I checked into AbsoluteTan - the person I talked with is related to the owner of Infinity, and their store is a few blocks from Infinity. So I think it is safe to say that their spas are made by Infinity, just have a different name (in fact, if you look at their website and the Infinity website - the logos are identical, just a different name - Serenity Spas vs. Infinity Spas as I recall). Both Infinity and Serenity have slightly higher prices than the spas made by Infinity and sold through Costco, and a shorter warranty. If you don't mind the limited selection of colors and set features, seems to me that Costco would be a better way to go (if nothing else for the return policy and longer warranty) IF you are interested in this line of spas.

Prof

[Where else would you recommend looking?]

I don't know how much you're willing to spend. I started my search looking at tubs that would save me some money. Almost pulled the trigger on a Gulf Coast spa. Thankfully, careful reads on this forum made me realize what a potential disaster that might be. I moved from there to a Down East (mid-grade Master line), but was hesitant due to reports of high energy costs. Finally realized that spending a bit more for something that's intended to 1) provide therapy and quality of life, 2) increase the value and enjoyment of my home, and 3) last long enough to get my money's worth, made the most sense. So, I turned my sights to the brands with the best reputations for durability, reliability, and quality. I think you'll find that search will lead you in the direction of Hot Springs, D1, Sundance, Marquis, and a few other brands. In that regard, this forum is amazingly helpful and you'll find lots of useful information (and it won't take much reading to sort the good from the bad . I ended up choosing the Marquis - just liked the features the best, was the most comfortable during wet testing, and had the best dealer experience.

For what it's worth - if you end up spending a bunch more on high energy bills (as has been attested by some on this forum), it doesn't take long to add up to the differnce in cost between a quality, full-foam tub and one that will save you a little $ up front. Happy hunting (it's the most fun part!).

[IL Parrothead]

Yeah, Wineo. There are people that have bought the lower-end spas and struggled through adding their own insulation and doing their own repairs. If that's your style, then you might consider it, but I'd then say I agree with the post that you should go through Costco for their return policy. Otherwise, if that's not your personality, start looking at the tubs with the better reputation for quality, reliability and energy use -- in no particular order: HotSpring, Marquis, Jacuzzi, Sundance, Caldera, D1, Arctic, Coleman, Artesian and a few others.

[soakerman]

Yeah, Wineo. There are people that have bought the lower-end spas and struggled through adding their own insulation and doing their own repairs. If that's your style, then you might consider it, but I'd then say I agree with the post that you should go through Costco for their return policy. Otherwise, if that's not your personality, start looking at the tubs with the better reputation for quality, reliability and energy use -- in no particular order: HotSpring, Marquis, Jacuzzi, Sundance, Caldera, D1, Arctic, Coleman, Artesian and a few others.

In your opinion Coscto doesen't sell quality spas and thats ok but, there are many recent post on this forum that show the oposite of what you say and also post of people that own a Sundance spa that is sucking more energy then any low end spa could think of.

[soakerman]

Yeah, Wineo. There are people that have bought the lower-end spas and struggled through adding their own insulation and doing their own repairs. If that's your style, then you might consider it, but I'd then say I agree with the post that you should go through Costco for their return policy. Otherwise, if that's not your personality, start looking at the tubs with the better reputation for quality, reliability and energy use -- in no particular order: HotSpring, Marquis, Jacuzzi, Sundance, Caldera, D1, Arctic, Coleman, Artesian and a few others.

In your opinion Coscto doesen't sell quality spas and thats ok but, there are many recent post on this forum that show the oposite of what you say and also post of people that own a Sundance spa that is sucking more energy then any low end spa could think of.

Here is one example;

This afternoon, my husband brought home a Flir Infrared Thermocam that his company recently purchased. He told me to hold my hand on the living room wall for one minute. When I took it off, he took an infrared picture of the wall and my handprint showed up on the screen in bright red and yellow from the heat that was transferred and then the handprint slowly faded as the wall returned to room temperature - very cool! The next test was to take the infrared camera outside and point it toward our Infinity spa. We aimed it at about a dozen spots on the outside of the cabinet - on all 4 sides, near the top of the spa, near the bottom, in the corners, where the hard cover folds in the center. NO "heat leaks" were detected by the camera - the screen stayed black no matter where we pointed the camera on the spa's cabinet! When I raised the cover just a crack, a bright white area appeared at the top of the screen where the heat was escaping from the spa, but as soon as I closed the cover, the screen went back to black.

SO ... our spa COULD be using more electricity to run the 2 pumps than a spa that costs twice as much, and it COULD be that, in its lifetime, it will cost us more in repairs than a spa that costs twice as much - that remains to be seen. But, this spa's ability to keep hot water hot is every bit as good as a spa that costs twice as much! No heat loss is no heat loss - you can't get any better than that! About 2 months ago, we did spend $60 and about 8 hours of our time adding rigid foam insulation inside the cabinet (instructions courtesy of Ken Gorman) and we spent another $40 for a floating blanket. I'm assuming that those 2 things are helping.

Sandi

[thestallion]

Soaker,

you love to twist things to suit your point of view but there are far far more people who post here with problems about spas they purchased at a Costco type store than any other. When ever someone posts of those problems you ignore them or you try to tell what type of insulation is the best to use to try stop the high electric costs that seem to be very common with these spas. The Sundance spa you are speaking of is also one of the biggest spas on the market and by all rights should cost more but the bottom line is one or two people have a problem with a spa they bought at a dealer and you jump on it to show these are no better than what you get at a big box when they are truly the anomaly of most owners and not the regular occurrence of what most Costco or big boxer owners share from higher energy consumption to the lack of service.

