Best Gazebo for a Hot Tub

By Ryan Bracha, Head of Marketing. I've supplied hot tub covers to a number of hot tub hire firms, and worked with hot tub retailers on the extras they sell alongside the tub itself, so I've a good idea what actually keeps one usable all year.

Hot tubs are turning up in more and more gardens, and fair enough, they're brilliant. But you didn't buy one to use three times a year when the sun's out. You bought it to jump in whenever you fancy, rain, wind or shine, which means you want proper cover over it.

What that takes is a rust-resistant aluminium frame and a waterproof canopy, in a size that actually fits your tub. Our pick is the Gala Shade Pro 50, sized to suit whatever tub you've got.

Quick bit of honesty: Gala Tent pay us, so we only recommend their gazebos. What we'll always do is tell you which one fits and why, and size it to your tub rather than sell you more than you need.

What a Hot Tub Cover Needs

A hot tub is a tough spot for a gazebo. It sits over warm water throwing off steam and moisture all year, so the first thing you want is a frame that won't rust. Aluminium is the answer: it shrugs off the damp where a steel frame would slowly corrode.

Next is a genuinely waterproof canopy, so a shower doesn't end your soak, and enough strength to stay put through a windy night, because this is cover that tends to stay up for the long haul. And for a lot of people there's one more thing that matters just as much: privacy.

The Gazebo We'd Choose

This is a tricky one to give a single answer to, because hot tubs come in all shapes and sizes, from a two-person inflatable to a big rigid spa. That's exactly why we point people at the Gala Shade Pro 50: it comes in five distinct sizes, so there's one to cover almost any tub you can think of.

On top of the size range, it has the aluminium frame that resists rust, a waterproof PVC-coated canopy, and the strength to stand up to permanent outdoor life. It's the model that ticks every hot tub box at once.

The Size We'd Go For

Match the gazebo to the tub, and leave yourself room to get in, out and around it. As a rough guide:

• a small two-person Lay-Z Spa is happy under a 3m x 3m

• a mid-size spa with a bit of seating suits a 3m x 4.5m or 3m x 6m

• a big rigid tub or a full spa-and-lounge setup wants a 4m x 6m or 4m x 8m

As the tub gets bigger, you simply move up the Pro 50 range. Give yourself a bit more than the tub's footprint so you're not climbing over the side to get in.

Keeping It Private

Let's be honest, we're not all best mates with our neighbours, and a hot tub isn't something you necessarily want on full display. This is where sidewalls come in, and specifically sidewalls with privacy blinds, which let you close the space off from prying eyes while still letting light and air through.

They double up as weather protection too, cutting the wind and keeping the warmth in on a cold evening, so you get privacy and a more comfortable soak in one go.

Use It Whatever the Weather

The whole point is year-round use, so the gazebo has to cope with more than a light drizzle. The Pro 50 is built strong, and as long as it's anchored properly you can happily sit out in it on a blustery evening while the wind does its worst overhead.

Most hot tubs sit on a patio, decking or a paved base, so you can't peg in, which means anchoring with weights. Get that right from the start and check it through the seasons. Have a look at the gazebo weights and anchors range.

Sort the Ground Underneath

The area around a hot tub gets wet and slippery, so the surface underfoot matters. One option worth a look is Swisstrax modular flooring. It's a click-together tile system that's non-slip, self-draining so water runs straight through rather than pooling, and it stands up to the chemicals you use cleaning the tub.

We don't sell Swisstrax on Gala Shade, but you can get it from our parent company Gala Tent: browse Swisstrax flooring here.

Why the Pro 50 Is the Best Gazebo for a Hot Tub

It answers every part of the job. The aluminium frame resists the rust that constant steam would otherwise cause. The waterproof canopy keeps your soak going whatever the sky's doing. It's strong enough to live outside over the tub permanently, and, crucially, it comes in five sizes so it fits your tub rather than the other way round.

Add sidewalls with privacy blinds and a decent floor underneath, and you've turned an exposed tub into a private, all-weather retreat.

When We'd Point You Elsewhere

If you've got a really large rigid spa or a swim spa, or you want the absolute strongest cover for a permanent installation, step up to the Gala Shade Pro 60. It's the toughest pop-up we make and it comes in the biggest footprints, so it's the one for the seriously large setups the Pro 50 can't quite stretch to.

Ready to Cover Your Tub?

Take a look at the Pro 50 range and pick the size that fits your tub, or step up to the Pro 60 for the biggest setups. Not sure which size? Get in touch and we'll help you measure up. New to it? Our gazebo buying guide covers the basics.

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