Livinggreen, I think freestanding vs drop in is mostly a style preference, thought you would have more cost to box one in. IN re hot tubs vs jetted tubs. Yes, I think having a hot tub is one reason I don't feel the need for a jetted bathtub. Of course, if the hot tub is outside and you live in a cold climate, you may not have the hot tub run all year. In our last house the hot tub and the pool shared the same heating system, so when we closed the pool Oct-Apr, no hot tub. Now our hottub and pool are indoors.

I purchased a free-standing, composite soaking tub from Devon & Devon (D&D) (they have a clawfoot, but I chose a different style). Two advantages of composite over acrylic: it holds the heat, and scratches or stains can be easily "buffed out" with light sand paper. The D&D tub has a satin-like matte finish. I use Windex to clean it. D&D is pricey, but after trying out tubs for months, it was my favorite, and I was willing to wait several more months for delivery. Other brands I considered: Wetstyle (from Canada), Bain Ultra, Toto, Kohler, Duravit, Blu Bathworks, Mti, Hydrosystems, Axor, and T&L. Zucchetti and V&A tubs were tempting - but I didn't like the look of the exposed drain pipe.

I think it depends on how you live and if you're planning for resale. I am a bath person and chose an insert so that I could have an air jetted tub, have room for candles, bath salts, etc. and for ease of cleaning around it. I was told that it can sometimes be difficult to clean around free standing tubs, especially in a smaller space. Also, we wanted a larger one as my husband enjoys it after a long day of cycling. The tub insert may not be the rage right now but it functions best for us.

Is the den a feature of the master bedroom? How does the bath relate to the master? You don't want to get to the front door and remember to go back and get a jacket in that closet; what a trek! I think the den closets need to be incorporated into a gutted bath to add some square footage into the footprint of the bath. Put dual sinks under the two windows and put a free standing tub out in the floor area so it can be a feature, and so your housekeeper can keep the floor around it clean. You could also incorporate the WIC into the bath and change the den to a dressing room/closet.