Off-site home rentals -- "spa" vs "hot tub"?

[MomToGandB]

Hi -- We're looking at rental homes with pools for our next visit. I'm noticing that many rentals call what appears to me to be a hot tub a "spa" or "bubbling spa". Or Jacuzzi. On one site I actually saw the owner write "this is not a hot tub, it's heated to the same temperature as the pool".

Is this sort of a given in Orlando? Are most of these homes equipped with basically bubbly pools rather than actual hot tubs? I'd love an actual hot tub, particularly in October after long days at the parks, so I don't want to go in with one expectation and wind up with something totally different!

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

Spas are heated on demand meaning you flip a switch to turn on the heater to warm the water when you want it on. Otherwise they are the same temp as the pool.

Hot tubs are separate, stand alone units that are always hot.

In our experience, most have spas. They do heat up to around 100+ degrees when you switch the heater on(usually hits temp in about 10 min). I think that is what you are looking for but it can't hurt to ask the owner if their spa can be heated above the actual pool temp.

 

[jaceraden]

Yes, a spa is different.

IME - spas have less jets and not as hot. Still more relaxing than the pool (if you wait the time period for it to heat) but it's not a true hot tub experience.

 

[starry_solo]

I will add to this, a jacuzzi is the brand name for a hot tub.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I would definitely communicate with the owners. We rented a house once that advertised “spa”. 2 of the reviews commented that the water was not heated. Owner did communicate that it was warm. Unfortunately it was NOT hot. Very disappointing!!!