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!

Optus The Greek is a really cool tub. In our situation, it is the tub/shower for our daughters. We have just the shower(shown in the other pics) in our master bath. So I use the tub when I feel like having a soak. I am 5'3". If I sit straight up, I can almost straighten my legs but the tub is meant for you to sit with legs bent, like the Japanese Ofuro tubs. It is wonderfully deep too. The tub is fine for showering. I purposely put a step in front to make it easier to step in and out and I also put a grab bar on the wall. Regarding the water, it really and truly does not spray out much. The step gets a bit wet but the floor in front does not get wet at all. The rainhead (I did a small 7" one) makes all the difference. Here is one important thing and it is the reason I ended up with this tub. The tub must be entered from the short end since it does not stick out of the alcove enough to get in from the side. Most all tubs are slanted on the ends. Entering a tub from the front end is an invitation to have your legs slide right out from under you. I had to find a tub with a perfectly upright end and the Greek tub had it. The short length was a bonus actually because it fit the room better. And the tub fills faster and uses less water.

OK, now I'll be an image pasting fool :) I wanted the bench at the end of the tub/shower for shaving legs, or maybe I just want to sit around with conditioner in my hair. I think something like this could work (though again, not sure if its alcove or other type of tub) [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Houston Interior Designers & Decorators Dena Brody, ASID, RID This is nice too (but doesn't look like alcove, looks like drop in and the deck/front looks like it would be $$$) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by San Francisco General Contractors Cardea Building Co. Also love the modern look of these tubs [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Portland Kitchen & Bath Designers Kirstin Havnaer, Hearthstone Interior Design, LLC [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Toronto Interior Design Group : Yanic Simard

An undermount is much easier to sit on the ledge and swivel around to get in the tub. When you're naked, (or even if you're not!) it's just not that comfortable to sit on a ledge with a ridge in it that cuts into your legs or backside. Grab bars can be placed on the wall to the side of the tub entry at any point if you install the blocking needed in the walls before they are closed up. Be sure to place the Roman tub faucet on the deck appropriately to give you the room you need to enter and exit and still be able to reach it from the exterior. And be sure and get the option with the hand held sprayer to be able to actually clean the tub! It can work for rinsing shampoo out of the kids hair too, if you let them use your tub.