Bestway SaluSpa Honolulu AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub Review

After a long day on your feet, the idea of slipping into warm, bubbling water in your own backyard is hard to resist. However, a traditional hot tub means thousands of dollars, a dedicated electrical line, a contractor, and a permanent footprint you can’t move, enough to keep many people putting it off for years.

The Bestway Lay Z Spa Honolulu AirJet plugs into a standard outlet, inflates with the included pump, and seats a marketed six people around 140 bubbling AirJets. Sold in the US as the SaluSpa Honolulu, it’s made for people who want the warm soak without the build out.

Below you’ll find what you get, capacity, heat up time, running costs, water care, and long term durability.

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Bestway Lay Z Spa Honolulu AirJet: Specs at a Glance

What You Get with the Honolulu AirJet

• 140 AirJets for a full body bubble massage. The built in pump pushes air through 140 jets set around the floor, so the bubbles rise up all around you instead of from a few fixed points. It’s the kind of soft, enveloping massage that loosens tension after work or helps you wind down before bed.
• A heater that reaches full spa temperature. The heater warms the water up to 104°F, the same ceiling as a hard sided spa, and the insulated cover helps hold that heat between soaks.
• DuraPlus walls and MaxHold beams for a firm, stable sit. According to Bestway, the DuraPlus wall material is more scratch and puncture resistant than standard PVC, while the MaxHold fabric beams inside the walls keep the tub holding its shape over many inflations. In practice that means an edge firm enough to sit on or lean against, without the wobble of cheaper inflatables.
• Freeze Shield to protect it in the cold. When temperatures drop, the Freeze Shield function automatically warms the water enough to keep the internal parts from freezing, which lets you leave it filled later into the season in milder regions.
• An all in one pump with cup holders. A single unit handles inflation, heating, filtration, and the massage system, and you can reach the controls from inside the tub. It even has built in cup holders for a drink while you soak.
• Smart Hub app control. The Smart AirJet version connects to the Bestway Smart Hub app, so you can set the temperature, run an energy saving timer, switch on the filter, and start the bubbles from your phone before you head outside.
• A ChemConnect dispenser and ground fault safety. The included ChemConnect diffuser spreads chlorine evenly so your water stays balanced with less fuss, and Bestway builds in a ground connection detection feature for added electrical safety around water.
• Portability most spas can’t match. Deflated, the Honolulu rolls down small enough for one or two people to move and store, which is why it’s a favorite for renters and anyone who wants the deck back in winter.

Who This Inflatable Hot Tub Is For

• Couples and small households: Adults have plenty of space to relax and unwind in the evenings.
• First time hot tub owners: If you’re not sure you’ll use a spa enough to justify a hard sided one, this is a low commitment way to find out.
• Renters and movers: No permit, no electrician, and no permanent base, and it packs away when you relocate.
• Mild climate owners: Mild climate owners in the Sun Belt and other moderate regions can use their spa most of the year with a few simple steps for cooler nights.
• Anyone easing aches or stress: Warm water and steady bubbles may help with sore muscles, a tight back, and decompressing after a physical job or a workout.

Who This Portable Hot Tub Is Not For

• Anyone wanting deep tissue jet pressure: AirJets release air, not pressurized water, so this is a bubble massage rather than targeted hydrotherapy.
• Regular hosts of five or six: Everyone fits for a social soak, but the most comfortable evenings are with two to four adults.
• Harsh winter climates: Sustained sub freezing weather calls for added insulation or draining and storing the tub.
• Buyers who need a decade of use: Inflatable spas usually give a few good years before a leak or pump fault, not the twenty a hard sided spa can reach.

👉 Check Price & Availability of the Honolulu AirJet Hot Tub on Amazon

Setting Up the Honolulu AirJet and Getting Your First Soak

Getting started is straightforward. The floor doesn’t need inflating, so you spread the tub out on a flat, clear surface, attach the pump, and let it fill the walls.

Set it on level ground that can take the weight of a full tub of water plus several adults. A patio, deck, or well compacted base all work, and a foam floor mat under the tub adds cushioning while slowing heat loss into the ground.

Once it’s positioned, drop in the ChemConnect dispenser, fill with a garden hose, plug the GFCI cord into a standard outdoor outlet, and start the heater. Fill it the day before your first soak so it has time to warm.

How Many Adults Fit in the Bestway Lay Z Spa Honolulu AirJet?

Bestway lists the Honolulu for up to 6 people, and for a couple that means generous room. The round shell is about 77 inches across, so two adults can sit opposite each other, stretch out their legs, and keep their shoulders under the water. It also works well for a family of four on a weekend evening.

Like every inflatable spa, the Honolulu seats everyone on the cushioned floor rather than on molded benches, so the roomiest soaks are with two to four adults. Five or six will all get in for a social soak, with everyone a little closer together and sharing the space in the middle. For the couples and small families who make up most buyers, the size is a comfortable fit.

What the 140 AirJets Feel Like, and Who They Suit

The 140 AirJets are the centerpiece of the Honolulu, so it helps to know exactly what they do. The pump pushes air through jets set around the floor, sending up a steady curtain of bubbles that surrounds your back, hips, and legs. Owners often describe it as sitting in warm, fizzing water, and some say it helps them relax and sleep better.

What it isn’t is the pressurized water stream of a hard sided spa with dedicated hydrotherapy pumps.

AirJets give a soft, all over bubble massage rather than a focused jet you can aim at one tight muscle. For general relaxation, easing everyday soreness, and unwinding after work, owner feedback is positive. If your main goal is deep, targeted pressure on a specific injury, a hard sided spa is the better match.

How Long the Honolulu AirJet Takes to Heat, and What It Costs to Run

Heating is the part worth planning around. The Honolulu warms slowly from a cold fill, so the simplest way is to fill it the day before your first soak and let it heat overnight.

