Comments on: 5 star toilets on your travels

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:25:50 +0000

Thanks for the extra tips to all – and Terry, I’ll keep your list for my next NYC trip!

By: Terry Trucco/Overnight New York

Terry Trucco/Overnight New York — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:01:39 +0000

Nice post! As an addition, here’s an item I did a short while back on the five best restrooms in New York’s Times Square, an area that’s dense with hotels but not with lobby restrooms you’d necessarily want to use. These, however, are quite nice.

http://blog.overnightnewyork.com/the-five-best-hotel-bathrooms-in-times-square/

By: Sonja Holverson

Sonja Holverson — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:10:52 +0000

When I worked in San Francisco and needed to “powder my nose” in between appointments or during lunch time, I only frequented the best powder rooms, especially on Union Square.

Now that I live in Lausanne I find myself frequenting the 19th century Belle Epoque palace hotels for such activities.

You’re right about the attitude and the clothes. Even then security is getting very tight in hotels around the world. I also carry business cards in my pocket and tell them I’m meeting someone in the lobby.

Best to you,
@SonjaSwissLife

By: Shiela Acenas

Shiela Acenas — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:18:32 +0000

I like your advice! Though I never tried it yet. I’m very particular in using public toilet. I don’t want to pee if the toilet is not clean and don’t have tissue. Most of the time I use coffee shop’s comfort rooms like Starbucks. Next time, I know now where to go.

By: Leslie (Downtown Traveler)

Leslie (Downtown Traveler) — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:35:27 +0000

It’s all about the confidence! Great tips for scoring a nice restroom while traveling.

By: james willcox

james willcox — Tue, 31 May 2011 19:48:47 +0000

Andy,
Why stop at Hotels? I have availed myself of the facilities in Bars, Restaurants, Sports Centres, Universities and Large Multinational Corporation Receptions (highly recommended) and I cannot remember being challenged. It takes a pretty tough jobsworth to turn down a human being in need of relief.
I agree that you need to have an air of confidence and my advice is not to be afraid to ask where the toilets are. After all, a guest would not know either.
Congrats on 2 years at the top…

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 31 May 2011 08:48:58 +0000

Gwen, I agree that being a little older helps us to get certain privileges – as it should

Ian and Wendy, likewise on the McD’s toilets – you’re very kind to them with the ice cream as well (or to yourselves!). It’s interesting how some McDonalds have started using door codes for their toilets to prevents the likes of us taking advantage of their facilities. Shame on them

By: Ian and Wendy Sewell

Ian and Wendy Sewell — Mon, 30 May 2011 21:37:31 +0000

I’m pretty sure bathrooms account for about 95% of the times we’ve gone into McDonald’s… We figure that it’s only right to buy an ice cream to make it up to them…

By: Gwen McCauley

Gwen McCauley — Sun, 29 May 2011 11:27:34 +0000

Hey Andy – A very important topic, for sure. I’ve been using chic hotel loos for a very long time. If I’m exhausted from my wanderings, especially if I’m in a large, noisy city, I also find it lovely to stop and take a seat in their lobby, do a bit of people watching while I rest my weary bones. Did that recently in Seville in a very swank place. Nobody was in the least concerned. Mind you, it’s likely one of the advantages of a few wrinkles and many gray hairs: staff assume you have a right to be there!

You know that I’m a huge fan of all things Portuguese. One of the things I like about that country is how readily available public washrooms are – and how incredibly clean they always are.

Still and all, there is something about the rarified air of a 5-star abode that soothes better than anything else!

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Sun, 29 May 2011 07:19:06 +0000

Thanks for all the comments. I’m glad I’m not alone in this regular quest. Let’s hope the hotel doormen of this world are not reading this post