This is our review of the Lay Z Spa St Lucia (updated 2023)
Just because you don’t have a large garden doesn’t mean you are denied a soothing spa experience; there are plenty of compact hot tubs ideal for singles, couples, and those with limited space.
But does the 3-person Lay Z Spa St Lucia boast anything special? Are you sacrificing features and space, and are there any better options out there?
- The smaller size makes it cheaper to run
- Inflates in under 10 minutes
- Trusted award-winning brand
Perfect for spending quality time with your significant other, this compact blow-up tub has an awful lot going for it, not least the cheaper costs. You’re still benefitting from a Polyvinyl chloride construction with over 100 massaging jets and the most recent model comes with the innovative Freeze shield for year-round use.
We’ve tested lots of small hot tubs over the years; some have packed a punch whilst others have been a real letdown, so how does the St Lucia compare against its rivals?
This review will delve deeper into:
- What you may love about this model and what's not so great?
- Is it good value for money?
- Who should NOT buy the St Lucia Lay Z Spa?
As you’ll discover, the St Lucia spa isn’t for everyone, but some will love this small yet stylish spa; which side of the fence will you be on? Let’s find out!
Keep reading to see if the St Lucia is small but perfectly formed or a waste of your hard-earned cash?
The Lay Z Spa St Lucia Airjet is one of the small-sized inflatables we feature, purpose-built for couples or those with limited outdoor space who still want to enjoy the premium benefits of hot tub ownership.
Despite its small capacity, the St Lucia is packed with great features, including a 110 air jet massage system, rapid heating function and freeze protection, proving that good things can indeed come in small packages.
Accessories and spare parts like filter cartridges or a new liner can also be purchased for this home spa should you need in the future.
Quick View
Capacity
2-3 adults
Set Up Time
Tool-free setup in under 10 minutes
How Long To Heat Up
6-12 hour initial heating time
Running Costs
£20-£30 per month
Winter Frost Protection
Freeze shield included
Currently in Stock
Yes
Pro’s
Portable, affordable, low running costs
Con’s
Small capacity
What We Liked - Key Features
Compact & portable
The St Lucia construction is designed for city living, with its small size allowing it to fit in the limited garden spaces of city homes. Despite this small size, the St Lucia feels surprisingly spacious when enjoyed by one or two guests, with a cushioned lining to provide a little added support.
The Lay Z Spa St Lucia is also constructed from a premium Duraplus material, which will hold its shape incredibly well when inflated and deflated, making it an ideal portable hot tub for those constantly on the move!
Rapid heating system
Like all of Lay Z Spa’s current models, the St. Lucia is equipped with an excellent rapid heating system that can reach a maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius within around 10 hours straight out of the box.
If this inflatable hot tub is stored correctly, with the inflatable lid and cover firmly sealed, the St Lucia can reach your desired temperature in as little as 1 hour, making it the ideal hot tub for busy couples.
110 airjet massage system
With 110 massaging jets placed around the entire circumference of the St Lucia, hot tubbers can expect an intensive massage experience with thousands of bubbles from this heater system.
The intensity of the massage system can be easily adjusted from the digital control panel, which is incredibly easy to reach from the comfort of this hot tub, allowing you to keep on top of the running costs at all times.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
B095HY5ZW8
Inflatable Capacity:
2-3 adults
Water Capacity (80%):
605L
Inflated Size:
170cm x 66cm (67” x 25”)
Filled Weight:
630 kg (1,389 lb)
Cable Length:
7 metres
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
As a budget model, the St Lucia does not include wi-fi functionality as standard. However, a compatible wi-fi enabled pump is available from Lay Z Spa’s official website.
Does This Model Have Lighting?
The Lay Z Spa St Lucia does not feature a built-in lighting system, but if you are interested in adding some lights, there are several compatible products available from both Lay Z Spa and other inflatable hot tub brands.
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
The St Lucia is a compact inflatable hot tub with a max capacity of 3 average-sized adults. In our opinion, this hot tub is best enjoyed by couples or as a single person tub, as even fitting 3 slim teenagers will be a bit of a squeeze!
What About Safety Features?
The bestway Lay Z Spa St Lucia is packed with safety features, including an inflatable lid and secure clip cover that can prevent anything falling into the hot tub when the unit is not in use.
Alongside this, the St Lucia is fitted with a ground fault detection system and an internal RCD unit, both of which work to monitor your power supply and cut the electrical current if any faults are detected within the hot tub’s circuitry.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the St Lucia hot tub?
