Looking for Canada's best restroom

TORONTO—Where is the best loo in Canada?

Cintas Corporation plans to have the answer to this question in September.

The supplier of restroom supplies and other products used in the foodservice and lodging industries has announced the names of the five finalists in its Canada’s Best Restroom contest.

The top facility will be announced when Internet votes from the public are tallied after Aug. 31. People can make their selections after taking a photographic tour of each of the final five on the website www.bestrestrom.com. Three of the finalists are in Toronto.

The Spice Route Asian Bistro & Bar has an “eclectic Asian décor, exposed stone walls and rich coloured tiles, overlooking a private garden oasis,” says a Cintas release.

People using this washroom can gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows to take in a view of a small courtyard, which is closed so no one can come into it and peer inside the loo.

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen has hand-painted murals, designer fixtures, as well as walls and floors of slate. The restaurant made the news when it promoted its unisex bathroom as a place to have sex in celebration of Valentine’s Day this year.

The other Toronto finalist is the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, which features designer fixtures, mosaic tile and everything operating hands-free.

Two Vancouver finalists are The Shangri-La Hotel and Cactus Club Café. The former has private washrooms with two-storey ceilings, crystal chandeliers, lighted mirrors, hardwood walls, mosaic tile and designer fixtures.

At the Cactus club, there’s padded furniture, televisions, hardwood walls and smoked glass, floor-to-ceiling stall doors.

Cintas said its first launched the contest in the United States in 2002 “to honour businesses that place high value on hygiene and exceptional style in their public restrooms.”