A pool is great. A pool with the right features is something you'll use every single day. The difference between a basic rectangle and a backyard you never want to leave comes down to the features you choose — and in the Bradenton, Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch area, some features make a lot more sense than others.
Here's a straight breakdown of the most popular pool features we build across SW Florida, what they actually cost, and which ones are worth the investment. For total project budgeting, see our complete pool cost guide.
| Feature | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Sun Shelf / Tanning Ledge | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Attached Spa | $10,000–$15,000 |
| Waterfalls & Grottos | $5,000–$15,000 |
| Bubblers & Deck Jets | $500–$1,500 each |
| LED Lighting | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Fire Features / Fire Bowls | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Beach Entry / Zero Entry | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Swim-Up Bar / Wet Bar Ledge | $3,000–$6,000 |
What Is a Sun Shelf and Is It Worth It?
$3,000–$6,000
This is the single most requested feature we build. A sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or Baja shelf) is a large, flat area in the shallow end of the pool — typically 4–6 inches deep and 5–8 feet wide. It's designed for lounging in the water without being fully submerged.
Drop two in-pool chaise loungers on it, set your drink on the ledge, and you've got the best seat in the house. Kids love it because it's shallow enough for toddlers to splash around safely (with supervision, of course). Adults love it because it's the most relaxing spot in the pool.
Price depends on size. A small 4x6-foot shelf runs closer to $3,000. A large 8x10-foot ledge with bubblers pushes toward $6,000. We build most of ours at around 5x7 feet — big enough for two loungers with room to spare.
Our take: If you're building a pool in Florida and you skip the sun shelf, you'll regret it within the first month. It's the feature our clients use the most.
Should You Add a Spa to Your Pool?
$10,000–$15,000
An attached spa is a hot tub built into the pool structure — typically elevated with a spillover edge so heated water cascades into the main pool. It has its own dedicated jets, an air blower for bubbles, and usually its own heater so you can run it at 102°F without heating the entire pool.
In Florida, you might think you don't need a spa. You'd be wrong. Evenings from November through March get cool enough that a heated spa is genuinely comfortable, and plenty of our clients use theirs year-round for relaxation and muscle recovery after workouts.
The cost difference between a basic attached spa and a premium one comes down to size, number of jets, and whether you add features like LED lighting or a dedicated automation zone. Most of our spas land in the $12,000–$14,000 range fully equipped.
Our take: If your budget allows it, add the spa. It's the second most-used feature after the sun shelf, and it's dramatically cheaper to include during initial construction than to add later. See our pool construction timeline to understand how a spa fits into the build process.
Pool Waterfalls and Grottos: Cost and Options
$5,000–$15,000
Waterfalls range from a simple clean-line sheer descent (a thin sheet of water flowing from a raised wall) to full natural rock grottos you can sit behind. The style and scale drive the price more than anything else.
- Sheer descent / spillway ($5,000–$7,000) — A sleek, modern sheet of water flowing from a raised wall or beam. Clean lines, minimal maintenance, works with contemporary pool designs.
- Natural rock waterfall ($7,000–$12,000) — Stacked natural or artificial rock with water flowing over the top. Creates a tropical, resort-style feel. Can include multiple tiers.
- Grotto ($10,000–$15,000) — A cave-like structure with a waterfall cascading over the entrance. Dramatic, but requires more space and a deeper budget.
Waterfalls also add a pleasant ambient sound that masks neighborhood noise — traffic, neighbors' dogs, lawn equipment. That's an underrated benefit.
Our take: A sheer descent or simple rock waterfall is a great add for the money. Grottos are beautiful but niche — make sure you have the yard and budget to do it right.
Are Pool Bubblers and Deck Jets Worth It?
$500–$1,500 each
These are the best bang-for-your-buck features in pool design. Bubblers are small fixtures installed on the sun shelf or shallow areas that shoot a gentle column of water upward. Deck jets are installed in the pool deck and arc streams of water into the pool from the edges.
Both are relatively inexpensive, easy to install during construction, and create visual and auditory interest — especially when paired with LED lighting at night. A pair of bubblers on a sun shelf with color-changing LEDs underneath is one of the most popular combinations we build.
Most homeowners add 2–4 bubblers or deck jets. They're individually plumbed and can be controlled independently through your automation system.
Our take: Add at least two bubblers to your sun shelf. At $500–$1,500 each, they're the cheapest way to make your pool look and sound significantly better.
Pool LED Lighting: Colors, Cost, and Automation
$2,000–$4,000
Modern pool lighting has come a long way from the single white incandescent bulb of the past. Today's color-changing LED lights let you set your pool to any color — or cycle through a light show — all controllable from your phone through your pool automation system.
A standard setup includes 1–2 main pool lights and a spa light. For larger pools, we add additional lights to eliminate dark spots. The lights are installed in the pool wall during construction and are designed to last 30,000+ hours.
When connected to automation (Hayward OmniPL, Pentair IntelliCenter, etc.), you can set schedules, change colors for holidays or parties, and sync lighting with your spa and water features. LED bubblers and deck jets with built-in lighting take it to another level at night.
Our take: LED lighting is essentially a must-have in 2026. It's included in most of our builds because a pool without proper lighting is unusable after dark — and nights are when Florida pools are at their best.
Pool Fire Bowls and Fire Features: What to Know
$3,000–$8,000
Fire and water together create one of the most striking visual effects in outdoor design. The most popular option is fire bowls — concrete or copper bowls mounted on pedestals at the pool's edge, fed by a natural gas or propane line, producing a real flame.
A pair of fire bowls flanking a spa spillover is one of the most requested combinations we build. The visual contrast of fire reflecting off the water at night is genuinely stunning.
- Fire bowls (pair): $3,000–$5,000 — Most popular. Clean, architectural look.
