We are going with a freestanding in our new master bath both because we like the looks and also with our layout it worked better. Given the cost of a good tiling job I'm not sure a built-in would have been less expensive than a standalone. We had 2 drop-in tubs (one to be removed with shower stall) and one of them still in-- acrylic-- which we put in 12 years ago and somewhat regret now because it flexes and the grout cracked over time so it has needed a lot of maintenance. (this is mostly because of the material we chose). But when our kids were younger they loved the bubbles!

I love a hot bath-- but I am not sure I see the value of Hotsoak. Adding additional hot water from the tap seems simpler, faster and vastly cheaper. I have a jetted tub that I use regularly and it has an inline heater. But, I also use this tub for quiet jet free soaking and find that the water stays hot for longer than in my previous tubs. My contractor spray insulated the tub underside before dropping it in. You may find adding underside insulation to your new tub solves the cooling off too quickly issue.

Doing a renovation for a flip, and the free-standing soaking tub seems to be the current trend for the master bath, but I've not done one before and this discussion has been very helpful! It appears that I need to tile up the wall about 3' and add a shelf - anything else I should plan for? [Sorry for the silly question, but I'm more a shower person - I'm assuming there's no place for the soap, b/c you shower first then just soak in the tub?]

I've had shower curtains all my life and I have never ever had one wrap around me. Maybe it's a quality issue. We had everything planned around having glass in both our walk in shower and our tub shower during our restoration and then I realized the only reason I was getting it was b/c everyone else was doing it, but I hated the idea of cleaning it and of having the permanent barriers there. My friends share tips for how to clean their glass, where to buy the best squeegee, how to convince husbands and kids to squeegee after they shower. I still don't get it. Seems like an expensive PIA. When we got rid of old sliding glass doors on the tub, I couldn't believe how much easier it made life - esp. with 2 small kids.