For the second yr in a row, an airport has received the title of America’s Finest Restroom in a contest celebrating public restrooms that aren’t solely dependable, but additionally have attraction, handy options or uncommon decor.
Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall Worldwide Airport (BWI) and its newly renovated, amenity-rich restrooms claimed the throne within the America’s Finest Restroom 2023 competitors. The airport was one among 10 finalists chosen – and that is no small feat.
The annual competitors sponsored by Cintas travels the nation seeking bathrooms with distinctive, clear, visually interesting, purposeful and modern design components. He then pits 10 of the most well liked rest room beauties in opposition to one another in a public showdown.
The BWI profitable restrooms are situated in Halls B, C and D. They’re brilliant and spacious, with home windows that present each pure gentle and privateness.
Every restroom set contains welcome options and facilities corresponding to touchless fixtures, full-height stalls and doorways, extra house for storing rolling luggage, and purple and inexperienced gentle occupancy indicators for stalls . Sensors alert surveillance employees when provides have to be restocked, and there are seating areas the place vacationers can wait for his or her companions.
The brand new BWI restrooms additionally characteristic digital signage on the entrance indicating present stall availability, in addition to particular person breastfeeding rooms, grownup altering rooms and household help.
“We’re honored to be acknowledged by Cintas and by competitors voters for our dedication to offering a optimistic passenger expertise and distinctive services,” mentioned Ricky Smith, government director and CEO of BWI. A declaration. “Passengers think about restrooms to be the primary amenity in an airport. That’s why we work so exhausting to offer inventive, clear and welcoming restrooms to make journey extra pleasant.”
Along with bragging rights and a coveted spot in America’s Finest Rest room Corridor of Fame, BWI’s prime prize comes with $2,500 price of services or products to assist to maintain profitable bathrooms clear.
Past the BWI, this yr’s finalists included public restrooms at a dive bar, a resort, a public relaxation space, eating places, a craft brewery, a ski resort and a lightship.
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Airports in nice form
Final yr, in a shock exhibition, the bathrooms of two airports… Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR)) And Tampa Worldwide Airport (TPA) – have been within the operating. TPA took prime honors for its first set of renovated restrooms that includes massive Florida-themed graphics and the airport’s “cockpit” idea that locations a paper towel dispenser and trash can inside attain of every sink and sensor-activated cleaning soap dispenser.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Worldwide Airport (MSP) received first place in 2016 for the renovation of the primary set of bathrooms as a part of a 100-set renovation undertaking that was to be accomplished in 2025.
These restrooms embody ready areas and amenity facilities with flight info and emergency gadgets, in addition to mosaic murals at entrances and Minnesota-themed paintings.
In 2005, Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) in Fort Smith, Arkansas, took first place for its persistently clear restrooms, that includes “stunning decor,” dried flower preparations, restrooms and automatic sink taps, in addition to different facilities.
You’ll be able to see each bathroom that has landed within the Corridor of Fame right here.
The 2023 finalists
BWI had some very fascinating competitors among the many finalists within the America’s Finest Restroom 2023 competitors.
Restrooms in Huntsville, Utah’s Snowbasin Resort – one of many oldest working ski resorts within the nation – characteristic Italian Carrara marble, bronze and crystal chandeliers, non-public stalls, painted partitions by hand and gentle towels.
Framed portraits of rabbits cowl the partitions of Rabbit Gap restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina. A rose backyard seems to develop from the ceiling and excerpts from an “Alice in Wonderland” audiobook play over a speaker.
On New York’s Frying Pan Lightship – which was inbuilt 1929 and is now on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations – naturally there’s a nautical-themed restroom. This options riveted sheet steel, gleaming wooden, brilliant fixtures above every cabin and sink, and painted by hand photographs of the historic ship.
