First off, this is a great forum for all us new tubbers.
Wife and I looked a real long time at spas and over the last few years visited Sundance, Cal Spas and Hot Springs dealers. During that time we also dry tested all the other brands at Home Shows.
The house we bought a few years ago had a 15 year old Cal Spas and was in dire need of repair. Visited the dealer that was two hours away and was immediately turned off by the used car salesmen approach. Told them I'm looking for parts and after I told them the age, they just laughed and said I was better off getting a new one. They were right, but not from Cal Spas!
My local Spa dealer happened to be a Hot Springs dealer and what a difference between them and Cal Spas dealers. This is family owned and been in business for over 20 years selling Hot Springs. During dry testing, I fell in love with the Caldera Tahitian and Geneva. Also dry tested the HS Envoy. Scheduled a wet test and fell in love with HS.
We were only able to wet test HS Envoy and Grandee and Caldera Elation for the larger tubs. The only thing I didn't like on HS Envoy was the shallow foot well.
Talked to bank and then went into the deciding stage. Reading more and more and was swayed at HS for all the little things such as bottom drain, Tri-X filters and moto-massage. I will note the Caldera has the cool foot ridge that every tub should have!!!
Went with the HS Vista since I wanted the deeper footwell and the lounger. Some people don't like the lounger but I found with the right combo of diverters, I enjoy it the most of all the seats. I also really like the spinner jets and look to replace the non-spinners with spinners if I can. The Soothing Seven are nice but a little too low.
Here are the details of my purchase in case your interested.
Hot Springs Vista w/ extra wide steps, and upgraded cover lifter: $9,295. That's out the door with taxes and delivery and starter chemicals. I did have to wait two weeks for delivery and one week away they called and said it would be another week as they made a mistake on their stock. They offered me the floor model which has nothing wrong with it. Only dry tested and comes with same warranty as new. They also threw in $300 in-store credit!!! Couldn't pass that up.
Here's the pics minus the delux steps. They will be another week.
I will be building a lattice panel to block the sun that comes in during afternoon but will loose the nice view of the golf course.
