WhatSpa? Holiday Park Magazine - Issue 5

Welcome to the fifth edition of WhatSpa? Holiday

Park Magazine

Foreign travel cancellation uncertainty during 2022 has resulted in another bumper year of ‘staycation’ bookings for the hot tub holiday market. Businesses in this sector have gained the financial reward from installing ‘must have’ hot tubs in their accommodation, which we feature in our Boost Your Bookings feature on page 14.

After being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality and holiday sectors are now faced with an energy crisis that has rocked all businesses. There are ways, though, to reduce running costs using the latest air source heat pumps which we focus on in our Energy Saving feature on page 52.

Our reporting of the hot tub holiday market, which we cover in our Hot News section from page 10, highlights that this sector has been grabbing the headlines while continuing to expand to meet growing demand. The financial climate, which we focus on in our Economy Update from page 30, suggests that the road ahead, though, will have to be navigated with positive measures to sustain success as the cost of living crisis squeezes everyone’s budgets.

To ensure your hot tub holiday business takes the correct route and remains commercially viable during this period it is important to purchase top quality hot tub products that are designed for this market. So if you are new to the hot tub holidays market or are seeking to upgrade your hot tubs with professional advice it is important to read our Spa Buyer’s Guide on page 38 and follow our Spa Masterclass on page 42. Our expert guidance will help avoid purchasing pitfalls and costly mistakes and put you on the road to success with top quality hot tubs, which must comply with HSG 282 ‘business setting’ technical specifications that are specific for this sector (page 56).

Businesses that operate hot tubs on their holiday park or guest accommodation premises should also adhere to strict Health and Safety Executive guidance for staff members and visitors, which is covered in our Water Testing focus on page 74 and the Water Care Explained feature on page 78.

If you are interested in visiting the UK’s largest dedicated spa, pool and wellness exhibition, we preview the SPATEX show that is hosted at the CBS Arena in Coventry from the 31st Jan to the 2nd Feb 2023 on page 24.

Finally, from page 84, we reveal our selection of Best Buy Awards that highlight some of the leading HSG 282-compliant hot tub choices as road tested by our expert team. Our 2023 Best Buy Awards acknowledge the hot tub models that stand out from the crowd within a range of criteria, including design, seating capacity, hydrotherapy, and value-for-money. So be sure to include them in a short list of hot tubs for your holiday accommodation.

We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to receiving your emails and photos of your fabulous hot tub installations.

WhatSpa?

Hot Products

Automated action

Gain huge savings in time on changeover days and automated water level monitoring to reduce chemical costs with the Autofill & Drain System from Park Leisure Solutions. This userfriendly product is designed to take the guesswork out of holiday hot tub maintenance between guest arrivals with just a press of a button and can be fitted from new or retro-fitted to any compatible hot tub. Once operational the system will continue to monitor and adjust to the correct water levels until the next changeover.

www.parkleisuresolutions.co.uk

Safer bubbles

Put the fizz in your hot tub safety procedures by splashing out on these shatterproof Life Spa Champagne Flutes for your guests to toast their staycation during a shared soak. These lightweight flutes are perfect for allowing your guests to put the fizz into their hot tub holiday gatherings without worrying about any broken glass from shattering the occasion.

www.lifespaproducts.com

Wood warmth

Turn up the heat for your hot tub holiday guests with an eco-friendly alternative to gas patio heaters in the form of the Firestorm range of wood pellet patio heaters. Along with being carbon neutral and costing significantly less to run than any traditional patio heater or firepit, these British-produced Firestorm Patio Heaters have an output of up to 15kW, and have a low smoke output as the flame spirals inside the 1.5m glass tube to produce a warm focal point. A heat guard kit provides an extra peace of mind safety feature.

www.pinnacle-agri.co.uk

Take control

Prevent your business from being at the mercy of rising energy costs due to customers tampering with your ideal hot tub settings with Spa Safe from Sunbeach Spas. The cover can be easily fitted to Balboa control panels to ensure safer restrictions on hot tub functionality. This stops hot tub temperature tampering to levels beyond recommended safety limits, while increasing cost-effectiveness and user satisfaction. Graphics customisation is available to complement company branding or provide hot tub etiquette instructions.

www.sunbeachspas.co.uk

To achieve exact water testing efficiency for HSG282 compliance, why not put the Spa eXact EZ handheld photometer device from ITS Europe to the test. With the ability to test seven of the most important hot tub water parameters, this device provides your recordings with accurate, laboratory quality results in seconds. It tests for Total Alkalinity, pH, Free Chlorine (DPD), Combined/Total Chlorine (DPD), Calcium Hardness, and Total Bromine (DPD). Dip an eXact Strip Micro into the sample for ten seconds, with a back-and-forth motion, discard the strip and gain instant results.

www.itseurope.co.uk

Step ahead

Cover protection

Proven technologies in the marine industry are providing extra protection for hot tub vinyl covers with the Vinyl Restorer and Protector from Lo-Chlor. With just a simple application, your vinyl covers will gain water repellent benefits and fading protection from UV rays for up to 30 days after application.

www.lo-chlor.co.uk

Chiller thriller

Chills will be multiplying when you thrill your hot tub holiday guests with cool refreshments from this Homebird Entertaining Cooler Table. The cool features include a ‘chopping board’ lid for restaurant-style table service and dedicated ‘Champagne tray’ to eliminate glasses being knocked into the hot tub or having to raid the lodge fridge for refreshment refills. Simply add ice to the insulated cooler table basin and it will chill drinks perfectly for 16 hours, which should be long enough for any extended hot tub ‘happy hours’.

www.outsidegang.com

❝

Your vinyl covers will gain water repellent benefits and fading protection from UV rays for up to 30 days after application.❞

Bowl-ed over

Solus is turning up the heat after a decade of success with the 2022 launch of its high output burner for the Solus Hemi 36 and Solus Hemi 48 fire bowls, which delivers an impressive 31kw of heat output. The 36 is the flagship and the first fire pit Solus ever produced and has now evolved with the higher level of heat for your hot tub holiday guests to be bowled over with. There are 12 Solus High Performance Colours to help your choice blend into the surroundings for a stunning attraction either on or off.

www.solusdecor.co.uk

Cordless companion

When you want to prepare your hot tub for your next holiday arrivals, the Elek Spa 50 from AquaJack Cleaners is an ideal cleaning companion. The very light design and battery operation provides you with effortless cordless cleaning to eliminate dust and small debris and the telescopic pole ensures you can reach deep into the hot tub to ensure your holiday guests are impressed with your spotless hot tub.

www.aquajackcleaners.com

Data delivery

Measurement results from your hot tub water testing can be transmitted with the Bluetooth capability interface of the Lovibond Photometer MD110. This ensures that all data can be evaluated and assigned directly on site. A free AquaLX app is compatible with IOS and Android-based smartphones and tablets for uncomplicated data transmission. It maps all measured values as an illustrative graphic and supports the export of the data as an Excel compatible CSV file. Features also include scroll memory and automatic switch-off functionality.

www.lovibond.com

Cost-saving results

Keep cool when electricity bills arrive by reducing hot tub running costs with advanced DuraTech DuraPro Air Source Heat Pump technology that utilises cutting-edge inverter-driven air source heat pump functionality for rapid water heating without driving up your electricity use. It is available through a nationwide network of hot tub dealers supplied by Golden Coast and has become a big hit in the hot tub holiday sector. If you want to achieve eco-friendly savings by adopting this technology, then remember to ensure your chosen HSG282 compliant hot tub has factory-ready compatibility or retrofit capability without voiding its warranty.

www.goldenc.co.uk

Trade News

Hard work rewarded

Parkdean Resorts has rewarded examples of hard work by promoting long-serving member of staff Karen Gibson to Head of Accommodation.

Having worked in the role of Regional Accommodation Support for two-and-ahalf years, supporting Parkdean’s parks with all aspects of the accommodation operation, Karen’s hard work has seen her rise through the ranks to now lead the department on a national level.

Karen has worked at Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s leading holiday park operator with 66 parks across the UK, since 2003, starting out as a seasonal bar team member, before progressing through various roles at different parks, including Complex Manager, Holiday Sales Manager, Park Services and General Manager. Her new role will see her focus on driving standards across parks to improve the guest experience, building and delivering training, and supporting refurbishment planning.

“I’m thrilled to still be with the business after all this time and am very grateful for all the brilliant opportunities I’ve had,” said Karen.

www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk

Service reward voucher

A remarkable 45 years of service in the holiday park sector has been rewarded with a voucher for £4,500 from Parkdean Resorts

Having joined the industry as a cashier at the age of 18,

Dave Brown worked in customer services, accounts and operations management at various holiday parks, before becoming General Manager at Sundrum Castle Holiday Park in 1998. He has trained many young people over the years, including his own daughters, Lynsey and Nicola, who also work at the park as Owner and Guest Experience Manager, and Complex Manager, respectively.

To celebrate Dave’s landmark and to thank him for his service, Parkdean Resorts Operations Director Barrie Robinson surprised Dave at his home, presenting him with the voucher for £4,500, as well as a certificate, and a bottle of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

“To have the career I’ve had is testament to the opportunities that exist in the hospitality sector,” said Dave. “I never get tired of training and developing young talent and I get a real thrill seeing them develop.”

www.parkdeanresorts.co.uk

Hot staycation renovations

Away Resorts has been rolling out extensive renovations to provide guests with bigger and better staycations thanks to an £18million investment plan that includes additions of hot tubs.

The holiday park operator, which has the Knightwood hot tub accommodation at its New Forest location, has spent a record sum upgrading facilities at many of its parks, as well as new ones. A newly-revamped park in Lincolnshire that was previously known as Boston West has had a £3.5million investment and has now been renamed as Appletree Holiday Park in honour of Sir Isaac Newton who was inspired to formulate his theory of gravity by a falling apple from a tree that now sits in Woodthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire.

The multi-million-pound investment comes after a record number of guests were welcomed to the company’s parks during a bumper 2021 and oversaw two major acquisitions of Coppergreen Leisure Resorts and Aria Resorts

“Our guests are our number one priority, so we are ploughing funds into creating brilliant accommodation, including hot tubs and accessible homes,” said Away Resorts CEO Carl Castledine.

www.awayresorts.co.uk

Stake in Forest Holidays

Independent holiday cottage rental agency Sykes Holiday Cottages is taking advantage of the staycation boom by acquiring a controlling stake in hot tub holiday specialist Forest Holidays

The UK’s leading owner and operator of environmentally sensitive cabins agreed to the move to accelerate its ambition to become a leading UK-focused holiday group with a diverse range of unique rental accommodation.

Sykes, whose platform provides access to over 22,500 holiday homes, is the UK’s fastest-growing holiday cottage rental agency and is backed by Vitruvian Partners. The two businesses will now be run independently by their existing leadership teams under a newly-formed parent company.

“The benefits we bring to physical and mental well-being are more important than ever and in Sykes we have found a partner who shares this ethos,” revealed Forest Holidays CEO Bruce McKendrick.

Sykes Cottages CEO Graham Donoghue added: “Forest Holidays is the perfect complement to our existing holiday cottage rental business. We’ve been impressed by what Bruce McKendrick and his team have achieved and are excited by our common purpose.”

www.forestholidays.co.uk

Increased festive demand

Partnership & product boost

Wellis UK has secured a new partnership with Sykes Holiday Cottages after ramping up its production and warehousing capacity to gain a stronger presence in the hot tub holiday market.

The partnership follows successful relationships with Hoseasons and Forest Holidays and the launch by Hungarybased Wellis of new energy-efficient products and innovations, including the latest HSG282 compliant hot tubs for 2023 with an eco-neutral spa shell and Poli-Max Reinforcement to lock in heat and significantly lower running costs.

An increase in last-minute bookings and the rise of demand for accommodation over the 2022 Christmas and New Year period has been highlighted in the Sykes Staycation Index

The 2022 Sykes Staycation Index revealed that bookings for the festive time have risen by 15 per cent compared to the same period in 2021 and the top five most popular regions for family bookings over Christmas 2022 are Cumbria & The Lake District, North Wales, North York Moors, Peak District, and Yorkshire Dales.

The report has highlighted that 50 per cent of the nation planned to go on fewer holidays in 2022 than normal due to the pressure on household budgets, with the main UK break budgets reduced by £119 to an average £822, while overseas travel disruption has produced an increase in last-minute bookings.

Sykes Holiday Cottages CEO Graham Donoghue said: “With widespread reports of overseas travel disruption, we have witnessed a surge in last-minute bookings. Plus, an increased pressure on household budgets is leading to many turning to staycations as the better value option.”

www.sykescottages.co.uk

Record result for RNLI

Haven has raised a massive £200,000 in the past year for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to smash its target total by a huge margin.

During 2022 Haven set out to raise £125,000 for the RNLI, which was exceeded by £75,000. It has broken Haven’s own record for the largest sum raised for the RNLI since the partnership began five years ago.

Haven and the RNLI have now commemorated five caravans at five different parks in honour of the incredible crew and lifesaving lifeboats from local RNLI stations. It follows on from a donation of £10,565 to the RNLI in the summer.

The donation presentation was conducted on behalf of Haven by Holiday Home Advisor at Greenacres Holiday Park Anton Hook. As well as working in the Haven team and part of the Part Exchange program, Anton is also a RNLI crew member at his local Pwllheli Lifeboat Station in Wales.

“I know first-hand from being both a Haven team member and RNLI volunteer just how important these funds are,” said Anton.

www.haven.com

An expanded WhatSpa? Holiday Park Best Buy Award winning HSG282 compliant Holiday Let Spa Collection now includes the 13amp Sevilla Plug and Play model designed with exceptional durability and easy-to-use functionality from tamper-proof controls. The Wellis WIS Smart Water Analyser, meanwhile, now performs complete analysis, including temperature, pH, disinfection, capacity, alkalinity and water conductivity with wireless WiFI support and results tracking via a free W.I.S mobile app.

“Our partnership with Sykes Holiday Cottages will help us to increase the awareness of our latest energy-efficient products and innovations for hot tub holiday companies to achieve HSG282 compliance,” said Wellis UK Managing Director David Baker.

www.wellis.co.uk

GreEN Standard benefits

Holiday homes market leader Willerby has introduced a ground-breaking standard specification for its models to cut their carbon emissions with the benefit of being more energy-efficient and cheaper to run.

Willerby is the first UK holiday homes manufacturer to introduce any kind of sustainability standard and the only one to offer a green build specification across the board. The company’s new GreEN Standard will apply to all static caravans manufactured from October 2022 and will be adopted in the design and production of all future new models.

The change is the most significant innovation in the holiday homes industry since the introduction of double glazing and central heating. This is a key part of Willerby’s drive to put sustainability firmly at the heart of all its design processes and will reduce the energy consumption of Willerby’s holiday homes by up to 28 per cent, compared to models built to the previous specification.

“Our new GreEN Standard is a hugely significant development in our ongoing commitment to tackling the climate crisis,” said Willerby CEO Peter Munk.

www.willerby.com

Double duty for Adam

Golden Coast Sales Director

Adam Clark is taking on the role as General Manager for the two companies of PPG UK & Ireland and Golden Coast following the retirement of David Sargentson.

PPG UK & Ireland General Manager

David announced his retirement after the acquisition of Golden Coast by Pollet Pool Group (PPG). After helping Golden Coast to achieve success as Sales Director and promoting products to the hot tub holiday market in recent years, Adam Clark will now have double General Manager duties as part of new joint operations from Barnstaple and Newbury.

“I want to take this opportunity to wish Adam all the very best in his new role and the whole team every success,” said David Sargentson.

“I am a firm believer that this will be the coming together of two strong companies which will only enhance the offering to our customers in the wet leisure industry. I look forward to seeing their progress and am very confident in a strong future of the two companies under the Pollet Pool Group.”

www.goldenc.com www.polletpoolgroup.com

International sales appointment

Holiday hot tub manufacturing specialist Marquis has announced the appointment of Tom Kneeshaw as its new Director of International Sales. With over 32 years of spa industry experience, including a long stint with Viking Spas, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge to Marquis’ international sales efforts. For the past 17 years, he has worked directly with international customers serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for Viking Spas.

The appointment follows the retirement of Steve Hasenmueller who, after 30 years with the Oregon-based manufacturer, has bowed out with Marquis seeking to build on its international reputation after being acquired by middle-market private investment firm Monomoy Capital Partners

During the past decade Steve has been instrumental in assisting Marquis to increase its international presence and the success of WhatSpa? Best Buy Award-winning models including those specifically designed with HSG282 compliance for the hot tub holiday market.

www.marquisspas.com

Link with holiday leader

1Stop Spas will be continuing its wave of success in the hot tub holiday market in 2023 as exclusive distributor for Tuff Spas after celebrating a new partnership with Hoseasons

Following sales success during the past two years as UK distributor for the rugged and environmentally-friendly Tuff Spas brand, 1 Stop Spas chief Chris Brady, who also runs 1 Stop Spas Trade and SpaTech Training, believes the partnership will help to provide top quality HSG282 compliant products to hot tub holiday businesses promoted by Hoseasons.

The 1 Stop Spas team are already ‘Preferred Suppliers of Hot Tubs, Swim spas & Hot Tub Training Services’ to Cottages.com and will be promoting this relationship and the new partnership with Hoseasons at SPATEX 2023 with products and specialist advice to property owners seeking to launch or develop hot tub holiday businesses.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for our products and services in the hot tub holiday market and we’re delighted to be heading into the New Year as a partner with Hoseasons,” said Chris.

www.1stopspas.com

Family values celebrated

Shorefield celebrated Family Business Week in November after being awarded a Silver Accreditation in the newly-launched New Forest Green Leaf Tourism Business Scheme which celebrates local businesses putting the planet first.

From the very beginning the ethos has been centred around families, when the late Dr Robert Pollock was unable to find a touring pitch for the family’s annual holiday, he purchased a small caravan park next to a worked-out gravel pit at Milford on Sea, and the company was born.

Dr Pollock’s children, Lesley, now Marketing Director, Sara, Finance Director, and Simon, current Chairman and Managing Director, joined the business in the 1970s. The family-run company has since grown and now has eight parks within Hampshire and Dorset in its portfolio, with hot tubs as part of the accommodation package.

A third generation of the family is now also involved in the business, with Lesley’s son Robert working as Customer Experience Manager for the company.

“Hard work, trust, honesty and innovation has been key to our success,” said Shorefield Marketing Director Lesley Lawrence.

www.shorefield.co.uk

Welsh Hot Tubs Celebrates 25 years

Award-winning dealership Welsh Hot Tubs is proudly celebrating 25 years in the business. As a long-time partner and supplier of Marquis Spas and American Whirlpool, the company has expanded to employ a team of nine, including technicians, sales and support staff, and has increased its holiday park offering to include energy-saving technology such as air source heat pumps and heat exchangers.

“Energy is on everyone’s mind at the moment, which is why we’ve found ways to support our customers, especially holiday lets that may be running multiple tubs,” explained Managing Director Steve Baxter, who founded the Aberystwyth-based company.

The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary with winter deals of free delivery, commissioning and accessory packs on every new hot tub purchase, and holiday park operators aiming to gain cost-saving benefits can also take advantage from free fitting of air source heat pumps when purchased with a hot tub, as part of the anniversary deals.

www.welshhottubs.co.uk

Cabin furniture donations

‘Gr-eight’ start for 2023

RoyaleGroup are expanding their presence in the holiday park market in 2023 after acquiring multiple holiday park sites as part of a major deal with The Haulfryn Group

The undisclosed deal by the owners of RoyaleResorts, which has recently introduced hot tubs to its Oathill resort in Somerset, involves eight UK holiday parks, including two North Wales sites Gimblet Rock in Pwllheli and Aberafon in Nefyn. Other parks acquired by RoyaleGroup are Finlake Resort & Spa, Holmans Wood, and Dartmoor View, which are located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park; plus Devon Hills near Paignton; Brokerswood near Longleat; and Praa Sands, close to Penzance in Cornwall.

Haulfryn Ltd, which is separate to the Haulfryn Group, will retain some sites. These include its flagship site, The Warren Resort & Spa at Abersoch, Tal Y fan at Llanbedrog, and Crugan, between Pwllheli and Llanbedrog.

“The acquisition of these parks from The Haulfryn Group is a perfect fit as we continue to grow the RoyaleResorts brand,” said RoyaleGroup’s Chief Operating Officer Jason Williams.

www.royaleresorts.co.uk www.haulfrynholidays.co.uk

Booked into new showroom

Heavenly Hot Tubs has booked into new showroom premises to expand its presence in the flourishing hot tub holiday market by showcasing a wider range of products to help accommodation businesses boost their bookings.

Along with HSG282 compliant Holiday Park range of hot tub options, including models from the WhatSpa? Holiday Park Best Buy Award-winning Vortex Spas range, the WhatSpa? Approved dealership is also promoting energy-efficient air source heat pumps for cost-cutting hot tub water heating and has recently introduced Luna Saunas to its outdoor living products.

Forest Holidays has provided a major boost of over £32,000 for the British Heart Foundation after donating cabin furniture that has been used by hot tub holiday guests.

After the flourishing hot tub holiday specialist gave a makeover to its cabins across all locations, some of the preloved sofas, mattresses and dining chairs were donated and then sold in British Heart Foundation shops all over the country.

“We are hugely grateful to Forest Holidays for these fantastic donations, which amount to over £32,000,” said British Heart Foundation Retail Director Allison Swaine-Hughes.

“Donations such as these provide our customers with great value, quality items for their homes while helping the BHF continue our vital work to support those living with heart and circulatory diseases.”

www.forestholidays.co.uk

The Dusty Grey Luna Saunas have been designed with smooth curves and large windows as part of its marine plywood frame construction, with walls and roof made from spruce wood, and are combined with a Harvia Cilindro PC90XE 9kw Heater. It has boosted the expanding range, which includes rustic Barrel Saunas.

hot tub

market with hot tubs

fit for

reported Jon Mulligan from Heavenly Hot Tubs.

www.heavenlyhottubs.co.uk

“We only promote top quality products from respected manufacturers because we’ve seen a lot of problems in the

holiday

that are not

purpose,”

YOUR BOOKINGS

It is statistically proven that the best way to guarantee high levels of advanced bookings at premium rates is by providing hot tub holiday accommodation in the ‘staycation’ market. Andy Slater investigates the latest marketing trends to make the most of your hot tub investment.

Hot tubs are now firmly established as a bookings booster in the holiday park and accommodation rental market. Business owners who invested wisely in top quality hot tubs have reaped success from the ‘staycation’ boom during the COVID-19 pandemic and this has resulted in a bumper crop of repeat bookings for 2023. No single product has had such an impact as a hot tub on the holiday market after becoming a ‘must have’ hot ticket for generating bookings success.

Foreign holidays were beset with overzealous pre-bookings and late cancellation problems during 2022 after a surge in demand following back-to-back years of COVID-19 lockdown measures and travel restrictions across Europe and the rest of the World.

Now as the UK pound fluctuates and the cost-of-living crisis takes hold and squeezes budgets, big ticket overseas family holidays may be put on hold in favour of a local hot tub holiday destination with the prospect of a soothing mental and physical wellness hydrotherapy soak on arrival.

Not surprisingly, after demand for hot tubs in the residential hot tub market enjoyed two successive years of record-breaking sales, a growing number of ‘staycation’ holidaymakers are now seeking out the same luxury facilities that they enjoy at home when they go away, so hot tub facilities are at the forefront of their booking shopping list. Even those without a hot tub at home are being lured by the prospect of extravagant hydrotherapy indulgence as part of a short stay as a couple or in a group of family and friends.

Installing great hot tubs is just the starting point though, unless you match your fabulous new facilities with a marketing strategy to match, you run the risk of not maximising your return on investment for many seasons ahead. So, if you are looking for fresh ‘in-spa-ration’ to stand out from the crowd, get ahead of the competition and boost your bookings for 2023 and 2024, our Editor Andy Slater sets out his top tips below.

Eco-friendly

With a growing emphasis on energysaving measures exacerbated by the huge energy price hikes in 2022, it is vital that you get your ‘house in order’, both from a cost-saving point of view but also as part of an environmentally-friendly sales and marketing message.

Whilst cheap hot tubs with little or no insulation can have high running costs and resulting carbon footprint, quality alternatives from good quality manufacturers are extremely energyefficient and heating costs are a mere fraction of the most inefficient models. So choose HSG 282-compliant models that also boast great quality insulation.

Implementing additional energy-saving hot tub technology such as air source heat pumps along with recycling of waste water from hot tub drain downs will help to set apart UK holiday park and cottage operators from the huge CO2 emissions of long and even short haul flights to overseas holiday destinations.

❝Get ahead of the competition and boost your bookings for 2023.

Selling the sizzle

While the cost-of-living crisis is biting into your prospective customer’s budgets you need to be selling the sizzle to capture bookings from the top-ranking online searches for hot tub holidays.

Therefore, if your website and photography has not been updated for several years and is not up to scratch then it is critical for your business that you update to promote the very best of your hot tub accommodation facilities and other services you have to offer.

Lifestyle photography and video content is vital to people visualising themselves at your accommodation.

YouTube is the second biggest search engine in the World, so host your new videos on your own YouTube channel and share them far and wide via your social media pages as you publish them.

Getting potential guests that are browsing the Internet for their next holiday quickly onto your own ‘turf’ and away from the distractions of being enticed by competitors is a top priority, so your website needs to look great but also contain all of the photography, videos, information, reviews and testimonials to give visitors the confidence to make a

booking there and then. Don’t forget to include any prestigious trade awards and celebrity endorsements should you be lucky enough to have one or both.

Social proof

The power of social proof via reviews and testimonials has never been greater as consumers put so much faith in the ratings of their peers rather than just relying on the word of vendors. Independent review platforms such as Trustpilot, Feefo and Reviews.co.uk cannot be manipulated and allow your star rating and latest reviews to be published via a real-time feed straight to your website. This also gives you an incentive to stay in touch with your guests after their stay to elicit that vital positive review.

Hot tub holidays have become the top preference during the staycation boom and so by taking these positive steps to ensure your guests can be reassured by the positive experiences of their peers is of utmost important psychologically.

Star power

Multi-talented actress, media star and co-host of Heart FM Amanda Holden has turned up the publicity heat for

hot tubs and put them in the national media spotlight. Now, like many families on hot tub holidays, Amanda has joined the growing water wellness trend that is helping with multiple health benefits. ➧

Amanda Holden

IG: @noholdenback

Makeup artist: Christian Vermaak © Amanda Holden / Marquis Hot Tubs Oxfordshire

Amanda, has revealed that her record producer husband Chris Hughes and their girls, Lexi and Hollie, have gained enormous enjoyment from their Marquis hot tub that was acquired from WhatSpa? Professional dealership Hot Tubs Oxfordshire. One of the key benefits for Amanda has been enhanced family time during pandemic lockdowns at home.

“We love our hot tub,” enthuses Amanda, who is best known for being one of the star judges on ITV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’; “We’ve had such a laugh in it as a family.”

If you have connections to a TV or radio personality or a famous sportsperson, why not leverage this in your consumer marketing and social media messaging. By using this ‘star power’ influence, you can improve awareness and recognition for your company, and show your new and existing customers the reality and human side of staying at your holiday accommodation.

Depending on your budget, your star power campaign might include customers, employees in your company, and celebrities who are willing to advocate for your brand. The important thing to consider is that brand ambassador selection must be authentic; there is nothing worse than seeing adverts with ambassadors that would clearly never use the product or service that they are advocating.

There are now a host of high profile travel vloggers with huge social media followings that will happily exchange an accommodation review for a luxury complementary stay at your accommodation, especially as international travel is more expensive, so find them on YouTube and reach out to them via YouTube chat or via their social media profile pages.

Online bookings

Along with the star power of celebrity endorsements for hot tubs to boost their hot tub holiday accommodation bookings, holiday parks have also harnessed the flexible benefits of online booking systems built into their own websites. Consumers are now shopping 24/7 and this instant gratification behaviour even extends to the convenience of self-service holiday bookings.

Alex Gibson, who is a hot tub holiday specialist and the director of social media management and automation services company SocialCru, believes an online

“Even if your reception is closed, it is important to be able to take bookings from people who want to book their holiday quickly,” recommends Alex.

“If someone comes home late from work and wants to cheer themselves up by booking a holiday then you have to be able to take their booking online. Otherwise they may just simply move on to another website that has an online booking facility.”

Automated convenience

Rather than relying completely on the booking software of third party booking operators, if you haven’t done it already, implement your own online booking system on your website so that guests can check availability and reserve their holiday slot. Your bookings can automatically sync with your booking calendar using Google Calendar and Apple’s iCal so that you (and your guests) can see in real-time where you have future availability.

After UK demand for staycation accommodation outstripped supply in 2022, it has become evident that the capability to secure a fast and easy booking has become critical, so why not make it an easy and convenient process?

Social success

Once your website is up to date and running on all cylinders, it’s now time

Photo © TAYA Media

Photo © Three Counties Pools and Spas

to do some marketing. There’s no point having an oasis in the middle of the desert if nobody is seeing or enjoying it; company websites are much the same!

Get your accommodation listed on Google My Business and unleash the huge power of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get your message out there with regular content updates and customer testimonials. When you make new investment upgrades to your park, site or holiday cottages, shout them from the rooftops to your loyal followers.

Image-based platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer excellent ways to showcase your accommodation but it is vital that you encourage all your guests

to follow your business on your social media pages. So why not release all your latest news and offers via your social pages to lure your followers back to your website to make that all-important next booking. Also highlight local events on your website and social platforms to lure in visitors who may wish to book multinight accommodation, rather than travel home after a full day visiting the event or local attractions.

It is also important to evaluate your messaging. Is it uplifting and inspiring? After the pandemic ripped apart social networks and enforced home isolation, holidaymakers yearned for that social connection with close family and friends. This resulted in a huge spike in group bookings for hot tub holiday accommodation. That is why it is important to ensure your imagery and language reflects this in an uplifting way and positively denotes groups of friends and families enjoying their stay at your venue. This is especially important when it comes to photography and video around the hot tub, outdoor leisure areas and communal indoor rooms. The impact of professional photography and videography can make an instant impact to capture new online bookings.

Paid programmes

Bookings may have been coming in thick and fast immediately after the pandemic restrictions were lifted, but now you may have to consider paying to optimise your online presence.

You should always be optimising your website for local search terms, but also utilise paid advertising campaigns via the laser-like search algorithms offered by Google, Bing, Facebook, and even LinkedIn ➧

Top 10 Tips to BOOST YOUR BOOKINGS in 2023

Besides extolling the many joys of your holiday accommodation features, it is vital in 2023 that your online presence, procedures and booking content is first class. This then provides peace of mind for your prospective clients to generate bookings. Follow these top tips for success:

■ Implement a robust online booking system on your website.

■ Take great photography of all your facilities, but especially your hot tub and outdoor leisure facilities, and use it on your website and social media pages and posts.

■ Ask your guests for reviews and testimonials and publish them on your website and social media feeds.

■ Ensure that your company social media feeds are regularly updated with news, testimonials and engaging and uplifting content.

■ Encourage and incentivise future and previous clients to follow your social media pages.

■ Always optimise your website for local search terms, and when bookings are running low consider paying to optimise your online presence.

■ Promote local events, especially those that are being organised during school holidays or at a time when your bookings are traditionally not at peak levels.

■ Ensure that you adhere completely to HSG 282 hot tub guidelines to ensure safe and crystal clear fresh water for every set of new guest arrivals.

■ Publicise your HSG 282 hot tub compliance credentials and the brand of hot tub in your accommodation, especially if it is a luxury brand.

■ Focus on the benefits of family and group bookings, along with ease of close to home convenient travel when holidaying at your UK accommodation; compared to overseas travel including rising costs and unfavourable exchange rates, crowded airports, aeroplanes, transfers, and even difficulties of returning home quickly if necessary.

Don’t neglect traditional forms of promotion such as generating newsworthy public relations (PR) stories and distributing them to local and even national newspapers and magazines. A blog on your website provides the perfect home for these articles and can generate some fabulous backlinks that will enhance your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts, which can bring in valuable ‘free traffic’ to boost bookings even further.

Media contact databases are available via specialist platforms such as Cision and Gorkana so that you can target specialist travel writers and publications, and many local PR agencies have paid access to these platforms.

Knowledge is power

Before you go on the hunt for new clients or wait for fresh bookings from third party booking operators, first look

to ‘mine the gold’ that is already within your business. Delighted or even satisfied past guests are much more likely to commit to a repeat booking to rekindle the fond memories of their previous stay with you, but only if you get your accommodation top of mind and remind them that they are valued customers to you and your business.

Where in your company does most of the knowledge and information about your past guests reside? If it is in your head (or bits of it are in the head of each of your colleagues), written on scraps of paper, on an excel spreadsheet, in a filing cabinet, filed in your email inbox or similar, raise your hand now!

All of the past and present guest information is going to need a robust ‘home’ if you are to leverage lifetime customer value over the coming years, especially now that GDPR data protection regulations have been in place since May 2018. If your past guest data is scattered around a variety of places such as paper files, Excel spreadsheets, offline databases and accounting software, now is the time to implement a CRM (customer relationship management) system such as Hubspot, ActiveCampaign or Zoho ❚

Photo © Villeroy & Boch

Natalie Pickering

We didn’t intend to be running holiday accommodation five years ago with myself being a secondary school science teacher and my husband being a builder, but since we decided to give it a try, we have grown at a tremendous rate and it has been a crazy, but very enjoyable experience so far.

In those five years, not only have we opened 24 luxury holiday homes, but we have had three children too! My husband, Tom, has been more responsible for the construction side, whilst I have been more responsible for the day-to-day running of the barns. The hot tubs and swim spas have been hugely popular and have helped to boost our bookings with very high levels of returning guests.

Both the hot tubs and swim spas have been popular with our guests and we feel they attract different groups, which is an important consideration when planning to install a hot tub or swim spa. The hot tubs are great for couples and small families, but the swim spas tend to cater more for larger gatherings of family and friends.

We find that guests who have enjoyed the hot tubs and swim spas as part of their summer holiday breaks want to come back and sample the benefits of using them during the colder months before relaxing in the evening next to the log burners, to give them a different holiday experience.

Whilst the hot tubs and swim spas are definitely an asset to any holiday accommodation, it is important to provide top quality accommodation to ensure the stay is a complete luxury experience. We work extremely hard to maintain our luxury accommodation, including the hot tubs and swim spas to ensure that our guests are delighted with their stay and wish to return. We have been fortunate to be able to expand from just a few barns in the beginning to launching more barns this year, with us now providing 24 accommodation options with either a hot tub or swim spa in each one.

We have been extremely busy during the past couple of years, but this rollercoaster journey has taught us the value of family life, which is very important to us, after seeing so many families enjoy our accommodation on their holidays. It seems that people have been sacrificing their holidays abroad to spend more time at locations closer to home without the stress that accompanies holidaying abroad at the moment. They want to be able to travel easily to a destination

where they can relax together and also meet up with other groups of their family and friends. I believe this element of the staycation trend will continue.

Thankfully, we have made such a positive impact with our wonderful guests that they keep coming back to us! We get a very high percentage of repeat bookings, and have returning guests booking for 2023, 2024 and 2025 because they want to plan ahead for their next holidays with us.

We update our social media to showcase our accommodation and keep our followers updated with what is going on as well as to highlight any accommodation availability due to cancellations, as well as promotions and special offers. We also take time to promote any local events in our area, so that our guests can plan their stay in advance and take advantage of what Lincoln has to offer. We love to welcome our guests and look forward to welcoming back guests that have visited before as well as new guests in the future.

www.ashlinfarmbarns.co.uk

Ashlin Farm Barns owner, Natalie Pickering, is highlighting the benefits of providing top quality accommodation combined with hot tubs or swim spas.

❝The hot tubs and swim spas have been hugely popular and have helped to boost our bookings with very high levels of returning guests.❞

David Baker

Wellis has experienced growth for successive years in the British domestic market and Wellis UK now has over 40 exclusive dealerships. We are also flourishing in the hot tub holiday market and our aim is to continue to evolve with our latest 2023 products and expand in this sector.

We will be building on our partnership success with leading hot tub holiday companies, such as Forest Holidays, with a new partnership agreement with Sykes and Hoseasons This will help us to highlight our exceptional European manufacturing standards and top quality product strengths to an even bigger audience.

Successful hot tub holiday specialist companies are now conducting the appropriate research and building partnerships with reputable hot tub brands to ensure greater return on investment during the tough economic times ahead. This is certainly not the time to be trying to save money, though, by seeking out cheap products to take advantage of the demand for hot tub holidays.

Hot tub and swim spa dealers have been extremely busy in the past couple of years, and many poor quality hot tubs have been purchased due to demand outstretching supply with people spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It may have been the case that consumers wanting a quick hot tub solution have only purchased from available stock without conducting any research and being unwilling to wait for a top quality hot tub.

Consumers and hot tub holiday businesses that have taken this route in previous years will not have been faced by sky-high energy bills. These much higher costs will now be highlighting the consequences of negligent research when it comes to hot tub energy-efficiency and appropriate insulation. A lot of cheap and poor quality hot tubs will no longer be viable or attractive in this current market as they provide very little, if any, return on investment potential. One of the problems with poorly manufactured hot tubs is the fact that they have very little heat loss prevention capability, due to the inefficient or very low levels of insulation to cope with all the changing temperatures of our UK climate.

There are enough options in the current market to choose from to gain good return on investment, but you will have to make the effort to conduct research on the brands that are achieving success with other hot tub holiday businesses. Wellis, for example, is committed to top quality eco-friendly manufacturing and so, ahead of 2023, we have launched new unique designs that are exceptionally energy-efficient.

If you are new to this market, or are aiming to upgrade your hot tubs, then it is very important to conduct as much research as possible and make sure that you only ever purchase top quality hot tubs with HSG 282 compatibility for your cottage or holiday park accommodation. Your decision can have a big impact on the profitability and reputation of your hot tub holiday business, so it should never be taken lightly. You can’t afford to gamble with your hot tub purchasing. If you are in any doubt then walk away and seek a far better alternative.

Thankfully, we are finding that the demand for cheaper and poor quality products is falling off rapidly. Seeking out top brands with high quality products is now, combined with professional dealer support, becoming the only route to take to avoid your reputation and profits sinking down the drain.

Cutting corners may reduce your initial investment but there may be a cost to pay in the future when your higher energy bills arrive or, much worse, your bookings fall off because of bad hot tub reviews. Only hot tubs that provide reliability and energy-efficiency will enhance your reputation and ensure your business continues to grow in this competitive market. ➧

www.wellis.co.uk

Wellis UK Managing Director David Baker

is advocating top quality purchasing for hot tub holiday businesses to prevent profits and reputations

sinking quickly down the drain.

Martyn Winstone

Hot tubs, as we know, have become the ‘must have’ product for holiday accommodation businesses to gain high levels of advanced bookings throughout every month of the year. Rapidly rising energy prices, though, should not deter you from investing in your first hot tub or replacement models. Instead you should be investing wisely in products with the best quality and specification. Master Spas manufacture some of the most thermally efficient hot tubs in the world and they are thermally tested to pass, or exceed, the standards set by the CEC – Californian Energy Commission.

You will then gain an immediate advantage over businesses hit by problems of purchasing badly designed and poorly insulated hot tubs during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was record demand from consumers and holiday accommodation businesses during the pandemic and this forced many desperate consumers to purchase unsuitable products for their requirements.

When demand is outstripping supply that can be expected, but unfortunately there will now be a lot of domestic and business owners who will be regretting their hasty decisions to gain a hot tub at all costs without the appropriate research or willingness to wait for the most suitable option. It is now more important than ever to purchase a reputable top quality

hot tub, rather than risk the consequences of a poorly manufactured model with insufficient insulation that can lead to higher operating costs, throughout the year and especially in the colder winter months. These hot tubs are never going to guarantee a good return on investment.

As well as very high running costs, compared to an energy-efficiency hot tub, there is very likely going to be the possibility of breakdowns within a short period of time. Without any appropriate spare parts available to conduct repairs effectively and get the hot tub up and running for customer use, your business will start to lose money and customer credibility. As well as immediately having to refund customers who are due to arrive while the hot tub is out of action there is also going to be the danger of losing new customers who may see negative feedback from online reviews.

Throughout the pandemic Master Spas continued its strategy of increasing production to meet the high demand for both hot tubs and swim spas. This has resulted in the capability to provide assurance of delivery dates for our dealers and customers. We also previously held our prices close to the 2021 RRP figures to ensure that our customers could gain a top quality product without having to pay much higher prices in 2022.

Despite all of our efforts, though, and those of other leading hot tub manufacturers, there will still be

consumers who will seek out cheaper alternatives because they think that they can save themselves money and gain a hot tub ‘bargain’ for their business. If you are new to the market, or are seeking to purchase additional hot tubs for your business then I would strongly advise you to conduct as much research as possible, making sure your product conforms to HSG282. Then only ever make a purchase when you can be assured that it will provide your business with a guaranteed return on investment.

You will easily recover the initial cost of a hot tub that has been produced to strict energy-efficient guidelines and designed to last for many years . During the lifetime of the product you should achieve many years of satisfaction and positive feedback from all of your customers. You should also benefit with many years of savings from the reduced running costs, because of their energy-efficient designs and high levels of insulation.

That is why it is so vital to purchase a hot tub from a reputable dealership. You will then receive professional product knowledge and guidance, plus the peace of mind purchasing with professional after care support, manufacturing warranties, and the dealership’s own guarantees to ensure that if any problems do occur then they are going to be quickly rectified to prevent your business losing revenue.

www.masterspas.co.uk

Master Spas National Sales Manager Martyn Winstone is advising holiday companies to seek out the best brands and dealerships with respected energy-efficient hot tubs that will ensure a guaranteed return on investment.

Gareth Rowland

Holivans won the 2022 Destination Lincolnshire ‘Holiday Park of the Year’, and our award-winning family-run caravan park is using vast experience in this market to ensure our customers are happy during their stay. Holivans also believe it is particularly important to act positively on customer feedback. It should be obvious that people want to enjoy themselves while they are on holiday and if you don’t give them the highest levels of customer service and top-quality accommodation then you face the danger that they will never want to return.

Therefore, it is important to get to know your customers and find out their preferences. If something is not working and you are getting negative comments, then try to amend it as quickly as possible. I walk round the park at least once a week gaining valuable feedback from speaking with our customers. Sometimes we can implement suggestions immediately and other preferences may take a bit longer to introduce, but then when you do your customers realise you value their views.

As we know, holiday parks have been experiencing the benefits from a staycation boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this could all change with the cost-of-living crisis. Those businesses that neglect their customers by providing poor service and poor

quality accommodation are certainly going to struggle in the year ahead. It is important to protect your reputation in your local geographical area at all costs, because once it is lost then you will struggle to get it back.

