hot tub

BEVERLEY’S £2M STYLISH INVESTMENT

Posted on August 2, 2022

BEVERLEY'S £2M STYLISH INVESTMENT

BEVERLEY HOLIDAYS has raised the stakes on its Devon accommodation offering.

 

Beverley Holidays has upped the style stakes for staycationing with the installation of a state-of-the-art range of sea view luxury lodges and ultra-modern hot tub holiday caravans. The holiday park group in the heart of the English Riviera has invested a cool £2million in a fleet of fourteen super-stylish holiday homes tailored to guests seeking seaside stays with a sprinkling of glamour.

High quality furnishings and a super stylish decor in the newly launched holiday homes are teamed with a raft of pampering extras such as private sun-decks complete with bubbling hot tubs. With demand for staycations continuing to be high this year, the new state-of-the-art holiday homes are seeing a surge in bookings among guests seeking their very own slice of hot tub heaven.

Beverley Holidays’ Marketing Director Claire Jeavons said: “Long gone are the days when families were expected to be content with a one-size-fits-all type of holiday accommodation. “Today we are reaching out to guests wanting to enjoy a truly unique holiday experience, and our new Collection hot tub holiday lodges and Signature caravans are certainly raising the bar even higher at the luxury end of holiday home rentals.”

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

Posted on August 2, 2022

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

Get creative with original ideas to attract the UK's staycationers...

With a host of obstacles hindering the prospects of a trip abroad for many, for this summer holidays, they are turning to staycations as the next best thing. Luckily, they don’t have to look far to find there are plenty of incredible places to go in the UK with an abundance of beautiful destinations and picturesque locations right on our doorstep.

 

If we have our marketing right, UK holidays can be just as exciting as jetting off to another country. These days, as a business, you have to be creative to find the best type of offer to provide the best fit for prospective guests. From countryside getaways and beach retreats to town trips and city breaks, there’s lots of options to suit every taste. For those that are looking to offer something a little different, why not think outside of the box and try promoting a staycation with a twist?

 

We did not have to look far for some inspirational business ideas. Southwest Railways analysed the Google ratings and reviews for over 2,600 listings on HostUnusual.com and asked a panel of experts to give each one a ‘unique- ness’ score. Each of these factors was given a weighted score of 0-100, and these were combined to create the full rank. From treehouses and windmills to Romani caravans and authentic American airstream trailers, the ideas were not lacking in imagination.

 

 

 

 

UNIQUE STAYS
The Windmill in Suffolk has been crowned the most unique place to stay in the UK. In this adult-only getaway, visitors get the whole building to themselves. With the original blades of the windmill removed, this historic building has been restored with a modern twist. While it is the third most expensive stay in the top 20 at £325 per night, its unique charm and viewing balcony with magnificent views of the Suffolk countryside means it’s one not to miss.

 

For a remote getaway, The Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottage on the Orkney Islands is the second quirkiest place to stay, according to the research. Set on a 115-foot cliff with nothing but the sea and scenery for miles, the active lighthouse offers a stunning landscape to escape the everyday hustle and bustle. While there is still wi-fi and TV for everyone’s home comforts, the site also boasts a hot tub and a sauna. What’s more - prices start from a reasonable £120 a night.

 

 

WEATHER PROOF
To reconnect with nature, the unusual stay that takes third place on the list is The Wolf Wood Treehouses in Devon. Surrounded by acres of woodland and nestled above the treetops, visitors can stay in their own secluded treehouse with a wood burner and an outdoor jacuzzi – perfect whatever the weather. The most expensive stay calculated per night is The Beach House Smugglers Cove in Cornwall. For £550 per night, this luxurious eight-sleeper holiday home sits right on the beach.

 

With the sand less than a stone’s throw away, this sunny retreat offers an outdoor fire pit and hot tub with sea views. On the other end of the scale, The Aylsham Windmill in Norfolk is the cheapest at just £78 per night. This countryside escape used to be a working flour mill but has now been converted into a scenic holiday home that can sleep up to six people. Far away from the Majorcan beaches of traditional summer holidays, this stay boasts local walking routes, cycling trails and historic sights to explore.

STEPPING UP THEIR GAME

Posted on April 22, 2022

STEPPING UP THEIR GAME

A personal view by Jamaine Campbell of MD Elite Dynamics

THE PANDEMIC INTRODUCED a new audience of people to caravan and lodge holidays.

