by Brianna Crandall — August 11, 2014—Cintas Canada’s Best Restroom Contest is back for a fifth year of “fancy, funky and always functional washrooms.” Cintas says it understands the importance of a clean, well-maintained washroom for customers/clients and employees alike, and created the Best Restroom Contest in 2010 to honor businesses across Canada that combine good hygiene with functionality and exceptional style in their public restrooms.
“This contest is fun, but it also conveys a critical message that restroom hygiene matters — for good health and good business,” said Senior Marketing Manager Leslie Molin. The company’s team of survey editors has reviewed the nominations for the best washroom facilities in the nation, and is soliciting votes from the public to decide which of the five finalists will be crowned “Canada’s Best Restroom.”
Last year’s winner was Valleyview Shell Super Station, a gas station in northern Alberta, whose victory Cintas says proves that Canada’s Best Restroom can be found anywhere. Photos of Valleyview and the 2013 top nominees are available on the Cintas Canada Hall of Fame 2013 Web page.
The contest Web site takes visitors on a photographic tour of each facility and encourages the public to choose their favorite. The 2014 Finalists for Cintas Canada’s Best Restroom Contest, along with Cintas Canada’s comments on the décor, are:
Patria, Toronto, Ontario
In sharp contrast to Spanish-inspired brown and red hues that string the dining room walls at Patria, the washroom features clean white marble from ceiling to floor, and simple elegant fixtures. Golden faucets and mirror accents give the washroom a regal atmosphere, adding to the overall European experience. Restaurant patrons reportedly cannot wait to take a seat on one of Patria’s thrones, fit for a king (or queen).
Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta
Among giraffes, hippos, lions and gorillas sit the Destination Africa washrooms at the Calgary Zoo. The park takes visitors across the globe, from Africa to Eurasia, with lavatories to match in each locale. After a trek through the tropical rainforest and a stroll through the savannah, guests head to the hut to clean up and get out of the African sun. Each circular hut serves as a restroom, complete with wall-to-wall tribal décor for a true glimpse into African culture.
Planet Hollywood, Niagara Falls, Ontario
The glamourous décor of the Planet Hollywood restaurant reminds guests of their favorite Hollywood classics, and the experience continues with a visit to their flashy washroom. The ladies’ room mirrors are “framed” with a pair of giant, hot pink, zebra print sunglasses, turning every woman into a star with a glance at her reflection. Meanwhile, in the men’s room, guys are doing a double take when they see what is staring back at them. Cobalt blue sharks open wide to reveal mirrors between their terrifying teeth. Both loos are lined with black and white tile and glass-tiled stall doors.
Shaw Club Hotel and Spa, Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Style and radiance come together in the lavish restroom for this five-star facility. Guests entering the ladies’ room are greeted by a modern glass infinity sink and simple stainless steel fixtures. The stalls feature large glass doors, which fog up for privacy when the door is locked. Cintas explains the science behind it: sandwiched between the two panels of glass is a mixture of polymer and liquid crystals. A constant electrical current keeps the crystals in line and the glass transparent. But when the door handle is locked, the current is stopped, the crystals fall, and the glass looks clouded.
Vancouver Airport (YVR), Vancouver, British Columbia
Located in the C-Pier, Domestic Terminal of YVR, travelers find a clean, modern place to freshen up during their journeys. The washroom walls are covered in shades of blue, red, and yellow mosaic tiles, and wave-shaped blue flooring winds down the curved corridor leading guests to their choice of bathroom stalls. White tile surrounds the hands-free sinks and towel dispensers, creating a cohesive and modern atmosphere that is sure to leave a lasting impression, says Cintas.
The public is invited to show its support by casting an online ballot for a favorite washroom now through October as the top five compete to secure the most votes and earn the title of “Cintas Canada’s Best Restroom.” The winner of the contest will be revealed during a nationally publicized media event this fall, where the winner will be awarded $2,500 in Cintas facility services.
