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In the battle of the bathrooms, the restrooms inside The Field Museum in Chicago have left the competition high and dry.
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| The bathrooms inside The Field Museum in Chicago, Ill., was voted “America’s Best Restroom.” |
The museum’s well-appointed facilities, complete with a ceiling painted to give the appearance of a night sky and smaller toilets for the tiniest of patrons, won the top prize in the latest “America’s Best Restroom” competition.
Now in its 10th year, the restroom contest hosted by Cintas—a Cincinnati-based supplier of restroom hygiene products and services—honored 10 of the most exceptionally designed restrooms in the country.
The company said this year “tens of thousands” of online voters cast their ballots for restrooms located in a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels and museums.
The bathrooms were judged for style, hygiene, public accessibility and usability, Cintas said.
“The Field Museum is honored to receive this award,” said Jim Croft, The Field Museum’s vice president of finance, who oversaw the redesign of the restrooms. “Host to over 1.3 million visitors each year, the museum strives to give visitors the best service and exhibitions; we also feel this about the amenities and we are pleased to offer our guests these unique restrooms.”
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| Another photo of The Field Museum’s winning loo. |
John Engel, Cintas senior marketing manager, said the contest is meant to bring some “fun” to the subject, but it also conveys a very real message that restroom hygiene matters—“for good health and good business.”
Descriptions of the unique bathrooms flow below.
First Place: The Field Museum
Chicago, Ill.
The ceilings of The Field Museum’s two large family-friendly restrooms features artwork of a beautiful night sky, a calming image that also absorbs sound. The museum’s two ground-floor facilities offer sufficient stalls and sinks and eco-friendly automated water faucets and hand dryers.
The women’s restroom has a special nursing room with a door, sink and small sofa for mothers. The restrooms also feature a family-friendly “tot area” with smaller toilets for its littlest guests.
Additionally, museum displays are featured inside the restroom for a fun and educational flair. The restrooms are cleaned every hour to ensure the facilities are in tip-top shape for the 3,500 visitors the museum welcomes each day.
Second Place: Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
Arlington, Va.
ForrestPerkins, the architect and interior designer for the hotel’s chic restroom, uses light to reflect the evidence of motion throughout this elegant restroom. The hallway leading to the restroom is darkened with shadows of leaves, some blurred, some sharper, projected on the floor.
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| Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, Va. |
Inside the restroom the walls are ablaze with sunset tones of orange and gold. Mirrors above the vanity feature bird silhouettes that are lit, and when a guest turns on the faucet, water flows in a sparkling red stream if it’s hot or a blue stream if cool.
Third: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Scottsdale, Ariz.
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| Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Scottsdale, Ariz. |
This loo is sleek and modern with terrazzo flooring, glass-tiled walls and spacious, stainless-steel stalls. An ingenious lighting system continuously shifts the colors of the space from cool blues and greens to warm golds and reds.
Fourth: Don’s Johns: Presidential Luxury Restroom Trailer
Chantilly, Va.
This regal restroom trailer was actually set up for President Obama during the 2009 Inauguration. It features granite counters and shelves, black marbleized walls, wood panel doors, and a hardwood-designed floor. Climate-controlled heat and air conditioning also guarantees guests are kept in maximum comfort during their visit.
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| Don’s Johns: Presidential Luxury Restroom Trailer in Chantilly, Va. |
The dual audio system not only plays soothing music inside for the visiting guests, but those waiting outside can keep up with the event on an exterior-mounted flat-screen television.
Fifth: Snowbasin Ski Resort
Huntsville, Utah
Snowbasin’s restrooms feature Italian Carrera marble, Barovier, Tosso & Moscatelli chandeliers crafted from bronze and crystal, floor-to-ceiling commodes, beautifully inlaid African Anegre wood, and hand-painted walls.
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| Snowbasin Ski Resort in Huntsville, Utah. |
The remaining finalists were: Castello di Amorosa Winery in Calistoga, Calif.; Habana Outpost in Brooklyn, N.Y.; The Joule Poule in Dallas, Texas; Main Street Station Casino, Brewery and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.; and NINJA NEW YORK in New York, N.Y.
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| Habana Outpost in Brooklyn, N.Y. |
The Field Museum received the coveted “America’s Best Restroom” plaque of recognition from Cintas and secured its place in the “America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame” found at www.bestrestroom.com.
The company created the “America’s Best Restroom” award in 2002. Previous winners include:
2010: The Fountain on Locust, St. Louis, Mo.;
2009: Shoji Tabuchi Theatre, Branson, Mo.;
2008: Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.;
2007: Jungle Jim’s International Market, Fairfield, Ohio;
2006: Wendell’s Restaurant Westerville, Ohio;
2005: Fort Smith, Arkansas Airport, Fort Smith, Ark.
2004: Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, Wis.
2003: The Grand Casino, Biloxi, Miss.
2002: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind.
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