America's Best Restroom 2008

Historic Hotel Wins 7th Annual CINTAS contest

CINCINNATI, OH, August 27, 2008 – The finest restroom in America is in the five-star Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee - says the Internet public who cast online ballots in the 7th annual “America’s Best Restroom” contest presented by Cincinnati-based Cintas Corporation, a provider of restroom hygiene products and services.

Photo: Hermitage Hotel

“The important message here is restroom hygiene matters - for good health and good business,” said Cintas Senior Marketing Manager Keith Hartman. “Cintas is proud to honor The Hermitage Hotel, and we congratulate all of our participants this year.”

The 2008 contest attracted nominations from a wide cross-section of businesses, including restaurants, hotels and casinos.  Five finalists were selected based on exceptional hygiene, style and open access to the public.Ten of thousands of votes were cast at the program’s web site, which produced the following results:

1. The Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, TN
2. 21C Museum, Louisville, KY
3. Brio, Rockford, IL
4. The Signature Room at the 95th, Chicago IL
5. Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton, MA

Among the remaining finalists, those placing in sixth through tenth place are as follows: El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa in Taos, New Mexico; Grand Central Terminal in New York, New York; Jerome Bettis’ grille 36 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; The Montville Inn in Montville, New Jersey and Iowa 80 Truck Stop in Walcott, Iowa.

Photo: Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel received the coveted “America’s Best Restroom” plaque of recognition from Cintas during a special presentation today, and secured its place in the “America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame” found at www.bestrestroom.com.

“From the architecture and room furnishings to exceptional customer service, The Hermitage Hotel has an uncompromising commitment to excellence,” said Greg Sligh, Hermitage Hotel President and Managing Director. “This philosophy defines everything in the hotel – including our distinctive Art Deco men’s room, which has long been known as Nashville’s most unique and elegant restroom. It is an honor for this whimsically distinctive facility to be recognized nationally as well.”

The men’s restroom, located outside the Oak Bar on the hotel’s lower level, maintains the 5-star elegance of the hotel, which was designed in 1910 to symbolize Nashville’s emergence as a major Southern city. The Art Deco restroom, which was remodeled in 1930, features lime green and black leaded-glass tiles, lime green fixtures, an authentic terrazzo floor and a two-seat shoeshine station. Since that time, the restroom has been the setting for music videos, business and political negotiations, as well as, believe it or not, wedding photos.

Photo: David Wright Photography

The Cintas Corporation created the Best Restroom Award in 2001 to honor businesses across the country that maintain exceptional hygiene, with style, in their public restrooms. Previous winners have included restrooms at Notre Dame University; The Grand Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi; Kohler Art Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; the Fort Smith, Arkansas Airport; Wendell’s Restaurant in Westerville, Ohio and, in 2007, Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio.