In the deck or on the deck?

[empolgation]

Apparently the current condition of my deck does not warrant the addition of a spa on top so I have therefore ventured into deck design for my future spa.

A big consideration... to inset the spa into the deck or not?
I am aware of the issue of servicing a spa in a deck and realize that easily removable deck boards can help address that but I'd like to get some feedback from folks who have a spa in their deck.  

Why would I, or wouldn't I, want to inset my spa in a deck?
Anything else to consider aside from service access? (and the obvious one size does not fit all)

thanks!

[Perk1]

Well, I have my spa on my deck since it is an extension of the slab my family room and garage sit on(about 30 inch thick concrete.).  I do like the looks of a recessed spa though(I like the pic in the 'Pics of My delivery' post).  As long as you consider easy access to the equipment bay I think you should be okay.  The only other problem that may arise is access to the side panels in the event of a leak.(but I would not let that deter me from recessing a spa in a deck...hopefully you will never have a leak.)  The thing I liked best about a recessed spa would be the ease of entry and exit especially for my kids.  My 4 year old has to climb the wal to get into our tub currently(He thinks it is fun and would climb in and out all day if I let him!!).  Anyway, it sounds like you have considered the most obvious issue(Access to the equipment) so I say go for it.  

As far as gettting a different size spa down the road, if you buy a major brand that lasts you 12 -15 years you may want to rebuild your deck at that time anyway so you can just rebuild it based on the size of your new tub.

[Spatech_tuo]

I am a fan of sinking the spa in partially. If you leave the spa about 10" above the deck it makes it easier to enter/exit and it allows you to add a cover lifter.

[tony]

My spa is set in like doodoo's (pics of my delivery).  It makes it very easy for entry and exit and to lift the cover off.  The top of spa is about 12" above deck height.  The inside step/seat is at the same level as the deck.

[Snuggles]

Unless you have a dog either one is fine. My last hot tub was sunk in to the deck, it was fine till my dog discovered how nice and warm laying on the cover was. She's a 100 lb. German Shepard. She'd either rip the cover with her nails or break the cover with her weight. This time I installed my hot tub right on the concrete pad. No more broken covers.  Good Luck!!  

[Tman122]

I like the fabulous looks of mine the way it is sunk into our deck, all but 4 inches. I have complete access to all sides still, just by designing the deck around the tub. If you'd like pictures e-mail me at tman192@chartermi.net

There is the issue of kids and dogs to worry about though, but this has not been a problem for us yet as we chain the dog out of reach and our railing limits access. I use a cover slide to allow my cover to be slid off easily, in other words fold it in half on the deck and walk into the tub to finish sliding it onto the cover shelf.

[dpgtech]

Sinking into the deck is great, and you have thought ahead farther than some deck builders I know.  Spa tech tuo is right about the 10" above the deck.  Flush mounting the deck with the top of the spa shell makes entry into the spa like dropping off a ledge.  access to the equipment is most important.  If you do sink the spa down, you may want to use flexible conduit instead of rigid,if for some reason(god forbid) you had to pull the spa up or move to gain access for repair.  you wont have to break glued together rigid conduit.