Lay-Z-Spa Gazebo Dome: 390 cm, 4 mesh doors

Room around the tub

Amazon lists the dome at 390 by 390 cm with a peak height of 255 cm. Put a 196 cm round tub in the middle and you have close to a metre of space on every side, which is enough for steps, a towel stand or a small side table. That margin is the main reason it suits hot tubs better than a 3 by 3 m pop-up.

The listing gives the floor area as about 164 square feet, which is just over 15 square metres. The peak height lets most adults stand upright near the centre, though a dome shape slopes down towards the edges.

Doors for summer and winter

Four detachable doors are made from fabric and mesh panels. In summer you can leave the mesh in place to keep insects out while air moves through. In winter the fabric panels close the sides and cut the wind, which helps a tub hold its heat between sessions.

Four large pockets inside give somewhere to put phones, glasses and drinks away from the water. The fabric is 190T polyester with a PU coating, with UV protection and water resistance noted in the specs.

Frame, setup and what the listing leaves out

The poles are aluminium, which keeps the total weight to 14.2 kg. Lay-Z-Spa says setup takes about 15 minutes, and twenty pegs plus a carry bag are included. A one year manufacturer warranty is listed.

There is no hydrostatic head figure, only the words water resistant, so expect it to shrug off showers rather than a long downpour. The listing also says nothing about leaving it up all year or about wind ratings. If your garden is exposed, plan extra guying or weights beyond the supplied pegs.

Compared with the PORTAL and the Alvantor dome

The PORTAL 3 x 3 m pop-up has a steel frame and a stated 1,000 mm water rating, but less floor space and a lower roof. The Alvantor Bubble Tent is larger still with clear walls, though its maker warns against using it in storms or snow. The Lay-Z-Spa dome sits between them: more room than the PORTAL, more practical side panels than the Alvantor.