Solely from an industry viewpoint, if two years of Covid have shown us anything it’s that holiday parks are an increasingly attractive proposition. In the last 12 months we’ve seen huge international conglomerates want a piece of the pie with CVC Capital Partners acquiring Away Resorts & Coppergreen Leisure Resorts, Sun Communities acquiring Park Holidays and Cove Communities acquiring Argyll Holidays – the value of those three combined deals alone close to £1.5bn.

Manufacturers have been responding to record demand for caravans and lodges and holiday parks have had a strong 2021 on the back of what was a challenging 2020 for everyone within the travel and hospitality industry. Almost every week, there’s a new report about land somewhere in the UK being turned into new holiday parks.

Added to that, there’s some pretty impressive amounts of money being invested by holiday park operators to improve, enhance, and introduce new facilities to existing holiday parks and resorts. There will inevitably be people who are desperate to board a plane and fly off to the sun at the first opportunity -- we’ve seen the photographs from UK airports at Easter to prove it! However, for every one of those people, there will be another who can’t face the hassle or who still feels apprehensive or vulnerable travelling anywhere.

NEW AUDIENCE

The pandemic introduced a new audience of people to caravan and lodge holidays, and for the first time in their lives they’ve had their eyes opened to how great they can be and can’t wait to go back. If someone has paid thousands of pounds out for an amazing lodge with a hot tub, they’ll be going back to that park time and time again. Like anything in business… you’ll win some customers, and you’ll lose some, but the demand is still there, and the forecast is still bright. Thanks in part to that demand and in response to new players entering the market, holiday parks are stepping up their game on all levels - investing in facilities and investing in technology.

For many, it’s more than a holiday park now, they’re growing into holiday resorts with multiple revenue streams; everything from golf courses to spa treatments to a range of added value activities. They’re branching out and at the same time coming to understand the benefits of modern business software solutions that can handle multiple revenue streams and growth to multiple parks. Yes, they need a park management system that manages bookings and owners. But now, they also need an integrated CRM system and an Owners App as everyone knows how important it is to engage with customers and owners.

MEMBERSHIP MODULE

They want a membership module if they’ve got any type of leisure facility, they want an Events module if they offer weddings and conferences, they want an activities module if they do yoga or bookable kid’s activities. Then they want key integrations to EPOS and Digital signature and to third-party payment gateways like WorldPay or Sage Pay. The more revenue streams a holiday park has, the more they need a software solution that can bring it all together. For us at Elite Dynamics, the future is more integration and deeper integration to the Microsoft platforms our products are built on.

There are so many exciting third-party integrations and power apps available that can change the way holiday parks operate in terms of efficiencies and exceeding customer expectations; from contactless check-ins and payments to RFID tagging of caravans to scan them on and off parks. For the last six years we’ve been doing what we can to help educate the holiday park industry on the benefits of technology. Although as an industry we’re still several years behind the hotel market on adopting technology, we’re definitely moving in the right direction.

I love this industry. From the first moment I set foot on a holiday park, I loved it. That’s why the driver for everyone at Elite Dynamics is to get the industry to move toward a position where technology isn’t something to be feared, but part of a strategic move to improve business. With dedication, commitment, and focus everyone connected to the industry can benefit from adopting technology and have a greater awareness of what is possible.

WISH YOU WERE HERE – Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Southern Scotland

Posted on February 16, 2022

WISH YOU WERE HERE

Picture postcards from Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Southern Scotland…

 

Southern Scotland’s Brighouse Bay Holiday Park in Dumfries and Galloway has been named by the AA as the best campsite in Scotland. The family-run business near Borgue beat hundreds of other eligible parks in Scotland to the title when it was announced in November.
Awards given by the AA – based on guest reviews and a “secret shopper” visit by inspectors - are regarded as the Oscars of the holiday parks industry. The seaside park’s facilities, services and levels of hospitality all went under the microscope – and each was found to meet or exceed the AA’s highest standards on every level.

 

 

As well as welcoming campers and the owners of touring caravans and motorhomes, Brighouse Bay provides a number of other accommodation options. They include luxury holiday lodges to own and to hire, some with private hot-tubs, plus cosy glamping lodges which are especially popular with young families.
A member of the prestigious Best of British group of independent parks, site facilities include an 18-hole golf course with spectacular coastal views, and a leisure complex which features an indoor pool, bistro, bar and family entertainment.
Activities available on the park include a mountain bike pump track and, during the summer, pony trekking for all ages as well as an all-tide slipway for boat owners.

