It seems like I've spent forever looking into different spas trying to decide which spa fit our family the best. I started off looking at 4 person spas hoping to be around 4k.
Spa journal day 1. We started looking at Clearwater spas today, alas they didn't do wet tests, were reluctant to hold onto a spa till the spring, and the salesperson knew very little about her product. Strike 1, 2, and 3. Too bad, they were our closest dealer.
Spa journal day 3. I talked to an Arctic spa dealer. Starting at 8k they were outside our budget.
Spa journal day 5. My six year old daughter and I tried the Dimension1 dealer. They are only 15 minutes from us so I set up a wet test with their Journey model. We liked the dealer, and were surprised that there were a few models we could afford through them.
Spa journal day 15. My wife and I tried Hot Spring. We wet tested the Bolt, and Sovereign. The Bolt was okay, but the Sovereign was awesome! Loved the motto massage! Even with the lukewarm water it felt good. But it too was above that 8k limit we had set for ourselves.
Spa journal day 16. So after trying out Hot Spring we came to the conclusion that 1. We were going to have to spend more money to get a decent spa. B. I wanted, no needed a lounge seat. 3. We were going to need something bigger than a four seater.
Spa journal day 17. Sent a price quote request from the Jacuzzi dealer. Still waiting...
Spa journal day 23. The Vita spas dealer today. I tried the Nuage. Really liked the foot dome massager. Other than that the only other impression I had was that the dealer/showroom was stuck in the 90's.
Spa journal day 24. The whole family tried the Marquis dealer. Was surprised at how expensive they were. We could only fit a couple of E series tubs in our budget, and we didn't want to do that with just a two year warranty. Plus we had difficulties figuring out the jets. There was one seat we couldn't get the jets on. Oh, and I know it wasn't their fault, but I found a piece of broken glass with my foot in the "changing room". Just glad it was my foot and not my 21 month old son's foot.
Spa journal day 26. Had a weird conversation with a dealer I thought was the LA Spas guy, turns out he sells Coleman and Shoreline??? Think I'll pass...
Spa journal day 27. Still waiting for the Jacuzzi dealer...
Spa journal day 32. Visited the Maax/California cooperage/Sundance dealer. Guy was nice but a little slimy. Changing room was actually very nice, and not telephone booth sized. Tried the 481 and really liked the spa, from the foot therapy to the neck therapy zone. Asked about Sundance, and he mentioned that they started selling them because they were a more recognizable name, but spent less than half the time talking about Sundance compared to Maax.
Spa journal day 35. Still waiting for the Jacuzzi dealer...
Spa journal day 37. Finally the last wet test. Saw the Caldera dealer today to try the Martinique. Really liked this spa. The footwell has these anchor points to lock yourself in and crank the jets up. The dealer had quoted me at 6,999 over the phone, but dropped the price to 6,2999 in person. Must be my good looks discount...
So I'm down to four choices. In this order... the Caldera Martinique at $6,299, the D1 Wayfarer at $6,549, the Maax 481 at $8,000 tax included, and the Vita Chateau at $7,700. Only the D1 has less than a 5 year warranty. What do you think?