Salt Lake's Grand America leads the pack in voting for best public restroom

SALT LAKE CITY — Halfway through the public voting in the ninth annual "America's Best Public Restroom Contest," the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City holds the No. 1 spot.

However, contest officials report the voting to be very close. Online voting ends Aug. 31 at www.bestrestroom.com.

Located at 555 S. Main, the Grand America boasts Italian Carrera marble, bronze and crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling commodes, inlaid African Anigre wood and hand-painted walls in its restrooms.

This is the first time Salt Lake or Utah has had a finalist in the unusual national contest.

The Grand America is a 24-story hotel with 775 guest rooms, including 295 suites, and is the flagship property of The Grand America Hotels & Resorts, owned by Earl Holding.

The Fountain on Locust in St. Louis, with its hand-painted murals, ornate fixtures and designer mirrors, currently holds the No. 2 spot. Bryant Park in New York is third with Beaux Arts design, a full-time attendant, freshly cut flowers, scented oils and electronic seat covers in its restrooms.

While the 10 finalists are all unique, they have one thing in common — all are exceptionally clean.

The winner, announced in September, will receive a plaque of recognition and a place in the America's Best Restroom "Hall of Fame" section of the program's website.

— Lynn Arave