 

 

Not that Brighouse Bay is any stranger to awards for it has been graded 4 stars by inspectors from VisitScotland and won a number of environmental accolades. These include the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level, achieved for over 20 successive years in recognition of its many wildlife initiatives.
It also gained an additional award last year for its work to conserve hedges and woodlands, plus wildflower areas which provide vital foraging for honey bees and other pollinators. The park is also undertaking an ambitious rewilding project in areas of the grounds which will help provide additional wildlife habitats.

Brighouse Bay
Tel. 01557 870 267
www.brighousebayholidaypark.co.uk

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

Posted on October 28, 2021

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

SPATEX is a must visit for water leisure features from hot tubs to swimming pools and much more besides.

Thinking of installing a hot tub or swimming pool or updating your current facilities? Then SPATEX 2022, at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Tues 1st to Thurs 3rd February, is a must-attend event.
As the UK’s only dedicated annual exhibition, entering its 25th year, over one hundred companies, from home and abroad, will display their latest models and innovations.
Free to attend, it provides holiday park owners with all you need to know about water leisure features such as spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, enclosures and much more besides.
With the latest money-saving innovations - energy-saving is the cornerstone of the show’s agenda, you can tap into expert advice from some of the world’s top water leisure experts on hand, access free advice for your existing or future project.
Talks and demonstrations in the show’s free-to-attend, three-day double seminar and workshop programme will focus on how to save time and money. CPD points and a certificate of attendance are awarded to all attendees of the ISPE (Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers) workshops.
Make your first point of call, the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance to be pointed in the right direction and don’t forget The Big Reunion - SPATEX’s free to attend 25th anniversary networking party on Wednesday after the show closes at 5pm with free drinks, canapes and lots of industry chat.
The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry CV6 6GE is easy to get to - just 500 yards of the M6 and within two hours commuting time of 75 per cent of the population that ofers 2,000 free on-site car parking spaces.
Register now at www.spatex.co.uk

BELLS AND WHISTLES

Posted on October 28, 2021

BELLS AND WHISTLES

 

CLEAR SKY SAFARI TENTS sit majestically along a waterside location

 

Sue Hollingshead digs deep into the latest glamping trends…

As we come towards the end of the glamping summer season there can’t be any doubt that it has been a manic year for the sector.
We have seen new product introductions, new campsites, and a generally flurry of activity trying to keep up with the huge demand.
According to the GVR* market analysis report, the global glamping market is expected to grow at a rate of 14.1% (annually) from 2021 to 2028 with a net worth in the region of 3.92billion (GBP) by 2028.

 

THE AWARD-WINNING Melody Farm shepherd’s hut

 

Already valued at 1.7 billion (GBP) by the end of 2021, Europe’s share of the spoils was put at around a third -- 34.8% in 2019.
Sacha Macey, Owner of Yurts For Life, was very clear about the trend: “Glamping has exploded this year! “Gone are the days of the ‘bubble will burst, this is a fad…’ which was the mantra within the industry a few years ago,” Sacha believes.
“External factors, way beyond industry control, such as Brexit and the COVID pandemic have certainly had a positive impact on the industry as holidays abroad have been very diffcult to plan and deal with over the last 18 months. The demand for holidaying ‘outside’ in the UK is unprecedented.”

 

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The boom has generated the opportunity, and inspiration, for landowners and farmers to enter the market. With existing campsites, holiday parks, and glamping sites looking at ways of embellishing their developments to ensure they stay ahead. Simply adding one more glamping unit to an existing campsite has proved valuable and positive ROI.
There has been a surge of new pop-up campsites, which have been seen as both good and bad for the industry. As we know, the key aspect about glamping is that it focuses on ‘the experience’, something about the holiday must inspire the customer, either with a ‘WOW’ when they arrive and see their accommodation, or with the associated service, or to be fair a mix of both. A new quick pop-up campsite in many cases hasn’t had time to develop the full experience.
Mark Scott, CEO, Clear Sky Safari Tents, shared his thoughts: “I think the number of pop-up sites did rather detract from the quality of the glamping experience as people were advertising, say bell tents, with no services as a glamping experience.”

 

OUTSTANDING SAFARI Tents design and manufacture their own range of premium safari tents.

