This is our review of the Lay Z Spa Maldives (updated 2023)
The Maldives instantly conjure up the feeling of luxury and relaxation. This aptly-named high-end hot tub is part of the premium range and we’ll be upfront and say it isn’t cheap!
So what are you paying extra for? Better quality, a higher spec, elegant design, are there more affordable options that offer the same spa experience?
- 8 Hydrojets for targeted massage
- Plenty of space for families
- A luxurious design
- This isn’t a whisper-quiet tub
The Maldives is a large high-end hot tub, terrific for families and get-togethers. It boasts combined air and hydrojets for a reinvigorating body massage, but it also has all the standard features of the Lay Z Spa range plus a few extras like an indulgent foot massager.
We’ve tested hundreds of blow-up spas at every price point; we know that some budget options are packed with features, meaning these more expensive hot tubs really need to knock it out of the ballpark. So How does the Maldives fare?
By the end of this post, you’ll know:
- What exactly you’re getting for the price
- How the Maldives compares with its rivals
- Whether or not it’s a luxury hot tub choice?
The Maldives has plenty of cool features but is it lacking any? And does it really fit 5-7 people? We know this can be a bit of a squeeze with some of these large spas? Today you are going to find out!
Keep reading to see if the Lay Z Spa Maldives lives up to its name?
Anybody new to inflatable hot tubs will find even the most basic of massage systems to be a slice of heaven, but many may be unaware that the standard air jets available on most models can actually be improved upon massively!
The Lay Z Spa Maldives is the definition of a premium inflatable hot tub, featuring a Hydrojet Pro massage system, which combines 180 air jets with 8 powerful hydrojets, each of which can be controlled independently.
You’ll also find an inflatable seating area, integrated foot massager and water-powered lights, creating the ideal inflatable hot tub for those that want to upgrade their system or simply hot tubbers that want the fanciest model available!
Quick Glance
Capacity
5-7 adults.
Set Up Time
Around 10 minutes.
How Long To Heat Up
6-12 hours.
Running Costs
£40-£60 per month.
Winter Frost Protection
Built-in Freeze Shield.
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What Previous Buyers Say
See all the Maldives Hydrojet reviews on Amazon.co.uk
Currently in Stock
Currently available for purchase.
Pro’s
8 Hydrojets, integrated seating, water-powered lights.
Con’s
Expensive and noisy.
What We Liked - Key Features
Hydrojet Pro Massage System
To begin with complete transparency, we believe this is the king of all massage systems, the 180 air jets placed around the 201cm diameter floor are enough to provide a decent massage, but the eight powerful hydrojets in the lower walls really tip this thing over the edge!
By navigating an intuitive digital control panel, we were able to adjust the flow rate and direction of each individual hydrojet, allowing for a targeted massage experience that really works its way into your muscles.
Inflatable Seating Area
Building upon the premium functionality of the hydrojets, the Maldives includes an inflatable seating area ideal for family and friends, something our reviewers have been begging to be introduced in many popular inflatable hot tubs.
Specifically designed to provide ergonomic support during longer massage sessions, this fully removable seating area includes removable backrests and even a built-in foot massager, positioning hot tubbers in the ideal spot to benefit from the intense flow rate of the hydrojets.
Colourjet Water Powered Lights
We were already blown away by the comfort features bundled into this inflatable hot tub, but our team were pleased to find the Maldives to offer one last surprise!
Positioned around the sidewalls of the hot tub, you’ll find an array of colour-changing LED lights, which can be set to a variety of ambient lighting settings through the digital control panel.
To make things better, these lights are powered by the water coursing through the hot tub’s system, maximising efficiency without compromising performance.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
BW60033GB
Inflatable Capacity:
5-7 adults.
Water Capacity (70%):
1050L (277 Gallons)
Inflated Size:
80cm x 201cm
Filled Weight:
1118kg (2465lbs)
Cable Length:
7m
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
Wi-Fi controls are perhaps the only premium feature not included with the Maldives. The brand’s additional Wi-Fi-enabled pump is only compatible with air jet systems, so it seems that hydrojet users are currently not able to benefit fully from this feature.
Does This Model Have Lighting?
The Lay Z Spa Maldives’ Colourjet lighting system is one of its stand out features, with fully adjustable ambient lighting settings powered by the hot tub’s pump.
This system is easy to control using a touch-sensitive panel, which allowed our team to cycle through 7 different colour settings and an additional automatic colour changing mode.
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
At an inflated size of 80cm x 201cm, we reckon you’ll find this model most comfortable at a capacity of 5. Though Lay Z Spa advertise the Maldives as a 7 seater, we think this is a bit of a push.
The capacity is knocked down further when using the inflatable seating, which replaces much of the available space with two loungers, meaning you’ll really only want two adults in here at a time.
What About Safety Features?
As we’ve expected from Lay Z Spa, you’ll find a built-in ground fault detection unit and RCD system that protects hot tub users from any electrical problems.
The Maldives also includes a secure cover and inflatable lid, both of which help with heat retention and prevent any debris from falling into the hot tub and affecting the water treatment system when the unit is not in use.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Maldives hot tub?
