Hot Tub Boats | Seattle, WA

*This is not a sponsored post – we just loved our experience!*

A few months ago, I was scrolling through Pinterest while getting a pedicure. Donovan and I were planning our trip to Seattle, and per usual, I was trying to find something new and fun for us to do. I ran across an advertisement for Hot Tub Boats and was immediately intrigued – this looked right up our alley! I did a bit of research and then booked us a boat right there on the spot!

We rented the boat from Hot Tub Boats on a Sunday morning at 10am. Setting up the appointment online was pretty easy – you can see in real time what time slots are open, which makes it pretty convenient. At the time of our rental (Nov 2020), the cost was about $350 for a 2 hour time block. We both felt that was relatively inexpensive for such a unique experience.

Since we don’t live in Seattle, we were a bit flustered getting ready for the Hot Tub Boat, only because we were also checking out of our hotel and would have a 2 hour drive to the next hotel — our biggest concern was being cold and wet for a long period of time afterwards. When we checked out of the hotel, we wore our swimsuits under our clothes, and we tried to wear things that would be easy to slip on and off – not knowing what the dressing area situation may look like at the dock. Donovan couldn’t stop laughing that I looked like a homeless person. What can I say – I wanted to be warm!!

The boat slips are on Lake Union – just a short drive from downtown Seattle. We arrived a bit early, but unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we had to wait in our car until our appointment time.

Once it was our turn, we walked down the steps of the dock and was greeted by a Hot Tub Boat employee who checked our waivers and IDs. Our boat was already waiting for us, so all we had to do was get in! Donovan and I both undressed in the dressing area, which was equipped with 2 private stalls and a private bathroom. Hot Tub Boats went the extra mile and included a space heater in the dressing area, which made changing clothes in 40 degree weather not so miserable! You can see the little dressing area behind Donovan in the picture below.

Since we were freezing, the Hot Tub Boats employee let us get into the boat to warm up while she gave us an overview and instructions of how to use the boat, where we could/could not go, and other helpful info. She also gave us a dry box and a bluetooth speaker so we could store our phones and listen to music. You’re not supposed to drink alcohol while driving the Hot Tub Boat, but that didn’t bother me. I think next time, I’d probably take some snacks, though.

One of the many things we loved about the boat was that we got to enjoy it all by ourselves! There was no Captain or employee that had to be with us – so it felt like a private, exclusive experience. Donovan (and me, too!) could easily drive and navigate the boat with a small joy stick. The boat only went one speed (slow) – but it wasn’t really necessary to go fast anyway.

We had a TON of fun putting around Lake Union. The weather was about 45 degrees, so it was chilly, but manageable. Since we opted for an earlier rental at 10am on a Sunday, there weren’t many people out on the water, which gave us free reign of the lake. It was such a cool way to see different parts of Seattle – including the Space Needle!

We got to watch a few Crew teams practice, and we also saw a sea plane take off AND land! It was definitely a neat experience.

I will say, 2 hours in the hot tub boat may not seem like a lot of time, but it’s really all you need. We were confined between the two bridges, but it was still a big enough area to explore. We enjoyed driving by the boat houses and seeing the Gas Works Park up close.

Once we returned back to the dock, the Hot Tub Boat employee had the outdoor showers ready for us! We did a quick rinse and then went back into the heated dressing room to change clothes. I was so glad I packed our own towels, because I think we would have been out of luck without them.

Overall, we were really impressed with the Hot Tub Boat and would definitely rent one again next time we’re in the Seattle area. I would imagine in the warmer months they are probably booked solid, but a cold day in November wasn’t bad. 10/10 would definitely recommend!