The Real Cost of a Romantic Soak: How Much More U.S. Travelers Pay for Hotel Rooms with Hot Tubs

Want a private hot tub in your hotel room? Expect to pay about 35% more per night.

We analyzed over 12,000 hotel room listings from 2026 across the U.S., comparing identical rooms with and without private hot tubs within the same properties. The premium is real, and it varies dramatically by location.

The Headline Numbers

Across all hotels and states, here's what we found based on 2026 pricing data:

• Average price - standard room: $244 per night
• Average price - room with private hot tub: $358 per night
• Average national premium: +35%

In other words, travelers are spending roughly an extra $114 per night to upgrade to a room with a private soak. All prices reflect 2026 nightly averages.

Which States Charge the Most (and Least)

While the national average sits around +35%, prices vary widely across the country, from states where hot-tub rooms cost about the same as standard rooms, to destinations where the upgrade can add more than 60% to your nightly rate.

States that upcharge the most:

• Pennsylvania: +64.1%
• New York: +62.2%
• South Dakota: +60.8%
• Minnesota: +55.4%
• Connecticut: +51.8%

In some states, hotels with private hot tubs tend to be higher-end or in especially high-demand areas. Think luxury resorts, romantic hideaways, or properties catering to couples. This naturally drives up the price difference between standard and hot-tub rooms.

California has 43 exact match like-for-like hotels with an average hot tub premium upcharge of +27.7%.

Florida averages a similar 41% premium, while in Hawaii the gap is smaller (+7.9%) after accounting for ultra-luxury suites that distort averages. In contrast, in Alabama, prices are roughly the same for both types of rooms.

Note: Alabama, Maine, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma have only a handful of hotels offering direct, like-for-like comparisons (for example, a “Queen Room” and a “Queen Room with Hot Tub”). Their averages should be read as indicative.

These variations show how hotel markets shape pricing: in states with more coastal or high-end resorts, in-room hot tubs are treated as a premium luxury, while elsewhere they’re simply a standard comfort at little or no extra cost.

The City Premium

While statewide averages show broad patterns, the real story unfolds at the city level.

Our analysis compared 325 U.S. cities where multiple hotels offered both standard and hot-tub rooms, and the differences are striking.

The median city-level premium was around +26%, but in some high-end destinations that number soared well above 150%.

In other words, the cost of a private soak depends heavily on where you plan to check in.

Most Expensive Cities for Hot Tub Hotel Rooms

Some of America’s most luxurious and romantic destinations charge the highest prices for in-room hot tubs:

• Laguna Beach, CA: +139%
• New York, NY: +158%
• Monterey, CA: +115%

These cities include coastal resorts and major urban luxury markets where in-room hot tubs are treated as indulgent, high-demand upgrades rather than standard amenities.

Most Affordable Cities for a Romantic Soak

Not every getaway requires a luxury budget. In smaller cities and heartland towns, travelers can still enjoy private hot tubs at modest prices:

• Dunbar, WV – average hot-tub room $82 per night (+5%)
• Fort Dodge, IA – $78 per night (+7%)
• West Point, NE – $79 per night (+12%)
• Yadkinville, NC – $86 per night (+14%)
• Gulfport, MS – $80 per night (+19%)
• Bismarck, ND – $95 per night (+23%)

In these regions, hot tubs are often included in mid-range hotel rooms or motels, making them accessible luxuries for weekend travelers.

Across all destinations, city premiums ranged from just a few dollars to more than double the standard room price.

From Budget Whirlpools to Luxury Jacuzzis

Hot-tub stays in America range from the humble to the extravagant.

Many hotels across the U.S. offer affordable ways to enjoy a private soak. In countless mid-range properties, you’ll find rooms with baths fitted with jets. Sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes right in the bedroom, giving guests a taste of comfort without a luxury price tag.

Hotel chains such as Best Western frequently include these options. For instance, the Best Western Driftwood Inn in Idaho features cozy rooms with an in-room whirlpool bath. Room image: Best Western Driftwood Inn, Idaho — simple in-room whirlpool bath.

At the opposite extreme, the Junior Suite with Jacuzzi at the Snowbird Mountain Lodge – All-Inclusive Adventure in Robbinsville, North Carolina, turns the hot-tub experience into a romantic retreat.

Room image: Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robbinsville, NC - the Junior Suite with private jacuzzi and sweeping mountain views.

With its terrace jacuzzi overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains and a nightly rate around $804, this suite transforms a simple soak into a serene, high-end escape.

From whirlpool baths in roadside inns to open-air jacuzzis framed by mountain sunsets, hot-tub stays in the U.S. offer every traveler their own version of indulgence.

Travel Tips: How to Find Value

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway without overspending, here are a few ways to make the bubbles more affordable:

• Book midweek: Prices for hot tub suites are typically 15–25% lower between Monday and Thursday.
• Explore off-season destinations: Mountain resorts and lake towns often drop prices dramatically outside peak months.
• Compare hotel vs. boutique lodge: Smaller, independent properties sometimes include hot tubs in standard rooms.
• Check amenities carefully: Some listings mention "shared spa tub", always verify that it's private before you book.

Whether it's a mountaintop cabin in Colorado or a beachside suite in California, one thing is clear: romance comes with bubbles, and a bigger bill.

For travelers, the splurge might just be worth it. For hotels, the message is even clearer: offer a private hot tub, and guests are ready to pay for it.