Perfect Potties: America's Best Bathrooms

(CBS)  What makes a public restroom great?

Cintas, a leading maker of uniforms for businesses, asked that question seriously, and felt it was worth giving credit where credit is due by handing out the "America's Best Restroom Award."

And "The Early Show" featured this year's top four Friday. They were picked, among other things, for their style, elegance, and view:

1. Winner: Shoji Tabuchi Theatre
Branson, Missouri
The entertainment at Shoji Tabuchi's Theatre goes beyond the stage and into the restroom. Visit the ladies' powder room and you've entered the lap of luxury. This restroom boasts wainscoting, live cut orchids at every granite and onyx pedestal sink, stained glass, chandeliers and a ceiling reproduced from the 1890's Empire Period.

The gentlemen's lounge is a treat as well, with black lion head sinks imported from Italy, black leather chairs, a marble fireplace, and yes, even a billiard room with a hand carved mahogany pool table.

Top Restroom Features:
- Marble fireplaces
- Hand-carved mahogany pool table
- Antiques
- Lion's head sinks
- Leather chairs
- Stained glass
- Chandeliers

2. The Tremont Plaza Hotel
Baltimore, Maryland
The Tremont Plaza Hotel, built in 1866, has entertained stars of the stage, the field, the diamond and the big screen. This Baltimore treasure extensively incorporates the use of imported marble in its public lobby restroom, which is finished with grand columns and chandeliers. It's a must-see Maryland attraction!

Top Restroom Features:
- Extensive use of imported marble
- Grand columns
- Chandeliers
- Hand-carved woodwork

3. Radio City Music Hall
New York, New York
Radio City Music Hall is the largest indoor theatre, not just in the United States, but in the world. Over 300 million people have come to Radio City to enjoy stage shows, movies, concerts and special events - which means there has been a lot of traffic through this very public restroom. Designed in the early 1930's, the washroom features classic tile work, art deco furnishings and unique materials, including cork- covered walls.

Top Restroom Features:
- 1930's architecture
- Art Deco Lounge
- Cork Covered Walls

4. Zeffirino Ristorante -- Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada
Established in 1939 and transported to Las Vegas in 1999, this restaurant at the Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino offers authentic Italian cuisine amongst limestone columns and Venetian-style windows, overlooking the Grand Canal. Luxury continues with a limestone water fountain and private restroom suites!

Top Restroom Features:
- Custom-made mosaic tile artwork
- Carra marble floors
- Venetian plaster
- Murano Glass chandeliers and washbasins
- Limestone water fountain
- Private restroom suites

[colmert]

I personally don't care about wainscoting, live cut orchids, and elaborate marble tile work. Give me a bathroom that has private ceiling-to-floor gapless partitions - like those found in Western Europe - and I'll be a happy camper.

Carol Olmert
Author, "Bathrooms Make Me Nervous"
ww.bathroomsmakemenervous.com

[drputt45]

Don't forget to flush!

[SkirtLifter]

It's a very important story! I could not have made it thru the weekend without this luxurious lavatory list. I've got a turtle head pokin' out!

[PLS8395]

And the caption under the photo is wrong! It says that Branson is in "Miss." which is Mississippi, when it should say "Mo." for Missouri. Where do they find these people?