Hot Tubs in Holiday Lets Dorset & Somerset: Smart Choice or Headache?

A Dorset & Somerset Owner’s Guide

ew things divide holiday-home owners quite like hot tubs. Guests love them — owners, not always. They look amazing in listings and can boost bookings, but they also bring maintenance, safety rules, and the occasional “the hot tub isn’t hot…” message.

At Key Turner Management, we’ve helped property owners across Dorset and Somerset for almost a decade, so we know how valuable — and how demanding — these features can be. This guide to hot tubs in holiday lets Dorset & Somerset covers the essentials of setup, compliance and upkeep, and how to make them work for you (not against you).

Guests enjoying using the hot tub in a holiday rental

Making Hot Tubs in Holiday Lets Dorset & Somerset Work for You

Hot tubs consistently appear in the top three search filters on major booking platforms. Guests see them as the ultimate treat — especially for cosy winter breaks, romantic getaways, or family holidays when the British weather can’t be trusted.

Even a simple spa setup can help your property:

• Stand out in a crowded local market

• Increase bookings in the off-season

• Boost guest satisfaction and reviews

• Add perceived value that supports higher nightly rates

In the current market, where guests are chasing value and experience, that’s worth its weight in gold.

Of course, they also come with the occasional “the hot tub isn’t hot…” message — but if you plan and maintain them properly, they’re one of the most rewarding additions you can make to a holiday home.

Understanding the Rules (HSG282 in Plain English)

If your holiday property includes a hot tub for paying guests, it’s classed as a commercial spa pool under HSG282, the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on safe hot tub management.

In plain English, you need to:

• Control legionella and bacteria risks

• Keep water clean, filtered and chemically balanced

• Drain, clean and refill between guest groups

• Record how you manage and maintain it

But before you panic, this doesn’t mean daily visits or scientific testing kits.

Testing water can become a headache

Making Compliance Work for Real Owners

Even with a management company like ours — or a specialist spa service — no one’s realistically visiting daily to test your water (and guests don’t want mid-holiday drop-ins).

Let’s be honest: most holiday-home owners don’t live on site, and daily testing simply isn’t viable. HSG282 was written with large hotels and spas in mind — not single cottages with one family in the tub.

The good news? With the right system, you can stay compliant without daily testing or endless chemical guesswork.

With thoughtful setup and the right support, hot tubs in Dorset & Somerset holiday lets can be a huge boost to your bookings without becoming a burden.

The Modern Workaround

Installing an HSG282-ready hot tub with automatic dosing and pH control is the simplest way to meet the requirements while protecting your guests and your property.

It constantly monitors and adjusts the water chemistry while guests use it, meaning:

• No daily manual tests during guest stays

• Automatic, real-time dosing for balanced, safe water

• Digital logs that double as compliance evidence

All you need to do is:

• Drain, clean, and refill between stays

• Check or calibrate before new arrivals

• Keep your system serviced and records saved

For longer guest stays (7+ nights), a quick mid-week check is plenty.

With the right equipment, hot tubs don't have to be a headache. They can be a fantastic selling point; boosting bookings, reviews and adding that all important wow factor, without adding to your workload.

Choosing the right one really helps

Choosing the Right Hot Tub — What to Ask Before You Buy

If you’re upgrading or investing in a hot tub for your holiday let, ask these key questions before signing off:

1. Is it HSG282-ready?

That means:

• Continuous circulation (no stagnant pipework)

• Inline dosing system for sanitiser

• Lockable control panel (guests can’t meddle)

• Easy access for cleaning and draining

If not, you’ll struggle to stay compliant unless you’re living on site.

2. Does it have automatic dosing and pH control?

This is the game-changer.Automatic systems manage water chemistry for you, giving consistent, safe results and clear data for compliance.

💷 Realistic Price Ranges — New, Refurbished & Swim Spas

To help owners understand real-world costs, here’s a UK 2025 price guide. These are ballpark figures — size, installation, and spec will all affect the final price.

Hot tubs (4–6 person)

£2,500 – £4,500  (mid-tier auto-dosing, good insulation)

£1,200 – £2,500  (refurbished shell with new controls or pump

Swim spas / larger tubs (4–8 person, extended swim length)

£6,000 – £12,000 +  (high-capacity, stronger pumps, auto dosing)

£3,500 – £7,500  (refurbished with most components upgraded)

Swim-Spas: The Bigger, Better Option

For larger holiday homes, a swim-spa delivers all the luxury of a pool without the huge running costs.They use the same HSG282 principles as hot tubs, can be auto-dosed, and photograph beautifully — offering families and groups that “resort” feel that drives bookings.

The initial costs can be high but ultimately worth it

Our Take

Hot tubs can feel like a lot of work, and sometimes they are — but when they’re set up properly, they’re one of the best investments a holiday home can make. Guests love them, listings perform better, and owners see a real difference in bookings and reviews.

The key is choosing a system that suits how your property actually operates. With auto-dosing, regular changeover cleaning, and sensible maintenance, they don’t have to become another stress on your to-do list.

At Key Turner Management, we’ve helped Dorset and Somerset owners plan, install and maintain hot tubs safely for years — from risk assessments and supplier advice to seasonal deep cleans. We know what works in the real world, and how to make these features add value rather than add pressure.

What are your experiences? Leave me a comment below.

Always here to chat all things holiday properties,

Emma Keys

Founder of Key Turner Management