News, Tips & Offers delivered to your inbox.

RSS

February 27, 2008

travel tip:

The Girl’s Room

Now, I’m not one to normally get all scatological. In fact, I completely shy away from this sort of talk. But there’s a reality of traveling: It can often be a challenge to find a clean (and free) loo. Here are some secrets to finding the best.

My fail-safe, always go-to is the lobby of fancy hotels. Four- and five-star properties have fantastically clean facilities and fabu amenities like heated hand towels and Molton Brown products.

Now, in order for this tip to work, you’ve got to pick the right hotel. In my experience, it’s best to stick with big-name, flagship chains like W, Marriott, Hilton, Westin, and my top pick, the Four Seasons. The trick is to look like you belong there, which is easy, since the people staying at the hotel are visitors too. Another hint: Restrooms are always located next to the public phones.

Discount names and second-line properties (think: ExecuStay and the Quality brand) may be a little less user-friendly. And avoid übercool boutique hotels and chains like Ian Schrager properties, the Thompson group and the Standard hotels. They usually have velvet-rope hot spots, so doormen often ask for room keys upon entry. That happened to me in the City of Angels, once at the Standard Downtown LA and another at the Mondrian in West Hollywood (little did I know that a pre-meltdown Britney Spears was at the popular SkyBar).

I also shy away from fast food places, except when I’m traveling abroad. The Golden Arches, the Green Mermaid and the King all have a certain cache in other parts of the world, which translates into clean, western-style facilities, no purchase necessary.

Posted by Jenna at 12:07 p.m.

tags:

•  
• Travel tips