[hottubrepair]

My biggest concern with buying anything from any box store would be the quality of the 'service'.

I am sure Costco/ Home Depot do not employ spa service people.

In my experience, it is hard enough to find service in one of their stores.

Imagine this:

• Your spa is shut off. You don't know why. Outside temp is below 32˚F. (The temp where water freezes for you southerners)

• You can't get in contact with the Costco/ HD spa-trained "customer service specialist" as he is (on holidays, in the bathroom, helping someone else, talking to god, abducted by aliens)

• They offer you the magic 1-800 number to call. (Presumably going to the spa manufacturer as Costco/ HD quite possibly just washed their hands of the repair responsibility.)

• You call the 1-800 number and get a 'repair ticket' number. The operator in Kalamazoo tells you a repair man will be out soon. They don't know when - just soon.

(Behind the scenes, the 1-800 guy is frantically tring to find a local repair guy who is willing to accept their measly $40 per hour to fix the spa.)

(Oh ya, and you live 45 minutes outside of the city. This only adds to the problem as every repair guy the 1-800 people talk to says, "NO, its out of my service area.")

• All of the service people that are willing to repair your spa are booked up for about a week with their other $60/hr jobs.

• The 1-800 guy gives you an 'approximate' repair date of "a week from next Thursday".

• YOU GO HOME AND CRY BECAUSE YOUR SPA IS FREEZING. (AND WHAT DOES WATER DO WHEN IT FREEZES - IT EXPANDS) YOUR HOSES AND PUMPS ARE NOW CRACKING/CRACKED.

"This is all under warranty", you say, "I don't have to worry. They will fix it."

• YOU FIND OUT FREEZING IS ONE OF THE ITEMS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY.

• After paying your rather large credit card bill for the repairs not covered under warranty, you dream of the day when you will buy your second spa. A beautiful model from your local dealer who, by the way, has a serviceman on the payroll just waiting to help you out if you have the slightest problem.

Disclaimer: I made this story up from mixed memories of my actual experiences/ imaginations to make you think before you purchase.

[IL Parrothead]

In your opinion Coscto doesen't sell quality spas and thats ok but, there are many recent post on this forum that show the oposite of what you say and also post of people that own a Sundance spa that is sucking more energy then any low end spa could think of.

Yeah, and about 95% of those posts were by YOU! The people that like their discount spas have had to insulate the bajeezus out of them to prevent from getting killed by humongo energy bills. And as for Sundance, there was another recent post wherein the gentleman stated his new Sundance tub was only using 3 kwh/mo more than last year's bill and you wouldn't believe him.

As has been claimed before, you hear what you want to hear. And then quote back your own posts. Sandi herself admitted she added a lot of insulation AFTER buying her big box spa.

For the gazillionth time, I do not think big box spas suck, Soaker......but I'm also not deluded into thinking they match the quality of what you get at the top dealerships -- in quality, let alone service. Call a spade a spade, not a diamond encrusted trench digger!

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

My biggest concern with buying anything from any box store would be the quality of the 'service'.

I am sure Costco/ Home Depot do not employ spa service people.

In my experience, it is hard enough to find service in one of their stores.

Imagine this:

• Your spa is shut off. You don't know why. Outside temp is below 32˚F. (The temp where water freezes for you southerners)

• You can't get in contact with the Costco/ HD spa-trained "customer service specialist" as he is (on holidays, in the bathroom, helping someone else, talking to god, abducted by aliens)

• They offer you the magic 1-800 number to call. (Presumably going to the spa manufacturer as Costco/ HD quite possibly just washed their hands of the repair responsibility.)

• You call the 1-800 number and get a 'repair ticket' number. The operator in Kalamazoo tells you a repair man will be out soon. They don't know when - just soon.

(Behind the scenes, the 1-800 guy is frantically tring to find a local repair guy who is willing to accept their measly $40 per hour to fix the spa.)

(Oh ya, and you live 45 minutes outside of the city. This only adds to the problem as every repair guy the 1-800 people talk to says, "NO, its out of my service area.")

• All of the service people that are willing to repair your spa are booked up for about a week with their other $60/hr jobs.

• The 1-800 guy gives you an 'approximate' repair date of "a week from next Thursday".

• YOU GO HOME AND CRY BECAUSE YOUR SPA IS FREEZING. (AND WHAT DOES WATER DO WHEN IT FREEZES - IT EXPANDS) YOUR HOSES AND PUMPS ARE NOW CRACKING/CRACKED.

"This is all under warranty", you say, "I don't have to worry. They will fix it."

• YOU FIND OUT FREEZING IS ONE OF THE ITEMS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY.

• After paying your rather large credit card bill for the repairs not covered under warranty, you dream of the day when you will buy your second spa. A beautiful model from your local dealer who, by the way, has a serviceman on the payroll just waiting to help you out if you have the slightest problem.

Disclaimer: I made this story up from mixed memories of my actual experiences/ imaginations to make you think before you purchase.

Hey hot tub repair, I think you have the same memories we have had. LOL Great write up!

[wineo]

Thanks for all the help.

I will advise on what I buy.

WineO