America's Best Bathrooms 2008

1 of 25

Rubin Communications

Top Places to Tinkle

The buzz for trendy bathrooms continues to grow, but one company, Cintas, seller of bathroom goods, takes this trend seriously with its annual Best Restroom Awards.

See what it takes to make the list and compare these unique lavatories to other outrageous restrooms we've found, including the most expensive restroom in the world.

First Up: The 1st Place Winner Is ...

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

celluon.com

Jungle Jim's International Market

Location: Fairfield, Ohio

Winner of the 2007 America's Best Restroom Award, Jungle Jim's famous restrooms stop shoppers dead in their tacks. Talk about bathroom humor -- the entrance doors are actual Port-o-Lets. Unsuspecting shoppers patiently wait their turn until they see three or four people exiting. Upon opening the door they discover a gigantic, modern restroom within. Truly a luxurious Porta-Potty.

Next: Catch 31

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

31ocean.com

Catch 31

Location: Virginia Beach, Va.

Boasting spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, this restaurant and its restrooms have cool blue walls, soaring ceilings and an airy ambiance. Visitors and locals alike are put at ease in the restaurant's tranquil, nautical-themed washrooms. Catch 31's bathroom ranked second in the 2007 America's Best Restroom Award Hall of Fame.

Next: Vermont Marble Museum

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Robert Pye, Vermont Marble Museum

Vermont Marble Museum

Location: Proctor, Vt.

The truly unique thing about this restroom, ranking fourth in the 2007 America's Best Restrooms Hall of Fame, is that it's made entirely from marble. The two types of marble that used are White Vermont Marble, think Jefferson Memorial, and Vermont Verde Antique Marble, a rare, unique and highly prized material.

Next: Fandangles'

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Fandangles

Fandangles Restaurant

Location: Flushing, Mich.

The bathroom walls become a mini art gallery, decorated with local and regional art.

Beautiful flowers flank the sink and counter space, and curtains billow over the top of each stall, making Fandangles' fifth in the 2007 Best Restrooms Hall of Fame.

Next: Wendell's Restaurant

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Daks Hall

Wendell's Restaurant

Location: Westerville, Ohio

Wendell's bathroom, winner of the 2006 America's Best Restroom Award, features a classic sports theme and is praised for being neat, clean and having lots of towels and even mouthwash!

Next: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Borgata Hotel

Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Location: Atlantic City, N.J.

In the Borgata's bathrooms, marble floors complement warm wood tones and clean, contemporary stainless steel sinks. Restroom users have their choice of hand towels or using one of the dryers. The Borgata held the fourth spot in the 2006 Best Restrooms Hall of Fame.

Next: Columbia Tower Club

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

ClubCorp Online

Columbia Tower Club

Location: Seattle, WA

Each bathroom stall at the Columbia Tower Club has its own, individual view of the Seattle skyline, enough to award these restrooms second place in the 2005 America's Best Restrooms Hall of Fame.

Every one of the stalls is luxuriously appointed with its own sink, marble counters and floors, and solid brass fixtures.

Next: 3D-GOLD jewelry store

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Vincent Yu, AP

3D-GOLD Jewelry Store

Location: Hong Kong

In 2001, the 3D-GOLD earned two places in the Guinness World Records by constructing the world's "most expensive bathroom," and "most expensive toilet," made almost exclusively out of gold.

The shop owner says he was inspired by the writings of the Russian communist Vladimir I. Lenin, who wanted to build public toilets of gold after the triumph of socialism.

Next: Cafe do Gol

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Antonio Scorza, Getty Images

Cafe do Gol

Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Cafe do Gol is a soccer-themed restaurant-bar-discotheque complex currently under construction and owned by Brazilian soccer star Romario in Rio de Janeiro. Painted on the doors are caricatures of former Brazilian soccer national selection coach Mario Zagallo and his assistant Zico.

Next: CBGB

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

REUTERS

CBGB

Location: New York City (now closed)

This notoriously dirty, grafitti-style bathroom is seen inside the legendary music venue CBGB in New York City, Oct. 14, 2006. CBGB closed on Oct. 15 after 33 years of allowing customers to write on its bathroom walls.

Next: Cherry Nightclub

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Cherry Nightclub

Location: Las Vegas

The men's bathrooms at Rande Gerber's Cherry Nightclub inside the Red Rock Casino are graced with custom cherry-red lip-shaped urinals from designer Meile van Schijndel of Bathroom Mania in the Netherlands. There are also two-way mirrors over the sinks in the adjoining men's and women's restrooms.