 

Mark continued: “It is expected that many of these will not ‘pop’ up again next season as bookings, reviews, and repeat rates will discourage the poor-quality sites and encourage the high-quality sites.”
Sacha also felt there was good and bad in the new pop-up sites and commented: “Some sites have managed to get it right straight away by keeping holidaymakers happy in the UK when they would have gone abroad.
We can’t do much about the weather, but if the details of the glamper’s experience are thought through and the appropriate facilities are available, then these pop-up sites have probably saved a lot of families after a tough time with the pandemic.
“Unfortunately, some sites have tarnished the industry as their main intention has been to make a fast buck.”

 

DESIGN INNOVATION

With the experience being paramount, there is always scope for innovation, whether this is within the design of the glamping accommodation, or within the overall holiday experience.
Tom Burnell, Managing Director of Kata Tipis, saw an opportunity in the market, as a slight side-track from their standard offering of Wedding Tipis. Tom explained more: “The technology is moving on at a pace with new innovations and different structures being released into the UK Glamping Market to meet the ever- increasing demand for more exciting and interesting experiences for the increasing volume of guests,” said Tom.

 

DREAMY RELAXING interiors for the dream experience, by Yurts For Life

 

“At Kata Tipis we wanted to transfer the scale and awe of our events tents and designed a glamping tipi that took people’s breath away. We believe that glamping should be an experience, not just in the view, or where a structure is sited, but the structure itself!
“We launched our new glamping tipi, which is unlike any structure on the market and in our opinion takes the traditional tipi design to the next level.”
Clear Sky has also identifed an innovative design they are working on, Mark was willing to share his plans: “There are several new directions that the industry is taking, all based around the enhancing of the glamping experience.
“In particular, we are seeing some great structures based around Stargazing in the black sky areas. We are currently working on a ‘Star Gazer Safari Tent’ with our designers, hopefully, ready for launch next season.”

 

QUIRKY OPTIONS

The experience it offers is paramount, whether staying in one of the quirky options available, such as converted planes, or one of the popular tree houses, traditional pods, stunning safari tents, yurts, tipis, shepherd huts, the list of unit types is continuingly growing.
The Glamper is naturally akin to outdoor living, with a secluded location, hot tub, or outdoor cooking, still ticking boxes. The one key aspect that has changed following the pandemic is the washing facilities. Mark explained, “Accommodations that were able to provide separate washing facilities were at an advantage when the market reopened. Many smaller sites with shared washing facilities fell victim to the ‘one wash area per household bubble’.

 

EXCLUSIVE SETTINGS couldn’t get better than this, by Yurts For Life

 

Those with the separate facility were well placed. We have seen an increase in enquiries from customers about putting bathrooms in their existing safari tents.”
The Staycation is here to stay. Bookings have been high for 2021, with most places reported as fully booked, and into next season. Clear Sky mentioned a Tik Tok video shared by one of their client’s guests, and shortly afterwards their bookings filled through to the end of next season!
On the flip side, Tom did have a few words of caution: “The concern is that UK Glamping site operators may overcharge for their accommodation this year and be seen to be ‘profiteering’ from the demand in the market.
“This, in turn, may frighten guests of for future bookings in the following years – not offering good value for money,” he added.

 

INSPIRED BY THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE, Safari Tents are fast becoming one of the most popular forms of glamping accommodation. Pic: Boldscan

 

NEWBIE ADVICE

The best tips from Tom, Mark, and Sacha are, firstly ensure that you have all the required planning, processes, and licenses as per your own Local Authority before you start, which may take longer than you expect. Plan, Plan, Plan, and never underestimate the time it takes to organise everything, down to the water, sewage, electric, etc etc.
Understand what you are going to offer, go through the customer experience in detail and make sure it works. Stick with both your budget and your niche market, don’t be tempted to be everything to all people.
Then get your marketing in place, know who you are targeting, and create the destinations and accommodation to suit their needs. Good use of social media alongside collaborations with relevant local businesses work well.

