You can shell out for an expensive flight to a far-flung beach or a ritzy stay at a spa resort. But honestly, who says you need to leave home to reap the benefits of comfort, connection, love, and leisure? A perfectly romantic getaway is waiting right on the other side of your sliding door: the hot tub.
Romantic getaways are all about escaping the ordinary obligations of adult life, giving in to relaxation and luxury, and carving out meaningful time to connect with the person you love. Travel only adds stress to the equation. Instead, transform your spa space into a romantically charged refuge right in your backyard.
The best part is that once you've turned your hot tub into a romantic getaway for the first time, you can enjoy its benefits time and time again. You will have built your own resort, your own vacation spot, with year-round, 24/7 access.
In this article, The Cover Guy explores various tips for highlighting the romance of your hot tub. From setting the mood to emphasizing comfort, we cover multiple ways to put some spark in your spa. Whether it’s for a Valentine’s Day surprise, or you’re just looking to make those weekday evenings more romantic, here’s how to pull it off.
The Power of Ambiance: Setting the Mood
Ambiance is a key feature of a romantic setting. Imagine a brightly lit, stale-smelling backyard with the sounds of a neighbor’s weed whacker in the near distance… doesn’t seem so romantic, right? Romantic ambiance is all about limiting the distracting presence of the outside world – those unwanted sounds and smells – and highlighting positive sensual experiences.
Here are a few categories to consider when setting the mood.
Lighting
Soft, dimmed lights are essential since they impart an intimate, cozy atmosphere that helps people feel relaxed and connected. (Plus, they’re far more flattering than bright lights!) Consider string lights, fairy lights, and battery-powered lanterns, each of which emits a warm glow reminiscent of candlelight. Alternatively, you can skip right to the course and light a few candles—they’re a quintessential date night staple for a reason.
Scents
Think of your hot tub as one giant diffuser. You can add essential oils like lavender, rose or sandalwood to give the whole spa space an inviting aroma. Plus, research shows that various essential oils aid in relaxation. Don’t go overboard on the scents, as they can overpower if you use a heavy hand. Just a few drops of hot tub fragrances specifically designed for the spa should do the trick.
Music
Music has a magical ability to transport us. Sometimes, music selection transports us to a place – like a sun-soaked beach, wedding dancefloor, or relaxing resort. Other times, through the power of nostalgia, it transports us to a different time in our lives—like, perhaps, the early days of a relationship. Craft a hot tub date-night playlist that emphasizes calming tracks, romantic ballads, or nostalgic tunes that bring you closer together. Pro tip: use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker to keep the vibe right by the tub.
Comfort is King: Soft Touches to Elevate the Experience
Besides ambiance, a romantic environment needs to be comfortable. It needs to be relaxing enough for both parties to drop their guard, indulge in the moment, and feel their best.
Your hot tub already does most of the heavy lifting in this department. The water's heat, coupled with the gently massaging jets, creates a relaxing experience conducive to romance. However, you can ramp up the comfort with a few minor changes.
Plush Towels and Robes
One of the small joys of staying at a nice hotel or whisking away to a seaside resort is snuggling up in those plush robes provided. They’re soft, flowing, and far less constrictive than your everyday outfit. That said, keep a few spa-like terry towels and fluffy robes nearby to dry off in style. Rather than throw on that old sweatshirt whenever you emerge from the tub for a cool-down, these robes signal coziness and luxury. For added comfort, pop them in the dryer beforehand, or invest in an outdoor towel warmer.
Pillows and Cushions
Waterproof cushions and headrests are also a fantastic way to emphasize comfort. Headrests allow you to recline and give your neck a rest as you converse with your partner about anything and everything. And cushions, like The Cover Guy’s spa booster seat, allow you to position yourself for maximum comfort in the tub.
Blankets by the Tub
Whether it’s in between soaks, or warming up for a post-hot-tub cuddle, you’ll want some heavy blankets nearby for warmth—especially in the fall and winter. Here, you have another opportunity to add a personal design flourish. Pick colors and styles that you and your partner enjoy to reinforce your shared interests.
