Freestanding Hot Tubs Are Fine, but Martha Stewart’s Sunken Granite Spa Is a Far Sleeker Option – It’s the Pinnacle of Outdoor Luxury

Freestanding hot tubs have become a familiar feature in many gardens, but Martha Stewart’s sunken granite spa (at her Skylands home in Maine) makes a strong case for a far more refined alternative.

Built into the landscape and surrounded by natural stone, this backyard hot tub feels more like a permanent part of the property’s architecture. In true Martha style, the result takes an increasingly popular feature and makes it exceptionally luxurious again.

The appeal lies in its restraint. Rather than overpowering her garden, the spa sits as part of the pool – creating a sense of permanence that most conventional hot tubs struggle to achieve. It's a design approach that prioritizes integration over impact, and one that increasingly defines the most sophisticated outdoor spaces.

That shift is happening across landscape design more broadly. Today, gardens are as much wellness spaces as they are entertaining areas, and they're designed with the same level of consideration as a home's interiors. Martha's hot tub is one example of this, but outdoor showers (a favorite of Jennifer Aniston) are another example of how gardens are shaped to be restorative. And experts agree.

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'One of the biggest shifts we've seen is that people are approaching their gardens much more intentionally,' says Arin Hickman, a wellness expert and designer at Finnmark Sauna. 'Rather than adding individual features over time, homeowners are thinking about how the space will feel and function as a whole.'

That philosophy is exactly what makes Martha’s backyard spa so perfect. The granite construction echoes the surrounding landscape, while the sunken design softens the visual presence of the water. The result has a timeless quality that feels closely connected to the estate itself.

'From a design perspective, I’d say that integration is everything,' Arin explains. 'The most successful outdoor wellness spaces don't put the hot tub center stage. Instead, we look at how it sits within the landscape, using natural materials, layered planting, lighting, and considered screening so it feels connected to its surroundings.'

The most luxurious outdoor spaces rarely rely on a single statement feature. Their success comes from how every element works together, from the materials underfoot to the planting that creates privacy and atmosphere. A sunken spa built into stone becomes part of that composition rather than interrupting it.

Martha's granite spa is a perfect example of this. It proves that the sleekest outdoor wellness spaces are those that feel as though they have always belonged there. We can see why she's going to be using it 'every single day'. Martha, we would too.

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