Why risk pandemics, political uprisings and getting less bang for your buck when you can just enjoy yourself at home this vacation?
These so-called "staycations" are contributing to the huge popularity of the backyard home resort.
Jason Lawrence, operations manager for Oasis Leisure Centre, says there's very little that can't be done to turn your backyard into the ultimate spa escape.
"Waterfalls are currently very popular, as well as grottos and caves. We can create waterfalls that are two feet, three feet, four feet, or six feet high -- they can get as big as you want," Lawrence says.
"The grottos and caves are made of fibreglass reinforced concrete so, although they look like rock, they're much easier to move and easy to install. You don't have to add piles underneath to support the weight, like you would with rock."
Even a small water feature goes a long way to increasing the relaxation capabilities of your home oasis.
"The sound of moving water is very tranquil, and it really appeals to everyone," Lawrence says. "Even kids love playing with water features. A waterfall takes your pool to the next level. It's very cosmetic."
Slides are also a popular seller for the backyard resort. Unlike the previous puny slides, which featured garden hose-size streams, these ones emit a blast of water that rivals any theme park.
"The TurboTwister slide gives kids a really good ride, and it allows for four times more water flow than slides, Slides are now a lot more popular than diving boards, because there are less restrictions. You can put a slide with almost any pool, and you can get both into a regular 42-foot yard."
Swim spas add to the luxurious feel of a backyard paradise, and the best part is that they can be used all year long.
"Swim spas are deeper than a normal spa, so you can swim across the large jets and swim against the current," Lawrence says. "They can be heated to 85 or 104 degrees, so you can swim in them throughout the winter."
You can even replicate the look of the famous Bellagio Hotel fountains in Las Vegas -- on a much smaller scale, of course.
"These jets come out of a concrete deck by the pool to add some pizzazz. Or, if you don't want a pool, we can build a concrete pad that has the same jets. A lot of commercial splash parks use these now."
Colour Logics L.E.D. lighting systems are a feast for the eyes as they create a moving light show of different colours under the water.
"They're really nice at night," Lawrence says. "You can sip your champagne and just watch the colours sparkle through the water."
One of the nicest, most practical innovations in the home-resort industry is the saltwater pool system.
Much kinder to the hair and skin, saltwater systems also remove the chance of human error, explains Lawrence.
"Saltwater systems eliminate the need for chlorine pucks to sanitize the pool--it creates 100 percent pure chlorine for you. The saltwater is the same consistency of your teardrops, so no burning eyes. It's also a 'babysitter' for the pool. You never run out of chlorine, and it's at a consistent level, so you never have too little or too much. You set it and forget it."
Lawrence adds that even the smallest pools are now being installed with saltwater systems.
If children will be using the pool, he strongly recommends implementing some of the newer safety features, such as a turtle wristband that sends a signal to the house if the child goes into the pool.
Pool Sonics technology sounds an alarm in the home if anything splashes in the pool.
"Pool Sonics is the latest state-of-the-art alarm. It learns the water level and wind level of your pool, so it only goes off if someone plunges into the pool," says Lawrence.
The greatest protection is the retractable pool cover, which works best on rectangular models. This cover can be completely hidden when not in use, and can be walked on safely by adults or children when it's in place.
"It's really important to be conscious of safety around a pool, but there's many options to make your pool safe," Lawrence adds. "It's worth taking these measures, because more and more people are opting to stay at home. If you travel, you have the memories, but if you invest in your property, it always pays back."