 

IMAGE RELAXING in this environment, a luxurious experience, by Kata Tipis

 

Mark commented: “The best sites are the ones who have committed to the overall experience by offering contactless check-in, high-quality bedding and partnering with the main sales channels such as Hoseasons, Canopy and Stars, or Unique Hideaway. All aspects from booking calendars to easy check-in are important.”
If the stats from GVR* come to fruition then we are in for some busy years ahead, and with that, we will continue to see innovation, including eco holidays, which are clearly on the cards. Young families and couples wishing to connect with the great outdoors, the natural side of our planet, is a great starting point.
In the beginning, glamping accommodation was simply a glamping pod, it can now be almost anything. Innovation such as Clear Sky’s Star Gazer Safari Tent for next season, Kata Tipis beautiful new Tipi and the superb Yurts by Yurts For Life, are great examples. It certainly makes you wonder what we can expect over the coming years.

GVR
Grand View Research
www.grandviewresearch.com

Kata Tipis
Tel: 01780 239 188
www.katatipis.co.uk

Yurts For Life
Tel: 01803 762 370
www.yurtsforlife.com

Clear Sky Safari Tents
Tel: 0333 241 2660
www.clearskytents.co.uk

ICING ON THE CAKE – HOLIDAY HOT TUBS

Posted on October 28, 2021

ICING ON THE CAKE

 

THE FROSTS created a relaxation zone with the hot tub as the focal point.

 

Adding a touch of hot tub luxury pays off for holiday bookings…

With the rise in staycations, Yvonne and Graham Frost, owners of Slayleigh B&B in Matlock, made the decision to purchase a hot tub for their property. A hot tub not only adds a touch of luxury but can also increase occupancy and revenue by up to 60%.
With many choosing to stay in the UK, guests are looking to get away and relax with a hot tub often high on their list. According to Google, holiday cottages with hot tubs was the third most searched holiday phrase this year, up by 300% compared to the previous year.
A hot tub allows families and loved ones to reconnect and spend quality time together. People are also focusing on their wellness much more and a hot tub can help with this – soothing aches and pains, reducing anxiety and stress and relieving headaches.

SUPERIOR WELLNESS engineers fitted a cover to the hot tub which helps save on energy costs.

All reasons that may inspire a customer to book a holiday property with a hot tub.
“We are purchasing a hot tub as they have become more popular and is very much a want from guests as well as ourselves and not just solely for the B&B,” explains Yvonne. “I have particularly wanted one for ages, but other priorities took over; they are an expensive luxury so you really need to want one and we do.”
Yvonne felt the hot tub would make a difference to bookings, occupancy and booking rates. She explains: “We are 9.6 and 5 star rated on review websites so we feel our guests already choose us on running costs and upkeep of the tub, we do not however envisage a mass profit margin more maybe a popularity in guests choosing our accommodation over another.”
Yvonne contacted Superior Wellness who were recommended to her by a relative who has one from them and is obviously very happy.

UNDERSTANDING the workings of your holiday hot tubs is essential.

 

Superior Wellness recommend the Holiday Hot Tub, available as part of its Platinum Spas range, that is ideal for holiday settings from parks and resorts to smaller holiday lets.
This hot tub offers a basic layout no breakable or removable components with and designed for heavy usage. The robust but minimalistic design perfectly complements any garden, decking or outdoor area. The hot tub seats five people with 40 jets and is designed purely for the holiday let market.
Key features include secondary hidden controls, a tamper-proof control panel, in-line chemical dosing and crucially, quick draining.
With no headrests or diverters, the ‘plug and play, 32 amp, can have a WiFi module added so you can monitor the status and access the settings of the hot tub directly from your mobile phone.

WOW FACTOR

“I have to say Superior Wellness, Jordon in the sales team, in particular, has been fantastic in dealing with myself, sourcing my hot tub at short notice and communication.
“They had the hot tub in stock and therefore we could arrange the delivery quickly.
“The delivery team have also been fantastic and I would definitely recommend Superior Wellness. We can’t wait for our guests to start using it.”

THE SUPERIOR WELLNESS TEAM carried out the installation themselves.

 

Yvonne again: “We thought a lot of where to position our hot tub given the UK climate and so our wow factor is very much the area we enhanced once which was once our summerhouse and potting shed.
“We have turned this into a fabulous relaxing space with mood lighting, artificial grass, spa panel interior, grey chic wood panelling, and bi fold doors.
“Guests can enjoy the tub in all weathers as is under cover. There is a seating area to cool down in between hopping in and out of the hot tub where they can take in the view of our beautiful south facing garden, light and airy by day or on a starry night sky,” Yvonne enthuses. “What more wow do you need?”