Provided that the Lay Z Spa St Lucia is being operated under capacity, it’s a surprisingly comfortable model. The Duraplus lining works well to support your neck and back when fully inflated, and the padded lining of the hot tub’s floor allows you to recline for hours on end comfortably.
Problems only arise when trying to fit more than 2 people into this hot tub; you will manage to squeeze in 3 adults, though you’ll be fighting for legroom.
Inflatable booster seats are available online and can be purchased pretty cheaply at around £10-£20 each.
Running costs
Lay Z Spa estimate that their hot tubs will cost around £7-£10 per week to run, though by making use of the power saving mode, some St Lucia owners claim to get those costs down to £3-£4 per week. Anything and everything you can do to save money is advised, from retaining heat with an exterior lid to putting the tub, filters and accessory items away in storage when not in use.
There are also the additional maintenance costs to consider, like chemicals and filter cartridges, though if you can find this model on Lay Z Spa’s site, they often offer a free chemical starter kit worth £99.
Heat up times
Lay Z Spa’s current generation of hot tubs features a new and improved rapid heating system, which can warm the St Lucia’s water temperature up to 40 degrees Celsius within 6-12 hours out of the box.
Once initially heated, the St Lucia’s small size and insulated walls help this inflatable spa retain its temperature well, resulting in super-fast heat up times of as little as 1-2 hours.
How noisy Is the St Lucia model?
All inflatable hot tubs will be pretty noisy due to the sound of the air pump, though the St Lucia’s small size will result in a much quieter hot tub than most of its range mates.
Any unwanted noise can be reduced by positioning your jacuzzi in a sheltered area and using the energy-saving timer during operation. Still, we advise that you avoid running the St Lucia at full power late into the night.
Winter usage
Lay Z Spa has perfected its freeze shield technology over the last few years, resulting in a range of hot tubs ideal for winter usage.
An array of sensors will monitor the St Lucia’s internal temperature and automatically apply additional heat if the temperature drops below 6-10 degrees Celsius.
Not only will this protect the pipes and pump from being damaged by frozen water, but it will also help the rapid heating system to reach its max temperature as fast as possible during the coldest months.
Price and discounts
As a budget model, the St Lucia is one of the best possible hot tubs for the money, though that doesn’t mean you’ll be forgoing any premium features.
It’s worth checking multiple suppliers at different times of the year, as often you’ll find great discounts on premium brands like Lay Z Spa when the demand for inflatable hot tubs is low.
Warranty and support
The standard warranty for the Lay Z Spas is 12 months on the pump and 6 months on the cover; this can be extended to 24 months and 12 months respectively by registering your product through the brand’s official website.
Lay Z Spa also offers a free hotline staffed by industry professionals, who can help with any hot tub related issues, details of which can be found on their website.
Lay Z Spa St Lucia Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa St Lucia have it at 3.2/5 stars. The Lay Z Spa St Lucia is designed for couples and city living, so this model is an excellent choice if you have limited outdoor space and don’t intend to host guests.
The compact size of this inflatable hot tub helps to bring its price tag down, but as this is a Lay Z Spa product, you can still expect the premium features to stand out amongst its competitors.
The Duraplus lining helps to protect the hot tub from any standard wear, and the air jet massage system is as premium a feeling as they come.
How does it compare?
The Pacific Wave Spa model is a great contender for the St Lucia; though it does feature fewer massaging jets, it’s comparable in terms of price and the finish is a stylish wood print design.
This model is also square-shaped, which can make better use of the limited space on smaller gardens, though the freeze protection and heating system aren’t as good as St Lucia’s.
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa St Lucia
The St Lucia features a fast, tool-free setup, which will take less than 10 minutes to complete. Once the hot tub is inflated, you’ll just need to fill it with fresh water (this can take 1-2 hours) and switch on the heating system; within 12 hours, you’ll be ready to go!
Last Word
The Lay Z Spa St Lucia has been created for small gardens and those that want a private hot tub experience. If you’re a couple looking for a premium inflatable hot tub, or a single city-dweller with limited outdoor space, we think this is one of the best inflatables out there.
Its small size doesn’t hinder its functionality; with a fantastic massage system and rapid heating, the Lay Z Spa St Lucia is a great entry-level model and will provide endless hours of relaxation at an affordable price.
You can also browse all the lay z spa models available on our other page. There we look at the pros and cons of each and how they fare against eachother.
