We also cover the pitfalls of buying hot tubs online, including a case study from one unfortunate couple Phil and Chris Mannion from Leighton Buzzard who fell victim to the sharp practice of one unethical retailer on a popular online auction website.

This year’s issue also sees the launch of our exciting Best Buy Awards, which acknowledge the hot tub models for 2008 that excel across a range of criteria including design & aesthetics, comfort & hydrotherapy and overall value for money.

To request your free copy of What Spa? Magazine, visit our magazine request page now.

The first thing that hits you is the fantastic location of the showroom, just on the left as you reach Hull from the M62. An enormous plate-glass frontage along with a fabulous outdoor display complete with inflatable Arctic Spas polar bear, is literally impossible to miss as you enter Hull. A swift left turn has you in the car park within 2 minutes and you can’t help but be impressed with the showroom that Kevin and Paul have designed and built.

Almost 3,000 sq ft of showroom space is tastefully filled with a range of hot tubs from leading suppliers Arctic Spas and Jacuzzi, along with hot tub gazebos, saunas and a full range of accessories. After chatting to Kevin and Paul it is evident why they have been so successful over the past few years with their friendly and straight forward approach to dealing with their clients.

After establishing the Hull showroom, a second showroom was launched in 2006 on the A19 just south of York which is even larger than Hull with almost 5,000 sq ft of hot tub display. Dave Nicoline heads up the York branch and York is understandably replicating the success of the Hull showroom.

We would like to say a very big thank you to Kevin, Paul and Dave at the York branch for showing us around and for their kind hospitality. For more details visit their website www.outdoorlivingltd.co.uk

2008 sees even larger stands from some of the UK’s market leading companies including HotSpring Spas (Stand No. 2F34, 2E26), Hydropool Spas (Stand No. 2F34 & 2E26), Serenity Hot Tubs and Coast Spas (Stand No. 2C25 & 2D18). Hydropool Spas are one of the sponsors of the Daily Mail £50,000 prize draw and are donating one of their luxury self-cleaning hot tubs worth over £10,000 as part of the winning prize package for one lucky Dail Mail reader.

If you are planning to visit the Ideal Home Show over the next few weeks and are considering purchasing a hot tub this year, be sure to visit these hot tub stands for some great garden ideas and be sure to chat to their staff for more information about hot tub ownership.

Clear Water’s websites can be found at http://www.clearwaterhottubs.co.uk/ or http://www.spa-bits.co.uk/ you can email them at enquiries@clearwaterhottubs.co.uk“

Alison Emery from Leicester Spas and Hot Tubs says “we were so pleased to be able to help Dan as sportspeople just want to be playing rather than sitting on the sidelines watching their teammates so anything that will speed up the recovery time is vital.  Of course our showroom is directly opposite the Tigers ground so we have a vested interest in making sure that the team is up to full strength!”.

Leicester Spas and Hot Tubs also designed and built a gazebo around the Jacuzzi to provide privacy and landscaped around the tub.  Dan’s Jacuzzi has helped in his recovery and he has recently returned to his team.

2008 promises to be the biggest year yet for hot tub sales as more and more people recognise, not just the social benefits of relaxing in hot water with family and friends, but the many health benefits that are associated with hydrotherapy.

Millions of people in the UK suffer in silence from the debilitating effects of poor sleep, stress, back and muscular pain, arthritis and many other conditions whose symptoms can be greatly relieved by a regular dip in a hot tub.  The combination of heat, buoyancy and hydrotherapeutic massage removes pressure on joints, dilates blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure and releases toxins from the body, all of which help to relieve sysmptoms of many chronic health issues.

Just two or three 20 minute sessions per week will improve your health and sense of wellbeing immensely, as well as offering a great and relaxing way to spend your precious quality time with family and loved ones.  If you need any more proof, visit our Find a Retailer area, throw your bathing costumes in the boot and go for a wet test to your nearest hot tub showroom.

We hope 2008 is the year that you rip off the packaging and slip into the warm swirling water of your very own hot tub for the first time.

Whilst there are a variety of wooden hot tubs on the market in the UK, mainly imported from Canada, a UK manufacturer has responded to this market niche and come up with an amazing new twist on the original format.  Andy Walsh, the founder of Rustic Tubs, based in Scotland, went about building a wooden hot tub that didn’t need any kind of elecrical supply in response to rural constraints on electrical power supplies.

Andy says “We built lots of prototypes before we perfected the process of building the cedar barrel-style tubs which we combined with our unique aluminium firebox, essentially a wood-burning stove…unlike electric spas which must be kept on permanently to ensure a working temperature, the firebox in your rustic tub is lit prior to each use, saving you money.  You can fuel your firebox with wood, coal or smokeless fuel depending on your environment”.

We think this is a great product for those with electrical constraints or a traditionally landscaped garden.  Prices start from just £1,700.  For more details visit the Rustic Tubs website at http://www.rustictubs.com/

Stuart Hall, Managing Director of The African Thatch Company says “we have been amazed at the success of our range in recent years…we started to get asked for thatched gazebos for hot tubs and this has led to us developing a range which is specifically designed to add a traditional wow factor to any hot tub setting”.

The African Thatch Company are actively working with a variety of hot tub retailers and can be contacted at:

Address: Unit 2, Low Mill Workshops, Phoenix Business Centre, Low Mill Road, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 1NSTel: 08453 700445 Fax: 08453 700446

Email: sales@africanthatchcompany.co.uk

Web: www.africanthatchcompany.co.uk
 

The last 18 months has unfortunately seen an influx of internet hot tub traders who are setting up websites and importing spuriously manufactured hot tubs from the Far East.  This has led to an influx of hot tub horror stories from internet buyers who in some cases have been sold non-CE compliant hot tubs from the Far East which at best are unserviceable and at worst are dangerous.

We felt it was more important than ever therefore to revamp our What Spa? Approval Scheme to give discerning hot tub buyers greater peace of mind at point of sale and after their hot tub is delivered and installed.  In order to win What Spa? Approval hot tub manufacturers and dealers alike must meet a strict criteria that includes CE compliance, industry approved training, warranty support and showroom facilities where customers can come, view and try the product before they buy.

Whilst the internet is great for many purchases, it is not a buying channel that particularly suits hot tubs, as the comfort and hydrotherapeutic element of hot tubs (which is the most important feature of all for relaxation, health and wellbeing) can only be felt by wet testing first before you commit to a spa.  The differences between hot tub models even from one manufacturer can vary immensely so buying without trying a hot tub first on price from internet sites and online auctions can be a real recipe for disaster.  Indeed we have had over 150 emails in the last 6 months from angry and upset buyers who have fallen victim to such sharp practice and been left high and dry with non-compliant and unfixable hot tubs and no after-sales support.

Look out for the the new 2008 What Spa? Approved logo before you choose your retailer.  Of course it is not a silver bullet to customer satisfaction but it is a very good platform to start from.