I think outdoor spas can be good for entertaining and just chilling out! However, the most time you want to use them is in winter when it's too cold to go outside. Ah well.

yes please! If budget is not a concern!

A spa would be particularly appealing especially if the home has room for a gym..

spas can be noisy and I would prefer an indoor spa where the noise wouldn't disturb the neighbours

We have a pool and spa and if we had to have to choose between the two the spa would win hands down. We use it all year round, as it's gas heated, even in the middle of winter. Once in you can't get out! We also love being outdoors in the spa, as it's connected to the garden. As a suggestion if you make it look pond like rather than pool like (ours has black tiles), it could be a lovely water feature when not in use.

Thanks everyone for your comments so far.

Bowmandrum , I definitely agree you need to tick as many boxes as possible for potential buyers. In answer to a few of your questions, we are in Sunny Brisbane, so the weather is not really an issue. However, our dilemma between a pool and spa is the very difficult access, the size of machinery dictates what we can actually accomplish. Hence, from our point of view it very much is a case of asking the question, if we can only manage a spa - will people appreciate it/want it or is it not worth it. Based on feedback with the poll it looks the spa will be worth the investment.

I would say yes, definitely. I am so sorry I do not have one they are wonderful to relax in and take very little upkeep. Some lucky person will purchase, how i envy them.

I would like to know the builders name, I would like a spa built in my backyard it is simply perfect.

I love my spa and use it everyday. Agree with the comment re teens, but for young grandkids it has been great: like a mini swimming pool. Much cheaper and easier to run and maintain than a pool, and if I want to swim laps, I'd rather go to the local 50 metre pool.

We are planning to build a courtyard house with a terrace above the Alfresco. We are having a large pool with a swim up bar and would like to have a spa on the terrace. Does anyone have a terrace spa and would we have any problems to look out for?

Hi Carolohara, We are based in Brisbane, however, you may not be, so I would recommend having a look on Houzz for local pool/spa builders or home builders, depending on your exact needs - if it is just the spa/pool that you require the spa/pool builder is the best option for you.

When I purchased a spa 3 years ago everyone told me 'it's a waste of money, you'll use it the first summer then forget about it and it's too much maintenance'. I have used it every single night since then, rain or shine. However, would I sell a property with one? I'm not so sure, as due to everyone's recommendations to me, it seems like they're not that desired and there's a stigma about them. Pools definitely seem more of a selling point.

We use our spa morning and night (great for old bones and sports injuries), kids and grandkids love using them as well. We would only buy a place with room for a spa or one installed. We would avoid a pool as too much work. Pool depends on location (climate) and demographic house is suited for. If school to teen children maybe.