Friday Funny: No Otter Restroom Comes Close

It’s official: The otters, along with all the other aquatic critters at Scottsdale's OdySea Aquarium, can now brag that their home has hooked America’s Best Restroom® Title.

The OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, AZ has been named the winner of Cintas Corporation’s 16th annual America’s Best Restroom® Contest. Located in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, OdySea Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the Southwest, spanning 200,000 square feet. The two-level, state-of-the-art facility holds more than 2 million gallons of water and accommodates up to 10,000 visitors daily. With over 50 exhibits and 500 different species, there are more than 30,000 animals that call OdySea home.

“From Penguin Point to our SeaTrek® Helmet Diving, we have countless amazing attractions, and now we can add our restrooms to that list,” said Dr. Amram Knishinsky, founder, OdySea Aquarium. “We’re proud to accept the award and are extremely grateful to everyone who voted for us.”

OdySea Aquarium Cintas America’s Best Restroom
You can wash up while checking out the sharks in one of OdySea Aquarium’s prize-winning bathrooms. (Photo: Mark Skalny)

As the winner, the OdySea Aquarium will receive the royal restroom treatment from Cintas. This includes $2,500 in facility services or restroom cleaning to keep the facility’s restrooms Ready for the Workday®.

The other finalists in the 2017 America’s Best Restroom Contest include:

OdySea Aquarium Cintas America’s Best Restroom
(Photo: Mark Skalny)
  • Carmel Beach: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  • Doughnut Plant: New York, NY
  • Elsa: Brooklyn, NY
  • La Boucherie on 71: Los Angeles, CA
  • Off the Waffle: Portland, OR
  • Palmetto Brewery: Charleston, SC
  • Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel: Chicago, IL
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: San Francisco, CA
  • Sinema Restaurant + Bar: Nashville, TN

“This fun, engaging contest shines a spotlight on trending toilets while also conveying a critical message that restroom hygiene impacts the success of a business,” said Sean Mulcahey, Marketing Manager, Cintas. “This year, the local community of Scottsdale rallied together and showed that there is value in a restroom that’s creative and memorable for guests.”

The 10 finalists were selected based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality and unique design elements. You can nominate your favorite restroom for the 2018 contest here.