Wow, it seems like just yesterday that I was in your shoes. I spent honestly about 8 to 10 months looking and researching hot tubs.
Here is what I have learned in the past year of researching.
1. Do not limit your choice to just one brand name. Look at everything you can.
2. Your not just buying a tub, your ensuring that you have great customer and technical support. Make sure that your dealer of choice is close by and has a good rapor with their customers.
3. Narrow down your choices. Wet test, Wet Test, Wet Test. Make sure that you get your bathing suit on and test each and every tub. You will not believe just how different each tub feels when you are in them with water.
4. Educate yourself. I have been reading forums like this one and Doc's forum and reading reviews of tubs from other members and I have learned the good the bad and the ugly of each brand.
5. Cost. Find out how much this bad boy is going to cost you out the door and monthly costs.
That is what I suggest you do to start out. As you go along ask questions on this forum. People in here are great and they teach you so much.
I do not know local dealers in your area but you will learn quickly that there are several brands that really stand out on this board.
I would encourage you to check out Sundance, hot springs, D-1, Arctic spas (my fav), ah hell check them all out. There is so many great tubs out there. Everytime someone posted a question about a certain tub, I went to the website and looked at it. Thats how I started to build my knowledge.
This industry is very competitive and you need to remember that it is a business. Every dealer will tell you that they are the best and all the others are inferior products. At the end of the day you will select a tub based on what feels good for you and your needs.
I hope this helps you out a bit, but as you will quickly see, everyone will tell you what they feel is the best tub, but that is the best tub for them. It is really an impossible question to answer.
Good Luck and enjoy your homework, it will make it so much more special when you enjoy your first soak in your backyard.