Catbuilder - the outlet high on the wall works fine if you are only using the handheld during showering or for cleaning but not if you want to use it while laying in he tub. If you have a normal 59" hose and the starting point is way up high on the wall and you are sitting in a 60" tub with your head at the other end and want to wash with the handheld it won't reach. You would need a much longer hose and I don't want a super low hose (like 80") dangling down all the time. Hollysprings - I actually have a Jason air tub with integrated flange that I purchased for a steal on Craigslist. No, I have never used an air tub. I would love to find a showroom near me where I could test one out.

Do you have grand-kids, or are you expecting any near your guest bedrooms? If so, do consider having tubs (at least a small 5 foot inexpensive one) for baths. You won't regret that, especially for resale. As for your Master Bath, ask a realtor friend and they will likely tell you it's 'best' for re-sale for a 5-piece Master too, but if you'd much rather have the extra-large shower than a smaller shower and tub, then go for the larger shower and forget the tub. We have an oversized shower (dual heads, etc) and absolutely love it. We have a big jacuzzi tub too and it's nice but doesn't get a whole lot of use. Our overall bathroom is quite large, but if I were limited on space, the tub would be the first to go or at least downsize. As you age, you will probably find a better use for a walk-in shower with things you can add in your later remodel (hand-held rails, bench, etc) than a tub that is hard to step into.

Can you put in a large enough shower so that if you sold later a new owner could easily put a tub/shower combo in that same spot? I think if the opening were framed the right size, you could go with the shower now (which I think is the better choice in your particular situation) and then when it came time to sell, people could be told that a tub would fit in that same spot if they wanted to change it out. They would probably need to change the drain location, etc., but this could keep them from having to mess with framing. As a buyer, I would prefer the tub, but I am part of the smaller percentage that takes a bath 90% of the time and only showers occasionally. In our current house, we have a large garden tub, shower, and tub/shower combo. Normally I use the tub/shower combo to have the smaller tub so that it doesn't take as long to fill up the tub and I don't waste as much water.

Thank you all for the great insights. Our kids are 12 and 13, but I do remember the baby days and was thinking of future owners. Re dogs -- Julie, what a great idea! You have me eying the utility sink in the mud room and figuring out how to transform that spot for a shower .... not going to happen any time soon, but it's a great idea. Thanks to all for the info on acrylic and dog nails. Pricklypear, you're right, dogs generally don't need to be bathed that frequently. In fact, our collie goes to a groomer every once in a while. But he tends to stink due to a digestive condition, and sometimes needs "emergency" bathing. But the truth is, we do have one more bathtub in this house. It's also acrylic of some kind, but it's cheap, in the basement, and not something that has to be pristine. I'm still stuck with a 30" width, though, and that really limits my tub choices. On to search Vikrell and cast iron!