Two airport restrooms in the running to take the throne of America’s Best Restroom
With travel back on the table, the challenge of finding a clean public restroom is back on the list of things travelers worry about when they’re in airports, restaurants, museums, parks, highways and attractions.
The good news is that there are public restrooms out there that are not only clean, but thoughtfully designed, stylish and, sometimes, very quirky. And for 20 years the Cintas-sponsored America’s Best Restroom contest has put the most innovative and hygienic public restrooms on a throne.
This year, we’re pleased to see newly upgraded restrooms at two airports among the 10 finalists: an all-gender restroom suite at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and the colorful, new locally themed restrooms at Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Potty parity at EWR
At Newark Liberty International Airport, the challenge was how to expand restroom capacity in a cramped 1970s-era terminal departure lounge.
An all-gender restroom, a first for any Port Authority of New York and New Jersey facility, was the answer.
“It’s also one of the first of its kind designed and constructed at a major U.S. airport,” said James Gill, general manager of the Port Authority’s New Jersey airports.
The new restroom configuration offers “potty parity” and privacy for all users while expanding the number of users who can be accommodated. There are areas where traveling companions can wait and where passengers can reorganize.
There’s also imagery integrated into the architectural glass and tile designed to establish a sense of place. Sound and scent complement the visual experience to help create a calming environment.
“Developing restrooms that are clean and customer-friendly, and that offer a truly innovative design, is an important part of the agency’s effort to provide the best possible customer experience at all of its facilities, including Newark Liberty,” said Gill.
Toilets at TPA
This is the second time Tampa International Airport has been a finalist in Cintas' America’s Best Restroom contest.
In 2013, TPA made the cut for 20 renovated restrooms in the Main Terminal. This time TPA is being recognized for the newly reconstructed Airside C restrooms. Half have been refurbished recently; the other half should be completed and open before Thanksgiving.
The nominated restrooms at Tampa International Airport welcome travelers to a uniquely Florida experience. Elements include large graphics and natural, deep blue stone with undulating veining intended to be reminiscent of waves crashing along the shore.
“We know from the many surveys and passenger experience studies airports conduct annually that restrooms are a top factor in customer satisfaction,” said TPA spokesperson Emily Nipps. “It’s often the first place that travelers stop when they land in Tampa, or the last before they depart.”
For that reason, said Nipps, “TPA puts a lot of pride and effort into not only building beautiful restroom spaces that reflect the colors and vibe of the Tampa Bay region but maintaining and cleaning them to meet the highest standards of hospitality.”
Other restrooms in the running
One other restroom finalist for the 2022 America’s Best Restroom is Tori Tori, a Japanese pub in Orlando, Florida.
While not in an airport, the restroom design is inspired by the green leaf wallpaper and the green restroom scene from the 2004 biopic “The Aviator,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio as billionaire tycoon and aviator Howard Hughes.
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The space has dark green hues, light touches of marbling, floral displays, and gold accented mirrors and faucets.
The seven other restrooms vying to be America’s Best Restroom this year include the self-cleaning restrooms at North Hollywood Recreation Center that have touchless toilet tissue dispensers, soap dispensers, faucets and hand dryers.
Also on the list is a prohibition-themed restroom in Stone Mountain, Georgia, that has an old whiskey barrel for a sink and a beer handle tap for the water.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) was awarded America’s Best Restroom award in 2016. Last year, Two Cities Pizza in Mason, Ohio, took the throne. Its winning restroom was outfitted as a New York subway platform and train car, with station stops playing over the speaker, authentic subway handles above the sinks and graffiti on the walls.
Take a seat and vote
Cintas invites the public to help choose this year’s winner. Voting is open through Aug. 31, 2022.
The winner receives $2,500 in facility services and restroom bragging rights.
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| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.