Whether you like to be entertained or are just seeking escape, owning your own spa allows you to personalize the experience for you and your family. One great way to get more enjoyment out of your hot tub is to add amenities to the spa and the area around it. Here are two ideas for two types of spa owners. If you’re a gadget-fiend, the spa is a great place to indulge your fascination with high-tech entertainment. The water-resistant products below are a good place to start.Manufacturers offer waterproof televisions in a variety of models, including freestanding, spa-side and wall-mounted. Be sure to choose a marine-grade model with an anti-fog shield for high-quality viewing. Some user-friendly models are mounted on movable arms so viewers can enjoy programs while heeding manufacturer instructions to limit in-spa time. Depending on where you locate your television, you might consider one with built-in DVD capability to make set-up and installation easier.If your indoor sound system is near your spa area, connect it to wireless outdoor speakers and a waterproof remote for the easiest adaptability.

Outdoor systems are available, but generally must be kept in a covered area. For the best sound quality, have a professional install waterproof speakers flush to the top or side of your spa or install pop-up speakers that raise and lower into your spa ledge. Because every outdoor sound system must contend with background noise, consult an audio professional to be sure your speakers have the power to compete. Some systems also come equipped with satellite radio capability — a nice option if you like variety.Why move your relaxed muscles when you can create a high-tech experience at your fingertips? Electricians or pool contractors can put your spa functions including jets, heating and lighting onto remote control. Soothing Spa for Low-Tech Lounging A soothing spa should have upgrades that prioritize the sensory experience. We live in a stressful world. Spas are a great way to distress and replace your mood with something mellow. Here are some ideas to help you create a more relaxing spa environment:

Drowning out ambient noises with soothing music or relaxing, natural sounds will help to complete your spa escape. To add to the illusion of a natural retreat, you can buy speakers that are cleverly disguised as planters or faux rocks.Retrofit LED or fiber optic lighting into your spa interior with the help of a trained professional. Use solid or gently changing colors to set the mood, and remote activation allows you to enjoy your spa lights from inside your home, too.Fresh water misting or fogging systems can be attached to a trellis or tree adjacent to your spa for ambiance and a cooling effect.Tap into all your senses to provide an invigorating soaking atmosphere. HTH Spa™ Aromatherapy Variety Pack offers a variety of fragrances made exclusively for hot tubs and baths. This product is color-coded purple and specializes in elevating and improving the overall spa experience. HTH Spa Care also offers the HTH Spa™ Green Tea Aromatherapy, a refreshing aroma that lifts your mood and stimulates your senses as you sit in your spa.

Both of these products will awaken your senses without clogging your spas filter or affecting your pH levels.If you really wish to escape from the outside world, install a spa enclosure. Custom or prefabricated models can make your spa area feel like a lakeside cabin or a Japanese garden. Remember that to truly relax in your spa or enjoy your gadgets, the water has to sparkle and the exterior should be clean. Experience the Elegance of Innovation — Highlife® Collection NXTCombo Washer Dryer Canada HIGHLIFE NXT OWNER'S MANUALSAir Purifiers For 1500 Sq Ft The 2016 Highlife NXT Collection Owner's Manual will help you understand your spa’s features, and answer questions you might have regarding spa operation, water care, and maintenance. Used Sofa Loveseat Sale

There is also a troubleshooting section included for your convenience. Download Previous Highlife Owner's Manuals HOT SPOT OWNER'S MANUALS TIGER RIVER & SOLANA OWNER'S MANUALS Pre-1999 Spa Model ManualsThings To Consider When Buying A Hot Tub We recently purchased a new Hot Tub and Gazebo. The purchase was not something we planned, just something that caught our eye when visiting the Minnesota State Fair. As a result we learned a few things that would have made our purchase smarter. In the end we're pleased with the decision but its easy to say now that all the work is done. In this article I'll outline the information I wish I had considered when making this purchase. I hope it helps you in your decision. The Tub This isn't going to be a detailed rundown on what to look for in a good tub or who to buy it from. I'll leave that to the other articles out on the internet. There are two points I'll make of things I may have changed. We purchased the top of the line system, the only thing it lacked was an LCD monitor and DVD player.

So what would I change? Well after using it for a season I find that the multitude of jets is irrelevant for me. I am more of a soaker and actually prefer that the jets aren't all blasting. Its too much noise and I don't like the splashing. So I would look for something at a better price point and give up some of the fancy jets in favor of more common ones. A friend of mine paid 1/2 of my cost for a more basic unit and he couldn't be happier. So where would I put this money? I would ALWAYS splurge and get the stereo and speakers built into the tub. My wife insisted on this and it added quite a bit to the price but I wouldn't want it any other way. The tub uses a marine radio/CD player with water proof speakers and a remote controller on the top side of the tub. You can easily hear the music and I even ran a TV in through the Auxiliary so we can hear the TV through the tub speakers. My friend who didn't buy this feature is left with setting up elaborate wiring and remote control extenders to get his stereo to play outside.

