With such beautiful beaches and nature preserves, it’s easy to understand why Sanibel Island wins a lot of awards. But we’ve just added one that’s a little bit different; what some might call a tad goosey-“loo”sey.
The “Learning Lavatory” at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island was rated top restroom in the country on the basis of the large images of wildlife that grace stall doors, a manatee sculpture made of recycled tires just outside the entrance and additional sculptures and educational signage throughout.
The competition, sponsored by Cintas, worked as follows: Americans nominated the most lavish bathrooms in the country by submitting photos accompanied by a description of their favorite facility’s outstanding qualities. Cintas then narrowed the selection pool down to 10 finalists based on criteria such as cleanliness, innovation, and unique design elements. Between August and October, the public voted for their favorite contender. This year’s finalists ranged from hotel bathrooms in Hollywood, California, to restrooms at New York City’s Bryant Park.
“While the contest is a bit quirky and fun, it also promotes a serious message: restrooms matter to the public, and how a business maintains its facilities is a direct reflection of its commitment to customer service,” Sean Mulcahey, marketing manager for facility services at Cintas.
We agree with Ding Darling Park Ranger Toni Westland, who said “I guarantee, there’s no other restrooms like these in the world that are so devoted to wildlife conservation and environmental awareness.”
So there you have it: Another reason for travelers to enjoy Sanibel … if only for a few moments.
P.S. For those who may be on the curious side, click here for a list of this year’s contest finalists!