Holivans worked out that we had 6.5million people living within twoand-a-half hours from our caravan park and that is a lot of potential customers. So we want to be attractive to this audience, as well as maintaining high levels of repeat bookings from existing customers.

While your customers are feeling positive about their holiday stay you should encourage them to book again by highlighting your current re-booking deals for the next year before prices go up. Thankfully, as we have a long history of taking great care of our customers and facilities, we are confident about our prospects for the year ahead.

Our luxury lodges with hot tubs have already received advanced bookings for 2023 and I think people have been making their reservations to gain the benefits of the 2022 pricing structure. It is not just short hot tub breaks that are popular, we are also finding that people are wanting week-long breaks for our hot tub accommodation. People are still wanting to get away and they are seeking holiday accommodation for events to visit outside. Since the pandemic, people feel much safer at

outdoor events and the ones that we’ve attended as volunteers have been busy during the past year.

If there are any events in your local area then it is important to promote them to attract prospective new customers, especially if you have plenty of vacant accommodation options for these dates. For example, we will be looking at running promotions in the run up to the King’s Coronation in May. You must use these national events to help boost your bookings. Using social media and regular posts of your local area attractions helps customers decide what dates they may choose.

Along with generating bookings for 2023, the “Year of the Coast”, a major concern for all holiday parks, and especially those with hot tubs, will be the higher running costs from the rocketing energy bills. Thankfully, we have sourced top quality hot tubs that are HSG282 compliant, and fitted with air source heat pumps. This ensures lower operating costs, much greater efficiency, and shortens heating up time of the hot tub water. To further advance our sustainability we will be recycling our hot tub water and use that to water our gardens. We will be communicating this to our customers and highlighting that Holivans is doing its bit for the environment. ❚

www.holivans.co.uk

Holivans Director and British Holiday and Homes Park Association (BH&HPA) Regional Director Gareth Rowland endorses high levels of customer care and acting on feedback to successfully generate bookings.

SPATEX 2023 PREVIEW

The latest edition of SPATEX will be awash with hot tub holiday solutions and is being proclaimed as the perfect destination to gain face-to-face product knowledge and training advice under one roof.

When it comes to combining holiday park compliant hot tub models and professional training guidance all under one roof then SPATEX 2023 is a ‘must visit’ date for your calendar as it will be delivering on all fronts. Ahead of the wet leisure extravaganza, organisers are proclaiming that the 2023 edition will be awash with hot tubs as part of a strong focus theme on energy-efficiency.

This is due to the fact that a third of exhibitors will be displaying spas and associated products during SPATEX, which will be running from January 31 to

February 2 at the award-winning Coventry Building Society Arena. With a plethora of other health and wellness products on display such as swimming pools, swim spas, saunas and steamrooms, when you visit SPATEX it will become clear why so many businesses from the hot tub holiday sector are now making an annual pilgrimage to this exhibition. It provides visitors with a unique opportunity to see the latest launches from over one hundred domestic and international suppliers and manufacturers, while offering the opportunity to take advantage of professional advice and tuition during three days of seminars and training.

Unique opportunity

If you are new to the hot tub holiday market or require additional products and training support for your existing holiday park or cottage business then SPATEX will provide a unique ‘one stop shop’ single destination opportunity to take advantage of the latest innovative technology for boosting your bookings, ensuring greater customer satisfaction, and improving profitability in the year ahead.

With most of the exhibitor space sold out well before the end of the autumn, SPATEX now provides an unmissable destination for visitors from the hot tub holiday sector to book into. There will be many opportunities for visitors to research new products and professional training services to exploit the benefits from the ‘staycation’ boom of the past two years and ensure future prosperity in this highly competitive sector.

Companies new to SPATEX 2023 include Innovators International, Novellini (UK) Ltd, and Rex Nordic UK who will be joined by 1 Stop Spas Trade and Spatech Training, Aqua Warehouse Group, Aquafinesse (UK), Astralpool UK Ltd, Balboa Water Group, Blue Whale Spa, Certikin Ltd, Darlly Europe, GMT Spas International Ltd, Golden Coast Ltd, HTH-Solenis, ITS Europe, Lo-Chlor Chemicals, Lovibond, Marquis Spas, MSPA UK, My Wellness Engineering, O-Care, Paragon Stainless Products Ltd, Passion Spas, Plastica Ltd, Poolstar, SCP UK Ltd, Spa Parts Vortex, Spa Solutions, Spaflo Ltd, Sunbeach Spas, Suntrap Systems, Superior Wellness, Water Treatment Products, Wellis Hungary Ltd and Wellis Parts

Head start

Coming so soon after the start of the New Year, SPATEX immediately provides a head start for proactive businesses that are seeking to take advantage of being the first to view new product launches.

Visitors will also be able to make savings by cashing in on the special discounts available for a host of products that provide guaranteed efficiency and cost-saving capability.

“SPATEX is the first opportunity to view 2023’s most box-fresh, technologically advanced products, with many companies offering advantageous show discounts to visitors,” divulged SPATEX Organiser Michele Bridle.

Central theme

Sustainability and energy-efficiency is becoming a necessity for hot tub holiday companies and this will be a central theme with the focus on ‘reduce’, ‘reuse’, and ‘recycle’ during SPATEX 2023.

From showcasing the newest innovations to hosting seminars on the latest money-saving recommendations, the 27th edition of the exhibition will be playing its part in helping to reduce energy consumption and bills.

“The global energy crisis affects us all,” said SPATEX Organiser Michele Bridle; “So, as the UK industry’s annual water leisure event, we aim to address this most pressing of issues and make it a forum for discussion and share solutions to alleviate some of the pressures we are all feeling.”

Efficiency benefits

Rather than let your hot tub holiday business profits drain away with poor quality products that are allowing too much heat loss and will send your energy bills to eye-watering levels in 2023, a visit to SPATEX 2023 is the answer.

Holiday parks with multiple hot tubs require new measures to offset the rocketing energy prices that have become a major concern for all businesses and the SPATEX organisers have reacted quickly to help ensure this is now a top focal theme for the whole of the exhibition format.

An overnight stay may be required to gain the most benefit, because once you arrive you will quickly realise that there may be just too much to cram into a single day visit. Your free entry covers all three days of the exhibition, and you can therefore opt for the benefit of multiple days.

That way you can take your time to appreciate the many exhibitors and experts who are specifically preparing to provide you with strategies and products that are set to deliver cutting-edge efficiency for the hot tub holiday market during 2023 and throughout the remaining years of this decade, which is going to be heavily focused on energy efficiency and ecofriendly operational practices. ➧

❝It will become clear why so many businesses from the hot tub holiday sector are now making an annual pilgrimage.❞

Combined focus

On the exhibition stands, and within the three-day training and seminar schedule, there will now be a strong combined focus on operational enhancements with a greater prominence for the latest innovations designed to help hot tub holiday businesses become more sustainable and efficient, such as air source heat pumps.

Not only will air source heat pumps help you to heat up your hot tub water rapidly between occupancies, but they will also reduce energy consumption and provide an eco-friendly and more profitable strategy for efficiency and reduced running costs throughout the year.

“We aim to bring the topic of energy saving into sharp focus and make it a forum for discussion and finding solutions,” explained Michele Bridle. “With education, the latest technological advances and careful management, there are effective ways to significantly reduce energy consumption and bills. It’s this positive message that, with the help of our exhibitors and experts, we aim to communicate to our visitors.”

Free training

As part of the education and seminar schedule, Michele has also revealed that SPATEX, with the help of the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers (ISPE), is all set to host the best ever free-toattend, double seminar and workshop programme to date, offering essential education and training.

The seminars include critical information, such as new Standards and Guidance, that affect all those who are working with hot tubs and in wet leisure facilities. Along with the maintenance advice and the prevention

of Legionnaire’s, the show’s energysaving focus will also be reflected in a large proportion of the seminars and talks during the three-day event.

On the first day, for example, Will Dando FISPE will be focusing on ‘Saving Energy & Water’ from 11am to 11.30am. CPD points and certificates of attendance will be issued for all attendees of the ISPE workshops in seminar Arena 1.

“SPATEX is fortunate that many esteemed industry associations lend their support each year, such as BISHTA and SPATA,” said Michele.

“There’s no better place to seek advice from an expert, and all for free! Please call in at the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance to the Arena and the team will be happy to point you in the right direction.”

Business support

Along with exhibition support for visitors from the SPATEX team, BISHTA and its training partners will be providing their professional guidance for hot tub holiday companies visiting the exhibition.

BISHTA celebrated its 20th anniversary milestone in 2021 when hot tub and swim spa sales for domestic and commercial use hit record levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to stay at home. Before and after this period BISHTA has been attending major trade exhibitions to promote the benefits of hot tubs for holiday accommodation businesses along with best practices and will have an exhibition stand presence at SPATEX. ➧

❝We aim to bring the topic of energy saving into sharp focus and make it a forum for discussion and finding solutions.❞

One of the main concerns for BISHTA is the promotion of HSG282 guidance to current and prospective operators of hot tubs in a business setting. That is why the association has specialist training for hot tub water maintenance; which is also provided by professional training partners including Complete Pool Controls (CPC) and SpaTech Training

Professional guidance

During the three days of SPATEX the BISHTA team, along with CPC and SpaTech Training, will be providing specific business support guidance, product knowledge, and training advice for the hot tub holiday sector on their respective exhibition stands.

“It may seem bewildering getting to grips with the concept of purchasing the best HSG282 compliant ‘domestic hot tubs for business use’ and adopting the recommended procedures to comply with the HSG282 guidance but BISHTA can provide invaluable support and help you link up with one of our members,” said BISHTA Managing Director Chris Hayes.

“They abide by a Code of Ethics and agree to work to BISHTA Standards to ensure you gain ‘peace of mind’ hot tub services and support from a trusted professional that is meeting British and European Standards.

“By joining BISHTA, hot tub holiday businesses can also demonstrate that they have staff that are trained to understand the importance of water hygiene management and provide customers with peace of mind ahead of making their bookings.”

Award-winning

host SPATEX host venue the Coventry Building Society Arena has been recognised for its facilities by landing the prestigious ‘Venue of the Year under 20,000 square metres’ industry accolade in the AEO

Excellence Awards

It comes on the back of a hugely successful year for the world-class exhibition, event and conference centre, after hosting the 2022 edition of SPATEX, with more than 350 large conferences and meetings, over 55 exhibitions and ten new shows giving the Arena its most successful year yet.

Additional elements of success has seen occupancy levels at its onsite hotel The Double Tree by Hilton recover to pre-pandemic levels and the average room rate exceed the heights of 2019 – with the rate being better than

first forecast upon reopening when the pandemic restrictions allowed.

During the three days of SPATEX 2023, the Coventry Building Society Arena’s restaurant and bar facilities close to the exhibition hall will be open. The Double Tree by Hilton hotel provides onsite 121-bedroom accommodation, including some guest rooms with stadium pitch views, and there are

also many accommodation options within a short distance of the venue.

There will be free car parking for SPATEX visitors at the Coventry Building Society Arena car park, which has 2,000 onsite spaces just five minutes from the M6 motorway, and within easy distance of the M1 and M40, as well as being just ten minutes from Coventry City Centre, and a 20-minute drive from Birmingham International Airport. The venue also has its own onsite railway station. ❚

Register now for FREE by visiting spatex-2023.reg.buzz/htr-holiday-park www.spatex.co.uk

❝The BISHTA team, along with CPC and SpaTech Training, will be providing specific business support guidance.❞

Grim warnings of a long recession, with rocketing energy bills and soaring inflation have dealt a further cost-of-living crisis to consumer confidence as the UK faces the biggest fall in living standards on record. Andy Slater investigates the ramifications for the UK holiday park and hospitality sector.

Aself-inflicted economic horror show ahead of Halloween, along with dramatic government upheaval and the burning of mini-Budget policies before Bonfire Night, preceded the biggest interest rate increase in decades. Then followed a grim recession warning by the Bank of England before the prospect of a record fall in UK living standards.

An intensified cost-of-living crisis, with higher energy and borrowing costs, has forced homeowners and businesses to rethink 2023 spending strategies after inflation hit a 41-year high, and an increase in mortgage rates jumped to a 14-year high. Despite research by Smart Energy GB highlighting that only 28 per cent of British people had tried to reduce energy use, hastily appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reported that energy costs had rocketed from £40billion in 2019 to £190billion this year, due to the war by Russia in Ukraine.

“Rising gas and electricity prices drove headline inflation to its highest level for over forty years,”

said Office for National Statistics (ONS) Chief Economist Grant Fitzner; “Over the past year, gas prices have climbed nearly 130 per cent while electricity has risen by around 66 per cent.”

Trussonomics

After 44 days in Downing Street as Prime Minister, the shortest PM term in British history, Liz Truss delivered her resignation to end an autumn period of economic chaos. This included her sacking of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng after announcing the biggest tax cut measures for half a century, as part of his mini-Budget that included a massive financial energy support plan.

Dubbed ‘Trussonomics’, the miniBudget was proclaimed as a plan to deliver prosperity and growth with radical tax cutting, while giving £58billion in taxes back to consumers and companies, plus easing energy crisis fears with household bills capped at an average of £2,500 for two winters. Instead, the prospect of high borrowing and soaring debt caused turbulence in the financial markets, with the pound plummeting to record lows against the dollar, and prompted rising mortgage rates.

When Mr Kwarteng signalled more tax cuts on September 25 it caused further financial market concern and proved his final downfall, after

❝The UK could be faced with the longest recession since records began way back in the 1920s.❞

forcing Bank of England interest rate rise intervention. Following her sacking of Mr Kwarteng, previously loyal MPs turned on Ms Truss for self-inflicting further chaos on the economy and Tory party. Her resignation saw Sterling rise to $1.13 ahead of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister a week later.

“We tried to do too much too quickly,” revealed Mr Kwarteng after being replaced by Jeremy Hunt. “I think the strategic goal was right. But I think we should have had a much more measured approach. There was no real tactical plan.”

Recession warning

Inflation hit 11.1 per cent in October, the highest rate for 41 years, due mainly to soaring food and energy costs. The Bank of England also warned that the UK could be faced with the longest recession since records began way back in the 1920s. This followed its 0.75 per cent rise at the start of November to take interest rates to three per cent, which was the biggest sustained increase since October 6, 1989.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey predicted unemployment would double by 2024 and it would be a long haul to recover from the current poor economic climate. He then gave an assurance of growth restoration and that inflation would be reduced.

“We will get out of it, that I can assure you – we will bring inflation down, we will restore growth in this country,” he declared.

Balancing act

With the Tory party well behind Labour in the opinion polls, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was forced to burn most of his predecessor’s policies ahead of his Autumn Statement in November. As expected, he announced the ‘double whammy’ of spending cuts and increased taxation to ‘balance the books’ and fill a £60billion hole in the nation’s finances, with the hardest hit being middle income families with mortgages. Pensioners, though, were given the biggest ever increase of 10.1 per cent in line with inflation to help retirees cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

A windfall tax on oil and gas companies is being increased from 25 per cent to 35 per cent to raise £55billion from 2022 to 2028, while the top 45 per cent additional rate of income tax will now be paid on earnings over £125,140, instead of the previous £150,000. There will also be support worth over £13.6billion over the next five years to help companies with business rates.

“I have tried to be fair by following two broad principles,” explained Mr Hunt. “Firstly, we ask those with more to contribute more, and secondly, we avoid the tax rises that most damage growth.”

Falling standards

A dire end to 2022 was given further gloom with the forecast of a grim year ahead and the UK facing the biggest fall in

living standards on record, plus the prospect of rising council tax bills, with warnings that many local authorities could go bust, as well as increased energy bills. During 2023 hundreds of pounds more on energy bills will squeeze household and business spending even further to intensify the cost-of-living crisis. See Energy Saver (page 52). The Autumn Statement announced that the energy price cap would be extended for one year after April, but would still be less beneficial as typical bills are to be capped higher at £3,000 instead of the previous £2,500.

“We are in for a long, hard, unpleasant journey,” said the Institute for Fiscal Studies Director Paul Johnson; “A journey that has been made more arduous than it might have been by a series of economic own-goals.” ➧

Shrinking predictions

Before winter, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) confirmed the UK was in recession after the economy had slowed for two quarters in a row. It also predicted that the economy will shrink by 1.4 per cent in 2023.

According to the OBR, the tax burden will rise to the highest level since the end of World War Two and household incomes are set to fall by seven per cent over the next 18 months. It also expects unemployment to increase from 3.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent in 2024, when it believes growth will be 1.3 per cent, followed by 2.6 per cent and 2.7 per cent in the following two years.

“All generations are facing difficulties from the growing cost-of-living crisis,” said Molly Broome from the Resolution Foundation; “But different generations are experiencing it in very different ways.

“The middle-aged will face the largest bill rises and older generations will see the greatest squeeze on their incomes due to their larger and less energy-efficient homes.”

Staycation boost

“The weak value of Sterling versus major international currencies is bound to detrimentally affect demand for overseas holidays, as the overall cost of overseas family holidays has skyrocketed in the last 12 months, even despite a minor rally for Sterling in the last month or so,” said WhatSpa? Editor-in-Chief Nick Clamp. “To add insult to injury, the turmoil at British airports over the summer has exacerbated the frustrations of international travellers, fuelling the attraction of staycation holidays and short breaks with simpler and less stressful travel requirements.

“There is no doubt that the dismal economic outlook will suppress demand to purchase residential hot tubs following the COVID lockdown sales bonanza, but the demand to enjoy hot tub experiences has not been quelled, which feeds into the ongoing demand for UK-based luxury holiday accommodation as stressed homeowners increasingly look for experiences, especially where they combine quality family time and the wellness downtime offered by on-site hot tubs,” said Nick.

Trade view

Holidaycottages.co.uk New Business Manager Ceri Monkman reported: “We’ve had record breaking years for owners of hot tub holiday properties, and they have become very popular within the booming staycation market. They are generating 30 per cent more revenue than a standard letting without a hot tub. It is such a key selling point, and our data illustrates that you can earn at least £6,000 extra annually if you have a hot tub. Also, people have been rebooking accommodation with a hot tub straight away for 2023 and we’ve found that if you have a hot tub then it doesn’t really matter about the location of your accommodation.”

British Holiday and Homes Park Association (BH&HPA) Business Manager Paula Hudson said: “Most of our members have been reporting sold out accommodation in the last two years, and these exceptional levels of booking demand have been a lot higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Holiday park owners are now worried about the costof-living crisis and rising energy prices, but we are seeing a significant increase in the demand for Associated Membership from companies wanting to provide their services to holiday parks; because they know that it’s a thriving market.”

Sykes Holiday Cottages Property Consultant Helen Cotter revealed: “Hot tubs have been providing a lot of value to the holiday market because of the very high booking levels all-year-round

for property owners in the past few years. Unfortunately, we’re facing tougher times ahead with the prospect of the cost-ofliving crisis reducing booking levels and operating costs increasing. A benefit for our staycation market, though, is the fact that prices of flights for foreign travel are also going up.”

Rural Retreats New Business Development Manager Michelle Milligan said: “The pandemic has changed people’s mentality about holidaying in this country and they are now much more positive and appreciating the fact that there is so much top quality holiday accommodation to choose from. The negative news about foreign travel price rises and airport problems in the past year will mean that there will still be high staycation demand in 2023, especially with people wanting to book multiple shorter breaks and lastminute holidays throughout the year.”

UK Park Finder Sales Director Scott Higgins said: “We are finding that the interest in our park search and business listing services is now increasing. During the past couple of years there has been record level of demand for staycation accommodation, and now to prevent the cost-of-living crisis drastically hitting booking levels, holiday park sites are having to increase their exposure and that’s why we’re gaining more interest. Businesses in this sector will have to ramp up their sales and marketing initiatives to boost their bookings levels in 2023.”

Photo © Homewood Leisure

❝All generations are facing difficulties from the growing cost-of-living crisis.❞

EFFICIENT SOLUTIONSUltra

Northamptonshire-based hot tub and swim spa supplier Spa Solutions is providing ultra-efficient bespoke solutions for the holiday park and cottage market to dramatically reduce running costs. The WhatSpa? Approved Spa Solutions team, headed by Managing Director Anthony Schneikert, has a wide range of top quality products and professional services that ensure quick hot tub water heating, fast guest turnaround times, and assured sustainable reliability.

Anthony has gained more than 20 years in the hot tub residential market and his specialist holiday hot tub team have developed a range of solutions and services for HSG282-compliant models that can be paired with bespoke energyefficient air source heat pumps and heat exchangers for ultra-fast heat up times and environmentally-friendly low energy consumption.

This efficient heat pump technology is perfect for holiday hot tubs as it needs no independent power source, as it simply plugs in to the hot tub’s main spa pack. Some additional plumbing is required, which is external to the hot tub cabinet as well as the heat pump itself, but most of the changes are made in the factory prior to the hot tub arriving on site, therefore installation is generally a quick process.

Being based in the middle of the UK with great transport routes allows Spa Solutions to dispatch products to customers in the most time and cost-effective way. Spa Solutions currently has three top quality brands available to offer the holiday market from award-winning brands including: Vortex, Viking and Fisher Spas. These all have multiple model and specifications available, which means there are plenty of hot tub options for discerning holiday park and cottage buyers across all price points.

Spa Solutions philosophy is that their service does not end with the sale of a hot tub, in fact it is just the first step. Each client has a programme of support at their disposal, which is tailored to individual technical and training needs. Once you place your order with Spa Solutions you will be assigned a client services manager who will liaise with you at every point in the process, keeping you up to date with the progress of your order, as well as working with you to plan your delivery and training needs to make sure that your staff are fully equipped to maintain your new hot tubs in an HSG282-compliant way.

