Your Lake View The lake lifestyle (or lakestyle) is much more than just a home on a lake. It is a way of living. In fact, many new lake homeowners find that they spend more time on their deck looking at the view than they do on the lake. Many Lakestyle readers have taken that even further by adding a hot tub or spa to their deck so that they can sit and soak for hours lakeside.

Three benefits of adding a spa to your lake home:

1. Many lake home and cabin owners find that the kids spend time at the beach, but guests stay on land. Adding a spa can make more of your guests comfortable with dipping their toe in the water.
   
2. With our northern climate, the outdoor lake season is far too short. A properly- heated spa can give your family year-round outdoor enjoyment.
   
3. As we all know, lake homes take work. The beach needs grooming, the fish need cleaning, the dock needs maintenance. There is nothing like a spa for soothing tired muscles.

Of course, adding a hot tub or spa can be a big investment. We asked three experts: Bill Brown from hot Springs Spas, the folks at HGTV, and an online consumer guide for their suggestions. Here is what they told us to consider before making a purchase:

Location

Decide where you will be placing your hot tub, taking into consideration accessibility, privacy, and a nice view. Keep in mind, some spas can simply be plugged in to a 110 outlet, and larger spas usually need 220V. Also, find a hot tub that gives you adequate weight displacement. This way you won't need a lot of reinforcement, and you can simply place the hot tub on pea-rock, a deck, or on a patio.

Size

When deciding on what size hot tub to purchase you will need to consider how many people will be using it on a regular basis, and whether you want an open seating arrangement or defined seating. With hot tubs varying in quality and price, price is a concern; however with hot tubs, you certainly get what you pay for. (They usually start at about $4000 for a two-person model and go up from there.)

Materials (Exterior, Interior, and Insulation)

Wood exteriors are beautiful, but also can be hard to maintain and require more cleaning. There are many maintenance-free exteriors available now that are also quite beautiful. Look for a spa interior that is equally attractive and functional. Choose a hot tub that is easy to get in and out of. Make sure the hot tub can withstand cold temperatures; an important consideration in our cooler climate. Good insulation is also important in our climate as it will reduce heating costs. It will also reduce noise from the plumbing and locks plumbing in place.

Take a Test Dip

You may feel a bit silly sitting in a hot tub in a showroom, but this is a great way to understand hot tub seating. Some customers would say that a hot tub with a lounger is the way to go, others would say more upright seating is better. The seats in a hot tub with no water definitely sit differently than when filled. When you try it out pay attention to the noise level of the jets, if the jets are strong enough, ease of use of controls, and seating configuration. If you entertain a lot, you may want more seating. If you are using it for exercise, you should look for a deeper, less contoured tub. Or if you are using it mainly for relaxation, try to find one with varied, massaging jets and comfortable seating. Consider whether you can move around comfortably and if you can enter/exit the model easily.

Amenities

These are mostly dictated by personal preferences, such as whether to include a stereo, television, remote controls, etc. This is also the time to consider what type of cover you'd like to purchase. There are automatic covers that one person can utilize alone, and most covers have locks to keep children safe and your tub clean. Also, look for a hot tub with a good filtration system. This will dictate how much work is involved to keep the water clean, and how many chemicals you will use.

Installation and Warranty

Don't worry, your hot tub dealer will install your hot tub for you. However, you will want to choose your own electrician, as most hot tub companies do not provide electrical service. Get a good, comprehensive warranty, and a dealer network in case you need service, or you should move and want to take the hot tub with you. Lastly, make sure the sales staff can produce that warranty to you in writing.

Doing your homework before you make your purchase will help your hot tub become a lasting investment that you will enjoy for years!

Recommended websites: www.hottubliving.com has a brief survey you can take to help determine the type of hot tub you may want to consider. www.nspi.org also gives good purchasing advice; this is the National Spa & Pool Institute.