If you’re looking for the perfect way to relax and unwind, a wood-fired hot tub is just the thing! Perhaps you have a sunny corner on a patio that’s the ideal spot for a soothing soak, or a site with a spectacular view that you want to make the most of. Maybe you fantasise (and who doesn’t?) about sipping chilled Champagne while lounging in soft, warm bubbles. And if the space you have is big enough, then consider adding an ice bath so you can add the benefits of cold-water immersion to warm water therapy for the full spa experience in your very own back yard. And, why not go the full Monty and add a wood fired sauna too!
The best hot tubs in France
Aside from the fact that just the thought of it is idyllic, there are a number of wellness and health benefits to hot tubs that make them more than a way to chill out. British expat Nicola McCabe runs the renowned company Hot Tubs in France with husband Tim. She says, “there are lots of ways in which using a hot tub could be beneficial: it soothes your aches and pains, and can even give you a better night’s sleep and it’s said to ease depression. A good soak and the action of the water jets relieves tension on joints and increases blood flow around the body, which can also be good for your heart.”
The benefits of a wood-fired hot tub
A wood-fired tub can get up to temperature in around an hour and a half and retain its heat well. Nicola says there are several advantages to a wood-fired hot tub, “running costs are lower for a start. Electricity use is kept to a minimum – lights and bubbles only, all the heating is from wood. And they aren’t usually as heavy, so they are cheaper and easier to install. Our customers also say they prefer the wood-fired version because of its traditional rustic look, the feeling of being more at one with nature – and especially the fact it these types of tubs are more eco-friendly.”
What do you mean an ice bath is good for me?
It may not appeal quite as much as a relaxing soak in a hot tub with a glass of your favourite tipple, but the benefits of cold showers or cold-water swimming are well known. It turns out that you can get the same benefits with an ice bath – involving a brief immersion of around 10 minutes (less for the novice, Nicola recommends you build up to it) in water of around 10 to 15 degrees centigrade. While you’re in cold water, it’s difficult for your mind to wander and you’re very much in the moment. It’s said to improve your mood and your energy levels, boost your metabolism and can also be good for your skin. It’s a treatment often used by athletes to prevent muscular pain after exercise. You may even find that alternating a dip in a hot tub and an ice bath plunge will relax and invigorate you. Combined with a wood-fired sauna which also brings its own benefits including detoxification, increased metabolism, stress management and more – wellness and relaxation were never more fun.
Who are Hot Tubs in France and what do they offer?
Based in Peyrilhac, near Limoges, Nicola and Tim set up Hot Tubs in France after purchasing a Burford Deluxe wood-fired tub from the respected Cotswolds Hot Tub company. “Not only did it make our new French life more enjoyable, but when all of our new friends in France fell in love with our hot tub as much as we love it, it also planted the seeds of the business idea that blossomed into Hot Tubs in France,” Nicola says. The company now delivers and installs wood-fired hot tubs, wood-fired saunas and ice baths right across France and have a ton of happy customer testimonials to back up their superb client service.
Nicola says, “When it comes to hot tubs, there is no one-size-fits-all because everyone has different needs and preferences. It’s really important to choose a hot tub that has features that meet your household’s needs. For example, if you suffer from aches and pains then you might want adjustable massage jets to help relax your muscles. Our wood-fired hot tubs come in a wide range of colours, shapes and sizes from one that’s perfect for two people to one that will take the whole family – and friends! We aim to make it easy for you to create a hot tub experience that is perfect for you – and anyone else you want to share it with.”
How do I find out more?
Nicola is always happy to answer any questions you might have about any of their products, to send photos or do video calls if you’d like to “see” hot tubs, saunas and ice baths at their HQ or at places where they have installed them. Visit www.hottubsinfrance.com to find out about their range of wood-fired hot tubs, saunas and ice baths – they deliver all over France.