Adding hot tubs to your facilities line-up has been proven to boost both occupancy rates and maximise rental rates and profits. However, choosing poor quality spas that are not fit for purpose or are unreliable can cause major headaches for holiday market operators which can also result in poor reviews from disgruntled guests. Dealing with a professional supplier is a must to ensure that the products that they recommend are technically suitable but also deal with potential pitfalls, such as slow drain down times and even slower heat up rates.

Spa Solutions has paid meticulous attention to potential on-site delays and then designed their products and training regimes to ensure that turnaround times are fast and efficient, without having to rely on using hot water supplies from the combi boiler in each accommodation unit. By pairing one of their specially-designed hot tubs with one of their advanced heat pumps or heat exchangers, you can reduce running costs and ensure new guests can use their hot tub facilities immediately upon check in.

If you would like to discuss the hot tub options available for your unique site requirements, Spa Solutions staff are happy to welcome you to their HQ or visit your site to formulate a bespoke package of products and training. They hold stock of all spares and in most cases, holiday parks and cottage owners keep a support pack on site to complete routine service work quickly and easily. If operators require more technical support, Spa Solutions have a network of engineers around the UK that can provide additional technical support if required.

“We provide holiday park and cottage operators with ultra-efficient solutions to reduce their running costs combined with peace of mind assurance when they install our hot tubs, heating products, and ancillary equipment,” explained Managing Director Anthony Schneikert. ❚ ✆ Contact Details

David Thomas

Tel: 01536 540122

www.spasolution.co.uk

❝Spa Solutions staff are happy to welcome you to their HQ.

The Ultimate Hot Tub Guide WhatSpa?

WhatSpa? Editor-in-Chief Nick Clamp reveals why the WhatSpa? Holiday Park magazine is the UK’s number one source for independent and trustworthy hot tub advice for holiday accommodation owners and operators.

There can be no greater endorsement for a product than trying it out and being so bowled over that you commit your life to promoting it. When publishers Nick and Karen Clamp invested in a hot tub in the early noughties, little did they know the profound life-changing effect it would have. What had originally been a purchase aimed simply at enhancing their family’s leisure time and quality of life, soon turned into

Having experienced the benefits of hot tubs for themselves via family holidays and skiing trips, and the pitfalls and bewilderment of the purchasing process at the time, Nick and Karen made it their joint mission to spread the word about spas and help to simplify the buying process for other spa owners.

They took the plunge to assemble a team of the most respected figures in the hot tub industry to launch a one-stop information source for prospective hot tub buyers.

The result was WhatSpa? magazine–a clear, concise and independent guiding hand for homeowners seeking to purchase their dream hot tub.

Holiday park advice

After 17 years of success helping residential hot tub and swim spa buyers, the natural progression for the WhatSpa? editorial team was to delve into the information needs and frustrations of holiday park operators and holiday cottage owners.

WhatSpa? Holiday Park magazine is designed to clear up the confusion around ‘domestic hot tubs used in a business setting’, and help commercial buyers to make good choices that will ultimately lead to delighted guest experiences and boosted revenues and profits for accommodation owners into the bargain.

One-stop advice

Our mission is simple declares Nick: “We are dedicated to supporting you, not just in the research and evaluation stage of purchasing hot tubs for the use of your guests, but also after you have chosen and installed them as well. Our aim is to make the process of buying and maintaining hot tubs as simple and safe as possible for both your guests and staff.

“The easy bit is making the decision to buy a hot tub for the enjoyment of your

holidaying guests; the business case is compelling and demand is undeniable; however selecting the brand, model and supplier is usually a bit more difficult, which is where we come in.

“There is still a lot of confusion in the market, and because many holiday accommodation operators are first-time buyers, we want to remove that confusion and put all the necessary and relevant information about buying suitable hot tub models at your fingertips.”

New HSE guidance

The introduction of new health and safety guidelines relating to ‘commercial spas’ and ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ by the Health & Safety Executive (HSG 282) was the kickstart that the WhatSpa? team needed to launch WhatSpa? Holiday Park magazine.

The new HSG 282 guidance is a very detailed document, covering a range of product types and usage scenarios, so it is important that holiday accommodation

owners have a good understanding of its requirements so that they can buy suitable hot tub models in the first place and then implement a plan for safe water management.

WhatSpa? Holiday Park Magazine recognises that the vast majority of hot tubs being purchased in this sector are sited directly beside cabins, lodges and cottages and are intended for the exclusive use of a single family or group for a defined letting period. Therefore we specialise in advising about ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ rather than ‘commercial spas’, which are designed for use in common leisure areas by guests from all areas of the holiday park.

Advice you can rely on

A key tenet for WhatSpa? is its independence, which ensures you receive informed and impartial advice. You can be sure that you are receiving unbiased, clear and comprehensive information that will enable you to make the right choice when it comes to selecting the ideal spa for your accommodation.

WhatSpa? has a team of respected experts who are on-hand to provide sound, independent advice and reviews of all the very best spas and hot tubs. We also have a team of ‘Spa Doctors’ who are happy to answer any technical questions and queries that our readers may have.

Seal of approval

When making any purchase of this size, trusting the manufacturer and retailer

is essential. The WhatSpa? Approved scheme is a unique hallmark of quality and is only awarded to companies who meet our exacting high standards.

The Approval Scheme offers the customer peace of mind that comes from knowing companies are reputable, well established, have a professional infrastructure and a good track record within the industry, so they are the logos to look out for.

In order to win coveted WhatSpa? Approved status, hot tub manufacturers must have all of the necessary product compliance, warranty support and fully trained dealers in both water hygiene and safety as well as technical backup and maintenance.

WhatSpa? has also teamed up with regulatory body BISHTA (British & Irish Spa & Hot Tub Association) to ensure the highest standards of spa safety. BISHTA is an industry body set up to educate and protect the public against the potential hazards arising from poorly-maintained spas, and to promote the importance of water maintenance. The role fulfilled by BISHTA is vital, and one of our criteria for WhatSpa? approval is BISHTA membership or proof of attendance on a BISHTA recognised pool and spa water hygiene course.

Best Buy Awards

Since 2006, WhatSpa? Best Buy Awards have become the industry-standard recognition for hot tubs that achieve the best scores in our rigorous tests for quality and value across all sizes and price brackets.

“Our Best Buy Awards cannot be purchased or influenced by third parties, such as manufacturers and retailers, and we take great pride in their independence, which is why they are now held in such high esteem by both buyers and manufacturers,” reveals Nick.

“Our WhatSpa? Holiday Park magazine Best Buy Awards are very specific to the holiday park market and we have researched the models that best comply with HSG 282 technical guidelines and are therefore the most suitable products for installation in a business setting.”

For a full breakdown of 20 of the very best holiday park compliant 2023 Best Buy Award winners, go to page 84, add them to your shortlist and don’t forget to look out for these prestigious logos from potential suppliers as you start shopping.

❝After 17 years of success helping residential hot tub and swim spa buyers, the natural progression for the WhatSpa? editorial team was to delve into the information needs and frustrations of holiday park operators.❞

SPA BUYER'S

If, like most of us, you’ve never bought a hot tub before, the process can be a little daunting. Fear not, our team of experts is at hand to walk you through the process and make choosing the ideal model for your guest accommodation as easy as possible. We have broken down our buying tips into five easy steps, each of which will become milestones in your route to choosing the perfect spa to suit your business needs.

Step 1 – Do your homework

Congratulations! You have already started doing your homework by the very fact that you have purchased this issue of WhatSpa?

Holiday Park magazine. Welcome to the discerning spa buyer's club!

Before you commit your hard-earned investment capital, it’s important to know that most of the hot tubs or ‘portable spas’ currently available are designed for domestic use, so installing them ‘in a business setting’ is not always appropriate.

As good quality manufacturers have learned more about the requirements of the UK holiday park market, some of them have developed specific models tailored to your health and safety requirements and are happy to provide full warranty support for ‘business use’.

Read our HSG 282 – What it means for you feature on page 56, as we spell out explicit recommendations about the product features that should be on your shortlist under the new Health & Safety Executive guidelines. Following these recommendations will help you to avoid making expensive mistakes and buying products that aren’t fit for purpose for use in a holiday accommodation setting.

If you are brand new to hot tubs, and initially want to understand the basic terminology around design features and equipment, our jargon-busting Spa Masterclass feature on page 42 will walk you through the process so that you can understand exactly what suppliers are talking about when they describe the hot tub features on offer.

Once you have read our Spa Masterclass it is time to ‘dip your toe in the water’ and start shortlisting suppliers that specialise in the holiday park market and cater not just for your product needs, but also supply the local technical support that will be so important to ensure your guests enjoy 100 per cent satisfaction and delight every time they visit.

If you are allied to a booking operator, contact them to find out if they have preferred supplier agreements in place with hot tub suppliers, as you could benefit from the buying power of their wider network.

Our easy five-step guide to buying the ideal hot tubs for guest experience, easy maintenance and maximum return on investment.

Photo © Fenland Hot Tub Centre

Step 2 – Shortlist suppliers

We thoroughly suggest that you purchase your hot tub via a specialist supplier, rather than taking your chances buying remotely via the Internet or on online auction sites. We have seen an endless onslaught of horror stories from unsuspecting holiday park operators that have taken the risk of buying online from websites that claim comparable quality to established brands at rock bottom prices. Most of these products are grey import copies of established brands from factories in developing countries with few quality controls and little or no technical backup or training support.

Specialist suppliers, by contrast, have to put their own name and bricks and mortar reputation behind the brands and products that they sell. It is in their vested interests to offer good quality, reliable hot tubs that are simple to use and maintain, and will stand the test of time to maximise your return on investment.

Always look for our WhatSpa? logos and also other recognised credentials like BISHTA (British & Irish Spa & Hot Tub Association) membership ➧

❝We thoroughly suggest that you purchase your hot tub via a specialist supplier.❞

Photo © Spafix

and trusted trader status and reviews from platforms such as Trading Standards, TrustPilot, Reviews.co.uk and Feefo

A great place to start in your shortlisting process is to read our WhatSpa? Best Buy Awards from page 84. These coveted hot tub awards are specific to holiday park compliant models and 20 of the very best models across all sizes and budgets are showcased for your consideration in this 14-page special feature.

After you have pored over our Best Buy Awards, start contacting suppliers for more information about their models, pricing, and to find out if their sales support and aftersales programme fits with your specific needs.

Step 3 – Product demos

Talk to potential suppliers and get a feel for the models and features on offer in each different seating capacity bracket. At the very least you should be visiting a showroom to see and demo the products on your shortlist.

It may sound ridiculous but if you are expecting thousands of your hard-won guests to enjoy your hot tub facilities, and you are also going to invest thousands of pounds in the process, you really should know what they feel like for yourself so this is no time to be bashful!

If you see a model that you like the look of, you can arrange a ‘wet test’ also known as a ‘test soak’. A wet test is an actual trial of the hot tub in the showroom when you take your bathing costume along and ‘try before you buy’. After all, you wouldn’t buy an entire fleet of company vehicles without trying one first, so why should your hot tubs be any different?

To arrange a product demo or wet test, just contact potential suppliers or the UK brand representative, and ask them for the details of their most local showroom to you (that displays holiday park compliant models that you would like to see or try).

Bear in mind that when you wet test, there will probably be fewer people in the spa than the maximum spa capacity. How would it feel if it was filled to maximum capacity with bathers? Would it be roomy enough in the footwell as well as having enough seats? Where would the waterline rise to if more people were in? How

comfortable are the seats? Are the jets providing good quality massage? Is the depth of the spa suitable for a variety of heights and builds of bathers? Remember that you will want a variety of different seating depths so that bathers can swap to a shallower or deeper seat if they feel too hot or too cold respectively. Are the seats too large or too small and are they supporting you comfortably. Ensure that you do not float out of any of the seats, particularly the lounge seat/s if the spa model has them.

If the showroom has the facility to turn the lights down or off, get them to do so as this will enable you to assess the lighting system on the spa. The hot tub will be used after dark, especially in winter, so make sure that the lighting system is adequate for a safe and surefooted entry and exit. Also check for grab handles and flat step areas on the interior of the spa as these again will improve safety facilities for guest bathers.

Step 4 – Site visits

If a supplier is worth their salt, they will be keen to visit your accommodation site and make product and specification recommendations based upon your individual needs. Make sure that you tell them that the hot tub will be used ‘as a business activity’ for the use of your holidaying guests and that they are recommending compliant models with manufacturer warranty support for ‘business use’.

Ask them for advice about solutions for installation (also see our Pre-Delivery Guide feature on page 68), including quick drain down and refill facilities. Also find out what support they can bring regarding your risk assessment documentation, technical support to ensure maximum uptime, and water care advice.

Only a site visit before you buy will mitigate the risk of any hiccups resulting from misinterpretation of

Photo © MySpa UK

Photo

your needs. If a supplier refuses to visit your accommodation, or cannot give reassurance that their hot tubs are warranted for ‘business use’, simply head for the hills and scratch them from your shortlist!

When you have tried all of the spas on your wet test list and chosen a preferred brand, model and supplier, and are satisfied with your site visit – it is the big one... decision time! Before you throw open your cheque book or melt the plastic here are some top tips to getting a great deal.

Step 5 – Close the deal

Don't leave your purchase until the last minute. Remember that many of the most well-established manufacturers are in North America, Canada, mainland Europe and the Far East, so even in normal times delivery can take up to 12 weeks. With the COVID demand surge and subsequent supply chain issues still in play, lead times for HSG 282 compliant models can now be longer. So start shopping at least two or three months before you want delivery

as supply constraints are probably here for the remainder of 2023 and into early 2024.

You will be typically required to pay a deposit when you place your order and the remaining balance is usually payable and must be cleared either on or a few days before delivery. It is now illegal for retailers to charge a levy for credit or debit card payments so look out for any unexpected charges.

Getting the right deal

The best deal will be a combination of paying the best price available and also negotiating free or discounted extras wherever possible. Before you commit to the sale think about the additional accessories that are essential to creating a practical spa environment such as steps, cover lifters, extra filters, spare parts and technical support programmes etc.

Accessories and optional extras are all bargaining points when negotiating the deal. Try to get as many of them included in the deal as possible. If they

are not included you will probably end up buying them at a later date, so now is the best time to get a package deal.

Good retailers may already include such extras at their own cost... Bear this in mind before trying to beat them down even further on price. It is important that they stay in business to serve you and your warranty!

Payment options

If you are paying by cash, cheque, BACS or debit card this is cheaper for the dealer than low rate or interest free finance, which they will probably have to subsidise despite historically low Bank of England base rates.

Credit card transactions typically cost the dealer around one or two per cent of the balances in fees, so if you are paying by other means you are in a good position to negotiate. Interest free credit can cost the dealer between five and fifteen per cent of the balance (depending upon the loan term) so again, if you have cash on the hip this is a great bargaining chip.

Check the small print

Once you have provisionally secured the deal that you want, take the plunge and get your spa on order. Always read the contract terms on order forms before you sign and ensure that you will get delivery in a timeframe that you are happy with.

Ask for a written copy of the warranty certificate before you buy and make sure that you read the small print. Ensure that the hot tub has a factory warranty for ‘business use’ at all costs.

Professional retailers should issue you with a pre-delivery guide, which includes things like base preparation and electrical requirements, and they should kickstart their pre-sales support programme to ensure that you as the duty holder are prepared for post-installation guest bookings in terms of risk assessments and operating procedures.

All you need to do now is get your electrics and base arranged, adjust your rental rates upwards to cater for your inevitable increase in demand and start marketing your exciting new hot tub facilities to next season’s holidaymakers! ❚

❝If a supplier refuses to visit your accommodation, or cannot give reassurance that their hot tubs are warranted for ‘business use’, simply head for the hills and scratch them from your shortlist!❞

Spa Spa SpaSpa

Masterclass

If you’ve read our Spa Buyer’s Guide, before you head off shopping, take a little time to educate yourself so that you can talk to hot tub supplier staff with more confidence and knowhow.

Our Spa Masterclass will arm you with the information needed to view holiday park compliant hot tubs and confidently understand hot tub features and some of the terms used by spa suppliers when they are demonstrating hot tubs to you.

Spa shell & seating

The spa shell is the coloured visible moulded interior that contains the seating in which we sit. The spa shell is usually vacuum-formed from acrylic, plus other invisible strengthening layers such as fibreglass, and should be moulded with comfort, safety and durability in mind. It is vital to choose a spa that has a well designed, comfortable shell interior with a large enough footwell to accommodate the maximum number of bathers.

Also check how easy it is to move from seat to seat and that there is a good variety of seating depths, not just for different heights of bathers, but also so that they can swap places with other bathers to vary their massage experience or to move from a deeper to a shallower seat if they get too hot or cold whilst in the tub.

Some spas have a lounge seat (a full body-length seat where the bather is positioned in a more reclined position –like sitting on a garden lounger), whereas others contain all upright seated positions with a roomy footwell (see page 48).

Finally check how easy and safe it is to enter and exit the spa. Is there a defined flat step area as you get in and out of the spa, or grab handles for a sure-footed entry and exit?

Spa construction & cabinetry

The inner frame of the spa supports the spa shell and is generally made of either treated timber, metal or synthetic struts. It is important for the long-term integrity of the spa structure. The framework on some cheap ‘grey imports’ is constructed using untreated timber, which will rot within the first few years of a spa’s lifecycle so be sure to check this out before you buy.

The floor of the spa is integral to the spa frame and is important, as this is where the spa will come into contact with the base that you have prepared. Ask your retailer how the base of the spa is constructed; it should be protected by some kind of waterproof membrane or material to prevent any dampness from permeating up inside the cabinet.

The spa cabinet is the outer cladding that protects the inside of the spa from the

Don’t be daunted by the prospect of investing in hot tubs for the first time. We cut through the jargon so you can speak with hot tub suppliers on level terms.

elements and provides the aesthetic finish to the area below the shell. Cabinets are most commonly made from timber such as cedar or teak, or synthetic materials that replicate the look of wood.

Avoid cheap imports that use softwood cabinets, as these will rot quickly. Hardwood timber cabinets may weather and require some regular treatment to keep them looking good. Synthetic cabinets are maintenance-free and can be cleaned by hosing or wiping down with a damp cloth.

TOP TIP: the construction properties of a spa model, ask a member of showroom staff to remove a cabinet side panel so that you can inspect the interior.

Spa insulation

Most spas have some form of insulation inside the cabinet to retain water temperature and reduce the amount of time that the heater is activated each day. Different levels of insulation are generally

pipes as pumps are activated. This will help to minimise the chances of leaks occurring inside the spa over time.

All things being equal, hot tubs with a good combination of shell, cabinet and cover insulation will minimize heat loss and therefore have lower electrical running costs than a similar model with poor insulation. So, like your home, the more insulation the better.

Spa cover

Spas are supplied as standard with a hard, insulated vinyl or polyester covered hot tub cover that is filled with either high density foam or polystyrene. This is then vacuumwrapped in a sealed waterproof plastic and the final covering is made of vinyl or polyester on the outside to protect the cover from the elements. The cover should have lockable clips to secure it to the cabinet to prevent unauthorised access (particularly unsupervised access by children).

These clips will also prevent the cover from being blown off and damaged by high winds and also ensure a tight seal when the spa is not in use in order to minimise heat loss and reduce running costs.

Seriously consider investing in a ‘cover lifting system’ to help your guests to take the cover on and off the spa before and after use, and safely stow it away so that it won’t get damaged or punctured. Spa covers can be very cumbersome and heavy, particularly if you are using the spa on your own. There are a large variety of cover lifters available. Bear in mind that different cover lifters will need different amounts of clearance on one or more sides of the spa to allow the cover to be stowed away. ➧

tubs is that the insulation supports flexible Photo

Spa cover

TOP TIP: Also allow for the fact that the cover folds in half before the cover lifter comes into operation.

If you are building a gazebo or pergola over the spa area, make sure you have allowed enough overhead clearance for the cover to be folded over.

Pumps & plumbing

Hot tub pumps provide three main functions:

■ To pump the water through the plumbing system to the jets which will convert the flow into a massaging action

■ To pump water through the heater to heat the water

■ To pump the water through the spa filters, ozonator and in-line sanitiser dispenser to keep the water clean and sanitised

Do not get bogged down with pump specifications and horse power as this is only one factor which dictates the hydrotherapeutic value of a spa. Hydrotherapeutic massage is determined by the relationship between the pumps, the number of massage jets and their adjustability and positioning. Some spas are equipped with a separate circulation pump to constantly push water through the heater and filters, even when the heater is not activated. The benefit of circulation pumps is that they are quieter than larger pumps and because they run constantly, they can offer 24-hour filtration and ozonation. They are also typically quieter when the spa is not in use, which will ensure minimal disruption for your guests, especially at night.

Jets & topside controls

It is the jets that convert the flow provided by the pumps and plumbing system into a tangible massaging action. A common fallacy is that spas with more jets are more powerful. This is unlikely to be the case unless more pumps are added to provide greater flow rates. The very best spa manufacturers put the right jets in the right places in order to maximise the relaxing effect of hydrotherapeutic massage.

The massage experience can be maximised by placing different types of jets in different seats, so that as you move around the spa each seat feels different and targets a different set of muscle groups and pressure points.

Ask retailers to demonstrate the action of the jets and any topside air controls and flow diverters, so that you can test the massage performance and adjustability of all the seats when you demo or wet test the spa.

