About Us

History of Great Bay Spa and Sauna

Building Front In the early 1970s, we discovered the benefits of a nightly soak in the Hot Springs of Sun Valley. We then learned of some enterprising folks in California wine country who were making their own hot springs by heating water in old wine vats. Wouldn't this be a great idea for New England?! So we purchased a hot tub from one of the original manufacturers in Berkeley, California, and brought it back to New Hampshire.

In 1978, Great Bay Hot Tub Company was born. The first hot tubs were the wooden wine vat style — a style we still produce today! At first, business was slow (not many people knew what hot tubs were) but we persevered. We felt hot tubs belonged outdoors so people could enjoy the New England winters, but about half our original customers put their hot tubs indoors. We never argued.

We have been lucky enough to have contributed to the evolution of spas and hot tubs in New England. During the early 1980's, our sales of wooden tubs changed to a mix of wood tubs and in-ground fiberglass spas. Not long after that we began offering portable spas. The portable concept became very popular, not because our customers ever moved them, but because this type of spa required only water and an electrical connection to operate. The concept of the portable spa evolved into the self-contained spa as they became larger and more elaborate.

In 1985, we started selling Sundance Spas. Even in those days, Sundance was considered a leader in design and technological innovation. Hot Tub features and options such as electronic controls, head cushions and full foam insulation were considered revolutionary back then. Today these features are standard on most high-end spas.

We carry hot tubs and spa choices to meet every lifestyle and every budget. From the 680 Series - Hot tubs in fun shapes and custom options to the 780 Series - Quality spas and value everday to the Top-of-the-line 880 Series portable hot tubs Our decision to collaborate with Sundance Spas has kept us in a leadership position in New England's spa industry.

In 1995, we moved from our original facility in Newmarket, NH, to a larger, more convenient location in Portsmouth, NH. Our showroom has over a dozen Sundance Spas on display. Here our customers can compare the most popular models and make an informed buying decision by arranging a comparison test soak in their favorites. Our atmosphere is friendly and low pressure. We want to ensure our customers determine the right model for their needs in a comfortable, low-key environment. Please call, or better yet stop by our showroom and discover why Great Bay Spa and Sauna continues to be the best place to find the spa of your dreams.