Next: Louis Armstrong's House

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Stan Honda, Getty Images

Louis Armstrong's House

Location: Queens, N.Y.

The Louis Armstrong House, at 34-56 107th St. in the Corona, Queens section of New York is completely covered in mirrors and with gold-plated fixtures. The house, the long-time home of acclaimed jazz musician Armstrong and his wife and a National Historic Landmark, has undergone extensive renovations and is now open to the public for tours.

Next: Charmin Temporary Toilets

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Spencer Platt, Getty Images

Charmin Temporary Toilets

Location: Times Sqaure, N.Y.

The doors to the new temporary public restrooms sponsored by Charmin were opened to view in Times Square Nov. 20, 2006 in New York City. The installation includes 20 deluxe restrooms staffed by full time attendants. At the restroom site baby changing stations, stroller parking, tourist information and sitting areas are also available.

Also on AOL: America's Best Colleges 2009

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

21c Museum Hotel

2008 Rank: 2nd Place
Location: Louisville, Kentucky

The men's restroom at this 91-room hotel features a urinal that has a one-way mirror and above the basins, eyes stare back at you. The bathroom also has LCD screens with traveling images of eyes built into mirror above sink.

Next: 3rd Place Winner

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Brio Restaurant

2008 Rank: 3rd Place
Location: Rockford, Illinois

Located in Rockford's River District, Brio has become known as downtown's premiere restaurant and nightspot. Its themed restrooms stand out because its women's bathroom has a Heaven theme while its men's bathroom has a Hell theme. Both restrooms have custom mirrors, sinks, doors and floor, using a wide variety of materials.

Next: 4th Place Winner

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa

2008 Rank: Finalist
Location: Taos, New Mexico

The restrooms of this tranquil spa have an "Earth in Harmony" theme. The walls are covered in real cork from Portugal. The fossilized rock for the hand basins are incredible, with water flowing out the flush spigot when activated by sensors. The floors are made of slate and the wood used on the stalls is African mahogany, known as Sapelli.

Next: Finalist

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Grand Central Station

2008 Rank: Finalist
Location: New York, New York

The recent renovation in Grand Central Terminal in New York reflects the architect's philosophy of designing restrooms that not only befit the grandeur of one our most prized national landmarks, but also a belief in an exceptional design aesthetic with the use of high quality materials: Bottocino marble walls, terrazzo seamless flooring, stainless steel doors, Stony Creek granite partitions and high quality sustainable light fixtures.

Next: Finalist

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Iowa 80 Truck Stop

2008 Rank: Finalist
Location: Walcott, Iowa

The restroom of 'The World's Largest Truck Stop' is themed to reflect service stations from year's past. It includes nostalgic signs and custom tile. The women's restroom is adorned in pink withsigns offering trivia and gender-specific advice.

Next: Finalist

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Jerome Bettis' Grille 36

2008 Rank: Finalist
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Located on Pittsburgh's Riverfront one side of Grille 36 offers an amazing view of Heinz Field while the opposite side looks out to a panoramic view of the Pittsburgh skyline. The sports-themed restroom features quality materials and a one-way mirror, so customers don't miss any of the action while they "take care of business."

Next: Finalist

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

The Montville Inn

2008 Rank: Finalist
Location: Montville, New Jersey

The restrooms of this historic 1770 inn were remodeled in 2007 and feature custom glass fiber reinforced concrete sinks, stone in-laid walls and a mirror with a waterfall and television built into it.

Next: Last Year's Winners

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Signature Room at the 95th

2008 Rank: 4th Place
Location: Chicago, Illinois

Located atop the John Hancock Center the restroom in this contemporary American restaurant offers amazing views of the windy city. You will also find custom woodwork, silver accent pieces and black & white photos from the 1930's.

Next: 5th Place Winner

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

Smith College Museum of Art

2008 Rank: 5th Place
Location: Northampton, Massachusetts

Inspired by the artist-designed restrooms at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the museum invited Ellen Driscoll and Sandy Skoglund to design the women's and men's rooms, respectively, on the lower level. The water-themed restrooms feature hand-painted tiles and etched glass panels depicting sea creatures and plant life.

Next: Finalist

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Rubin Communications

The Hermitage Hotel

2008 Rank: 1st Place
Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Named after Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate this nearly 100-year old luxury hotel includes public art deco-themed restrooms with authentic terrazzo floors, leaded-glass tiles and a shoeshine station.

Next: 2nd Place Winner

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

Best Colleges 2009

U.S News annual list of America's top colleges showcases the best in higher education. From east coast Ivy League schools to west coast Pac-10 schools we countdown the 25 very best colleges.