Another feature I'd suggest is fiber optic lighting. There are a bunch of small lights around the top of the tub that change color. At first glance it looks like this would just be to make it fancy. Try the tub at night and you'll find they provide a great deal of light which makes the tub much easier to use. It also helps when messing around outside the tub with CD's Drinks Towels, Chemicals etc. My friend again, is stringing rope lighting. So in a nutshell on the tub, consider the stereo and fiber optics and if necessary go with less jets to cover the cost. Gazebo Information My wife insisted on a Gazebo surrounding the tub and for years I put off the purchase because I didn't want to spend another $7000.00 on a Gazebo. Once we took the plunge I'd say that for the Minnesota winters I'd have it no other way. I have neighbors that freeze climbing in and out and maintaining their spa. Ours is like another room in the house and is quite warm in the winter due to the heat from the tub. Now a word of advice.

My buddy purchased an 8x8 Gazebo that basically encloses the tub with no extra space. They climb up stairs and go through the windows of the gazebo to get in the tub. On a showroom this looks like a fine arrangement. Well this winter his wife climbs in, closes the windows to keep the cold out and finds herself trapped in the gazebo. They had to damage the windows getting it open due to the condensation that froze the window shut. My smart wife insisted we purchase a larger gazebo. We went with a 12x12 that had racks and storage for chemicals and towels. It also has built in lights which are a bonus. The important thing to note about this decision is that I enter the gazebo through a sliding door, not the window. If anything freezes it will be the windows by the tub not the ones opposite the room and the sliding door. Additionally its just nice to have a new room on the house and the cost relative to the benefits isn't bad at all. Plus we have room for a bar and stools in there. Preparation and Additional Costs Here are a few things to consider in your decision they either provided additional cost or hard work on my part.

Electrical: You'll most likely need a dedicated 50 amp circuit with a breaker box in plain view of the tub. In our case this meant digging a 36 inch deep trench from the garage to the gazebo (50 feet) so the electrician could run the conduit. The cost of the electrical work was about $1000.00 and I had to dig the trench myself. My buddy did his own electrical and still spent $500.00 in parts so keep that in mind. Cement: I also needed a new cement slab to accommodate my tub and gazebo. We put in a 14x15 slab to accomplish this. What I did not consider was that cement has gone way up in price since my last 10x10 slab. We spent almost $2000.00 for the labor and materials to have this poured. What I also did not consider was the work of removing the grass from that area. This took three days of exhausting work cutting strips of sod and hauling them to the disposal site. Gazebo: What I did not consider and was not told by the sales rep was that immediately upon erecting the gazebo, we'd need to stain it to seal the wood from the weather.

This is a 12x12 structure I hadn't considered staining. Let me just say it was a day of hard work which will need to be done at least every other year. Additional Items to Consider A few additional items you may want to consider purchasing. Cover Helper: The covers of these hot tubs are not easy to move around by yourself. This is especially true in a Gazebo. They sell cover helpers which are lever type devices that life the cover mechanically and put it behind the tub. Unfortunately for me my wife wants the tub against the wall so we're stuck either using 1/2 the tub or man handling the heavy cover. This is my pet peeve about tubs. So if you have the room or consider making the room, this will make your spa much more enjoyable. Portable Utility Pump: Tubs have a gravity drain at the bottom but these can take all day to drain a tub. My neighbor was smart and purchased a utility pump or sump pump at the local Home Depot or Menards. This drained the tub in about an hour and let us get to work cleaning and refilling fairly quick.

After borrowing his I went right out and picked one up for about $70.00 For those of you who've drained a waterbed without a pump you'll know why this is a good investment. Hose for adding water: Just like with my waterbeds, I prefer to purchase a special hose for adding water to the tub. I keep it inside so it stays clean and not frozen. Tubs evaporate water at a surprisingly fast rate so plan on adding water once a month or so. In Home Jacuzzi Tubs When we built our house we splurged and added one of those large two person Jacuzzi tubs with six jets. I thought we'd be in heaven and was reminiscing of nights spent in the Jacuzzi suites in a hotel. What I didn't consider is the following and because it these things, it functions more as an ornament to make the bathroom look grand. Filling: These things take time to fill, by the time its filled do you still need or want that bath? Hot Water: Filling these will drain your water heater down unless you've planned for extra capacity. I find that the water for my pre bath shower isn't very warm once I've filled the tub.