ADVANCE PLANNING

Gareth Ward, Sales Director, Superior Wellness reveals: “We have seen a huge increase in demand this year for our holiday let hot tub. We have had some in stock but they sell quickly.
“I would advise you to plan in advance and order your hot tub now to ensure it arrives in time for the start of the season for next year.”
Gareth adds: “We work with a large partner network and we can advise you who your nearest one is.”
“If you are looking to purchase a hot tub for your holiday home, we highly recommend a Platinum Spas hot tub.

Gareth point out: “Many people ask about the pitfalls and problems as it surely can’t be all about increasing revenue.
“The constant upkeep, care and maintenance is the biggest downfall. You need to look after your hot tub and ensure you provide the care and maintenance it needs and stick to the guidelines,” he emphasises.
“However, the increase in revenue you will receive in terms of price per night and occupancy will outweigh any time and money spent on the upkeep.”
“We recommend that the hot tub is replaced approximately every five years depending on usage.”
For more information about the Platinum Spas Holiday Let hot tub please visit www.platinum-spas.com/product/holiday-let-5/

YVONNE AND GRAHAM Frost are delighted with the investment on their Holiday Hot Tub.

HOT TUB PAYBACK

Posted on January 26, 2021

HOT TUB PAYBACK

Spas clinch the holiday booking deal...

LADY’S MILE HOLIDAY PARK say payback on a hot tub can be as little as six months

Open 365 days a year and based in the picturesque location of Dawlish in South Devon, Lady’s Mile Holiday Park currently offers 90 hot tubs on its lodge and mini lodge accommodation. The multi-award winning, family-run park knows that hot tubs are a key component when sealing the booking deal. “Customers are asking for hot tubs as part of their booking requirements,” says Stephen Brown Lady’s Mile Holiday Park’s Operations Manager. “It is now getting to be an expectation rather than a luxury add on,” Stephen continues. Stephen confirms accommodation offering hot tubs are returning value for money. “Lodges with hot tubs command a 20% premium in the peak weeks and up to 80% premium in low income weeks due to increased levels of demand,” he confirms. “Payback on a hot tub can be as little as six months,” he adds. “We certainly will be looking to increase our hot tub range on lodges and high-end caravans for the foreseeable future.”

PLUG AND PLAY

Lady’s Mile Holiday Park’s preferred spa supplier is Sunbeach Spas offering the holiday park sector five models in a ‘plug and play’ range, designed to run from regular household electricity supplies and starting from £1,995. “Whilst these tubs tend to be at the lower end of the price range we offer, they are not lacking in features and have everything holidaymakers need in a hot tub – easy to operate with space for all the family, and offer powerful jets, music and lights,” explainsWayne Green, Managing Director of the UK- wide Sunbeach team. “Holiday park operators also appreciate the fact that all our plug and play spas come with our R10 insulation, providing massive reductions in incidental heat loss over standard insulation, with savings of over 70% in test conditions.”

FIT FOR PURPOSE

Sunbeach Spas also build their hot tubs with two separate pumps – one for circulation and one for jets, instead of the oft-used solitary twin-speed pump which performs both tasks with a single unit. “Whilst this has a marginally higher outset cost, it will allow for significant savings on overall costs – as holiday park hot tubs see significantly more use than general, the circulation pumps are running at maximum frequency to unsure the water is reheated and retreated at all times,”Wayne explains. This range has additional convenient features for the holiday park, including built in/non-removable headrests (no pillows to get damaged or stolen) and twin filters with inline chemical dispensers allowing for superior water cleansing, even whilst the tub is in use. “We have also developed an acrylic control panel housing to prevent unwanted tampering with the controls on systems which don’t have a user lock-out built in,” addsWayne. When considering large numbers of hot tubs running on the same site, the question of running costs becomes all important; even a small saving on a single spa will prove significant when multiplied across an entire holiday park, and so it is vital that any recommendation takes this into account. Wayne points out: “The common perception of the unbranded, low- cost hot tub was one of “cheap to buy, expensive to run”, with better insulation and power saving technology reserved for high-end hot tubs from well established brands. “Sunbeach Spas philosophy is that you can have the best of both worlds - the R10 insulation we build into each of our hot tubs won us the Spa Energy Efficiency Award at the 2019 UK Pool and Spa Awards and we continue to innovate to improve on that baseline.”

