How to Choose the Right Spa for Your Needs

After a day of hard work, or a night of wonderful rest, there’s not much that can match the benefits and enjoyment of a dip in the hot, comfortable water of a spa.

Whether it’s the stress or activity of the day that you need to wind down from, or it’s the solid eight hours of sleep that you need a gentle awakening from, many people turn to spas. With so many options and types of spas, though, it can be daunting to determine which is best suited to meet your specific goals and needs.

The best spa for you will often be more apparent after you have considered what you want to achieve from your time spent soaking and relaxing. Stress relief, pain relief, mind rejuvenation, low-resistance physical activity – all can be accomplished with a certain spa.

However, your budget and the amount of space you have available to dedicate to a spa will also determine which type is right for you.

This blog seeks to accomplish all of those. We have compiled a guide for how to choose the right spa that can meet your needs and become your own little oasis. Once you’ve read this post, you can browse Midwest Landscape and Design’s selection of different spas from leading brands.

Call Midwest Companies today to find more information and begin your journey toward a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Define Your Goals and Needs

Many people enjoy their time spent in a spa because of its many benefits.

Time soaking in a hot tub can contribute to stress relief, muscle relaxation, improved sleep, pain relief, cardiovascular health, and in some cases, burning a small amount of calories.

For others, it’s simply an opportunity to find some alone time, or on the other hand, spend time with friends and loved ones.

The benefits truly are countless.

To begin selecting the types of spas that may be right for you, identify which of the above benefits appeal the most to you. It could be a combination of any that we’ve listed, or something else entirely.

Set a Budget

Spas and hot tubs are often part of a larger project or at least come with additional costs separate from the spa itself.

That’s why budgeting is so important. You may need to plan for the cost to install a platform, arrange delivery or have an electrician complete work to get you up and running. These costs can add up.

After installation, you must also consider ongoing maintenance. Expect to pay around $200 per year for chemicals, $100 per year for filters, an increase in your electric bill, among other costs, including repairs.

As for the spa or hot tub price itself, that can range greatly. Some low budget options begin at $400, while spas on the higher end can run around $20,000.

Determine the Best Size of Spa for Your Space

The size of the spa you select will heavily influence the cost. But before you can settle on spa size, you need to plan for how much space you have available and whether you plan to have the spa indoors or outdoors.

Keep in mind that the smaller the spa, the lower the cost, generally speaking.

You must also consider how many people could be using the spa at any given time. This will impact where you are able to locate the hot tub in your available space.

Different Types of Spas

Once you have a budget and size reference, you can begin to look at what types of spa might fit your needs.

Spas and hot tubs come in many shapes, sizes and price ranges.

Inflatable Hot Tub

Inflatable hot tubs are great for those who may not want to invest in a permanent hot tub right now or need to use space as efficiently as possible.

Though less durable, inflatable spas are portable and easy to set up. They are straightforward and lack the bells and whistles of permanent models.

Standard Spa

Standard spas are the most popular option. Multiple jets, seating, cupholders – all the need-to-haves. They’re the traditional option and are typically very affordable.

In-Ground Hot Tub

In-ground hot tubs are on the other end of the budget range because of their aesthetic appeal and also the amount of additional work that is often required to install them at ground level.

Swim Spas

Favored by fitness enthusiasts, swim spas offer a hot tub and pool combination that is easier to fit in a backyard or on a patio than an actual pool. Swim spas provide a current in which to swim or they can be used as a general hot tub.

Spa Features to Consider

Different types of spas will come with certain features that may appeal more to you based on the goals and needs you’ve settled on during your search. Let’s review a list of features you may find helpful when it’s time to start shopping around.

Air Jets

If you are looking for a spa that can provide a hydrotherapy massage, then the number of air jets and their locations are an important factor.

Types of spas on the higher end of the budget will often have air jets that can be adjusted or relocated to meet your personal preferences.

Seating

Seating is another feature that will be influenced by how you plan to use the spa. Not only will the number of seats likely factor into your decision, but also the type of seating.

Seat types range from lounge seats for relaxation or socializing, to massage jets for maximum comfort.

Filtration

Water quality is always critical when it comes to making sure spa time is enjoyable. It’s the filters that ensure water quality stays up to standard.

Be sure to ask how effectively specific spas’ filtration systems keep up with water quality. Though more expensive, a spa with a higher-quality system will require less of your time in maintaining water quality.

Lighting and Multimedia

Finally, we’ll move to a “nice to have” feature category: lighting and multimedia.

Higher-end spas come with a heftier price tag, but often are the ultimate entertainment space. With beautiful lighting, speakers and connections to smart TVs, certain types of spas will add an undeniable “wow” factor to your indoor or outdoor oasis.

Time to Go Shopping

We know spas at Midwest Landscape and Design. Not only are we a premier retailer of leading brands and types of spas, but we specialize in creating stunning outdoor spaces that take into consideration your preferences and desires.

Our team of experts can help you turn your backyard, patio or commercial space into a welcoming, inviting, relaxing (or energizing) destination for friends, family members or anyone who lands an invite to your dream spa destination.