- Fire pit / fire table (poolside): $4,000–$6,000 — Great for entertaining areas adjacent to the pool.
- Fire and water bowls (combination): $5,000–$8,000 — Bowls that combine flame on top with water flowing from the base.
Fire features require a gas line run to the pool area, which is typically included in the installation cost. They're controlled by a switch or through your automation system.
Our take: Fire bowls are a "wow factor" feature. They don't add functionality to the pool itself, but they transform the entire backyard atmosphere. Best for homeowners who entertain or want a resort-level look.
What Is a Beach Entry Pool and How Much Does It Cost?
$5,000–$10,000
A beach entry (also called zero entry or walk-in entry) replaces the traditional pool steps with a gradual slope from deck level down into the water — like walking into the ocean from a beach. The slope is finished with the same interior material as the rest of the pool.
This feature is popular for several reasons:
- Accessibility — easier for elderly family members, people with mobility issues, or anyone who has trouble with pool steps or ladders
- Kids — toddlers and young children can wade in gradually rather than navigating steep steps
- Aesthetics — creates a resort-style look, especially with bubblers installed in the shallow slope area
The cost depends on the size of the entry area. A small 4-foot-wide beach entry is closer to $5,000. A wide, sweeping entry that spans 10+ feet of the pool edge pushes toward $10,000.
Our take: Beach entries are beautiful and functional, but they eat into your swimmable pool area. If your pool is under 400 square feet, a sun shelf often gives you a better return on space. For larger pools, beach entries are a great choice.
Swim-Up Bars and Wet Bar Ledges for Florida Pools
$3,000–$6,000
A swim-up bar is a submerged seating area built into the pool wall, positioned at a raised bar-height counter on the deck side. You sit on underwater stools (built into the pool floor) and lean up to a bar counter that's accessible from both the pool and the deck.
The simpler version — a wet bar ledge — is a built-in shelf inside the pool wall where you can set drinks and plates while you're in the water, without the full bar structure on the deck side.
Both features are designed for people who entertain. If your Saturday nights involve friends, drinks, and the pool, a swim-up bar makes the pool the center of the party instead of something people look at from the patio.
Our take: Great for entertainers. If you host regularly, this feature gets used constantly. If you're more of a quiet-evening-with-the-family household, put that budget toward a sun shelf or spa instead.
Which Pool Features Add the Most Home Resale Value?
Not all features are created equal when it comes to home value. Based on what we see in the SW Florida market, here's how features stack up for resale:
- High resale impact: Attached spa, LED lighting, sun shelf, quality decking — these are features that virtually every buyer wants in a Florida pool
- Moderate resale impact: Waterfalls, beach entry, automation system — appealing to many buyers but not dealbreakers
- Personal enjoyment (low resale premium): Grottos, swim-up bars, elaborate fire features — amazing if you love them, but very taste-specific. Build these for yourself, not for resale.
Most Used Pool Features According to Florida Homeowners
After building hundreds of pools in this market, here's what our clients consistently tell us they use most, in order:
- Sun shelf — used almost every time someone gets in the pool
- Spa — used 3–5 times per week, year-round
- LED lighting — on every night the pool is used
- Bubblers — always running when the pool is in use, visual and auditory appeal
- Waterfall — used frequently at first, then selectively (some homeowners run it daily, others turn it on for guests)
- Fire bowls — mostly evenings and weekends, especially when entertaining
The pattern is clear: the features you can interact with daily get used daily. A sun shelf isn't exciting on paper, but it's where you'll spend 80% of your pool time. A grotto is exciting on paper, but you might swim through it twice a week.
"Build for how you'll actually use the pool on a Tuesday evening, not just how it looks on a Saturday night with guests."
See Your Pool Features in 3D Before You Build
The best way to decide which features are right for your Gulf Coast pool is to see them in a 3D rendering of your actual backyard. We can add or remove features in the design, adjust placement, and show you exactly how everything will look — before a single shovel hits the ground. When you're ready, learn how to choose the right pool builder to bring your design to life.
Want to see what a sun shelf looks like with bubblers? Done. Curious whether fire bowls fit your space? We'll render it. Not sure if a spa makes sense on the left side or the right? We'll show you both.
That's the advantage of designing in 3D: you make decisions with your eyes, not your imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular pool feature in Florida?
The sun shelf (also called a tanning ledge or Baja shelf) is the most requested feature we build in SW Florida. It's a shallow, flat area designed for in-pool lounging, and our clients consistently say it's the feature they use the most.
How much does it cost to add a spa to a pool?
An attached spa typically adds $10,000–$15,000 to a custom gunite pool build in the Sarasota and Bradenton area. It includes dedicated jets, a blower, and usually its own heater so you can run it independently from the main pool.
Are pool waterfalls hard to maintain?
Sheer descent waterfalls require very little maintenance beyond standard pool care. Natural rock waterfalls may need occasional cleaning to prevent algae buildup on rock surfaces, but the effort is minimal compared to the visual and auditory benefit they provide.
What pool features add the most resale value in Florida?
Attached spas, LED lighting, sun shelves, and quality decking consistently appeal to buyers in the SW Florida market. These are features that virtually every pool buyer expects in a Gulf Coast home.
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- Feature pricing: Pelican Bay Pools & Spas contract data, Bradenton/Sarasota market (2025–2026)
- LED lifespan data: Hayward & Pentair product specifications — ColorLogic & IntelliBrite series
- Accessibility standards: per Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (formerly APSP) guidelines
- Fire feature safety: per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards
- Automation systems: Hayward OmniPL & Pentair IntelliCenter product documentation
Pricing reflects 2026 estimates for Southwest Florida and may vary by project scope, materials, and site conditions. Contact us for accurate feature pricing on your specific pool design.