Donna, Um, every whirlpool I have ever heard of is also available just as as a soaking tub... If it's going to be your tub, go sit in the tubs (yes, the whirlpools! :)) and decide which one feels best. That was my criterion. Sit in them and then get your favorite one made as a soaking tub. (after checking step-in heights, since it will be used as a shower too) As I said, Maax Melodie and Palace felt the best by far to me, but everyone's different (I've heard the Palace is pretty popular with folks who can fit a 6' tub in). Also, if you can fit 6' in, try the Toto cast iron 6' tub. If after all that the Porcher Ardennes is the one that feels best, go with that. I'm sure they'd have a way to help you make an alcove situation for it. If the Neptune feels best, go with that (again, check the height wrt using it as a shower). So your assignment is to go to the stores in Chicago, step into the tubs, sit in them, and decide which one feels best entering and lounging in. Then report back :)

xc60 - sounds great - I know just enough to be dangerous. I love this forum. I learn more from it than going to the plumbing showrooms. katmomma, you will have to search this forum for air tubs. I can help you with selecting drop in tubs based on shape, size, quality. You basically want a good quality air tub without the price tag. Mirabelle tubs are well designed, deep and I see that folks on this forum have purchased them as air tubs. They are private label for Ferguson (made by Clarke). I like the feel of their acrylic better than Kohler. I don't see folks talking about Kohler air tubs but they make a solid whirlpool and are priced right. I do not know how the Jacuzzi air tubs are but I personally like their designs - they are priced right for you too. Jason, owned by the former Jacuzzi folks, can get pricey. Same with MTI, Hydrosystems, and Americh. Maax tubs are nice but I see on this forum that folks say that their air tubs are loud.

I have a large 2 person jacuzzi 6 foot tub. It is the bellavista. It has 8 jets and an in-line heater. The heater is a must as the water stays nice and hot. I love the big tub and am planning on getting a maax kashmir freestanding tub for my new home. It has air & jets. The new tubs have the drains for the jets at an angle so they drain better. That was the problem with most of the bacteria build up. My tub is about 5 years old. I also have an outdoor hot tub that I can't live without. I have chronic pain and they both do wonders for my health. I highly recommend them both. I know that the big tubs take up a lot of room in a bathroom, but it all comes down to want you want. It is a choice that I have been very happy with.

It looks like you want a tub that is wider, longer and possibly deeper than your current one. There is a good chance that you will need a larger conventional water heater or an on-demand water heater to fill it properly. If you use a pocket door anywhere, be sure it is a solid core door to reduce sound transfer. If this were my bathroom, I'd remove the closet but leave a partition wall against which the door would open. Then I'd move the toilet far enough toward that wall to put a new tub roughly where the current one is. I'd put any money saved on extensive channeling toward a Toto Neorest toilet.