TOP TIP: The only way to assess the relative hydrotherapy provided by different spas is to wet test all of the models on your shortlist.

Air blowers

Some spas are equipped with air blowers, which are plumbed to a multitude of air jets around the spa. When switched on, the air system produces the typical jacuzzi bubbling water effect. This produces a light tissue massage rather than targeted hydrotherapy.

Note that under new HSE HSG 282 guidelines (see page 56), air blowers are not recommended for ‘domestic spas used as a business activity’, so avoid them if possible.

Control panels & remotes

Control panels on domestic spas have undergone a huge step-change in technological development over the last couple of years. Some spa models still have fairly simplistic control panels that have buttons to activate pumps and lighting. On the other hand, the very latest domestic models have waterproof remote controls, plus extra topside control panel functionality incorporating a range of extra functions by scrolling through the screen menus.

Control panel

Hydrotherapy jets

It may sound counterintuitive, but for use in a ‘business setting’, less is more when it comes to topside control panels. To minimise the chances of guests changing programming settings we recommend very simplistic secondary topside control panels that are easy to understand and operate by guest bathers.

Just a few control panel buttons to turn jets and lights on and off are all that are required to avoid confusion and unnecessary complications. In this case, a primary control panel can be placed out of reach of bathers inside the cabinet for programming hot tub settings and filter cycles etc.

Water treatment system

Filtration is important in spas, as the filter performance will dictate how well the spa filters out undissolved wastes without the intervention of chemicals. Well-filtered water will stay clearer for longer.

TOP TIP: Look for hot tubs with larger filters or more of them (at the very least 50 sq ft of filter area) as this will keep the water cleaner and will require much less maintenance and filter cleaning.

Besides filtration, a whole host of other technology is now on hand to make your life nice and easy and keep your spa water looking and feeling great. These include ozone systems and in-line sanitiser dispensers, which are all required essentials under HSG 282.

In-line sanitiser dispensers offer a ‘cage’ for storing chlorine or bromine tablets, which will slowly release sanitiser into the water when the spa is in use or the water is being circulated through it. This in-line dispenser should be secure so that bathers cannot easily tamper with it or its contents.

Ozonators and UV water treatment systems mechanically oxidise the water as it is circulated through the plumbing system, which breaks down the cell walls

of bacteria, and removes dissolved organic and inorganic matter from the water. This complements the residual chemical sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) used to keep the water safe and hygienic. Note that ozonators and UV systems will need to be checked and serviced at least annually to ensure that they are working efficiently.

Lighting & waterfalls

Spa lighting is important for both safety after-dark and also to add ambience and mood to the experience. Most spas now have LED multi-coloured lighting of some kind inside the tub, which can randomly scroll through the colour spectrum or be set to your favourite colour.

Backlit pillows, topside controls and jets are also now available. Exterior cabinet lights are popular because they add extra ambience to the spa environment and also provide an after-dark safety benefit to prevent tripping or falling on spa entry or exit.

Whilst waterfalls can add extra ambience to the bather experience, they are not recommended under HSG 282, especially if they can be turned on and off by bathers. So if your spas are equipped with manually operated waterfalls, make sure you purge them at least once a day as part of your daily water checks.

Quick drainage and refills

As standard, domestic spas are fitted with electrical heaters that can heat the hot tub water at between one and two degrees Celsius per hour. As the ideal bather temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius, this can involve up to 15 hours of heating from a cold water tap in winter.

To remedy this problem for fast turnaround, air source heat pumps and heat exchangers can now be retrofitted and can heat the entire body of water more quickly (in around two to four hours), see page 52. Alternatively if your site boiler is sufficiently capable, you could use a warm water supply set at around 30 degrees Celsius to refill the hot tub after draining and cleaning. In this scenario, the hot tub heater would only be required to heat the water up for the last few degrees (to the ideal bathing temperature of around 37-38 degrees Celsius).

High output fast drain valves can also be fitted if you don’t want to rely on submersible pumps for fast drain down. ❚

Drain valve

Duratech heat pump

Hot tub filter

In-line sanitiser

Why HOLIDAY LETS MARQUIS® HOT TUBS

Hot tubs add value by attracting holiday renters and justifying higher rental rates. But a negative guest experience can lead to negative online reviews, lost revenue, and even criminal liability in severe cases. Hence, the challenge for property operators is finding a hot tub that ticks all the boxes:

■ Durability

■ HSG282 Safety Compliance

■ Energy Efficiency

■ Ease of Maintenance

■ Tamper-Resistance

■ Guest Satisfaction

A Lucrative Market for Retailers

Because it ticks all the boxes, owners of holiday lets love the Holiday Park series by Marquis. Established in 1980, Marquis is one of the oldest and most reliable spa manufacturers in the world. Handcrafted in the USA, Marquis’ hard-earned reputation for quality ensures property owners and guests enjoy The ULTIMATE Hot Tub Experience!™

Quick Water Changes and Re-heating

A major selling point for holiday park owners is the ability to change and reheat water quickly between guests. Especially on busy changeover days when multiple units must be serviced. For example, larger holiday parks may need to service as many as 100 units or more in just a few hours.

Marquis Holiday Park hot tubs are designed around HSG 282 compliance, ensuring water can be changed thoroughly and quickly. Thanks to a 2” quick-drain port, water drains in minutes by gravity

alone. No need for a messy (and loud) submersible pump. Less equipment, less hassle, and happier neighbours. After refilling, fresh water reheats in as little as six to eight hours thanks to Marquis’ heat-exchanger-ready design, a standard feature on all models. This gives operators the option to heat the water using oil, gas, or biomass, or lowercost methods such as air/ground-source heat pumps.

Worry-Free Sanitisation

Marquis Holiday Park models feature in-line sanitization. This built-in, dualcartridge system continuously doses the proper amount of bromine and conditions the water so it feels silky and fresh. Since there are no dead legs of plumbing, the system avoids any stagnating water issues.

Best of all, Marquis’ ConstantClean+™ high-flow filtration system ensures the water is turned dozens of times per day. SmartClean™ software senses when the hot tub is used and triggers an automatic clean-up cycle afterward. This keeps the hot tub fresh, clean, and safe for daily use by guests.

Long-Term Profitability

No waterfalls for guests to break, no foam pillows to deteriorate, and an abuse-proof exterior that requires no maintenance. Guest controls are a simple two-button panel: 1) Jets On/Off, and 2) Lights On/Off. No expensive screen to crack, bash, or pierce, and incredibly simple for guests to understand and operate.

The technician control screen is out of reach from guests, safely tucked away within the equipment bay. No more late-night complaints about hot tubs in “economy mode” because guests

tampered with the settings. Yet another reason owners and on-site staff love the Marquis Holiday Park series.

Owners enjoy long-term profitability after the initial sale is forgotten. Less risk of damage, easier maintenance, and happier guests. The result? More positive online reviews, more business, and lower operating costs. Plus, Marquis’ exceptional warranty coverage and UK-based service network for added peace of mind.

UK Service and Expertise

Through its UK-based sales agent and dealer network, Marquis is approaching a decade supplying and servicing the holiday park industry. All the while maintaining a stellar reputation for quality and service after the sale. In fact, as a former member of BISHTA’s board, Marquis’ UK sales agent helped to draft HSG 282 guidelines. Retailers can sleep easy knowing a trusted expert is only a phone call way.

How to Get Started

Property operators interested in buying Marquis Holiday Park models should contact their nearest UK Marquis Dealer. Retailers interested in selling Marquis Holiday Park hot tubs should contact the company’s UK-based sales agent. ❚

✆ Contact Details

Dan Johnson

Email: danjohnson@marquiscorp.com Tel: +44 7722 187272

www.marquisspas.com/uk

Marquis offers two sizes of Holiday Park models: the 7-foot (2.1m) Escape lounger, and the 8-foot (2.4m) Getaway. Both models seat up to seven people.

LOUNGER ALL-SEATER

The one decision that every hot tub buyer will have to make is whether to purchase a spa equipped with a ‘Lounge Seat’ or to opt for an ‘All-Seater’ layout. WhatSpa? Editor-in-Chief Nick Clamp explains the merits of each style.

When it comes to choosing the ideal hot tubs for your holiday accommodation, you’ll be faced with the decision about seating layout and style.

Leading manufacturers now produce a wide array of models with lounger or all-seater designs and so it is your responsibility to ensure that the seating style of any purchase is most suitable for your particular holiday accommodation; by consulting knowledgeable staff at a professional dealership and ensuring a total seating capacity that is at least equal to the berth capacity of the accommodation that it is linked to.

STYLES EXPLAINED Lounge Seat Spa

A ‘lounge seat’ or ‘lounger ‘is an elongated moulded seat that is shallower than a standard upright seat but where the bather is more reclined with their legs in a level or slightly elevated position. It is effectively the underwater equivalent of a garden lounger, or a bit like the seating position in one of the new breed of sofas or living room chairs that offers the ability to recline back so that the footrest rises up and you are lying almost horizontally.

Lounge seats typically have hydrotherapy jet positions that target the lower/mid back and shoulder/neck area and sometimes have additional jets that target areas such as wrists, thighs, calf muscles and feet. Lounge seats that fit the height, body shape and buoyancy levels of guests can offer a very relaxing all-over body massage.

It is imperative to wet test different lounge seats, as a common criticism of an ill-fitting lounge seat that is either too long or too deep, is that bathers feel like they are floating out of them. Don’t be tempted to sit in dry hot tubs to check for comfort and fit, as the experience will be completely different when the buoyancy of the water is taken into account.

The downside to lounge seats is that they can take up a large proportion of the seating space on offer, as they are long enough to take up the space of two or even three open style ‘bucket seats’.

Some spas are even equipped with two loungers, in which case a medium to large spa (up to 8ft/2.4m square) can only accommodate three or four bathers. The upside to choosing a dual-lounger spa is that your guests will never have to argue about who gets the lounger!

Lounger

Dual Lounger

❝For larger families, it is always recommended to choose a large spa with a bigger water capacity in the first place, as the water level will be less affected by the number of bathers.❞

All-Seater Spa

Put simply, an ‘all-seater’ layout is a catch-all label for hot tubs that don’t have a lounge seat. In reality, well-designed allseater spas have a good variety of seating shapes and depths to accommodate the needs of different bathers.

Some all-seater layouts are fairly open and ‘barrier-free’ so that bathers can easily move from one seat to another, and some are more contoured for additional support with seats that include moulded arm rests in what are sometimes termed ‘Captain’s chairs’.

Just like lounge seat spas, the importance of wet testing cannot be understated, as seating depths can vary enormously, and the only way to discern if a spa has the correct depths for all the potential guests is to try them when full of water.

Thanks to our Ancient Greek friend Archimedes, we know that an object immersed in water always displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume. So the more bathers (and their sizes) will dictate how far the level of water will rise in the hot tub, which of course will effect the depth of the water as more bathers enter. So for larger families, it is always recommended to choose a large spa with a bigger water capacity in the first place, as the water level will be less affected by the number of bathers. This is also another good reason to follow the water capacity rule of thumb of 250 litres per bather seat.

The upside to an all-seater configuration is that they can open up a more sociable entertainment space, in that all the bathers are seated in the upright position and are all facing each other.

Adirondack seats

To make life slightly complicated, a small number of spas are equipped with a seat that is a cross between a lounge seat and a conventional bucket seat, whereby the bather is in a semi-reclined position. These seats are typically called ‘adirondack’ seats, named after the backward-sloping outdoor chair style designed by Thomas Lee in 1903.

Adirondack seats take up less space than a lounge seat but still offer some of the body-cradling comfort of loungers and are therefore worth wet testing if your local showrooms have them available. For simplicity, in our coveted Best Buy Awards on page 84, we class adirondack spas as loungers, and to make your life easy, all our models are labelled as either ‘A’ for ‘all-seater’ or ‘L’ for ‘lounge seater’. ➧

All-seater

Adirondack

Lounger All-seater

Massage variety

The principle of all hot tub designs, irrespective of their seating style, is that bathers can move from seat to seat and experience a different hydrotherapy massage in each massage station, so that, once your guests have spent some time in each area of the spa, they have enjoyed a full-body hydrotherapeutic massage.

Jet types and positioning, along with the ability to control the massage flow for your preferences are critical to the hydrotherapy experience. But don’t underestimate the importance of seating contours and depths to ensure that the spa is suitable for the heights and sizes of the main bathers.

Don’t forget that you want a combination of deep and shallow seats, as guests may feel the need to move to a shallower ‘cooldown’ seat if they feel too hot and need to expose their head, neck and shoulders to some cool ambient air to lower their body temperature. This is even more vital for children, who cannot self-regulate their body temperatures as efficiently as adults.

An often-overlooked factor of hot tub suitability is the size of the footwell, as this can be the busiest area of the spa when families are enjoying the fun. Always look for a spa where the size of the footwell is commensurate to the number of seats in the spa.

Safety first

Irrespective of whether you choose a lounge-seater or an all-seater, make guest safety a top priority when assessing the relative merits of shell design. Look for spas that have grab handles and flat step areas moulded into the shell for maximum safety when entering and exiting the spa with wet feet.

Also look at interior and exterior lighting as this will help to make sure that bathers have a clear-lit path when they get into and out of the hot tub. ❚

All-seater calf jets

All-seater foot jets

Lounger

❝

Bathers can move from seat to seat and experience a different hydrotherapy massage in each massage station.❞

ENERGY SAVER

Hot tubs have become pivotal to bookings success for many UK businesses that have been riding the positive wave of the ‘staycation’ trend. Harnessing technology that has achieved proven efficiency and cost-saving results in the field will now become critical in the year ahead as rocketing fuel bills are squeezing profitability.

Thankfully, ‘game-changing’ cutting-edge heating products are being introduced successfully into the hot tub holiday sector and are currently providing a viable solution to reducing energy use and running costs, while ensuring rapid water heating to ensure greater customer satisfaction from quick turnaround times in between bookings.

Power plunge

As new guests excitedly arrive and don their Speedos in readiness for a relaxing hot tub dip, tepid hot tub water temperatures will not only be a major

turn-off but will freeze out any possibility of your customers making prompt future bookings and providing favourable feedback to their family and friends.

To prevent this, and your hot tub holiday accommodation profits from melting away during the current cost-ofliving and energy crisis, you may have to take the plunge and adopt new strategies by installing advanced heating products that can heat up your hot tub water within a few short hours, rather than a full day after your previous customers have left.

Hot enhancement

In recent years holiday parks have turned to the heat transfer technology specialist EJ Bowman to help them increase their efficiency and hot tub holiday bookings. Five years ago, the company launched its ultra-compact EC 80 unit as a powerful alternative heating option for the hot tub holiday trade.

A Bowman heat exchanger plus an external heat source, such as an external boiler, can take the time to achieve full hot tub temperature down to one hour and dramatically slash heating costs. The tube core is manufactured from titanium and the durable quality ensures it is perfect for hot tubs and swim spas.

It is installed within the existing hot tub water circuit and hot water from an external boiler enters the heat exchanger and circulates inside the outer ‘shell’ of the unit and over the tube core, whilst hot tub water travels through the tubes collecting heat on the way.

It can be used with any type of external heat source, including gas, biomass, LPG boilers, ground and air source heat pumps, plus hybrid systems. The technology made waves in the hot tub accommodation market after the Kilnwick Percy Resort and Golf Club in Pocklington, Yorkshire, linked their hot tubs for luxury lodge accommodation to their centralised biomass heating system.

The KP Club, currently run by Darwin Escapes, made an instant saving of £12,000 a year on heating costs for its 24 Urban Cedar hot tubs that were pre-fitted with the Bowman EC100-5113-25 heat exchangers before delivery to the site. Instead of waiting over 24 hours for full hot tub temperature from cold water, the Bowman technology produced optimum temperature within two to three hours to ensure greater efficiency and flexibility between same-day departures and arrivals.

“This product is ideal for the holiday park market,” said Bowman Sales Manager Tony Carter; “It provides the capability to rapidly heat hot tub water from cold to optimum bathing temperature.”

Maximising your energy-efficiency to help reduce running costs and protect the profitability of your hot tub holiday accommodation business has become a critical ‘necessity’ in an unstable economic market.

Photo

Stop Spa

Bowman Heat Exchanger

Energy evolution

Forward-thinking operators within the holiday park sector are already reaping the energy-saving benefits of installing new air source heat pump and heat exchanger products. By adopting this cutting-edge technology, it ensures rapid water heating within just a few hours, plus the additional benefits of helping to cut heating costs and reduce the impact on the planet as part of an eco-friendly revolution.

Champion Hot Tubs owner Owen Ward has been achieving success in the hot tub holiday market with British manufactured RotoSpa models that have been combined with the EcoSpa Heat Inverter product for maximum efficiency. A Coefficient of Performance (COP) rating measures heating efficiency of these products, and the EcoSpa is proclaimed to have an unrivalled COP rating. It incorporates a twin-rotary DC inverter and unique air stream design to provide an average 90 per cent free energy from ambient air.

The EcoSpa has been designed to operate in low temperatures and the majority of the energy used is sourced from air, which is an eco-friendly renewable energy source. It also has the benefit of running as quiet as a fridge unit with an average sound level of 43dB(A) at one metre distance.

“If you are a hot tub holiday company worried about rising energy costs in the next year then purchasing air source heat pumps for your hot tubs is really a ‘no brainer’ because they will help to deliver maximum hot tub water temperatures within a few hours and the extra benefit of this heating capability is the exceptional cost-saving and energy efficient performance,” enthused Owen.

Top tech

Among the other respected companies providing heating product solutions to their network of suppliers who are involved with the hot tub holiday sector is Golden Coast, which is achieving positive results with its innovative DuraTech Dura Pro inverter-driven air-source heat pumps for hot tubs. ➧

Top 10 Tips to MAXIMISE ENERGYEFFICIENCY in 2023

It is critical in 2023 that your hot tub holiday business is running as energyefficiently as possible. Follow these ten top tips for maximum benefits:

■ Never tamper with existing hot tubs in an effort to provide DIY insulation as any warranties or insurance will be immediately void and this may also affect product safety.

■ Replace poor quality hot tubs that have low insulation levels and no capability to be upgraded with heat exchangers or air source heat pumps.

■ Avoid online purchasing and instead shortlist reputable brands and models in our 2023 Best Buy Awards pages (see page 84) for energy-efficient HSG 282-compliant hot tubs.

■ Get professional guidance from your hot tub supplier to ensure that temperature controls on your control panels are locked so that guests can’t inadvertently turn hot tub water temperatures up or down.

■ Seek out professional guidance for purchasing specialist holiday hot tubs that have ‘factory-ready’ capability to be retro-fitted with heat exchangers or air source heat pumps.

■ If your existing spas are not fitted with cover lifters, install them as soon as possible as this prevents hot tub covers becoming damaged or punctured by clumsy guests.

■ Always purchase top quality hot tub covers and immediately replace damaged covers to avoid unnecessary heat loss.

■ Provide information about good hot tub use for your guests, with recommendations about showering before hot tub use, which will help to minimise the impact on the filters and chemical dosing systems.

■ Along with critical HSG 282 water testing, regularly check that filters, pumps and heating controls are working correctly and have repairs or servicing conducted by a fully trained professional.

■ Promote your energy-efficient hot tub and heating technology as part of your eco-friendly credentials for prospective customers who may be conscious about lowering their carbon footprint.

A Golden Coast inverter-driven heat pump operates on a nominal current and uses far less energy compared to electric heaters, without compromising on performance. For each kilowatt of energy consumed, a Golden Coast heat pump offers an output of up to 13 kilowatts of heat, which is 13 times more efficient than a standard electric heater.

“Using less energy allows park owners to reduce their bills,” reports Golden Coast General Manager Adam Clark.

“For large sites with high numbers of hot tubs the savings can be in the thousands of pounds, while securing a faster return on investment.

“Most importantly, installing top quality inverter heat pumps helps park owners to cut their carbon footprint, which is vital for facilities looking to improve their environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings.”

Tuff going

Specialist Tuff Spas exclusive distributor at 1 Stop Spas Chris Brady, who runs the flourishing SpaTech Training consultancy, with a dedicated Holiday Park Hot Tub Management course for those providing hot tub accommodation holidays, has been supplying the Dura Pro products for the past year to provide customers with exceptional operational benefits when linking the air source heat pump technology with fully HSG 282 compliant Tuff Spas hot tubs.

“If you are getting bookings for your hot tub holiday business and are now worried about running costs then the easiest solution is to run hot tubs with air source heat pumps,” said Chris.

“We know hot tub holidays are the top search for staycation bookings and so it doesn’t make business sense to remove them from your property in an effort to save costs. Instead seek out the HSG 282-compliant hot tubs that can be immediately fitted with heat pumps to provide you with an immediate energyefficient and cost-saving solution.”

Tech solutions

Spa Solutions provides a wide range of heat pumps and heat exchangers as part of its holiday park ranges, including Vortex Spas, Fisher Spas, and Viking Spas, and Managing Director Anthony Schneikert believes finding a respected supplier with professional product knowledge and support is critical to maximising hot tub operational efficiency.

“You should always conduct research and check the suitability of your supplier,” recommends Anthony.

“As part of your pre-purchasing research, it is also a good idea to confirm warranties and ensure that spare parts are available from your supplier to quickly remedy any faults.

“If you are unable to rectify hot tub and heating product problems quickly it could result in refunds for multiple bookings. This can then increase the risk of complaints, bad online reviews, and the lack of return bookings.”

