This is our review of the Lay Z Spa Honolulu (updated in 2023)
Entering the vast arena of 4-6 seater hot tubs is the Honolulu by Lay Z Spa, but why should you buy this spa? What does it have that others don’t? What about that rattan design – it’s not for everyone?
Choosing a mid-range spa can be challenging, but one thing we’ve learned in our ten years of reviewing spas is that quality isn’t always reflected in the price.
- Premium Duraplus material makes it long-lasting
- Freeze Shield Tech so can be used in Winter
- Tool-free set up in under 10 minutes
- The design is not everyone's favourite
Basking in the 120 jets of this luxurious spa might not transport you to a pacific paradise, but it will certainly provide a soothing spa experience. The stylish rattan design will look great in almost every garden and of course, it includes all the standard features you expect, like an energy-saving timer and anti-freeze technology.
What may seem like a fantastic deal initially can end up costing you more.
This review will uncover
- If the Honolulu is good value for money?
- Who should buy this hot tub?
- Are there better alternatives?
Keep reading to see if you and the Honolulu are the perfect match or if you should give this tub a wide berth?
You don’t become industry leaders without knowing a little about what hot tubbers want. Lay Z Spa are renowned for its premium inflatable hot tubs. We think the updated Honolulu model is a prime example of why.
With a spacious 916L capacity that can house up to 6 adults at a time and a comfortable i-beam construction for added back support, you’ll find that this inflatable hot tub balances style and function effortlessly. Thus producing an inflatable hot tub that we’re pretty sure is worthy of showcasing the best that Lay Z Spa has to offer.
Quick Glance
Capacity
4-6 adults.
Set Up Time
10 minutes.
How Long To Heat Up
6-12 hours initial heating time.
Running Costs
£40-£50 per month.
Winter Frost Protection
Freeze Shield included.
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What Previous Buyers Say
See around 50 Honolulu hot tub reviews on Amazon.co.uk
Currently in Stock
Yes, this hot tub is currently in stock.
Pro’s
Stylish rattan design, LED lights, 140 air jets.
Con’s
Heavy when filled.
What We Liked - Key Features
I-Beam Construction
The first feature that really grabbed our team’s attention was the Honolulu’s excellent i-beam constructed shell.
Draped in a stylish rattan printed exterior, this structural design provides the hot tub with a robust outer wall and offers a great deal of cushioned support to the back when reclining in the water.
We found that the Duraplus material lining on the outer walls can stand up to bumps and scrapes incredibly well and even protects against UV damage to keep that stylish rattan print looking fresh for as long as possible!
140 Airjet Massage System
Much of Lay Z Spa’s range has been updated in the last year to allow the brand’s new tech to be introduced into their most popular models. The Honolulu has benefitted from this immensely, with a new frost protection unit and a healthy upgrade to its massage system.
Now boasting 140 dynamic air jets, our reviewers report that the improved floor layout really makes the most of these extra bubble jets, and thanks to the pump’s dual-operation, the heater can be run at the same time with an adjustable flow rate that’s easily switched between using a soft-touch control panel.
Rapid Heating
Even the best inflatable models are often let down by unreasonably long heating times. Luckily, it seems Lay Z Spa have cottoned on to this and attempted to eliminate the issue with their rapid heating system.
We were able to heat this jacuzzi to 40 degrees Celsius in about 10 hours straight out of the box, with further heating times of just 1-2 hours; thanks again to the pump’s dual operation and the excellent heat retention qualities of Lay Z Spa’s patented Duraplus material lining.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
BW54174GB
Inflatable Capacity:
4-6 people
Water Capacity (80%):
916 L (242 Gallons)
Inflated Size:
1.96m x 71cm (77″ x 28”)
Filled Weight:
954kg (2103lb)
Cable Length:
7m
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
Unfortunately, you won’t find any Wi-Fi controls as standard on the Honolulu, which is a shame as it seems to be the only premium feature it lacks!
You can buy an additional Wi-Fi enabled pump, which is compatible with all of this brand’s Airjet models, but at a further cost of around £400, we wouldn’t blame you for skipping this feature.
Does This Model Have Lighting?
The Honolulu features a vibrant LED lighting system, with a range of 7 colours to choose from and an automatic colour-changing mode for those of you who are a little indecisive!
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
With a water capacity of 916L and a floor diameter of 196cm, we reckon the Honolulu is the perfect size for the average family or a group of up to 5 adults or friends. When filled, the weight is extremely heavy so it won’t move and has everything you need for a great party.
We were able to squeeze 6 of our team into this hot tub, but you’re definitely better off running this thing slightly under capacity to gain a little extra legroom.
What About Safety Features?
Under the hood, you’ll find all the important stuff, like a ground fault detection system and an RCD unit that will completely cut the power if any water finds its way into the circuitry.
The Honolulu also comes bundled with an inflatable lid and a secure clip cover, ideal tools to trap the hot tub’s heat and prevent anything from entering the water when you’re not using the spa.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Honolulu hot tub?
