Hi Everyone!

I am new here and I appreciate any help and any informations. Me and my wife just started to shop for our first hot tub. We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with heavy winters sometimes.We have three kids ages 7, 9 and 13. We are intertested in buying something that will fit and accomodate our family and also for the kids to play in the summer. Also has to be efficient for our cold climate especialy in the winter when were going to use the tub a lot. we found that each dealer will tel you that theirs is THE BEST. We are realy looking at the most high-end spa and wiling to spend a bit more money if we have to. Here is a list manufactures and models that we consider to buy.

CALDERA SPAS - Cantabria,
ARTESIAN SPAS - Pelican Bay,
SUNDANCE SPAS - Maxxus,
COAST SPAS - Mirage,
HOT SPRING - Vista,
DYNASTY SPAS - Miramax,
BEACHCOMBER - 750E,
ARCTIC SPAS - Tundra Legend SE

Thanks to everyone in advance.

After todays search on the internet I think I should add these two tubs to my list:

D1-AMORE BAY
D1-SARENA BAY

Is there any others that I should look for.
Any price suggestions?

"and also for the kids to play in the summer"

First and foremost, a hot-tub is not a toy or playground.

I can tell you from experience, that children are more negatively susceptible to the heat of a hot-tub than the adults are. Stick them in a hot-tub in the blazing hot summer sun, and they will likely develop heat stroke. Don't do it. If you're looking for something for the kids to play in the summer, invest in a swimming pool or jungle gym. Even if the kids are not really playing, but just sitting in the hot-tub, it should only be for a few minutes, since their skin is so much thinner and the heat gets to their internal organs much quicker than with an adult.

Ok, now that I have that off my chest, you'll need to do allot of shopping around, and then do some research online. Of course everybody is going to tell you that their's is the best.

Here are my tips, based on experience:

1. Don't buy a huge tub. Buy the one that fits YOUR family. Don't assume that you'll be having huge parties and that all your friends will want to come over and party in your tub. It's not gonna happen. People are so much more health conscious now than ever before. Nobody wants to sit in hot water that you and your kids have been soaking in. Period. A hot-tub is a personal item, so leave it at that.

2. Make sure you can "wet test" the tub you want to buy. If your dealer is not willing to accomodate this request, find another dealer. All good dealers should have all models on display, and allow you to come in and wet test (i.e. bring your shorts to the store and actually get in the tub, with the water heated to the optimum temperature). Check out all the seats and lounges to make sure they fit your body and are comfortable, and that the jets are in a good position and give a good massage action. Test everything out, and compare several brands/models.

3. Warranty and service: Ask detailed questions about warranty and service. You want to make sure your tub has a good warranty, and that the dealer will be available to service it, should anything go wrong.

4. References: Find other people who have purchased from this dealer, and ask about their satisfaction with the dealer and the service. A great tub can become a nightmare, if the dealer provides you with poor service.