Cover up

Ensuring that as much heat is retained in the water, rather than leeching out into the cold night air, is also important.

Ensure that your hot tubs are fitted with good quality thermal covers and fit the cover clips to make sure that a tight seal is achieved when the tub is not in use by your guests. Good quality covers should have a ‘continuous heat seal’ which is an extra ‘flap’ of insulation that runs along the hinge of the cover to create a proper seal when the cover is in the closed position.

It is vital that thermal covers are kept in good condition and do not get punctured as this allows water ingress and drastically reduces the thermal efficiency of the cover as it becomes waterlogged and heavy. So, try to fit a good ‘cover lifter’ to every hot tub as this will stow the cover in a safe upright position when the spa is in use and avoid covers being thrown onto the ground by clumsy guests. If covers become heavy and waterlogged replace them as soon as possible to minimise your running costs. ❚

What it means to you HSG 282

Installing hot tubs as part of your holiday experience offering is an out-and-out winner and all things being equal will provide a welcome boost to your occupancy levels, average rental rates and your bottom line profits.

Many of the features within this magazine highlight the health and wellness benefits of hot tubs for regular users and holidaymakers, and booming demand for hot tub facilities when choosing holiday accommodation supports this growing trend.

The financial incentives of increased all-year-round bookings for holiday park operators and holiday cottage owners are compelling. Yet before you take the plunge to gain the rich rewards of boosting bookings and gaining new profitable revenue streams by installing hot tub facilities, it is important that you are aware of your health and safety responsibilities to ensure the safeguarding of your employees and guests alike.

Guiding advice

Companies that run large successful holiday parks are likely to be fully aware of the importance of complying explicitly with the various health and safety requirements for their employees and visiting customers. Smaller operators and holiday cottage owners may not be quite so well versed and need some additional guidance on the new Health & Safety Guidelines 282 (HSG 282) from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which relate to the management of ‘commercial spas’ and ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’.

The current HSG 282 guidelines entitled ‘Control of legionella and other infectious agents in spa-pool systems’ were published in January 2017 and supersede the joint HSE-HPA publication, ‘Management of Spa Pools: Controlling the Risks of Infection’, which was first published in March 2006. Whilst these titles sound a little ominous, they are relatively easy to understand with our guidance, so read on.

Who is it for?

HSG 282 is primarily aimed at those who manage or operate ‘commercial spas’ or ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’, and explains how to manage and control the risks from legionella and other infectious water-borne agents. Importantly though, HSG 282 also gives detailed technical guidelines which has helped the supply-side hot tub industry to design, manufacture and supply specialist products that are fit for purpose to be used ‘in a business setting’, where typical bather loads can be higher than conventional domestic hot tub usage.

This feature will explain in simple terms the technical requirements for ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ as this represents the vast majority of hot tub products that are installed beside holiday lodges, cabins and cottages, where they are for the exclusive use of a family or group staying in these types of holiday accommodation for a single letting period.

Whilst HSG 282 also gives detailed guidance on water testing and safe water hygiene management, these aspects are covered in our Testing Testing! feature on page 74 and our Water Care Explained feature on page 78

Successful holiday accommodation operators must ensure that all new installations of ‘domestic hot tubs used in a business setting’ comply with HSG 282 health and safety technical guidelines if they want to combine safety with prosperity.

Risk management

If you are currently running a hot tub or multiple hot tubs for the use of your guests then you need to be acting to meet HSG 282 guidelines. Now that the holiday hot tub market is experiencing unprecedented demand, there is even greater scrutiny on those operators who are responsible for the purchasing, maintenance and operational care of hot tubs.

If you are considering purchasing or replacing hot tubs and are not yet aware of the responsibilities and implications of HSG 282 then you need to read on. It is in your best interests to gain critical awareness and make the right choice of product to ensure that you meet the guidelines, ensure staff and bather safety, and protect your business reputation.

The HSG 282 guidance may not be statutory law but failure to adhere to it could prove very costly to your business if a health incident occurs as a result of installing unsuitable equipment, having poor hot tub safety procedures or inadequate water hygiene management.

Positive action can help to avoid large fines, like those that have been handed out in recent years to negligent holiday parks and hot tub stockists who have failed in their operator duties.

If you are aiming to provide hot tub use for your customers, HSG 282 should become a standard way of life for you. Fail to adopt this ‘good practice’, or neglect it, at your peril!

Reputable status

The great news for holiday park operators and holiday cottage owners is that there are now a myriad of fantastic sources of information, training and third-party services available to ensure that you purchase and install products that are fit for purpose and then implement a thorough health and safety regime to keep staff and guests safe at all times.

Hampshire-based British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) is the main UK trade association for the hot tub industry, and under the guidance of managing director Chris Hayes, BISHTA has made excellent provisions for the holiday park market.

Now, for just a small annual fee, holiday parks can gain invaluable assistance from BISHTA to help comply with HSG 282 and increase their status as a reputable hot tub holiday provider with an ‘Associate membership’ of BISHTA in the process.

The Trade Association is recognised by the HSE and the relevant Health Protection

Agencies and was established in 2001 to ‘Promote Safe Hot tub Water’ and ensure that companies engaged in the display and sale of hot tubs are properly trained in water hygiene management and understand the importance of maintaining these standards throughout the product’s lifespan.

Among the many benefits of being a BISHTA member, you will be updated on professional advice and guidance on HSG 282. Associate members of BISHTA also gain the benefit of discounted rates for training in water hygiene management and the handling and transport of chemicals to comply with dangerous goods legislation.

By displaying the BISHTA logo on your website and your holiday park’s marketing material you will also gain an advantage over many of your competitors; by providing extra peace of mind to your current and prospective guests that you are a responsible hot tub operator, with the necessary training and HSG 282 compliant operating skills and procedures in place to safely run hot tubs.

Third party BISHTA accredited training organisations, such as Lincolnshire-based SpaTech Training, also provide comprehensive courses covering all aspects of holiday park hot tub management. ➧

Photo © Jacuzzi

Suitable hot tubs

The major difference between domestic hot tubs and those designed for use by occupants of a holiday lodge or cottage, is the fact that there is naturally going to be a constant stream of new users for the holiday park models; who obviously don’t want to be bathing in other people’s ‘old water’.

The importance of maintaining water quality correctly and safely is covered further in our Water Care Explained feature on page 78, but it should be stressed at this stage of your research into the hot tub market that purchasing an HSG 282 compliant hot tub will need to be your first port of call. Only then should you think about getting to grips with the ramifications of water treatment, changing water on a regular and quick turnaround basis, and the necessary water testing and documentation with specified record keeping requirements.

Due to the higher typical bather loads in ‘hot tubs used as a business activity’ than ‘domestic use of hot tubs’, HSG 282 sets out extra design safeguards to ensure that hot tubs used ‘as a business activity’ are equipped with the necessary features at the outset to maximise the capability to maintain safe and efficient water hygiene and make the lives of your duty holders easy.

The 10-Point checklist below is WhatSpa?’s step-by-step guide to the equipment and specification that you should be looking for when purchasing new hot tub models. Remember to get reassurance from potential suppliers that their hot tub models meet or exceed the HSG 282 technical and design criteria so that you can be confident that they suit your needs and those of your staff and guests:

Design requirements SEATING CAPACITY & WATER VOLUME

The number of dedicated seats in the hot tub should be equal to or exceed the maximum berth capacity of the holiday accommodation that it serves. So, if a holiday lodge has four berths, you should be installing at least a four-seater hot tub. This ensures that the hot tub is not used by more people than its intended maximum bather capacity at any time.

Whilst it is recommended that ‘commercial spas’ have a water capacity equal to or exceeding 250 litres per bather seat under HSG 282, this is good common

sense guidance for any hot tub including ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’. This ensures an adequate water volume to cater for the maximum number of bathers that the hot tub is designed to accommodate. So for example, a fourseater hot tub should ideally have a water capacity (to the normal water line) of at least 1,000 litres and a six-seater model should ideally exceed 1,500 litres.

WATER CIRCULATION & FILTRATION

The hot tub should be capable of circulating and filtering the total water volume of the hot tub within 15 minutes. If hot tubs are going to be positioned in close proximity to sleeping accommodation or within decking we also advise that silent 24-hour circulation pumps are fitted, as this will minimise noise and vibration and disturbance for guests, especially at night. This ensures that the water is continuously filtered and is also being circulated to ensure in-line sanitisation and oxidisation (see below). Note that under HSG 282, barrel-style wooden hot tubs that are heated by log burners, which rely on convection for water circulation rather than mechanical circulation and filtration, are deemed to be unsuitable for use in a business setting unless they are filled and emptied after each bather use (maximum operation time per refill is 3-5 hours including heat-up time in this scenario).

IN-LINE SANITISERS

HSG 282 compliant hot tubs should be equipped with an in-line sanitiser dispenser to ensure a constant supply of sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) and continuous disinfection. This in-line dispenser should be secure so that bathers cannot easily tamper with it or its contents. Floating sanitiser tablet dispensers are not recommended for use in a business setting as they can easily be removed from the hot tub water by bathers and could potentially be tampered with, posing unnecessary health and safety risks.

Photo © Jacuzzi

Photo © Caldera Spas

Sanitiser dispenser

OXIDISATION EQUIPMENT

The hot tub should ideally be fitted with secondary disinfection/oxidisation equipment such as an ozonator or UV water treatment system. An ozonator or UV system will oxidise the water as it is circulated through the plumbing system and break down the cell walls of bacteria, and remove dissolved organic and inorganic matter from the water as it passes through the ozonator or UV system. This complements the residual chemical sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) used to keep the water safe and hygienic. Note that ozonators and UV systems will need to be checked and serviced at least annually to ensure that they are working efficiently.

AIR BLOWERS

The hot tub should not be equipped with an air blower (which produces bubbles of air which are emitted through specific air jets beneath the water) unless there is provision for automatically purging the air system at least every 12 hours. This reduces the risks of stagnant water in the plumbing system and increased aerosols, which could exacerbate the risk associated with dangerous water-borne pathogens becoming air-borne and breathed in by bathers.

PLUMBING SYSTEM

Since plumbing ‘deadlegs’ (a dead-end to a pipe work system where water cannot flow through and back into the main body of hot tub water) are not recommended under HSG 282, we advise that hot tubs shouldn’t be equipped with any pipe work that allows for permanent deadlegs. This reduces the risk of stagnant water in the plumbing system of the hot tub.

HSG 282 compliant hot tub suppliers will advise you regarding the plumbing compliance of their models since this

pipe work is mainly out of sight and hidden within the enclosed cabinetry. Jets, waterfalls or water features which could be temporarily switched off by bathers via topside diverter valves are not ideal as they could create temporary deadlegs, but this can be mitigated by turning water flow back on to them as part of your daily checks and this procedure should be documented in your risk assessment.

CONTROL PANELS

To minimise the chances of guests changing programming settings we also recommend very simplistic secondary topside control panels that are easy to understand and operate by guest bathers. Just a display of the current water temperature plus a few control panel buttons to turn jets and lights on and off are all that are required to avoid confusion and unnecessary complications. In this case, a primary control panel can be placed out of reach of bathers inside the cabinet for programming hot tub settings and filter cycles etc. ➧

Hydrotherapy jets

Photo © Artesian Spas

Photo © Sunbeach Spas

Photo

HEADRESTS/PILLOWS

Many hot tubs are equipped with soft headrests/pillows for added bather comfort. The potential downside to these is that the underside of the headrest and cavities beneath them can become clogged with organic matter that can then become a breeding ground for bacteria. Since a monthly microbiological test is part of the maintenance under HSG 282 we recommend either avoiding hot tubs with headrests or ensuring that they are removed and the headrest and acrylic area of the hot tub behind it cleaned and disinfected at guest changeover or at least weekly, and that this procedure is documented in your risk assessment.

HOT TUB COVERS

Every hot tub comes equipped with a thermal cover to retain heat and reduce energy consumption, but also to ensure that organic contaminants don’t enter the water unnecessarily. Hot tub covers can be cumbersome for bathers to remove by hand and can also become easily damaged if they are not handled and stowed away safely when the hot tub is in use. Once damaged, hot tub covers can become waterlogged and heavy, and also lose their thermal retention properties. We thoroughly recommend that a cover lifter system be fitted to each hot tub so that the cover can be easily removed and stowed away when the hot tub is being used.

FAST DRAINAGE AND REFILLING

Under HSG 282 ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ need to be fully drained, cleaned and disinfected, and refilled after each period of hire, or at least weekly, whichever is shorter. It is therefore advisable to have facilities for quick drainage and refilling to ensure fast turnaround times for new guests. If high output drainage facilities can be built into the hot tub equipment specification, this can save time and effort on a week-to-week basis.

Standard hot tub heaters will heat the source water at around 2 degrees Celsius per hour, which could take up to 15 hours in winter from a cold water tap.

Drainage

To remedy this problem for fast turnaround, air source heat pumps and heat exchangers can now be retrofitted and can heat the entire body of water more quickly (in around four hours). Alternatively if your site boiler is sufficiently capable, you could use a warm water supply set at around 30 degrees Celsius to refill the hot tub after draining and cleaning. In this scenario, the hot tub heater would only be required to heat the water up for the last few degrees (to the ideal bathing temperature of around 37-38 degrees Celsius).

Helping hand

Whilst all of the above may sound complicated to the uninitiated, fear not, as this is very straightforward for hot tub professionals that regularly supply the holiday park market. Look for reliable credentials such as WhatSpa? Approved status and BISHTA membership when you are selecting your model and supplier and avoid the temptation to buy a cheap hot tub from an online supplier as this will inevitably end in disappointment, poor levels of support and dissatisfied guests.

A professional HSG 282 compliant hot tub supplier will also be invaluable in helping you to set up risk assessments and water care regimes (along with technical support) to ensure a safe and enjoyable family hot tub experience for your guests, which can be one of the most memorable parts of their stay if you get it right.

To make your life even easier, our Best Buy Awards from page 84 highlight 20 of the best hot tub models of all sizes that come with the reassurance from quality manufacturers that their models meet HSG 282 technical specifications.

Photo © 1 Stop Spas

Photo © Jacuzzi

Cover lifter

HOT PROJECTS

Are you seeking an ‘in-spa-rational’ idea for your energy-saving holiday park hot tub plans?

If so, the following design project showcases the installation process involved to achieve a truly stunning finished result.

Photo © 1 Stop Spas / Mark & Sally Connor

PROJECT 1 Stop Spas

DEALER

1 Stop Spas

Tel: 01522 300737

Email: info@1stopspas.com www.1stopspas.com

MODEL AND SPEC OF HOT TUB

Tuff Spas TT150

DIMENSIONS: 196cm x 132cm x 69cm

Akey element for the long-term success of a holiday hot tub installation project is the products and professional suppliers that you decide to work with for peace of mind throughout the whole process, from the initial product research and purchasing to the professional delivery and installation. If you are entering the hot tub holiday market for the first time, or even if you are an experienced business in this sector, the recommended route is to ensure you gain professional support from a respected holiday hot tub specialist with many years of installation experience. This will provide you with the assurance that you are complying with strict HSG282 guidance at every stage and eliminates the problems of poor-quality

products and incompetent installation services from impacting on your project and ruining your investment.

Before their hot tub installation project was successfully completed at Weatherhill Farm, just eight miles from Hornsea, pig farmers Mark and Sally Connor decided to take the recommended purchasing route with appropriate research before selecting top quality Tuff Spas hot tubs and professional delivery and installation services from 1 Stop Spas

By commissioning the services of a respected BISHTA member that has achieved WhatSpa? Professional status and is the UK’s exclusive Tuff Spas distributor, Mr and Mrs Connor achieved the benefit of HSG282 compliant hot tubs for their project, supported with professional product knowledge, delivery,

All photos © 1 Stop Spas / Mark & Sally Connor

The decision by Mark and Sally Connor, and their son, Sam, to diversify from farming to glamping has paid off with their energy-efficient solution to offering luxury holiday accommodation hot tubs.

installation, and specialist holiday hot tub training, after-care, and servicing support.

This ensures their investment on three of the WhatSpa? Holiday Park Best Buy Award-winning twin-lounger Tuff Spas TT150 models, with inclusive Tuff Top covers, plus extra expenditure to help reduce running costs by up to 85 per cent with DuraTech Pro 12 (12kw) technology will generate high levels of customer satisfaction, plus positive reviews, and repeat booking rewards.

Purchasing priority

When your business reputation is on the line it is imperative that you only purchase top quality HSG282 compliant products from a respected supplier and 1 Stop Spas provided Mr and Mrs Connor with professional service throughout the whole purchasing and installation process. Along with a huge selection of hot tubs and swim spas from leading USA brands, 1 Stop Spas has HSG282 compliant hot tub options supported by a team of fully-trained professionals to help you achieve bookings benefits from your hot tub investment lasting many years.

There is WhatSpa? Professional expert support for holiday park operators at the state-of-the-art 1 Stop Spas showrooms; including the flagship showroom in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and an additional location in East Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, which promote the American Whirlpool and Tuff Spas brands. 1 Stop Spas also operates a dedicated SpaTech Training division as part of its centre of excellence capability, which provides specialist tuition and accreditation services for its own staff members, other hot tub industry professionals, and dedicated training courses for holiday hot tub businesses.

Former RAF Fast Jet Aeronautical Engineer and respected BISHTA member Chris Brady, who is a Certified Hot Tub Technician™ and a Pool & Hot Tub Alliance™ (PHTA) tutor, and his wife Melissa, who like Chris, is a BISHTA Water Hygiene Management specialist, are leading the success of a dedicated 1 Stop Spas team.

“Our comprehensive site surveys incorporate hot tub installation project advice as part of the pre-delivery process,” explained Chris; “This includes professional guidance on all projects before delivery and installation by fullyqualified Certified Hot Tub Technicians™ trained by SpaTech Training.”

Hot trend

One of the key aims of this project was to help the pig farming business diversify with an additional revenue stream by capitalising on the staycation trend and the booming hot tub holiday market.

It also solved the problem of what to do with a former paddock land that is located nine miles from Beverley and 12 miles from Driffield, which had been purchased from Mr and Mrs Connor’s neighbours.

“We were paying for the land but we weren’t using it for anything,” explained Mrs Connor. “So we decided to take advantage of it and capitalise on the rising demand for staycation accommodation.

“My husband has been a farmer all his life, but we needed extra income so we invested in accommodation facilities and then decided to incorporate three igloo units with hot tubs.

“We spotted the Igloos at a trade show and my son immediately encouraged us to order three of them. Then when we saw the Tuff Spas on the 1 Stop Spas stand at the would be perfect for our hot tub holiday accommodation project.

“We liked their product, because they were so compact and rugged and easy to get in and out of and the fact that the 1 Stop Spas representatives on the stand were really helpful but not too pushy.

“These Tuff Spas hot tubs are definitely the best design of hot tubs for what we are facing with a rugged design and energy-efficiency and heating requirements. We avoided wood-fired hot tubs because we believe they are too much hassle and they make it

hard to comply with the requirement for HSG282 compliance.

“We were confident that the Tuff Spas were the best product for our project and would help us to comply with HSG282. We’ve been really impressed with how easy they are to operate and maintain.”

Twin delight

Along with the peace of mind assurances of receiving support from a respected WhatSpa? Professional supplier and gaining hot tubs with WhatSpa? Holiday Park Best Buy Award-winning status and manufacturing warranties, including two-year parts warranty, one of the main attractions of the Tuff Spas TT150 for Mr and Mrs Connor has been the twin lounger design. They believe that this seating design is the perfect match for attracting couples to their hot tub holiday retreat accommodation.

Within the design of the twin lounger seats there are 22 hydrotherapy jets, running from a single hydrotherapy

The finished installation

“Our customers like the fact that these hot tubs are easy to enter and exit and the fact that the double lounger design allows both users to be able to enjoy star gazing at night in our quiet and relaxing environment,” divulged Mrs Connor.

“The feedback we’re getting from our guests is that they absolutely love lying in the tubs looking at the stars! They are a place where people can come and get away from their everyday lives and chill out.”

Top benefits

Along with the brand’s rugged designs a major bonus for businesses operating in the hot tub holiday sector is the famous Tuff Top cover. This immediately eliminates the problem of having extra expenditure for replacement covers and also provides top levels of heat retention performance.

“A lifetime warranty on the Tuff Top cover patented design is what sets Tuff Spas apart from other hot tubs in the market,” reported Chris Brady; “As well as the fact that it eliminates the cost of regularly replacing traditional hot tub covers and also instantly reduces the extra environmental burden of landfill waste.”

Mrs Connor enthused: “The Tuff Top cover is fantastic! It really helps to retain the heat in the hot tub water. When it’s closed there is nothing coming out. We’re really pleased with it.

“We have used it as a ‘big reveal’ for our customers. When we open one side of the cover and they see the heat coming out of the hot tub with the water all ready for them to immediately use they are very impressed.

“My husband is a stickler for quality and the Tuff Top cover was one of the elements of Tuff Spas that impressed him.”

Energy-efficiency boost

With rocketing electricity prices being forecast for 2023, the Connors have gained a major advantage by combining their Tuff Spas purchase with a trio of DuraTech Pro 12 (12kw) Inverter-driven Air Source Heat Pumps.

These heat pumps can be immediately fitted to the Tuff Spas TT150, which has a standard 2kw heater. All Tuff Spas are compatible with both heat pumps and heat exchangers, and this is one of the reasons that they are becoming so popular in the hot tub holiday sector.

