Why Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Are Adding Infrared Saunas, Cold Plunges & Hot Tubs in 2026

Drive through the neighborhoods behind Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, or Dewey this spring and count the hot tubs. Then count the cold plunge tubs on back decks and the infrared sauna cabins tucked into garages. There are a lot more than there were two years ago.

New Wave Spas has been selling and servicing hot tubs along the Delaware and Maryland coast since 1990. We've seen trends come and go. But what's happening right now feels different. People aren't just buying a hot tub to have a hot tub. They're putting together complete backyard setups: a hot tub, a cold plunge, and an infrared sauna, all working together. Year-round locals, vacation rental owners, and new homeowners who just moved to the coast are all doing the same thing for slightly different reasons.

Here's what we're seeing and why it might matter to you.

People Want Wellness at Home Now, Not at a Gym

The shift started during COVID and it stuck. People got used to working out at home, recovering at home, and not driving somewhere to relax. Gym memberships bounced back in some places but the home wellness category just kept growing. On the Delaware coast, where people already have outdoor space and half the reason you live here is the lifestyle, putting that space to work makes a lot of sense.

New Wave Spas has been on Coastal Highway since 1990, helping homeowners along the Delaware beaches pick the right hot tub. We carry Saratoga Spas, from two-person models up to nine-person tubs with 75 jets. But lately our conversations have changed. Customers come in asking about three things, not one:

• A hot tub for soaking, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends
• A Therafrost cold plunge for cold water immersion after workouts or just to wake up in the morning
• A Sunlighten infrared sauna for heat therapy, unwinding, and year-round use regardless of weather

The idea of alternating between hot and cold (sometimes called contrast therapy) has gotten very popular. A lot of people find the combination feels good after physical activity. Some just enjoy the routine. We let customers try the equipment in our showroom so they can decide for themselves what works for them.

Vacation Rental Owners: The Off-Season Problem

If you own a rental property in the Rehoboth, Lewes, Dewey, or Bethany Beach area, you already know that summer takes care of itself. The hard part is October through April. Six months where the beach isn't enough to fill a house on a random weekend.

A hot tub changes that math.

Picture a couple scrolling VRBO for a fall weekend getaway. Two similar houses, same distance from the beach, same number of bedrooms. One has a hot tub. That's the one they book. We hear this from rental owners all the time.

Now picture that same listing mentioning a Therafrost cold plunge and a Sunlighten sauna on the property. You've moved into a different category entirely. That's not "beach house." That's "private wellness retreat," and people will pay more for it. Rental performance varies by property, market, and season and is not guaranteed.

If You Live Here Year-Round, This Is Really for You

Rental income gets the attention, but the case for locals might be even stronger. If you live in Rehoboth Beach, Milton, Georgetown, or anywhere in Sussex County full time, you know winter on the coast gets long. The crowds leave. Restaurants cut hours. The ocean is gray and cold and nobody's swimming.

A hot tub at 102 degrees on a cold January night under a clear sky is a completely different experience than sitting on the couch. It becomes a nightly habit for a lot of our customers. Some add a Sunlighten sauna session before dinner. That combination of heat, relaxation, and being outdoors (even in winter) is something people look forward to after work.

And for the runners, cyclists, surfers, and pickleball players on the coast, the Therafrost cold plunge has become a real draw. Cold water immersion after a workout used to mean bags of ice from Wawa dumped into a bathtub. The Therafrost holds water at 37°F, filters and cleans it with an ozone system, and is ready whenever you are. No ice runs. No mess.

The Therafrost Cold Plunge: What You're Actually Getting

Cold plunges are everywhere on social media right now, and a lot of the options out there are basically inflatable tubs you fill with ice. We wanted to carry something better than that.

The Therafrost is a stainless steel cold plunge with a 120-gallon capacity and a 1.75 horsepower chiller that holds water at 37°F. It weighs 180 lbs empty and about 1,350 lbs when full, so it's a real piece of equipment, not a toy. The built-in ozone purification system keeps the water clean without heavy chemical use, and it comes with a premium insulated cover to hold temperature and reduce energy costs.

One feature people really like: the smart controls. You can adjust the temperature from your phone through the app (works with both Apple and Android), check the status, and program schedules. The all-weather chiller has a digital interface on the unit itself too, so you don't need your phone if you'd rather just walk outside and get in.

It fits on a deck, a patio, or a flat spot in the yard. Our team handles installation and can walk you through placement and electrical requirements.

Sunlighten Infrared Saunas: Why We Chose This Brand

We looked at a lot of infrared sauna brands before deciding what to carry. We went with Sunlighten because they've been doing this longer than most companies in the space, and their build quality and technology are a cut above what you'll find at big box stores or Amazon.

The difference between a Sunlighten and a generic infrared sauna comes down to the heating elements. Sunlighten uses their patented SoloCarbon heaters, which produce infrared heat at specific wavelengths. Their full-spectrum models (the mPulse line) offer near, mid, and far infrared independently, and you can select from preset programs or build your own using their tablet interface or the phone app.

Here's the practical stuff that matters if you're putting one in a Delaware home: they're compact enough to fit in a spare room, a garage, a basement, or on a covered porch. They run on standard household electrical. They don't produce steam so there are no moisture or mold concerns. And the build quality is solid, with Sunlighten's patented Magne-Seal system using hidden magnets instead of clips and screws to keep panels tight and heat inside.

We have Sunlighten models set up and running in our showroom on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach. Best way to decide if it's for you is to come in and sit in one.

Why Where You Buy Matters on the Coast

Salt air, humidity, sand, and big temperature swings between August and February. That's what your equipment lives in on the Delaware and Maryland coast. A hot tub purchased online or from an out-of-state dealer with no local service team is a problem waiting to happen.

New Wave Spas has been here since 1990. We're not a franchise. We don't sell pools or patio furniture or grills on the side. Saratoga Spas hot tubs, Therafrost cold plunges, and Sunlighten infrared saunas are what we do, and we service everything we sell. When something needs a repair in the middle of January (and on the coast, things do need repairs in January), we're the ones who show up.

Our team handles installation, service and repair, water treatment, bi-weekly maintenance, and quarterly drain and clean. We know what works near the ocean and what doesn't, and we only carry equipment that holds up in this climate.

Things to Think About Before You Buy

If you're considering any of this for your property, here are the practical questions to work through first:

• Space and placement: Where will it go? Think about proximity to your electrical panel, drainage, privacy from neighbors, and what you'll be looking at while you're in the tub.
• Electrical: Most premium hot tubs need a dedicated 220V circuit. The Therafrost also needs its own power connection. Our team will walk you through what your property requires before you commit to anything.
• Maintenance: Hot tubs need regular water care. It's not hard, but it's not zero effort either. We carry all the chemicals and supplies, and we offer service plans for people who would rather not think about it.
• Coastal wear: Near the ocean, you need covers and equipment built for salt air. New Wave Spas has been dealing with this specific coastal issue since 1990 and only stock brands that hold up.
• Rental property considerations: If this is for a vacation rental, you need to think about guest instructions, lockable safety covers, and having a service relationship that keeps everything guest-ready between bookings.
• Budget and financing: We offer financing options to help spread the cost out. A lot of customers are surprised at how manageable the monthly payments can be. Ask us about it when you visit the showroom.

The best next step is to come see us. Our showroom is on Route 1, about a mile south of Tanger Seaside Outlet. Bring your questions. There's no pressure and no appointment needed.

New Wave Spas Rehoboth Beach's trusted hot tub, Therafrost cold plunge, and Sunlighten infrared sauna dealer since 1990. Located on Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach. Call us at (302) 227-8484.