Hot tubs have long been the flashy ‘must-have’ for holiday parks and luxury lodges. They’re plastered all over booking sites, promising relaxation under the stars. But ask any experienced park owner and you’ll hear the same thing: hot tubs are often the bane of a leisure park’s existence.

From relentless maintenance schedules and spiralling energy bills to rising guest complaints about cleanliness and hygiene, the hidden costs of that steamy soak are significant — both for your bottom line and your guests’ wellbeing.

So, what’s the alternative? Saunas are stepping into the spotlight as a smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable wellness feature for modern holiday parks and glamping sites. Here’s why it might be time to rethink the tub.

The High Cost of Running a Hot Tub Lodge in the UK

It’s easy to see the initial appeal: a hot tub can add £50–£100 per night to a booking fee. But park owners know the hidden reality:

✅ Energy Drain:
Heating a standard 1,500-litre hot tub year-round can cost £800–£1,200 per unit per year — and that’s with moderate use. In the winter months, the cost can be even higher as the system works overtime to maintain water temperature.

✅ Water Waste:
A hot tub typically needs to be emptied, cleaned, and refilled after every set of guests. Some operators drain hot tubs straight into drains—but only if the water is treated with ozone or UV, not chlorine. Otherwise, you need to neutralise chemicals or to arrange a wastewater collection which could be £50-80 per drain which is the cost of the additional income the hot tub provided in the first place. This doesn’t include the costs of the chemical treatments to keep bacteria at bay and your operating costs (and environmental footprint) keep climbing.

✅ Time-Consuming Maintenance:
Daily testing, balancing chemicals, regular deep cleans, filters, pumps — the upkeep is relentless. One minor slip and you risk complaints, poor reviews, or worse, a health and safety incident.

✅ Guest Complaints:
No guest wants to arrive to find a tub out of order, lukewarm, or full of debris. Yet it happens all too often. The result? Refunds, discounts, and damage to your park’s reputation.

Why hot tubs can cost your leisure park both money and hassle

Health Risks Guests Rarely Think About

While most guests love the idea of slipping into a bubbling tub, few realise what they’re really sitting in. Chlorinated hot water creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and biofilm.

Poorly maintained tubs can expose guests to:

Legionella bacteria — which causes Legionnaires’ disease
Skin irritations and chemical burns from improper chlorine levels
Urinary tract or ear infections in sensitive guests

In short: the supposed luxury feature can quietly become a wellness hazard.

Why Saunas Are a Smarter Wellness Investment

Saunas, Plunge Tubs & Outdoor Lounge Seating

So, what’s the alternative? Saunas — whether traditional Finnish wood-fired, infrared, or electric — are gaining popularity in the UK leisure market. Here’s why they make more sense for your guests and your business:

✅ Lower Running Costs:
A compact sauna typically uses less energy than a hot tub. You heat a dry room, not 1,500 litres of water. Sessions are shorter, so energy draw is predictable and more efficient. Many units can be set on timers to avoid accidental all-night usage.

✅ No Water Waste or Chemicals:
Unlike hot tubs, saunas don’t require chlorination, daily draining, or constant refills. Maintenance is minimal — a quick wipe-down and periodic check of heating elements is usually enough.

✅ Wellness that Actually Works:
While sitting in chlorinated water may feel relaxing, it’s not doing much for your health. A sauna session, on the other hand, offers proven wellness benefits:

Detoxification through sweating
Improved circulation and cardiovascular health
Stress relief and better sleep
Immune system support

In short, it aligns perfectly with the growing demand for genuine wellness stays — not just gimmicks.

Guest Experience: What Modern Travellers Really Want

The glamping and eco-lodge market has evolved. Today’s travellers are seeking experiences that nurture body and mind — and they’re more conscious than ever of sustainability and authenticity.

Saunas tap into trends like:

Nordic wellness: Cold plunges, saunas, outdoor showers
Nature immersion: Saunas with panoramic windows overlooking woodlands or lakes
Eco-conscious luxury: Low-impact energy solutions and natural materials

By offering saunas instead of tubs, you deliver a story that’s aligned with modern guest values — and sets you apart from parks offering the same old bubbles in a box.

Practical Considerations for Park Owners

Ready to ditch the hot tubs? Here are a few ways to make the switch work for your site:

1️⃣ Design for Privacy & Views
A well-placed sauna can become a highlight of your lodge’s design — think floor-to-ceiling glass with woodland or lake views, or a small path to a stand-alone sauna cabin.

2️⃣ Pair with Nature-Based Features
Enhance the experience with a cold plunge barrel, natural swimming pond, or outdoor shower. It elevates the guest journey and encourages longer stays.

3️⃣ Integrate Smart Energy Systems
Combine your sauna with solar panels, heat recovery ventilation, or battery storage to reduce running costs even further.

4️⃣ Market the Wellness Story
Use your website and booking platforms to showcase the health, sustainability, and unique experience your saunas offer — so guests see the added value before they even arrive.

Hot Tubs vs. Saunas: The Bottom Line

✅ Hot Tubs
✔️ Instant wow factor on listings
❌ High energy & water costs
❌ Intensive maintenance & chemicals
❌ Hygiene risks
❌ Guest complaints & operational headaches

✅ Saunas
✔️ Authentic wellness experience
✔️ Low maintenance
✔️ Lower energy use
✔️ No chemicals or water waste
✔️ Aligns with eco-friendly stays

So, Should You Ditch the Tub?

Ultimately, it’s about the guest experience you want to deliver — and the costs you’re willing to absorb. For many leisure park owners, the numbers don’t lie: saunas offer a cleaner, more sustainable alternative that’s easier to run and promotes real wellness.

At THC Homes, we build modular lodges designed for a luxury experience with wellness at the heart. We help you integrate smart, low-maintenance features like panoramic saunas, natural plunge pools, and biophilic design that truly set your park apart — without draining your profits or your team’s time.

Ready to Design Smarter?

If you’d like to future-proof your park and attract guests who return year after year, let’s talk. Get in touch to discover how our modular builds make wellness, sustainability, and luxury effortless — no chlorine required.

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Hot Tubs vs. Saunas: The True Cost to Your Leisure Park’s Bottom Line (and Guest Wellbeing)