“Our electricity supply is limited on our site and as part of our project we were looking at ways to overcome this difficulty,” explained Mrs Connor; “These heaters have worked really well and are now helping us to be extremely energy-efficient when it comes to heating up the hot tub water.

“Because there is not that much water to heat in our hot tubs, we can get the new water up to the right temperature very easy and quickly. From changing the water after the previous guest we can heat up the cold water to maximum temperature within one-and-a-half hours.

“We’ve not had our first electricity bill yet, but we’re confident with the fact that having the heaters installed with all three of our hot tubs will certainly help us to reduce the cost of our electric supply.”

Chris Brady believes these heat pumps are a vital addition to a holiday hot tub purchase and added: “Our DuraPro 12 air source heat pumps can be immediately combined with our Tuff Spas and fitted to almost all existing spas and can reduce running costs by up to 85 per cent!”

Satisfaction reward

Within just two months of opening the hot tub accommodation, Mr and Mrs Connor and their son have gained the reward of glowing feedback from satisfied customers. They believe that the decision to purchase hot tubs for their holiday property project is now paying off.

“Within just a couple of months we’ve been seeing the impact of our investment in the three hot tubs for this project,” revealed Mrs Connor; “It’s certainly the hot tubs that are selling the accommodation. They are a massive hook to attract new customers throughout the whole of the year.

“One of our customers enjoyed it so much that he decided to book the accommodation for his parents!”

Successful formula

The success of this project has been achieved due to the combined formula of appropriate pre-purchasing research, top quality products, and professional support, all from 1 Stop Spas. Mr and Mrs Connor are now recommending this formula for others wanting to follow in their footsteps.

“We’re delighted with the support we’ve received from the 1 Stop Spas team throughout the whole purchasing and installation processes,” said Mrs Connor; “We are also pleased with the aftercare support we’re now receiving from them.

“If anyone is looking to get into the hot tub holiday market then I would certainly recommend conducting as much research as possible. Our research has certainly paid off.” ❚

All photos © 1 Stop Spas / Mark & Sally Connor

➧ Pre-Delivery Guide

Have you dreamed about installing your perfect hot tub but don’t know how? WhatSpa? is here to help with our simple 10 step pre-delivery guide.

Unless you are a hot tub aficionado, the prospect of installing a portable spa correctly and creating a Shangri-la environment for your hot tub holiday customers could be more than a little daunting and should always be a job that is left to the experts.

If you are purchasing a hot tub that is going to be used as part of a business or hire where money is made; such as a holiday lodge, holiday park, rental house or cottage then you will be subject to the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the new HSG 282 guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Which is why we have created this step-by-step pre-delivery guide to help you navigate the hurdles and provide advice for your planning to realise your perfect holiday hot tub accommodation project.

Get it right and you will have something that will enhance your visitor experience, produce rave reviews, boost your bookings, and create long-term profitability.

Step 1. Pre-purchase homework

Your first step should be to identify what kind of hot tub you need to match your accommodation requirements and seek out models that are being manufactured in line with the HSG 282 guidance from the HSE; which we focus on in more detail in our dedicated HSG 282 feature from page 56

Health clubs, leisure centres, and spa hotels installing spas for communal use need to have the capacity to manage high levels of multiple bathers throughout the day, so they require a commercial spa. If you are purchasing a hot tub that is being shared by multiple cottages, caravans or lodges then you should also go down this route.

Where a hot tub is going to be used exclusively by a family or small group staying in holiday accommodation you will still be subject to HSWA and HSG 282, but you can purchase a ‘Domestic Type Spa’ that is categorised as being suitable for ‘business use’. According to HSG 282, these types of business use hot tubs must

have an in-line chemical feeder and be able to turn over and filter the whole volume of water in less than 15 minutes.

Before purchasing, in order to comply with HSG 282, the size and bather capacity of your chosen hot tub should match the maximum guest capacity of the accommodation that it will serve.

You could choose to have a higher seating capacity, such as a six-seater model for a four-berth caravan, lodge or cottage but your wish list of hot tubs should never have seating capacity that is lower than the accommodation capacity that you are providing to your customers; to ensure that the bather load of the hot tub is not exceeded.

the hot tub into position

Photo © Vita Spa

Lifting

Step 2. Post-purchase planning

To comply with HSG 282, a risk assessment must be carried out for both the commissioning process of a hot tub and normal use post commissioning, which is why it is important to seek out a specialist supplier from the outset who can provide advice and help for training that must be provided for all operators and staff involved in working with the hot tub.

Your risk assessment must be duly recorded and maintained as proof during a future inspection that appropriate training has been delivered. Normal Operating Procedures (NOPs) and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs) also need to be produced and you should be making provision to ensure you and all your staff are trained professionally ahead of hot tubs being delivered.

Reputable dealers and professional suppliers to the larger holiday park market will carry out a dedicated site survey and risk assessment for you as a standard part of the hot tub pre-delivery process. This will give you an idea of what is possible and advisable to safely operate within your specific cottage location or holiday park site setting.

By having them onboard from the outset, professional suppliers will also guide you expertly throughout the whole process. They will also work closely with you to meet your local authority requirements, in terms of disposing of the hot tub water; as

well as liaising with decking contractors, landscapers and electricians to ensure a seamless delivery and installation.

Step 3. Choosing your position

Remember that hot tubs are typically delivered to site on their sides via a specialist ‘spa dolly’ or ‘spa sled’. It is important to note that if you are doing your own pre-delivery measuring, the height of the spa when it is sitting flat on the ground plus about one or two inches for packaging is the critical clearance width that you will need at every point on the route, from the delivery vehicle to your chosen location.

Spas do not bend in the middle, so be particularly careful with any bends or kinks in the route and look out for outdoor taps, downpipes or boiler flues that may jut out from walls along the way and potentially cause damage to the hot tub. If you are in any doubt, ask the dealer or supplier to do a site survey. Then it is their responsibility to check that the delivery route is clear or may require a crane or teleporter to lift the hot tub safely into its location.

If you decide to employ the services of a separate decking specialist or landscaper then always make sure that your hot tub supplier is notified. Always ensure there is plenty of communication between yourself, your decking specialist or landscaper and the hot tub installer to gain the best delivery results.

Although the tendency may be to put a spa on a dedicated decking area at the bottom of your holiday cottage garden, remember that the further you locate the tub from the building, caravan or lodge, the longer it will take for your customers to walk to it; and thus, it may impact on their enjoyment of the hydrotherapy. Particularly when the cold weather draws in, common sense says the nearer your tub is to the accommodation, the more likely your customers are to use it and provide you with fantastic feedback and rave reviews to help boost your online profile and increase bookings.

Does your chosen spot afford your customers enough privacy from your surrounding neighbours? Generally, the closer you position your hot tub to the holiday cottage, the less overlooked they will be due to the acute angle from neighbour’s windows.

If you have a holiday park then customers will be less inhibited about enjoying the hot tub if there is an element of privacy with small hedges or wooden fencing structures. One thing you don’t want to impact on too much, though, is the splendid views from the hot tub. As part of planning a location for a hot tub it is important to check if there is a best spot to enjoy panoramic views of the surroundings or countryside; and even the stars at night. ➧

Photo © Jacuzzi

Check out your site for large obstructions, such as trees. Close proximity to tall trees should be avoided also, due to the problem of autumn leaves falling into the hot tub and disrupting the user experience or increasing the cleaning workload for you and your employees.

You need to think about whether you want the spa area hidden or visible, how easy it is to get power to the area, and can you easily drain the wet area. Will noise from the area cause a problem with neighbours? Is outdoor lighting or rain protection required?

Step 4. Health & Safety Considerations

Consider the walking route from your accommodation to the hot tub. Immediate access on decking, or a clean path will ensure less grass and soil gets transferred from feet to spa. Gravel or grass around the tub can end up in the tub from feet and block access to maintenance points. Also avoid slippery or rough paving, and if you are opting for low-maintenance decking use good quality treated softwood, hardwood or synthetic decking that does not splinter easily.

For safety’s sake, avoid a site location that would result in placing your hot tub within three metres of overhead power cables.

If you are providing accommodation for families then you should consider the impact that children will have on the hot tub experience. There should be strict health and safety advice in your accommodation, including guidance to parents about children using the hot tub unsupervised, or for very young children not to use it.

Fully sunken hot tub

As part of this provision, your predelivery site survey research should ensure that parents will be able to monitor their older children in the hot tub at all times. So, can they see where their children are and what they are up to, if say, the parents are relaxing in a nearby decking or patio area while the children soak or splash around in the spa... or vice versa?

We strongly advise that a cover lifting system is fitted to the hot tub to make removal of the insulated spa cover as easy and safe as possible. A good lifter will also prevent hot tub covers from becoming damaged unnecessarily, which will shorten their lifespan and eat into your profits.

Step 5. Plan for fast changeovers

For holiday cottages it is advisable to have an outdoor tap and hosepipe within reach of the hot tub site’s location, and desirable to have an accessible drain, which makes emptying your tub much easier. Holiday parks seeking to operate large quantities of hot tubs on one site should also ensure they have a disposal of water policy in place for all their hot tubs; which does not impact on the environment. There are different policies in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland that your specialist supplier will be able to provide information about.

Also, as part of the water disposal process, de-chlorination ‘holding tanks’ may be required and so it is important to gain the correct advice from a professional supplier to the holiday park market who will provide guidance on the ways that you can conveniently dispose of used hot tub water.

There are now specialist products on the market that can be fitted by professional technicians such as air source heat pumps and heat exchangers to ensure that hot tub water can be heated quickly and safely by holiday cottage or holiday park owners within a few hours so that turnaround times between guests can always be delivered and ensured within a four to five-hour time frame. Good specialist holiday park suppliers will be able to advise you about these options.

should note that as your hot tub is classed as being for ‘business use’ then it must be installed and commissioned by a ‘competent’ person.

Photos © RotoSpa

Photos © RotoSpa

Rapid Drain Valve

Step 6. Solid foundations

Your hot tub needs a good solid, level foundation. A hot tub on its own is a heavy item, typically weighing in at around half a tonne when empty. Fill the same tub with water and four people and that weight can rocket up to twoand-a-half tonnes. So, the area you sit your tub on must be able to support the stresses and strains associated with this considerable weight from your customers.

What you don’t want is a spa plonked half-heartedly on a patch of gravel near your holiday cottage, caravan or lodge. If the support is inadequate your tub may shift, putting stress and causing possible damage to your shell. It’s common sense but putting your spa on a slope will lead to uneven water levels.

If you are installing your tub on a concrete base make sure it is at least four inches thick. If you plump for decking make sure the structure is up to the task of coping with the stresses placed on it. Specialist suppliers will provide the necessary guidance, but as a rule the cross-members supporting the deck should be 4” x 2” and no more than 18” apart.

Your spa may look better sunken –partly or completely – rather than on top of the base structure and this could help customers with disabilities to gain access much easier than having it installed

above ground. Remember to build in access points for an engineer to get access to the equipment bay for servicing later.

Step 7. Get wired

You don’t need a permanent water supply for a hot tub, but you will need a safe and suitable electrical supply to run the tub. At this stage of your planning you should note that as your hot tub is classed as being for ‘business use’ then it must be installed and commissioned by a ‘competent’ person.

Most reputable hot tub showrooms will be able to recommend a local trustworthy electrical contractor who specialises in hot

tub installations, so it is your responsibility to ask and seek out their services. They will also be very happy to liaise with your chosen ‘technician’ regarding the spec of the spa and installation requirements. At no point should you consider wiring up the hot tub yourself if you are not a trained electrician. You would be contravening HSG 282 guidance and would face tough penalties in court if your actions result in serious health issues to your customers or staff.

Step 8. Water care planning

To satisfy HSG 282 guidelines, you will need to have a risk assessment in place that covers everything from commissioning to equipment maintenance, water testing, hot tub usage safety precautions, and water hygiene and safety.

Don’t wait until after delivery to get this important documentation in place. Your supplier should have templates that you can use to get this process up and running quickly and easily. Also get your staff trained by an approved water hygiene training provider (contact BISHTA for more details).

If you will have more than one hot tub on site, make provisions for spare filters and a storage solution to ensure that filters are exclusively used in one hot tub only to satisfy HSG 282 requirements. ➧

Photo © Hydrolife

Electrical supply

Moving the spa into position

Step 9. Delivery day

The delivery of your hot tub is an essential part of the process – we’re not talking about a courier dropping off a TV, microwave or DVD player here! Hot tubs, by their nature, tend to be large, heavy and bulky items. If all a retailer offers to do is deliver it to your holiday cottage kerbside without installation and commissioning, head for the hills!

To achieve the best result, build a relationship with a supplier that can deliver, install and fully commission your hot tub in line with HSG 282 guidance. Before delivery day factor in how easy or how difficult it will be for a supplier to deliver your spa to the exact spot required. If you have easy access to the required spot then it may simply be a task for your dealer to wheel or slide the spa into position on a ‘spa dolly’ or ‘spa sled’. You may have to remove fencing or gates to enable access.

However, if you have restricted access to your accommodation or have an enclosed walled garden with restrictive access for example (a particular issue also for those with properties that have no side gate and wide path access), there is every possibility that the spa will have to be craned or teleported into position. This will, of course, affect the cost of delivery and installation. So, this is another important element of the pre-

delivery process that you must consider to ensure your hot tub is not damaged during delivery.

If you do need a crane delivery, there are two types of offerings from crane companies. A ‘contract lift’ is a full service contract where the crane company is responsible for everything including writing method statements and risk assessments, liaising with transport authorities for road closures and providing banksmen and insurance cover. The cheaper ‘crane hire’ means that you are responsible (and liable) for all these extras.

We always recommend that you opt for ‘contract hire’ for the protection and convenience that it offers. Note that hire time starts from when the crane leaves the depot, so always opt for a reputable local crane hire company and get several quotes to ensure best value.

Step 10. Up and running

Once your hot tub is delivered, placed in situ, filled with water and the electrical supply is installed, your hot tub installation team should ‘commission’ the

hot tub and check that everything is fully operational before ‘handing over’ to you with a thorough training of how all the hot tub features work. Again, this is covered by the HSG 282 guidance and you should also ensure that you gain written assurances for warranties and any aftercare support.

They should also provide information about testing and maintaining clean water and will guide you through the process. As a key part of their professional conduct they should ask for your signature to prove that you have been given this water care guidance and training. You can, and should, opt for a specialist or a team of hot tub maintenance specialists to be in place ahead of delivery to ensure appropriate training for your staff if you are a holiday park to comply with HSG 282 guidance.

Also, before the installers leave your premises, ensure that the spa has a comprehensive instruction manual written in clear English, as this is a legal requirement for all electrical goods.

Now get the bubbly on ice and prepare to unveil your brand new hot tub to your excited first guests! ❚

❝Remember that hot tubs are typically delivered to site on their sides via a specialist ‘spa dolly’ or ‘spa sled’.❞

Installation and Commissioning Process

Photo © Euphoria Lifestyle

TESTING!

TESTING!

A strict water testing regime should be conducted and recorded as part of a ‘business use’ hot tub policy.

Hot tubs may have become the ‘must have’ accommodation accessory for the holiday park market, but when these products are used in a 'business environment' they require a dedicated duty of care when it comes to water hygiene, testing and strict record keeping.

The welcome boost to your guests’ wellbeing, as well as your company’s bank balance will only occur if the professional water testing and treatment is in place from delivery day onwards.

Now that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has created strict HSG 282 guidance for the use of ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ there can be no escape from local authority scrutiny and sanctions if the correct testing procedures are not conducted as part of a professional water hygiene programme.

Routine water testing should not be seen as a ‘hassle’, but as a necessity to protect customers and employees from the spread of harmful bacteria.

Testing support

If you are currently running hot tubs for hire as part of a business, or are considering entering the hot tub holiday market for the first time, then you should be gaining as much help and advice as possible from respected sources to ensure you are complying with HSG 282 guidelines.

The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) has been working closely with the HSE to help draw up HSG 282 and promote the guidance on all aspects of running a ‘domestic hot tub for business use’, especially the importance of water testing and chemical dosing.

“BISHTA and its members, along with our training partners, are committed to providing the correct advice and tuition about water testing and water chemical treatment to ensure the safe use of hot tubs in the domestic market and business market,” said BISHTA Managing Director Chris Hayes.

As part of its efforts to promote correct water testing and water maintenance the association has launched a ‘Safeguarding consumers use of hot tubs in holiday accommodation’ awareness campaign to provide advice and guidance that is designed to highlight the importance of professional testing and to encourage best practice in the hot tub holiday market.

Health risks

The last thing you want is to purchase a quality hot tub, gain strong demand for your hot tub accommodation and then see it all go down the drain, literally, due to poor customer feedback and negative reviews caused by poor quality water management.

When hot tubs are ineffectively tested, and the appropriate chemical treatment

is neglected, it can allow microscopic organisms to thrive and become a health issue as they go undetected. They can then quickly breed and become a minor or serious health problem for users.

Hot tub folliculitis, for example, is caused by the microscopic organisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is more of an irritable skin complaint than a lifethreatening illness. It generally appears everywhere on the middle of the body and mostly on the back and causes scattered pinpoint, little red to purple bumps. This bacterial disease is preventable with correct testing and water treatment.

Legionnaires’ Disease, from legionella bacteria, is much more dangerous and can pose a serious threat to the health and even life of your customers, as it is contracted when people breathe water vapours or mist from contaminated water, which can be found in hot tubs that have not been tested and sanitised effectively. Testing and prevention of nasty bacteria growing in your hot tub should not be a chore. Implementing a routine for water testing and a robust water hygiene programme is much easier than having to deal with the health repercussions of a poorly managed hot tub.

Market awareness

There is now a greater awareness about HSG 282 among hot tub operators in the holiday park sector; but it requires positive ‘best practice’ action to ensure that ‘cowboy operators’ do not take advantage of the boom in demand for hot tubs in this market without providing correct water testing advice and guidance.

Sue Bates, who runs the luxury Ash Lodge and Elm Lodge in Shropshire with her husband Phillip, believes that the enhanced awareness of HSG 282 is now helping to prevent poor quality suppliers from taking advantage of holiday accommodation owners who want to include hot tubs as part of their accommodation provision.

The couple have been conducting research about the market and how they can ensure HSG 282 compliance by attending specialist trade show seminars, which have outlined the strategies and action that is required to ensure they avoid the pitfalls that some poorly informed hot tub holiday operators may be falling foul of on a regular basis.

“We run a very successful hot tub lodge business that produces fantastic reviews from our customers, because we are committed to running and caring for the hot tubs correctly,” divulged Sue.

“Our fears, though, are that ‘cowboy operators’ may be neglecting their hot tub hire duties and could put their customers in danger; which could have a negative impact on the holiday market.

“From our point of view, we appreciate that the HSG 282 guidance will hopefully keep poor quality ‘grey import’ suppliers from taking over this market and ensure that the correct care of hot tubs is being carried out by the growing number of hot tub holiday businesses.”

Water training

Complying with HSG 282 guidance positively and having correct testing procedures in place should be deemed

as a critical element of running your hot tub holiday business and will prevent your company from causing minor and serious illnesses.

To ensure your business adheres to the HSG 282 guidance you must make provision for all your hot tub duty holders to be fully trained and retrained periodically in water hygiene management, which will include thorough training in how to do all the necessary day-to-day testing to ensure safe and comfortable spa water.

Records of the training must be maintained and provided to your local Health and Safety inspectors on request. Any subsequent new members of staff involved in the operation of the hot tub and its water testing regime and treatment must also be trained and recorded for your risk assessment documentation.

Latest technology

Under the provisions of HSG 282, you should test and balance the hot tub water routinely and at least twice daily. Your test results will need to be as accurate as possible and you will need to keep records of all tests for at least five years.

Whilst test strips and domestic pooltesters offer a quick and easy solution, their accuracy can be highly variable, so we would recommend more professional testing equipment for routine testing of parameters such as free chlorine, total bromine, pH, and total alkalinity.

One of the leading water testing equipment suppliers to the holiday

park market in the UK is Lovibond®, based in Amesbury, Wiltshire. Lovibond® manufactures its own range of testing units and reagents and the experienced team also provide comprehensive advice and training to holiday park operators designed to give peace of mind and confidence that your readings are correct, and your testing regime meets the stringent testing requirements of HSG 282.

The Lovibond® MD100 range of photometers offers models that will measure up to six different parameters making them ideal for swimming pool as well as hot tub applications. The most popular three-in-one comes in two variations testing for chlorine, pH and bromine or chlorine, pH and total alkalinity depending on your needs. All systems are easy to use and come in a carrying/storage case complete with tablet reagents for 100 tests of each parameter, accessories and instructions.

Sales Manager Colin Day and his Lovibond® team have been promoting the MD100 range at leading trade exhibitions, and will be exhibiting on stand E16 at the UK’s wet leisure showcase SPATEX at the Coventry Building Society Arena from the 31st January to the 2nd February 2023. “Our systems are designed to make water testing for the hot tub operator as straightforward as possible to ensure everyone can follow the guidance laid down by HSG 282,” revealed Colin; “We offer ongoing support, and advice and have a free online HSG 282 training course so you can be assured that your water testing is as good as it possibly can be.” ➧

Photo © Lovibond

Routine testing

Under the provisions of HSG 282, you should test and balance the water routinely at least twice daily. Use suitably accurate test equipment as described in your risk assessment to test the water for pH (the acidity or alkalinity), sanitiser (chlorine or bromine are the most recognised sanitisers on the market) and total alkalinity

The ideal ranges are as follows:

■ pH = 7.2 – 7.6

■ Free chlorine = 3 – 5mg/l (milligrams per litre)

■ Total Bromine = 4 – 6mg/l (milligrams per litre)

■ Total alkalinity = 125 – 150mg/l (at least 80 mg/l)

Note that you should use either chlorine or bromine so you will only be testing for the particular sanitiser that you are using.