This inflatable hot tub benefits massively from its Duraplus lining and i-beam construction. The inner walls are rigid enough to provide a good deal of support to the lower back and cushioned enough to be gentle on the skin.
The floor of the Honolulu is also padded with a thick material lining, which, when combined with the 140 air jets within the base, makes for a pretty decent seating area that our team was more than happy reclining in for hours on end.
Running costs
As a reasonably sizable hot tub with room for up to 6 adults, the Honolulu does need quite a bit of power to get the bubbles going, and running 140 air jets concurrently with a heater will cause your energy bill to rise!
We found that running this honolulu airjet for a few hours a day at full whack came in at an average cost of £10-£15 per week, but there are a few energy-saving features that you can use to bring those costs down.
The energy-saving timer is easy to engage through the digital control panel and certainly helps keep on top of your energy usage. And by storing the massage spa with the lid and cover sealed, you’ll be able to save a little on your daily heating bills.
Heat up times
We were able to heat the Honolulu to its maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius within around 10 hours of first setting the spa up.
The insulating properties of the Duraplus lining really come in handy here, with this hot tub able to retain its water temperature very well, making for daily heating times of around 1-2 hours with assistance from the rapid heating system.
How noisy is the Honolulu model?
The Honolulu is pretty average in terms of operational noise.
You’re always going to hear spa’s running 140 jets at full power, but we have to say that Lay Z Spa’s new digital pump manages to muffle that sound impressively.
If you’re running the Honolulu on low power mode, we don’t think your neighbours will give you any grief, but we would advise that you refrain from turning those jets up late into the night!
Winter usage
The Honolulu can certainly stand up to the colder months with a built-in frost protection unit and a thoroughly insulated shell. We found that as long as you run power to the pump overnight, the Freeze Shield will detect any drops in water temperature, preventing the water from freezing.
This actually has a further benefit. You’ll need less energy to heat the Honolulu to its maximum temperature when you decide to take a dip, saving you a couple of quid on heating costs during the winter!
Price and discounts
For a 6 seater inflatable hot tub with a boatload of premium features, we reckon that the Lay Z Spa Honolulu is very reasonably priced.
Finding a model of this size that not only packs 140 bubble jets into its design but also a flashy LED lighting system for a lower price is pretty tricky!
If you are determined to save a little more, you might want to stake out a few suppliers over the course of several months. Inflatable hot tubs are subject to supply and demand, so it’s not uncommon to find some great deals during the colder parts of the year.
Warranty and support
Your warranty covers the digital pump for 12 months and the inflatable lid for 6. What’s better is that this warranty can be doubled just by taking 10 minutes to register your hot tub on the brand’s official website.
On the Lay Z Spa website, you’ll find an extensive list of FAQs and details for their UK-based support line, offering a few troubleshooting options if you run into any problems with your spa.
Lay Z Spa Honolulu Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa Honolulu are positive with families saying how comfortable and luxurious this model is.
For an inflatable hot tub large enough to fit the whole family, with a good deal of premium features thrown in, we reckon you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck by choosing the Lay Z Spa Honolulu.
The i-beam construction provides an awful lot of durability. We’re particularly impressed with the energy-saving features and rapid heating that make this hot tub as efficient as it is functional.
The LED lights add that little extra flair, which will surely impress the kids if you are thinking of purchasing an inflatable hot tub for some family time. We hope this lazy spa honolulu review has helped and all in all, we believe the Honolulu is definitely a good buy!
There are also different lazy spa types to pick from if this one wasn’t up to scratch. Just browse our main page and pick one you do like.
How Does it Compare?
Our Tekapo review shows this is a good contender against the Honolulu, with slightly fewer jets but a somewhat larger capacity, all for a little less money than Lay Z Spa’s option.
You will miss out on LED lights with this model, and it isn’t quite as stylish as the Honolulu, but if you’re looking for a bargain, this is undoubtedly a good budget choice!
Another Lay Z Spa model with a similarly stylish rattan printed exterior, it’s is a bit wider than the Honolulu and offers a little more legroom thanks to this.
With the same number of air jets and similar heating and frost protection features, you’re essentially swapping out Honolulu’s LED lights for a more extensive interior. Read the full review here.
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa Honolulu
The Honolulu can be easily inflated using only the included pump and inflation hose within about 10 minutes, benefiting from Lay Z Spa’s handy tool-free setup.
Filling this hot tub with water will take about 1-2 hours depending on your home water supply, with a further 6-12 hours needed to heat the water to a maximum of 40 degrees Celsius.
Last Word
If you’re after a robust and reliable inflatable hot tub with plenty of room to fit the whole family, we think you’ll be impressed by what the Lay Z Spa Honolulu has to offer.
This spa boasts a stylish design, but behind that exterior lies a tough Duraplus lining and a comfortable i-beam structure that can stand up to extensive wear and tear and provide some much-needed support when relaxing amongst the bubbles.
140 airjets is more than enough for a spa of this size, and the dazzling LED lights are the cherry on top. We think the Honolulu offers excellent value for money and is worthy of its moniker as a premium inflatable hot tub.
