Startup cost
$9k–$18k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Hot Tub Garden
Decision Snapshot
Hot Tub Garden
Idea Score
64
Profit margin
21%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
12 wk–36 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Medium
Time commitment
Full time
Part 1 - How to start a Hot Tub Garden business - Background
Many people enjoy relaxing, socializing with others, and being romantic in hot tubs. Hot tub gardens maintain several private hot tubs that customers rent to use for their personal enjoyment. A garden’s hot tubs can be inside or outside. They’re rented for a pre-arranged amount of time.
You may also be interested in additional unique business ideas.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Hot Tub Garden business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a hot tub garden?
The startup expenses associated with opening a hot tub garden business are significant. They include:
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First and last month’s rent for a commercial space
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Build-out costs to make a space suitable for a hot tub garden
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Hot tub installation costs
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Hot tub chemical and equipment costs
High-end and luxury spas can cost between $9,000 and $18,000 each. When tallied with the other expenses, opening a hot tub garden can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It may even be a six-figure sum.
What are the ongoing expenses for a hot tub garden?
The ongoing expenses for a hot tub garden business are significant but manageable. The largest expenses are:
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Rent for the business’ space
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Energy costs for heating water
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Chemical and other supply costs
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Maintenance costs
Who is the target market?
A hot tub garden business’ ideal customers are people who want a private atmosphere, enjoy hot tubs, and have some discretionary income. Such people may be willing to pay a premium for access to a private hot tub, and they have the income needed to rent one. Most of your customers will be seeking a relaxing experience that they can share with close friends or family.
How does a hot tub garden make money?
A hot tub garden business makes money by renting its private hot tubs. Hot tubs are usually rented by the hour.
How much can you charge customers?
The Oasis and Neptune’s Lagoons charge between $20 and $54 per hour. Rates usually break down by day and time of day:
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weekday afternoon rentals cost between $20 and $34 per hour
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evening rentals Sunday through Thursday cost between $30 and $44 per hour
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weekend rentals cost between $30 and $54 per hour
All of these rates are based on two people. Most businesses charge a small fee around $5.00 for each additional person.
How much profit can a hot tub garden make?
A hot tub garden business can bring in a significant revenue. For example, The Oasis’ location in Ann Arbor has 16 different private hot tubs. When all of them are rented on the weekend, the location can bring in $864 per hour.
It’s possible for a hot tub garden business to make thousands of dollars in one day. In a year, a successful business could have a high six-figure revenue.
How can you make your business more profitable?
A hot tub garden business can increase its profitability and attract more customers by adding additional services. A spa or tanning salon would be an appropriate addition.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a hot tub garden?
Business owners’ time is largely divided between serving customers and cleaning hot tubs between customers. This involves welcoming customers, giving them towels, notifying customers their time has ended, cleaning towels, and sanitizing hot tubs. When not doing these things, business owners manage their employees, pay bills, and market their hot tub garden.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful hot tub garden?
A hot tub garden business owner must know how to clean, sanitize, and maintain hot tubs.
There are several organizations that offer training programs. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has online and regional training programs that cover hot tubs. The International Spa Association hosts several conferences each year, and there are several educational opportunities at these conferences. The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s certification programs are a third option.
Whatever training businesses owners enroll in, they should make sure it specifically covers hot tubs. Working with hot tubs is different from maintaining pools.
In addition to taking a course on hot tubs, business owners may also want to buy a few books that cover hot tub cleaning, sanitization, and maintenance. Books serve as handy references when an issue arises. The Hot Tub Bible and The Ultimate Guide to Spas and Hot Tubs are two titles that cover these subjects.
What is the growth potential for a hot tub garden?
The hot tub garden business is a relatively new business model. For this reason, most businesses tend to be small. They have just one or no more than a few locations. For example, The Oasis Hot Tub Gardens has three locations in Michigan. Neptune’s Lagoons has one location in Anaheim, California.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a hot tub garden?
Many customers will be highly concerned with cleanliness. They’ll want to know that hot tubs are cleaned and sanitized in between each customer’s time in a tub.
Thus, hot tub garden businesses don’t just need to have a system in place for cleaning and sanitizing hot tubs between customers. They also need to communicate their system to customers so customers are confident in a business’ cleanliness standards.
The Oasis communicates this information well on their website. They explain how water is purified, what checks are in place and what inspections they go through. Business owners can follow a similar pattern by sharing this information on their business’ websites, over the phone with anyone who calls, and in person when guests ask.
How and when to build a team
Hot tub garden businesses need a team of employees from the outset. It’s not necessary to have lots of employees. At least a few employees should always be working, though. There are a few reasons to have several people available:
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Hot tubs can be cleaned faster between customers
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Employees are available to handle special requests from customers
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An employee is able to address any problems that arise with hot tubs
Part 2 - Is a Hot Tub Garden business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Hot Tub Garden business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Hot Tub Garden Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Hot Tub Garden business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
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Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
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Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
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Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
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Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
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Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
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Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
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Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
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Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
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Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.