Because the AirJets draw in cooler outside air, running the bubbles nudges the water down a degree or two, so some owners set the temperature a touch higher and switch the bubbles off for the last stretch before getting in.

On running costs, owners report around $15 to $20 a month in warm weather to keep it heated and filtered. Through winter that rises to roughly $30 to $50, and a cold snap with heavy use can push it higher. Keeping the cover on between soaks, adding a foam mat underneath, and placing the tub out of the wind all help hold the bill down.

Water Care and Weekly Upkeep on the Honolulu AirJet

The Honolulu needs the same basic care as any spa, and a consistent weekly habit keeps it simple.

Filter cleaning and the E02 error

The filter cartridge sits in the pump intake and needs a rinse every day or two during heavy use. A clogged filter is a common cause of the E02 error code, which pauses heating until you clean it, so keeping a couple of spare cartridges on hand makes the swap quick.

Water chemistry and sanitizer

You’ll need to sanitize with chlorine or bromine and check pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels with test strips a couple of times a week. The included ChemConnect dispenser spreads chlorine evenly so levels stay steady between checks. A small starter kit of chemicals and strips covers everything you need to begin.

Draining and refilling

Drain and refill the water every few weeks to a month, or sooner if it starts to look cloudy. A garden hose and a submersible pump empty it in under an hour. With the cover on and balanced chemistry, the work stays light.

Using the Honolulu AirJet in Winter: Does Freeze Shield Work?

Freeze Shield is Bestway’s cold weather feature, and it does a specific job. It automatically warms the water enough to stop the pump and pipes from freezing, which protects the internal parts when the tub sits out in the cold. The manual advises against actually soaking once the air drops below 39°F.

However, some owners in milder winters keep soaking well below that with a few additions. A sheet or two of rigid foam under the base, a thick insulated blanket over the cover, and a wind sheltered spot or a gazebo all help the heater keep up.

Running the pump steadily rather than in short bursts also holds the temperature better. In a sustained deep freeze with heavy snow, the safer call is to drain and store the tub until spring.

How Long the Honolulu AirJet Lasts, and What the Warranty Covers

An inflatable spa is built differently from a hard sided one, and the lifespan reflects that. With careful use, owners commonly get a few good years out of the Honolulu, and the DuraPlus walls hold up better than thinner budget tubs. The usual end point is a liner leak or a pump fault rather than the shell wearing out, and the internal pump is harder to repair than the external pump on some competitor inflatables.

Always check the latest warranty details before purchase, register the tub and keep your paperwork. A few habits stretch its lifespan. Keep the water balanced to protect the liner, sit it on a foam mat to shield the base from rough ground, and rinse and store it dry if you pack it away over winter.

Pros

• Soaking the same day: No electrician, no permit, and no base to pour. Inflate, fill, heat overnight, and you’re in.
• A relaxing all over bubble massage: The 140 AirJets give a gentle full body massage that many owners use nightly for sleep and stress.
• Firm, sturdy walls: DuraPlus material and MaxHold beams give a stable edge to lean on, a clear step up from flimsy inflatables.
• Smart heat retention: Freeze Shield and the insulated cover hold warmth overnight and keep running costs sensible in mild weather.
• Easy to store and move: It rolls down small, so renters and movers can pack it away off season.

Cons

• Slow to heat from cold: A first fill needs overnight or longer, so same day soaks need planning.
• Bubbles, not pressure jets: The AirJets cool the water slightly when running and won’t match deep tissue hydrotherapy.
• Filters need frequent cleaning: Rinse the cartridge every day or two to prevent clogs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve wanted a hot tub for years but kept putting it off because of the cost and setup, the Honolulu AirJet makes it easier to finally get one.

Simply plug it into a standard outlet, fill it from the hose, and within a day you’re soaking in 104°F water surrounded by bubbles. For couples and small families who want a warm soak most nights, that’s a lot of relaxation for very little fuss.

However it’s knowing a few things before purchase. The water heats slowly from cold, the AirJets give a gentle bubble massage rather than targeted pressure, the filter may need regular rinsing, and the most comfortable soaks are with two to four adults. Running it adds modestly to your power bill, more so in winter, and an inflatable spa lasts a few years rather than decades.

If you need a true spacious six person spa, deep tissue jet therapy, or a tub that survives a decade of harsh winters, a hard sided spa will serve you better. But if you’re after an easy way to bring warm, bubbling water to your backyard tonight, the Bestway Lay Z Spa Honolulu AirJet earns its spot on the deck for years of relaxed evenings.

Bestway SaluSpa Honolulu AirJet FAQs

Is the Lay Z Spa Honolulu the same as the SaluSpa Honolulu?

Yes. Bestway sells the same inflatable hot tub as Lay Z Spa in the UK and as SaluSpa in the US, so the Honolulu AirJet hardware is identical under both names. Coleman branded SaluSpa models are also made by Bestway, which is why they share so much of the same design.

What chemicals does the Honolulu AirJet need?

You’ll run it like any spa: a sanitizer such as chlorine or bromine, plus test strips for pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels. The included ChemConnect dispenser spreads chlorine evenly so you’re not constantly topping up. Balance the water before your first soak, then check it a couple of times a week.

How often do you change the water in the Honolulu AirJet?

Drain and refill every few weeks to a month with normal use, or sooner if the water looks cloudy or feels off despite balanced chemistry. A submersible pump empties it quickly. Rinsing the filter every day or two and keeping sanitizer steady stretches the time between full changes.

How does the Bestway Smart Hub app work?

The Smart AirJet version connects to the Bestway Smart Hub app, which lets you set the temperature, run an energy saving timer, control the filter, and start the bubbles from your phone.