SIMPLE STEPS

For holiday lets, simplicity the key, both from the perspective of the park and of their guests. The average holidaymaker does not want to have to wade through pages of instructions, so it is important that the chosen hot tubs are simple to operate, but also come with the features that make having a hot tub so appealing – relaxing jets, a good music system, fun lighting and so forth. SaysWayne: “From the park’s point of view, simplicity of installation, using plug and play systems to avoid unnecessary and expensive upgrades to the park’s electrical grid system.” All Sunbeach Spas holiday park customers are offered free training days, which are held on their own site (so as many of their employees as they wish can attend easily) and are conducted by one of the leading chemical supply companies in the UK. “We also offer on-site training with our own staff for hot tub operational training, as well as all year round, out- of-hours telephone support,” adds Wayne.

 

“CUSTOMERS ARE ASKING FOR HOT TUBS AS PART OF THEIR BOOKING REQUIREMENTS.” LADY’S MILE HOLIDAY PARK say payback on a hot tub can be as little as six months. - Stephen Brown, Lady’s Mile Holiday Park

TRAINING MATTERS

“In our opinion, having a well-trained, on-site team is key for any holiday park; a hot tub breakdown, even if caused by the guests themselves, can sour an otherwise perfect holiday experience. Having an on- site team minimises downtime and will also be available for preventative maintenance,” Having hot tubs which are easy to maintain is vital to getting things up and running again smoothly. It’s equally important that the regular maintenance (cleaning, sterilising etc) is a hassle-free job, to ensure that the tub can be made ready for the next party of holidaymakers to use. “All our hot tubs have inline chemical dispenser options to keep the spa water clear and safe during their stay and minimising the impact on the clean down crew at the end of the stay,”Wayne continues. “In the last couple of years alone, we have seen the technology available on hot tub control systems jump forward.” New control systems are being developed all the time, with new features and ways of managing the spas more efficiently. But not all changes are suited to all cases, and it is easy to get excited about new features which are not of true benefit. One of the pitfalls of a hot tub at a holiday let is guests having the correct information on how to use the hot tub safely. “Most guests just want to just get in it and use it but if they don’t shower beforehand, rinse their costumes, not walk around in bare feet, drunk too much alcohol then their experience and safety can be at risk,” advises Sunbeach dealer John Threadgall of Yorkshire Spas. “We encourage holiday let owners to clearly display a user guide both next to the hot tub and in their welcome pack also giving users reasoning behind guidelines. “This information can prevent guests contacting the owners regarding dirty water, help quicker changeovers and help keep guests safe.”

Sunbeach Spas
Tel. 01623 706185
E. sales@sunbeachspas.co.uk
www.sunbeachspas.co.uk

ADDED BENEFITS FOR HOLIDAY HOT TUB EXPERIENCE

Posted on January 26, 2021

ADDED BENEFITS FOR HOLIDAY HOT TUB EXPERIENCE

THE VISIONLIFT positions the hot tub cover to the back of the spa.

Specialist suppliers, Golden Coast has an extensive range of accessories designed to make the most out of hot tubs no matter what the season. When it comes to heating, costs can soar, but with the Dura Pro heat pump owners can cut bills by thousands. The inverter-driven air source pump heats water up to 40°C and maintains the desired temperature while operating on a lower current. This means it uses less energy compared to electric hot tub heaters, and the nominal current removes the risk of overloading the park’s power supply. Tried and tested even in cold temperatures as low as -15°C, Dura Pro is a high-efficiency pump that ensures consistent, year- round performance. If your hot tubs overlook picturesque scenery, be sure to maximise the impact by hiding the cover out of sight. The VisionLift hot tub cover lifter positions the cover to the back of the spa where it rests on the deck or patio — giving users an unobstructed view of their surroundings. The lifter is built from aluminium and high-strength galvanized steel with corrosion- resistant power-coating for long-term, maintenance-free use. When space is a premium, why not try the easy-to-install Cover EX lifter, which requires only 254mm of clearance space. It is suitable for most square and rectangular hot tubs and is built to last with robust aluminium brackets and reinforced double tubing on the bends. Adding steps to a spa can make access easier and safer for users. The Waterway step is made of durable UV-protected polypropylene, has large 838mm wide non-slip treads, and a sturdy 363kg weight capacity. It is perfect for all sizes of hot tubs and comes in a range of colours to suit the spa’s aesthetics.

Golden Coast
Te. 01271 378100
www.goldenc.com