To celebrate What Spa?’s official status as the most popular hot tub magazine in the UK, we are publishing our 2008 issue earlier so that our readers can get the very latest about what is new in the UK hot tub market before they splash their cash in readiness for summer hottubbing.

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.

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If you love the idea of getting into hot water in your garden but are looking for a more rustic hot tub design, a cedar hot tub may be the solution.  Cedar hot tubs are the forerunners to the more modern all-singing, all-dancing acrylic vacuum-formed models but for some, nostalgia wins out and they are still the product of choice.

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/

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The vast majority of hot tubs are enjoyed in the great outdoors in gardens dotted across the UK.  However, if you want to enjoy the hydrotherapy benefits of your very own hot tub, maybe in your conservatory, orangery or in a purpose-built indoor spa room, the Rendezvous by Marquis Spas is a great model that combines the space-saving benefits of a triangular shape with an ingenious interior design that comfortably accomodates up to 3 bathers. Visit the Marquis Spas website for more information.

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The African Thatch Company have launched into the hot tub gazebo market with a fabulous range of genuine African thatched structures including: bars, canopies, gazebos (including hot tub & spa gazebos), surrounds and umbrellas. They offer an extensive model range for both DIY self assembly and nationwide installation by their expert installation teams.

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
 

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What Spa? are pleased to announce that our What Spa? Approval Scheme has been revised and updated for 2008. 

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.

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