America's hoity-toitiest toilet might be right here in Baltimore.
The high-ceilinged, marble-and-columned ladies' restroom in the Tremont Grand has made it to the top 10 in the America's Best Restroom contest sponsored by Cintas Corp. of Cincinnati, a uniform and bathroom supply company.
Jenny Fordham, marketing manager for the conference and banquet facility in the 200 block of N. Charles St., said Tremont officials were notified last week of the distinction, which was made public Monday.
Looking as though it had been lifted off the Titanic, the ground-floor restroom features nine types of marble, including a patterned marble floor. It had once been the exclusive domain of gentleman when the building was home to the Maryland Masonic Temple.
Callers can tend to their usual ablutions in rarefied air surrounded by Edwardian-era gold sconces, flower urns and marble sinks, while resting a moment or two on the various gold tufted slipper chairs that are stationed throughout the room.
David Brandt, survey editor for Rubin Communications Group in Virginia Beach, Va., that is managing the contest, explained there are three criteria in order to be nominated:
"It must be a public bathroom and impeccably clean. It also has to be memorable, fun or elegant," Brandt said Monday.
Fordham said a family holding a recent wedding at the Tremont Grand were so impressed with the restroom that they called and had it nominated for this year's contest.
The public can vote for the best restroom online through July 31 at www.bestrestroom.com. The winner will be announced in August.
Royal flushes
The 10 finalists in America's Best Restroom contest are:
* Shoji Tabuchi Theatre, Branson, Mo.
* Radio City Music Hall, New York
* Zeffirino Ristorante, Venetian Resort, Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
* Canlis Restaurant, Seattle
* The Tremont Grand, Baltimore
* The Tampa Theatre, Tampa, Fla.
* Macy's Department Store, Union Square, women's 6th floor restroom, San Francisco
* The Drake Hotel, Palm Court ladies room, Chicago
* NOVA 535, St. Petersburg, Fla.
* The Fox Theatre, Detroit
