Why We Love a Hot Tub Holiday
Relax, unwind and enjoy it safely
There’s something rather special about stepping into a warm, bubbling hot tub at the end of a day away.
Perhaps you’ve spent the afternoon walking along the coast or exploring somewhere new. Or perhaps you’ve done absolutely nothing — and that’s perfectly fine too.
You change into your swimwear, pour a glass of something lovely and slip into the warm water as the evening draws in.
Add a couple of friends, plenty of conversation and perhaps a bottle of Champagne beside the tub, and it’s easy to understand why hot tubs have become such a popular part of UK lodge and cottage breaks.
A little bit of holiday luxury
A private hot tub can make a weekend away feel like a real escape.
After a long walk, the warm water can feel wonderfully soothing on tired muscles. On a romantic break, it’s somewhere to sit together beneath the stars, while for groups of friends it often becomes the place where everyone gathers, chats and laughs into the evening.
And they’re particularly lovely in the colder months.
There’s something quite magical about making that chilly dash outside in your robe before sinking into beautifully warm water while the air around you is crisp and cold.
Champagne? Absolutely — but keep it sensible
A glass of fizz beside the hot tub can certainly be part of the fun, but alcohol and very warm water aren't always the best combination.
Heat can make the effects of alcohol feel stronger, so enjoy your drink slowly, have plenty of water too and take regular breaks from the tub.
And leave the beautiful Champagne flutes indoors. Plastic or acrylic glasses are much safer around a hot tub — broken glass and bare feet are definitely not part of the luxury holiday experience!
A few things worth knowing
Hot tubs are considerably warmer than swimming pools, so you don't need to spend hours in one to enjoy it.
Take regular breaks and get out if you begin to feel too hot, dizzy, faint or unwell.
Babies and very young children shouldn't use hot tubs because their bodies can't regulate temperature as effectively as adults. Older children need close supervision and you should always follow the age restrictions and rules provided by your accommodation.
If you're pregnant, have a heart or circulatory condition, problems with blood pressure, or take medication that may be affected by heat, seek individual medical advice before using a hot tub.
A well-maintained hot tub really matters
A hot tub might look inviting, but what you can't see is just as important as what you can.
Hot tubs at holiday accommodation need regular, typically daily, checks and careful maintenance, including monitoring the water quality and disinfectant levels. Warm water can provide ideal conditions for bacteria to multiply if a hot tub isn't managed properly, so this isn't an area where standards should be compromised.
The hot-tub properties we promote through Woodfin Travel are professionally maintained, and that's something we believe is really important.
When you're booking a hot-tub holiday elsewhere, don't be afraid to check how the hot tub is looked after and whether it is regularly tested and maintained. A properly managed hot tub means you can get on with the important bit — relaxing and enjoying it.
Guests have a part to play too. Have a quick shower before getting in, avoid heavy lotions, oils and fake tan immediately beforehand, keep the cover on when you're not using it and don't add anything to the water or alter the settings yourself.
And if the water looks cloudy, smells unusual or you're concerned about its condition, don't get in. Contact the owner or manager and ask them to check it first.
What should you pack?
Not very much!
Bring your swimwear and a pair of sliders or flip-flops. Check whether your accommodation provides robes and separate hot-tub towels — if not, they're definitely worth packing.
A warm robe is particularly welcome when you climb out on a chilly evening.
And perhaps bring that bottle of Champagne.
Just remember the plastic glasses.
Time to sink into the bubbles
A hot tub can be one of those little extras that turns a few nights away into something really special.
Whether you're soaking tired muscles after a day's exploring, watching the stars with someone you love or laughing with friends over a glass of fizz, it's a chance to stop and enjoy being away.
Follow the property's guidance, use it sensibly and then simply enjoy it.
Because sometimes the best part of a holiday is having nowhere you need to be — except perhaps the hot tub.
Fancy a hot-tub break?
Woodfin Travel is bringing together lodges, cottages and memorable places to stay across the UK — including those little luxuries that make getting away feel extra special.
Explore. Stay. Travel your way.