It should be no surprise that the Maldives is one of the most comfortable hot tubs we’ve tested. If the standard 180 air jets and thickly padded floor weren’t enough, the inclusion of 8 powerful hydrojets tips this massage system into contention for one of the best we’ve ever seen.
Though installing the inflatable seating area will knock down your capacity to two, the added comfort is simply unrivalled. With a padded lounger, headrest and even an integrated foot massager, we found it very difficult to leave!
Running costs
With a decent capacity of 1050L, the Maldives is going to cost a little more than the average hot tub to run simply down to the amount of water it needs to heat.
The average bill for a Lay Z Spa are around £7-£10 per week, but we reckon this is a conservative estimate for a hydrojet model, which draws a lot of power to reach its higher flow rate.
Whilst the Maldives does make some efficiency considerations, like powering the lights with water, including an energy-saving timer, these features won’t be enough to offset the jets running at full whack, so expect weekly costs of around £10-£15 during daily usage.
Heat up times
Thanks to its rapid heating system and unit and insulated lining, the Maldives can reach a maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius within 6-12 hours of installation.
If you’re desperate to get into your hot tub as quickly as possible, we’ve found these heating times can be improved by setting up the Maldives on a sunny day and using warm water to fill the hot tub.
Subsequent heating times are pretty fast. The hot tub’s insulated cover and frost protection unit work together to maintain the water temperature, allowing for rapid heating in about an hour.
How noisy is the Maldives model?
There’s no two ways around it; the Maldives hydrojet pro is a noisy inflatable hot tub.
Powering 180 air jets alone is loud enough, but when combined with 8 hydrojets at full power, you’ll feel this one as much as you can hear it!
You can dampen this noise a little by using an insulated ground mat and sheltering the jacuzzi in a covered area, but we really do recommend running this model at its lower power setting if you live in a built-up neighbourhood.
Winter usage
The key to winter usage is maintaining the water temperature when the hot tub isn’t being used, and the Maldives has a few tricks up its sleeve to achieve this.
The construction and 3-layer Duraplus lining comes into play by providing a layer of insulation around the hot tub, which is further aided by the inflatable lid and secure cover that can be sealed above.
The star of the show here, however, is the built-in Freeze Shield, which essentially runs the heater at a low temperature through the night, preventing the water from freezing and even saving you money on heating the tub back to its maximum temperature during usage.
Price and discounts
In terms of the bestway Lay Z Spa range, hydrojet models are the cream of the crop and so come at a premium. We reckon these feature-filled models are aimed at people looking to upgrade their hot tub setup, and if this is the case, you’ll find noticeable improvements in the Maldives’ functionality.
This premium price point may put off first-time buyers, but we think it can be worth spending extra money if you’re serious about getting daily use out of your hot tub.
Of course, there’s always discounts to be found; we’ve occasionally seen premium models like the Maldives at surprisingly low prices, so make sure to check several suppliers over a good few months.
Warranty and support
The standard warranty will cover your pump for 12 months and your lid for 6, though registering your hot tub on the brand’s website allows you to double this coverage.
Lay Z Spa also has a great UK-based support line and online FAQ section, both of which can be found on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions | Lay-Z-Spa UK
Lay Z Spa Maldives Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa Maldives are good with an average score of 3.8 out of 5. Many of the reviews rave about the size of the Maldives how it can fit 6 people easily and the quality of the LED lights.
The Lay Z Spa Maldives is an undoubtedly premium model, so you can expect to pay a high price for this hot tub, but we do think its slew of high-tech features justify this.
If you’ve had an inflatable hot tub for a while, and are thinking of upgrading your system, the Maldives will certainly tick all of your boxes, but first time buyers that are unsure of how much use they’ll get out of a hot tub may be better off with a cheaper model.
If you can afford to splash out on the Maldives, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Just be certain that you are going to be getting daily use out of this thing!
How Does it Compare?
If 8 hydrojets aren’t quite enough to scratch your itch, Lay Z Spa packs a whopping 10 into their Santorini model.
This inflatable hot tub almost matches the Maldives across the board, only opting for a circular design over the square style of the Maldives and swapping the inflatable seating section for a circular bench.
With 40 fewer air jets and no inflatable seating or lights, the Hawaii is a good choice for those that are dead set on the Hydrojet massage system but won’t miss the flashier features of the Maldives.
Think of this as a smaller and less feature-heavy choice, more suited to couples and small families.
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa Maldives
All you’ll need to set up the Maldives is the included pump and inflation hose; just attach these devices to the air valve and the hot tub will be inflated in around 10 minutes.
Last Word
As we continue to try and find the best value lazy spa, you still can’t go wrong with the Lay Z Spa Maldives, the Hydrojet Pro massage system is amongst the best we’ve tested and the included seating provides unrivalled comfort.
Packed with features like lights and a foot massager, this model is ideal for those looking to upgrade their setup but perhaps a little pricey for first-time buyers, though if you’re convinced you’ll get daily usage out of this thing, we reckon it’s worth every penny!
