Early summer of 2020, it became pretty clear no one was doing much. So I went on walmart.com and found an inflatable hot tub for about $400 (Intex brand if you’re curious). It was so great.

Downsides:

• It only heated to 104 degrees.
• It was constantly getting new holes in the lining and subsequently deflating.
• The latches that held the lid on broke at a rate of one per 3 months.
• It fit four people, but I wouldn’t say comfortably.
• It cost about $1 a day for the filter/heater combo.

Upsides:

• About two months after I purchased it, prices rose at least $200.
• It only required a 120 volt outlet!
• It was WONDERFUL in the morning with coffee.
• The replacement liner was only $150.
• It was a destination during the pandemic, friends would come over just for the hot tub.

No regrets. Reviews on the internet said we’d get 3 years, which was exactly right. The heater was leaking heavily and not getting the water to 104 anymore by late summer 2023.

Hopefully, it’s not the last hot tub in my lifetime, I love a hot tub!