Hot Tub Review
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HotSpring
Manufacturer: Watkins Manufacturing
Avg. Price: $5537
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wmccall
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After much research, we finally purchased the Hot Springs SOVEREIGN and absolutely love this spa! We looked at several Tiger River models, and also the Hot Springs Envoy. We wet tested both the SOVEREIGN (33 inch depth) and Envoy (36 inch depth) and went with the SOVEREIGN because of the slightly smaller size, and believe it or not, the extra 3 inches of depth in the Envoy made it hard to stay seated when the jets were on. We're both very tall (5'8" & 6'3"), and could not stay seated in the Envoy with jets full blast. That's one powerful tub!! If you're looking for a high-performance tub, the Envoy is it! We were really more interested in energy-efficiency than high-performance. The SOVEREIGN is just right depth-wise. You can put your arms up on the sides quite easily and if you have shorter folks soaking with you, it's easier for them to stay seated. The SOVEREIGN delivers energy-efficiency and excellent jet power/performance. Since we put this tub on a newly built (super-supported) deck, we figured the less weight the better! That was the major reason we went with the SOVEREIGN overall, and it seemed a better fit for our long-term needs, which was mainly hydro therapy for a variety of muscular problems.
We really struggled with our decision - afraid we might buy the wrong one! We were concerned that we'd regret not buying the more powerful Envoy. Our spa salesman said the 1 major mistake most first-time buyers make is that they tend to over-buy what they need. We took this to heart and are very glad we purchased the SOVEREIGN. We have been in it daily for the past several weeks and don't regret our purchase at all!
Date Purchased: 07/04
Price Paid: $6995
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Excellent arrangement of seats with nice variety of high-intensity and low-intensity seating. Cool off seat is nice. Quiet jets - we can carry on a normal conversation when jets are running full blast. Powerful jets - we are pleased with the power the jets put out. Great circulation of water during operation. Thoughtful placement of arm rests. Contoured seats. Interior control panel for lights & jets is wonderful.
Cons:
Wish that the SOVEREIGN had 1 more footwell jet! It's kind of hard for the non-lounge bathers to all use 1 footwell jet when it's on. The lounge has it's own, which is very nice, but the other 5 bathers all have to share 1!!! |
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wmccall
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The spa lasted 5 years and then everything started to break. The worst part is the company I purchased the spa from, Great Atlantic of Virginia Beach. They couldn't even fix the thing, but they sure knew how to bill me for $500.00.
Date Purchased: 10/1997
Price Paid: $5000
Recommend: No |
Pros:
Was nice till the problems started.
Cons:
The spa lasted 5 years and then everything started to break. The worst part is the company I purchased the spa from, Great Atlantic of Virginia Beach. They couldn't even fix the thing, but they sure knew how to bill me for $500.00. |
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wmccall
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I've had a hot springs Sovereign for just over 5 years and have had nothing but trouble with it.
The jets went on 'by thenselves' many times for no reason. After many attempts to adjust the panel, they finally had to replace the all the wiring and add new panels. Now they are very hard to operate.
The heater broke (in the winter of course) and was replaced. The following year I ws sent notice that this heater (the new one) can catch fire! I was sent protective sleeves that had to be installed. I'm still worried about this. It sometimes does not automatically come back on after the electricity goes out.
Now the spa has a leak - it's questionable whether it started before the warranty expired. But it's certainly no fun to know your very expensive spa will only last 5 years. We've had to drain it now for the winter because the leak is causing icing under our deck.
The biggest problem is getting it serviced. It can take up to 6 months to get someone out to fix the problems. We can't get the leak fixed. We can't use the spa in the cold weather until it is fixed.
This spa was just big waste of a time and a lot of our money!!!!
PS I have complained to Watkins for over 6 months and have gotten no satisfaction from them or their help in getting the spa repaired. All they said was to be careful when you drain it to get out all the water. So now I have an empty spa - for how long?? Not a life time of relaxation
Date Purchased: 3/1998
Price Paid: $6500
Recommend: No |
Pros:
When it works, it's comfortable and the jets are OK.
Cons:
Too many breakdowns. Now after 5 years and the warranty ran out we can't use it and no one will fix it. |
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wmccall
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The best investment of my life.
Date Purchased: 12/02
Price Paid: $7500
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
The endurol finish is awesome.
Cons:
I wish I had one 5 years ago. |
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wmccall
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Just wasn't impressed at all, price was way too high for what I thought was a mid level SPA (5k max). Not
able to turn all the jets on at one time. Seems underpowered for the size compared to other models
at this price range. Cabinet is suppose to be maintance
free, but was told it may need to be stained after a
few years. I don't know why everyone is so caught up on
the small pump running 24/7 compared to a larger one
running 6 hrs per day, they both do the same thing just
different (no cost/filtration different). As far as FF
to non-FF another no different unless you factor in the
repair different.
In my opinion the Hot Springs Sovereign is a nice looking SPA and I'm sure will last just as long just not worth the cost, large markup to pay for the advertising.Under powered for a SPA this size.
Date Purchased:
Price Paid: $0
Recommend: No |
Pros:
Style look good
Salesman was polite
Looked clean inside
Cons:
$9000 for a $5000 SPA
Motor jet sticks when sitting back on it
undered powered
seating too low for a small person 5'7" |
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