Microbiological testing

A microbiological monitoring regime should include an initial test following commissioning but prior to first use and then on a monthly basis thereafter. A water sample should be taken under the correct conditions and sent to an approved UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved

laboratory for microbiological testing for the presence of bacteria and should include an ACC (or total viable or total colony count), coliforms, E coli and P aeruginosa.

Additional unscheduled microbiological tests should also be taken in the following unlikely circumstances:

After a report of ill-health following hot tub use, where there has been a contamination incident, where there is doubt about the water hygiene regime, or where alterations have been made to the treatment or maintenance regimes.

Legionella testing

Legionella bacteria is an extremely dangerous water-borne pathogen and can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, which can be fatal in serious cases. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted when people breathe water vapours or mist from contaminated water, including from hot tubs, shower heads and air conditioning systems.

Under HSG 282, operators responsible for ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’ should send a water sample to an approved UKAS approved laboratory for legionella testing

Specialist companies, such as Manchester-based Legionella Control International, can help to conduct a legionella risk assessment and after it

has been completed, you will be able to measure the level of risk associated with your site or business process.

Proactive hot tub water care advice and guidance is also available from the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) and its members and affiliates.

As part of its campaign to promote safe water in holiday parks, BISHTA is currently encouraging consumers to seek out hot tub accommodation that has BISHTA member status or has strict water testing and water treatment procedures in place to reassure people that they are going to be safe in the hot tub during their stay.

“We want to work with hot tub holiday businesses to ensure they carry out correct water testing on their hot tubs to comply with HSG 282 and to ensure the safe enjoyment and satisfaction of their customers,” said BISHTA Managing Director Chris Hayes.

“This is a very important element of providing a hot tub for hire as part of a holiday accommodation package, and as such it requires professional training from a BISHTA member or one of our respected training partners.”

For more details about water hygiene management see our Water Care Explained feature on page 78 ❚

Water Care EXPLAINED

Demand for holiday accommodation that includes a hot tub has never been higher, and the UK holiday park and cottage market has duly obliged over the last decade.

There is no question that adding hot tub facilities can add a huge amount to your booking and bottom line profitability, but it is also vital that they are run safely for the enjoyment of guests and the safety of staff alike.

Top priority

When it comes to hot tub water hygiene there can be no shortcuts. Your hot tub holiday business depends on the highest levels of customer satisfaction, which is why it is in the best interests of everyone that the correct water care procedures are undertaken as part of a strict health and safety policy for your guests and employees.

It does not matter if you are a business operating multiple hot tub holiday parks, running just a single site with several hot tubs, or a hot tub for your rental cottage, there should always be a critical ‘top priority’ of ensuring correct water care and maintenance to ensure the safety of your employees and your customers at all times.

Hot tub water treatment may seem like a minefield to you right now, but it is very straightforward once you’ve had suitable

training and some handholding from your specialist hot tub supplier. In no time at all, you’ll have all the expertise required to look after your shiny new hot tubs with ease.

New HSE guidelines

Holiday park owners who operate hot tubs now have the new HSG 282 guidance to adhere to, which was first published at the start of 2017. Those operators who are hiring out hot tubs as part of their accommodation services for customers have various technical specifications and water care duties to comply with.

This HSG 282 guidance outlines water maintenance strategies and procedures to implement the necessary health and safety obligations and water care procedures for employees and customers on controlling legionella and other infectious agents in spa-pool systems.

By conducting a risk assessment, having trained staff in place, and establishing a specific water care routine for your hot tub accommodation hire or holiday park in accordance with HSG 282 compliance, you are going to get off on the right foot. But it is also important to remember that correct water care, testing and record keeping must be maintained throughout the lifetime of all your hot tubs at your premises.

Holiday park owners should ensure hot tub water care is a top priority to maintain ‘spa-rkling’ spa water and 100 per cent safety for their holidaymaker guests.

❝It is in the best interests of everyone that the correct water care procedures are undertaken as part of a strict health and safety policy.❞

Photo © Palintest

We thoroughly recommend that the staff responsible for hot tub testing and maintenance attend a Water Hygiene Management Training course in advance of delivery day so that they are fully competent to start safely maintaining your hot tubs once they are delivered and commissioned. For more details of accredited training providers contact the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) at www.bishta.co.uk

Documentation

Besides HSG 282, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 applies to holiday park and cottage operators where staff are involved with the day-to-day maintenance of ‘domestic hot tubs used as a business activity’. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) also impose certain statutory duties on those who manage spa-pool systems.

The duty holder is therefore responsible for ensuring that a Risk Assessment is carried out to identify any possible health and safety risks, including those relating to hot tub operation, maintenance and use by guests.

Producing a risk assessment is a straightforward process but if you’ve never done one before, seek the help of specialist holiday park hot tub suppliers, who should be able to help you to set up your risk assessment documentation.

You will also need to keep records of COSHH Safety Data Sheets for any hot tub water care products that you use as

part of your water hygiene regime and also keep detailed Water Testing Record Sheets for each hot tub on site. Again, specialist suppliers should have templates that you can use once your hot tubs are up and running.

Note that the risk assessment documentation must be retained for the period it remains current and for at least two years afterwards, and records kept for hot tub monitoring, inspections, testing or checks, should be kept for at least five years.

The WhatSpa? team has scoured through the HSG 282 guidance so that we can provide our step-by-step introductory guide to water hygiene management:

Commissioning your spa

After your new hot tub is installed and all the electrics have been signed off, it should be filled up and fully tested to confirm that everything works as it should and it is operating safely. ➧

Photo

© Jim Lamb

Photo © 1 Stop Spas

The hot tub may harbour some residual water and microbiological contamination from pressure testing at the factory and during transportation, which can take months from factory to final installation at your site.

It is therefore important that the hot tub is initially dosed with a high level of sanitiser immediately after it is first filled with fresh water. This is called ‘super-chlorination’ and the level of sanitiser should be sufficient to achieve a level of 50mg/l of free chlorine for at least an hour with all the pumps running and air valves, waterfalls and jets open to ensure thorough circulation through all plumbing systems.

Your supplier should help you with this process and also advise about water treatment and disposal. Once this process is complete, the spa can be drained, refilled and your supplier should treat and balance the water in readiness for use by your first guests. At this point a water sample should be taken and sent to an approved UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved laboratory for microbiological testing and satisfactory results should be obtained before your guests start to use the spa.

Ongoing Maintenance

Once your holiday hot tub is up and running, has been commissioned properly, and is ready for guest use, here’s a breakdown of the water maintenance checks and balancing that you will need to undertake at regular intervals:

❚ Daily

Under the provisions of HSG 282, you should test and balance the water routinely at least twice daily (early morning check and late afternoon would probably work best) to ensure that the hot tub is working correctly, and it is up to bather temperature (between 37°C and 38.5°C is a comfortable range for most people).

Use suitably accurate test equipment as described in your risk assessment to test the water for pH (the acidity or alkalinity) and sanitiser (chlorine or bromine are the most recognised sanitisers on the market).

The ideal ranges are as follows:

■ pH = 7.2 – 7.6

■ Free Chlorine = 3 – 5mg/l (milligrams per litre)

■ Total Bromine = 4 – 6mg/l (milligrams per litre)

Note that you should use either chlorine or bromine, so you will only be testing for the particular sanitiser that you are using.

pH control:

It is important to monitor for pH on a daily basis as both low and high pH values can be uncomfortable for bathers and can lead to skin or eye irritation. Low or high pH values can also hamper the efficiency of the sanitiser (especially chlorine) to control and kill potentially harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Low pH can be corrosive and lead to damage to spa equipment over time and high pH can be scale-forming leading to cloudy water and scale formation on heating elements and other spa surfaces.

Remember that the ideal pH range is between 7.2 and 7.6, so if the pH is lower than 7.2 use a pH increaser and conversely if the pH is above 7.6 use a pH reducer. Always keep a record of the products that you have used to bring the pH into balance if you have adjusted the pH during your daily checks.

Sanitiser control:

The primary sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) is your main defence against harmful water-borne pathogens, so it is vital to test and adjust sanitiser levels as required on a daily basis.

Note that your in-line sanitiser tablet dispenser should be checked and topped up as required on a daily basis too. If your in-line sanitiser system is not a tabletbased system, keep a record of the top up regime of any cartridges and ensure that they are changed at suitable intervals before they run out completely.

Photo © Jacuzzi

ProPlus Pool tester

In Line Tablet Dispenser

Water clarity:

Visually check the water for clarity; if the water is cloudy, you can use a combination of fast-acting oxidisers and clarifiers that will help to clear the water again.

Equipment checks:

Turn on all the hydrotherapy pumps, open any topside air controls and ensure that any adjustable flow-control waterfalls or jets are turned back on. If the spa is producing visible foam at this stage, you can add a

small quantity of spa foam suppressant until the foam dissipates. Then turn the air controls and waterfalls back off.

If there are any leaves, debris or grit in the footwell, use a skimmer net or spa vacuum to get the spa looking tip top again. Give the topside and waterline a quick wipe down with a damp cloth and a spa surface cleaning solution, then clip the spa cover back into place and your guests are golden for another day of hot tub fun and relaxation!

❚ Weekly

Under HSE guidelines you are required to drain down and refill the hot tub after each hire period or weekly (whichever is shorter). You should use the guest changeover period to drain and refill the hot tub so that new guests are not using the ‘old water’ from previous guest use.

Before drain down:

After your guests have left the accommodation and you are ready to drain down the hot tub, we advise that you first ‘zap’ the water with a fast acting biocide to really ensure that the water and plumbing system has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised between client guest periods.

Chlorogene T25 is a fast-dissolving chlorine dioxide tablet, which is rapidly becoming established in the holiday park market for this pre-drain-down purpose. The tablets have been developed and are manufactured in the UK by Water Treatment Products and are specifically for use as a safe, highly effective antimicrobiological control to remove biofilm and protect against legionella and other bacteria. The tablets only release chlorine dioxide when they come into contact with water.

Remove the filters from the spa (for cleaning later) then thoroughly clean the inside of the spa surfaces with a damp cloth and a spa surface cleaner solution. Replace the filter with a clean replacement (always keep two sets of filters exclusively for each hot tub, so that one set can be cleaned whilst the other is in active use).

If the hot tub is equipped with headrests, remove them and thoroughly clean and disinfect the headrests and the acrylic area behind them to remove any potential contaminants.

Once the hot tub is thoroughly cleaned and completely drained down, you can now start the refill process.

After refill:

As the spa is refilling, add some fast-acting chlorine or bromine granules to start the sanitisation process. Remember that you are aiming for a Free Chlorine level of 2 – 5mg/l or a Total Bromine level of 3 –6mg/l once the spa is refilled so don’t go overboard at this stage with your dosing.

Once full, check and adjust pH to 7.2 –7.6 and also check for Total Alkalinity (TA). Total Alkalinity is a measurement of the water’s ability to resist pH change. ➧

❝Water care, testing and record keeping must be maintained throughout the lifetime of all your hot tubs.❞

Palintest Pool Tester

If TA is low, pH can easily fluctuate making it difficult to control and maintain the ideal level for the rest of the week.

Ideally aim for a TA level of between 125 –150mg/l but at least 80mg/l is desirable.

If you are in a hard water area, add a dose of Anti-Scale, which will keep any calcium in suspension in the water and prevent it from scaling up your heating element and other spa surfaces.

Do your final checks for pH and sanitiser levels and check that the set temperature of the spa is set to the ideal temperature and then you can move on to the next spa, or hose down and chemically clean your filters (using a spa filter cleaning solution) ready for next week’s changeover.

❚ Monthly

The only additional action to be taken on a monthly basis is to take a water sample under the correct conditions and send it to an approved UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) approved laboratory for microbiological testing

❚ Quarterly

Send a water sample to an approved UKAS approved laboratory for legionella testing Specialist companies, such as Manchester-based Legionella Control International, can help to conduct a legionella risk assessment and after it has been completed, you will be able to measure the level of risk associated with your site or business process.

Proactive hot tub water care advice and guidance is also available from the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) and its members and affiliates.

❚ Yearly

We recommend that you conduct an annual equipment service on your hot tub to ensure that it is fully operational and all of the equipment is working properly and to your safety standards. Particularly check that your secondary sanitisation equipment (ozonator or UV equipment)

is working properly and that UV bulbs are replaced in line with your supplier’s recommendations.

Also replace your filters at least once a year as filter media degrades over time and will eventually provide inadequate filtration performance leading to cloudy water.

Where can I find out more?

The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) offers a specific level of membership (Associate) to owners and operators of holiday properties, with tailored support to help ensure compliance with the regulations/ guidance, and a smooth and hassle-free hot tub operating experience for owners and clients.

For more information, please contact:

BISHTA Ltd

Tel: 01264 356211

Email: admin@bishta.co.uk Website: www.bishta.co.uk ❚

Photo © RotoSpa

Best Buy Awards

Our 2023 WhatSpa? Holiday Park Magazine sees the 15th anniversary of our coveted WhatSpa? Best Buy Awards. The next 13 pages are packed with the very best ‘domestic hot tubs for business use’ that the UK market has to offer, so be sure to include these on your shopping shortlist.

Holiday park hot tubs, like their consumer counterparts, have been on the ‘crest of a wave’ of popularity in the past two years. With rising inflation and huge energy tariff rises, demand for residential hot tubs has slowed dramatically in recent months as consumers watch their household running costs. The demand for hot tubbing as part of an ‘experience’ has not gone away however, so demand for hot tubs as part of a luxury short break is stronger than ever. With that in mind leading manufacturers and professional dealerships have been increasing their stocks of HSG 282 compliant models that are now specifically designed for the booming British hot tub accommodation market.

Our 2023 Best Buy Awards acknowledge the latest top hot tub models that have been manufactured to help meet the increasing demand from accommodation providers who want to achieve HSG 282 compliance and take advantage of a billion pound ‘staycation’ bookings boom.

These models excel across a range of criteria specific to the hot tub holiday market, including designs that are appropriate for holiday parks, such as self-dosing in-line sanitation systems, simple controls, efficient water filtration rates,

and quick turnaround times for your guests to enjoy a safe staycation soak from the moment that they check in.

We have split our 2023 Best Buy Award winners into different seating categories to make life easier for you. The ‘ icons positioned to the left of the seating capacity icons denote whether a model is either a Lounge Seater ( Also we have used QR code video links QR code next to a product in our Best Buy Awards feature, simply whip out your smartphone, open the camera app and hover it over the QR code to get a direct link to the official Youtube Vimeo video footage about this model.

Don’t forget to look out for the WhatSpa? Approved and WhatSpa? Best Buy logos when you are out shopping for your brand new hot tub, and be sure to add some of these models to your shopping shortlist… Happy hot tub shopping!

Sunbeach Spas SB344S

www.sunbeachspas.co.uk

ADimensions 215 x 180 x 80cm

Water Capacity 1,100 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 275 litres

Electrical Supply 13/20 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 24

Jet Types 6

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible No

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes Waterfalls No

Filters 70 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 3

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 1 Year Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) From £2,499

RotoSpa Serenity

www.rotospa.co.uk

ADimensions 200 x 200 x 74cm

Water Capacity 1,000 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13/25 Amps Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1 Hydrotherapy Jets 11

Jet Types 3

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 35 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 2

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £3,650

Wellis® Porto

www.shop.wellisuk.ltd

ADimensions 190 x 180 x 85cm

Water Capacity 782 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 196 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps

Control Panels 2

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 30 Jet Types 2

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes Waterfalls No

Filters 100 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 3

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 1

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts+

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £4,440

Just Hot Tubs Holiday Let Spa 4

www.justhottubs.com

ADimensions 180 x 180 x 80cm

Water Capacity 1,000 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 16 Amps Control Panels 2

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2 Hydrotherapy Jets 16 Jet Types 2

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes Ozone/UV System UV Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 35 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 1

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 1

Parts Warranty 1 Year Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £4,583

Master Spas® Getaway Lodge GL4

www.masterspas.co.uk

ADimensions 221 x 181 x 87cm

Water Capacity 1,000 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13 Amps Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1 Hydrotherapy Jets 22

Jet Types 3

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System UV

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 1

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £4,829

Tuff Spas TT250

www.tuffspas.co.uk

ADimensions 195 x 152 x 75cm

Water Capacity 1,000 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13 Amps Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1 Hydrotherapy Jets 19

Jet Types 3

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam + Reflective Barrier

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £5,621

British Hot Tubs Westwood

www.britishhottubs.co.uk

ADimensions 208 x 177 x 86cm

Water Capacity 985 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 246 litres

Electrical Supply 16/32 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2

Hydrotherapy Jets 70

Jet Types 5

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes Ozone/UV System UV Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes

Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 6

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 3

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts+

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £5,756

Vortex Spas Eon

www.spasolution.co.uk

ADimensions 200 x 200 x 92cm

Water Capacity 1,100 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 275 litres

Electrical Supply 20 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 13

Jet Types 2

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible No

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes Waterfalls 1

Filters 90 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 3

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £6,895

Master Spas® Getaway Lodge GL6

www.masterspas.co.uk

LDimensions 221 x 221 x 89cm

Water Capacity 1,500 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 33

Jet Types 3

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System UV

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls 1

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 1

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £4,995

Artesian Spas 729L

www.southseasspas.co.uk

LDimensions 213 x 213 x 91cm

Water Capacity 1,363 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 272 litres

Electrical Supply 13/32 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 29

Jet Types 5

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge/UV Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible No Heat Pump Compatible No

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting White LED (Multi Colour optional)

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 10

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 5

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £5,295

Tuff Spas TT650

www.tuffspas.co.uk

LDimensions 195 x 195 x 75cm

Water Capacity 1,250 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13 Amps Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 21

Jet Types 4

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam + Reflective Barrier

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £6,454

Vacation Range Vacation Social

www.superiorwellness.co.uk

A

Dimensions 200 x 200 x 85cm

Water Capacity 1,250 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 13/32 Amps Control Panels 2

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 25

Jet Types 4

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge Heater 2kW/3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible No

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 1

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 1

Parts Warranty 1 Year Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £6,499

British Hot Tubs Balmoral

www.britishhottubs.co.uk

LDimensions 207 x 207 x 92cm

Water Capacity 1,247 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 249 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2

Hydrotherapy Jets 116

Jet Types 8

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes Ozone/UV System UV

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes

Waterfalls No

Filters 100 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 6

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 3

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts+

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £8,236

Viking Spas Legend 1

www.spasolution.co.uk

LDimensions 218 x 218 x 99cm

Water Capacity 1,500 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 20 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 41

Jet Types 3

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible No

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes Waterfalls 1

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 4

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £8,995

Wellis® Valencia

www.shop.wellisuk.ltd

ADimensions 218 x 218 x 90cm

Water Capacity 1,136 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 162 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps Control Panels 3

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2 Hydrotherapy Jets 48 Jet Types 2

Circulation Pump Yes

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls No

Filters 100 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 3

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 1

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts+

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £4,796

Artesian Spas 729B

www.southseasspas.co.uk

ADimensions 213 x 213 x 91cm

Water Capacity 1,363 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 195 litres

Electrical Supply 13/32 Amps Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 29 Jet Types 5

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge/UV Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible No

Heat Pump Compatible No

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting White LED (Multi Colour optional)

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 10

Cabinet Type Synthetic Cabinet Colours 5

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £5,295

Tuff Spas TT450

www.tuffspas.co.uk

A

Dimensions 195 x 195 x 89cm

Water Capacity 1,500 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 215 litres

Electrical Supply 13 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 1

Hydrotherapy Jets 22

Jet Types 4

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 2kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam + Reflective Barrier

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 2

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £6,621

Viking Spas Tradition 1

www.spasolution.co.uk

ADimensions 234 x 234 x 99cm

Water Capacity 2,150 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 269 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2

Hydrotherapy Jets 61

Jet Types 6

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible No

Fast Drain Valve No

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes

Waterfalls 1

Filters 50 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 4

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 4

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £9,895

British Hot Tubs Sterling

www.britishhottubs.co.uk

ADimensions 234 x 234 x 93cm

Water Capacity 1,630 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 233 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps

Control Panels 1

Hydrotherapy Pumps 3

Hydrotherapy Jets 129

Jet Types 8

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes Ozone/UV System UV Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting Yes

Waterfalls No

Filters 100 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Full Foam

Shell Colours 6

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 3

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts+

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £10,308

Marquis® Holiday Park Escape

www.marquishottubs.co.uk

LDimensions 229 x 229 x 91cm

Water Capacity 1,750 litres

Water Capacity Per Bather 250 litres

Electrical Supply 32 Amps

Control Panels 2

Hydrotherapy Pumps 2

Hydrotherapy Jets 50

Jet Types 5

Circulation Pump No

In-Line Sanitiser Dispenser Yes

Ozone/UV System Corona Discharge

Heater 3kW

Heat Exchanger Compatible Yes

Heat Pump Compatible Yes

Fast Drain Valve Yes

Interior Lighting Multi Colour LED

Exterior Cabinet Lighting No

Waterfalls No

Filters 35 sq ft

Cabinet Insulation Part Foam

Shell Colours 2

Cabinet Type Synthetic

Cabinet Colours 1

Parts Warranty 2 Years Parts

Holiday Park Guide Price (ex VAT) £11,595