One thing that surprised us is that the bottom of the tub didn't inflate, but this is normal – and is fine, as we'll come to.

Generally, this is an incredibly intuitive and robust inflatable hot tub that’s ideal for anybody seriously committed to getting regular use out of their hot tub. Don’t leave a lazy spa outside when it might reach temperatures below 4˚C. This could cause damage to the motor and heater/blower unit which is a very expensive repair if it can be repaired at all. Is it OK to leave a hot tub empty in the winter? If you’ve kept your Lay-Z-Spa clean throughout the season, you should easily be able to wipe away any residue using warm water and a soft cloth or sponge. (If there are stubborn dirt marks, squirt a little hand soap on the spot. A very mild dishwashing liquid might also work). Step 6. Completely Dry the Hot Tub The main issue with using a hot tub during the winter months is that they are not designed to be used or stored in less than 4 degrees centigrade (40f). Here in the UK, temperatures drop far below that during winter and spring, making it unlikely that you are able to enjoy your hot tub.The actual bubble massage is really pleasant, though it's not quite the 'massage' it promises to be from the literature. We do wish you could choose the intensity of the bubbles, though, so that they could be easier to talk over. Once it's at heat, the Milan will maintain that temperature from then on, topping the heat up as required, for as long as you have the heating function on.

The smart features are a nice addition – we found ourselves ignoring the Alexa control in practice, but using the app to dial in a time the next day you want it to be heated for is a useful touch. It's not essential, though – we certainly wouldn't blame anyone for saving some money and going for a model without it. The main issue is not the actual hot tub but the pump. If water should freeze in any part of the heating system you will, without a doubt, be unable to use it again. At this stage, the tub is still perfectly carryable, but large enough to require two people (dragging it along the ground is, clearly, not advisable), so get it into position. Unplug the inflatable hot tub and remove the power cord, safely storing it away. Step 2. Remove the filterOur Lay-Z-Spa Milan box didn't come with instructions for inflating the tub and fitting it all together, though we're assured that they do for consumers. No instructions did make it a bit interesting to work out what went there for us, but when you know what you're doing, it's all a smooth process. You may have noticed one small issue there: how do you know how long to have it come on for to get the temperature you need? You don't – you just guesstimate (and give yourself a bit of a safety margin to be sure). Really, we'd like it to have a smarter heating system, so you could tell it to be a certain temperature at a certain time of day, and it would work out when it needs to come on – like smart thermostats do. But what's here is really useful, and not having to get out of bed in the evening if you've forgotten to turn it on (or off) is great.

SET UP IN MINUTES (TOOL FREE): Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, inflate with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with waterThe air bubble massage system features 80 'jets' running through the bottom of the spa, and it heats up to a maximum of 40°C/104°F. Do you have more questions about how to winterise an inflatable spa or how to store it properly during the colder winter months? Below I will answer the questions that I get asked the most to help you further. Can I leave my lazy spa out in winter? Inflatable hot tubs should be stored folded as per the manual instructions, not on its side. By storing it on its side you risk permanent damage to the structure. Conclusion