Thanks for the replies. The tile dealer we visited told us about the different resistant/slip ratings available, the samples my wife brought home seem ok dry, but may be too slippery wet (did the wet finger test).
The floor staining/sealing seemed like the best option in my case, cheaper to install, plus it should be easier to "squeegee" spilled water over to the floor drains.
I just have to make sure the sealer is entirely waterproof, as the slab can not absorb any moisture and transfer it to the adjoining rooms. (Carpet or laminate flooring).
I guess I could treat the entire floor like a large site-built shower stall, with rubber membrane pan, etc. That sounds $$$.
What ever we use, we also will get some kind of rubber runners next to the steps, to be on the safe side.
On a side note,I plan on using wire cut brick pavers around my pool one of these days/years/decades 
Hoping the wife will hire out,verses using me as her personal pool boy 
LOL, I have 14 pallets of "Interlock" pavers that we bought a few years ago to build a larger patio around our pool. After using a small bit of it to do some custom fill-in work on our front porch, I can relate!
By the time you grade, add "crush and run" fill and granite dust, cut and lay the pavers, rent and use the damper (along with more granite dust), you will definitely be ready for that hot tub.