Top 25 Colleges in America

Related Features

America's Best Bathroom Award
Smart Shopping: Toilets
America's Best Colleges

1 of 25

Top Money Features

Kars 4 Kids

Charity Deceives
Harmful to Credit
Retirement Mistakes
Return Policies
Military Towns
All Special Features

COMMENTS ( 0 )

Newest First

Threaded
Highest Rated
Oldest First
Newest First

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

YOU'LL BE ASKED TO REGISTER OR SIGN IN BEFORE POSTING A COMMENT.

Make a Comment

Comment

Can't see this image?

Skip nav

PERSONAL FINANCE

Bargains
Banking
- Checking Account
- Savings Account
Budget
Calculators
- Auto Loan Calculators
- Budgeting Calculators
- Credit Card Calculators
- College Planning Calculators
- Credit & Debt Calculators
- Mortgage Calculators
- Retirement Calculators
- Savings Calculators
College Finance
Community
Credit
- Credit Cards
- Credit Reports
Deals
Debt
Economizer
- Beat Debt
- Cut Costs
- Make More
- Get Deals
Food
Home
Fraud
- Identity Theft
Insurance
- Car Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Home Insurance
- Life Insurance
Interest Rates
Loans
- Auto Loans
- Home Equity Loans
- Personal Loans
- Student Loans
Mortgages
- Home Equity Loans
- Refinancing
Real Estate
Recalls
Recession
Retirement
- Advice
- 401K
- 403B
- IRA
Saving
Simplification
Specials
- Top 5
- Money Quizzes
- Smart Shopping With Consumer Reports
Taxes
- Tax Advice
- AMT
- Tax Basics
- Tax Credit
- Tax Deduction
- Tax Forms
- Online Tax Filling
Walletpop RSS Feeds

FROM THE BLOG

Ask WalletPop
Buyer Beware
Celebs & Money
Fantastic Freebies
Kids and Money
Loose Change
Ripoffs and Scams
Sex Sells
Stimulate US
The Dolans
Video

INVESTING

Get Quote for:

DailyFinance
Stock Quotes
Stock Charts
Stock Ticker
Portfolio
Stock Screener
Broker Center
Mutual Fund Center
ETF Center
Money
24/7 Wall St.

Financial Glossary

SMALL BUSINESS

Start a Business
Small Business Marketing
Small Business Management
Small Business Finance
Small Business Resources

PERSONAL FINANCE FROM CNNMONEY

5 ways to pump up your income
Buffett's big bet: Trailing behind after lap one
A brief introduction to bond investing
7 tips for buying foreclosures
Nic Cage spent too much: Ex-manager says

More Money Feeds

Ryan MinickNov 23rd 2009 @ 12:00PM Filed Under: Borrowing, Real Estate, Video, The2MortgageGuys, Mortgages, Refinancing, 101 mortgages

When will I be a millionaire?

Your age
Current savings
Monthly savings

Top Money Features

Kars 4 Kids

Charity Deceives
Harmful to Credit
Retirement Mistakes
Return Policies
Military Towns
All Special Features

America's Best Bathrooms 2008

Top Places to Tinkle

Related Features

Jungle Jim's International Market

Related Features

Catch 31

Related Features

Vermont Marble Museum

Related Features

Fandangles Restaurant

Related Features

Wendell's Restaurant

Related Features

Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Related Features

Columbia Tower Club

Related Features

3D-GOLD Jewelry Store

Related Features

Cafe do Gol

Related Features

CBGB

Related Features

Cherry Nightclub

Related Features

Louis Armstrong's House

Related Features

Charmin Temporary Toilets

Related Features

21c Museum Hotel

Related Features

Brio Restaurant

Related Features

El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa

Related Features

Grand Central Station

Related Features

Iowa 80 Truck Stop

Related Features

Jerome Bettis' Grille 36

Related Features

The Montville Inn

Related Features

Signature Room at the 95th

Related Features

Smith College Museum of Art

Related Features

The Hermitage Hotel

Related Features

Related Features

Top Money Features

PERSONAL FINANCE

FROM THE BLOG

INVESTING

SMALL BUSINESS

PERSONAL FINANCE FROM CNNMONEY

What you need to know about the mortgage process

Go for Less: Cruising on the new Carnival Dream

Let us now pray: Church mortgage delinquencies on the rise

Oprah retiring? Not likely

When will I be a millionaire?

Top Money Features

Headlines From WalletPop Partners

More Great Sites