Hot Tub vs Spa vs Jacuzzi - What's the Difference?

While many of us would not mind or perhaps too shy to ask the salesman, some would be curious enough to know the difference between a spa, a hot tub and a Jacuzzi.

Although spa, hot tub and Jacuzzi can be used interchangeably, there are some differences and knowing them would send us back in time to aid our curiosity.

It is believed that hot tub is the product of early man's efforts of imitating a hot spring. In ancient times where water symbolizes life, Greek philosophers would mention its therapeutic value and many Greeks would build structures around bodies of water. The first known hot tub was built by a Median (ancient Persia) King named Phraortes in 600 B.C.

It was in 1596 the term spa was first used when Dr. Timothy Bright referred Harrogate as The English Spaw. The Harrogate was an enclosed well that contained medicinal water built by William Slingsby in 1571. Slingsby had been to a Belgian town called Spa, whose name was derived from Aquae Spadanae which means to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.

Hot tubs made of wood resembles a gigantic barrel which simply holds hot water and has enough room for two person became popular in 1960's. When the Industry began to build tubs made of molded fiberglass or with thermoplastic shells, they named the modern tubs spa; a nod to the Belgian town.

In 1968, Roy Jacuzzi helped market the first self-contained, fully integrated Jacuzzi whirlpool bath invented by Candido Jacuzzi for his son, Kenny Jacuzzi, 15-month-old son who was born with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, "Jacuzzi" is not a generic name for spas but a company.

Call it hot tub or spa, one thing is for sure; it gives relaxation and cures arthritis. Some are portable, some are not, some require covers and some are installed beside a swimming pool for a more enjoyable pool experience.