Savoring the Moment with Drinks and Food
Food and drink can make or break the mood. Messy, tough-to-eat foods can zap the romance pretty quickly (unless you're the type to laugh things off easily!). In most cases, we recommend snacks and drinks that feel luxurious without feeling heavy or messy, especially if you’re dipping in two-person hot tubs that are short on space.
Sip in Style
Let’s start with refreshments. Champagne and sparkling wine are the classic date night choices, and we wouldn’t fault you for gravitating toward a glass of bubbly. That said, ensure you drink responsibly in or around the hot tub, and keep plenty of water nearby to stay hydrated. Alternatively, serve classy mocktails in stylish, unbreakable glasses. Instead of ice cubes, try frozen strawberries for a clever, romantic twist.
Snack Suggestions
There’s something about having a nibble in the tub that makes you feel like you’re on vacation. Our advice is to keep snacks small and shareable: chocolate-covered strawberries, a charcuterie board, or even fancy finger foods. Keep it light and bite-sized to avoid feeling too full in the water.
Little Luxuries: Making the Romance Your Own
Now that you’ve honed in on an elegant and comfortable ambiance, you can start adding romantic flourishes. In this step of the process, focus on what you find romantic. Tailor your spa experience to your relationship and preferences for a more personalized date night.
Below, let’s throw out a few general flourishes, and help guide you toward crafting a romantic getaway that feels personal as well.
Bath Bombs or Bath Salts
As we mentioned above, pleasant scents can elevate your spa experience. Go for relaxing scents like lavender or rose, ensuring that the bath bombs/salts are hot-tub-safe (The Cover Guy has a fantastic line of aromatherapy products specially designed for the tub!).
Floral Petals
Floating rose petals in the water add a touch of old-school romance. Fresh petals are ideal, and you can find them at any flower store (or your own garden). That said, fake ones can work, too, if cleaned up properly afterward.
Decluttering
To create a cozy backyard oasis, consider the holistic surroundings. If there are kids’ toys, a broken-down lawn mower, and/or half-finished backyard projects in your direct line of sight, they can damper the mood. They snap you back to reality and remind you of your daily obligations. Clear these items away before your date night to ensure an unobstructed, thoroughly relaxing view.
Making It Your Own
Finally, make it your own. Are there items or themes that you find meaningful in the story of your relationship? If so, incorporate them.
Maybe you got married in Southern California; in this case, you can call back to that special day with a few palm-tree-themed décor items. Perhaps traveling is a big part of your relationship, in which case you can reinforce your mutual wanderlust with design accents and finger foods from around the world.
Or it could be something small. Maybe you’re both really into The Crown on Netflix, and want to kick back with an outdoor TV and some appetizers fit for royalty! Whatever your version of connection and intimacy looks like, reflect it in your design and décor choices.
Timing is Half the Battle: Picking the Perfect Time for Romance
Ah, you’ve done it! You’ve created a magical backyard getaway fit for romance, relaxation, and connection. The only thing left to do is break out your mutual calendar (admittedly, not the most romantic part of the process—but necessary nonetheless).
First, consider what kind of date night this is: spontaneous or planned. Is this a weeknight surprise that you’re planning for your significant other? In these cases, you might need to sneakily determine their availability, and work on decorating when they aren’t around. Alternatively, you can plan for a “weekend wind-down,” a planned getaway that you share at the end of a challenging week. Both are romantic in their own way.
Second, consider the time of evening. Golden hour (just before sunset) offers a dreamy glow and allows you to catch the sky turning red and orange. Meanwhile, after-dark provides privacy, intimacy, and the opportunity to enhance your space with lighting effects.
To conclude, you can have all the romance, relaxation and luxury of a spa getaway—right in your backyard. With a few thoughtful accents and personally meaningful touches, you can transform any backyard hot tub space into a two-person retreat.
When you’re finished dipping for the evening, protect your hot tub with a custom-made cover from The Cover Guy. Our covers ensure that your romantic retreat stays functional and fun for years and years to come.
