Should I Add a Hot Tub to my Holiday Let?
Adding a hot tub to your holiday let can have a multitude of benefits
This is one of the most frequent questions our owners ask us and more often than not, our response is yes. Adding a hot tub to your holiday let is almost always going to be a good thing.
Of course, every cottage and every owner is different so we’re not saying adding a hot tub to your holiday cottage is a necessity, but it is certainly something to bear in mind. “Holiday Cottages with Hot Tubs” is one of the most popular search terms amongst people planning to travel, not just in terms of our own website traffic but on Google too.
Hot tubs can offer many benefits to you and your guests, so it is definitely worth considering adding one if you’re looking to make improvements to your offering. That said, we here at Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire understand that holiday accommodation is far from a uniformed situation. In fact, being a little different to the rest is something we actively encourage. You may find that the cons outweigh the pros for you personally but you won’t know that unless you approach the idea.
Hot Tubs Increase Appeal
The catalogue of holiday lets in Wales is becoming more and more competitive so it’s now more important than ever to find ways to set your holiday cottage apart from the rest. You need to find your unique selling points, those elements which will make guests choose your property over others nearby. A hot tub could be that very feature.
If your holiday let is in a popular destination, somewhere like Tenby or St Davids for instance, then having a hot tub can help to differentiate between your property and those down the road. Hot tubs are also recommended if you don’t have some of the other selling points people might be looking for, such as sea views or beachside locations.
Speaking of coastal locations, Pembrokeshire is a destination that goes hand in hand with relaxing breaks. After all, people love to escape to the seaside when they need a break from day-to-day life. By adding a hot tub to your holiday cottage, you cement your property as one of the top choices for relaxation.
Not only does this enhance the restful atmosphere, but it enriches the entire holiday experience for your guests and upgrades your property into a more luxurious category. Guests are likely to spend more time at the property when they choose a holiday let with a hot tub; rather than venturing out for an evening, they may choose to socialise at their holiday home instead.
Plus hot tubs are known to have health benefits such as reducing muscle tension, encouraging improved sleep and stress relief – all of which immediately become extra promotional features for your cottage.
Note: It also makes an added feature to potential buyers should you decide to sell in the future.
An example of a wood-fired hot tub
Hot Tubs Can Increase Income Potential
By adding a hot tub to your holiday let, you have a little more flexibility if you want to raise your rates, particularly out of season. Some companies have suggested a rise of between 10 – 20%, which can then have a big impact on your overall annual income.
Perhaps more importantly though, hot tubs are known to increase occupancy levels throughout the year. If your holiday cottage consistently books well through the summer holidays but is known to have sporadic bookings throughout the remainder of the year, then a hot tub is a fantastic way to help extend your booking season. Guests are more prepared to overlook poor weather and closed seasonal attractions when they know they are able to spend their time relaxing in the soothing bubbles of a hot tub.
Suddenly instead of catering to those looking to be near the beach and town facilities, you are welcoming those simply looking for a tranquil retreat and some privacy. Winter days are perfect, guests will jump at the chance to spend atmospheric evenings in the hot tub with stars twinkling overhead. Rainy days are no longer a dampener on the holiday, as warmth and relaxation are guaranteed in the hot tub.
Choosing a Hot Tub
Whilst a hot tub certainly has its benefits, you don’t want to rush into buying one. They are not a one-size-fits-all investment and as we’ve already mentioned, a hot tub simply might not be the best decision for you. They do require maintenance such as annual services, monthly filter cleaning and regular water changes, ideally every week or every changeover. It’s important to assess whether you’re prepared to take on this maintenance yourself or whether you want to employ a company to do so for you, a factor that will impact the cost.
You also need to consider the running costs. Your typical hot tub runs off electric whilst wood-fired hot tubs are naturally powered by the burning of logs. Choosing a more energy-efficient option may have you paying more upfront but may ultimately save you money in the long run, it’s about what works best for you.
You also need to remember why you’re buying the hot tub in the first place. If it’s to set your holiday let apart from others in the area, it’s smart to do some research into those properties first. Perhaps some of them already offer hot tubs and if so, what type? If they all boast electric hot tubs, perhaps the wood-fired option or cedar hot tub are better choices for you.
Where to Place your Hot Tub?
Once you’ve decided on purchasing a hot tub, thinking sensibly about where to place it is the next important step. Don’t just place it at the end of the garden and be done with it. Think about how your guests will access it – do you have decking or a pathway in place where guests can step without having to put shoes on? Will you need to install more lighting to ensure the space is well-lit if guests are using the hot tub in the evenings?
If you have spectacular views from one specific part of the outside space, that’s where you should try to place your hot tub. Capitalise on those views which are already brag-worthy and make sure they can be seen from your hot tub, as that’s the experience your guests will be boasting about when they get home. Plus, this will give us a great photo to help promote your cottage and that's always a priority for us.
One of the most significant things to remember is how much privacy is offered. Do you have a boundary fence that could benefit from being raised a foot or two to add extra privacy, or do you need to look at making your whole outdoor space a little more enclosed? Providing a canopy can provide shelter on bright sunny days and wet-weather days, but will it obstruct the views too much?
You may also want to improve your entire outdoor space – more and more properties are installing outdoors “entertainment areas” complete with features such as hot tubs, comfortable garden furniture (not your average wooden picnic bench!), fire pits, barbecues and pizza ovens. With recent social distancing measures and limited public facilities open due to restrictions, such areas have become more appealing than ever before.
Other Things to Consider
Whilst this investment item is intended to be an added feature for your guests, there are a couple more things to bear in mind before your holiday cottage with a hot tub is ready for the arrival of guests.
Cautionary notices warning about potential hazards are an idea – i.e. “Surfaces may be slippery” etc. Yes, this may be common sense but there is no harm in reminding your guests of these warnings.
It is worth creating a set of rules for all guests using the hot tub too, and keep a copy in your Information Pack within the property. Again it does not hurt to give reminders of facts that may be deemed common sense, rules such as “Do Not Leave Children Unattended” are always recommended and you might even want to make them lockable too, a padlock will easily solve this.
You will likely want to include one forbidding the use of glass in the hot tub as warm temperatures impact the breaking point of glass. Instead, you can point them towards the purpose-bought alternatives you have provided instead.
Coastal Cottages Cottages with Hot Tubs in Pembrokeshire
If you’re searching for holiday homes in Wales with hot tubs for your next getaway, look no further. These hot tub breaks by the sea have everything you could want for a rejuvenating escape so pack your swimming costume and sunglasses for a soothing stay-in spa day after a day at the beach. Relax in your own private Welsh cottage with a hot tub surrounded by the scenic landscape of the Pembrokeshire coast (think Tenby, Saundersfoot and Newgale) with beaches and amenities nearby. For seclusion and serenity, venture inland to rural locations like Mathry where your hot tub looks over the rolling country.
Looking for a holiday property letting agency in Pembrokeshire?
If you would like to discuss letting your holiday Cottage with Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire, please feel free to call us on 01437 765765. Remember we all live and work in the heart of Pembrokeshire. If you are passing, feel free to drop in for a coffee.
