we check the restroom

Coffs Harbour YHA Hostel, Coffs Harbour, Australia

2006-05-13T06:00:00.000+02:00

Where we are: Coffs Harbour is one of the smaller, but most intersting cities on the Eastern Coast of Australia. It offers nice beaches, a vivid nightlife and a brand-new YHA-Hostel. What you get: The hostel lies very close to the beaches and has a lot to offer - surf board rental, a washing room, a well equipped kitchen and - a very friendly staff. Despite the size (around 100 beds), we felt very comfortable at this house. The security is exemplary (you open all doors only with your security card). We paid 60 A$ for a double.

Rating: The restrooms were very clean and an agreable place to be. No graffiti, no damaged facilities. High standard and well maintained - 3,5 of 5 golden toilets! [Technorati Tags: Restroom - Bath - toilet - Australia - Coffs - YHA]

Hippo Lodge, Durban, South Africa

2006-05-06T05:42:00.000+02:00

Where we are:
Hippo Lodge is an island of tranquility in the busy and overhelming atmosphere of South African port Durban. Located on a hill, far away of trouble, noise and bad mood.

What you get:
The lodge, in other words a backpacker hostel, is one of these south african surprises you will like - lovely decorated huts, a pool and a bar, and a fortress secure home. A double is yours for 15 US$, and if you have a small car, you can park inside. A supermarket is close, but the beach front is too far away to go by feet.

Rating: All the restrooms are shared and most times you have to leave your hut / room and go outside to get there. You won't regret it as there are spacious, toilet paper providing and invitating to take a shower. The design keeps space with the overall theme at this lodge - yes, you guessed it, hippos. This is good average and therefore 3 of 5 golden toilets!

tags technorati : restroom sanitary bath hostel Durban travel backpacker

Café 21, Dornbirn, Austria

2006-04-29T06:21:00.000+02:00

Where we are:
In the biggest city of Vorarlberg, the western province of Austria, Dornbirn, we found a nice small café in the center of the town for brunch: Café 21

What you get:
You can have a small selection of different breakfast, ranging from basic ('classic') to american. I chose the 'paris' variation with croissants and big capuccino (Euro 6.20). Oh lá lá. To be a little decadent, we ordered also a glas Prosecco for all of us, which is Euro 2.90 (for one!).

Rating: Besides the food & drinks: the atmosphere was pretty relaxed, you have a smoker and non-smoker section, the interieur was modern and stylish. Overall, Café 21 made a good impression to me. The restrooms offered little space, but the wash bowl was large, clean and smell-less. No extremes to both sides, nothing spectacular like this post: 3 of 5 golden toilets

Panino, Vienna, Austria

2006-04-21T07:38:00.000+02:00

Where we are:
Right in the center of the city, where the expensive shopping happens: the Graben in Vienna. Just few steps away in a sidestreet, the miniature coffee shop Panino hides away.

What you get:
A friend told me about their delicious panini, kind of a toasted baguette with cheese and ham and what you want to bite in. She was right, and the capuccino for 3 Euro was expensive as well but not a surprise at this location.

Rating: The panini disappeared, and I went to test the true friendliness of this house. The restroom was a house of horror - bad smell, ugly and sprayed interieur, small; the only thing I touched was my phone cam. This was the last panini I ate here - the owner definitely just wants your money!
2 of 5 golden toilets!

Café Europa, Zollergasse, Vienna, Austria

2006-04-16T08:59:00.000+02:00

Where we are:
Nearby the main shopping street (the Mariahilferstrasse) in Vienna, the Zollergasse and other sidestreets retain some nice shops and bars. One of them is Europa, a popular place for twens and students.

What you get:
Europa is a smoker's place - after five minutes your clothes are soaked with smoke. It can be loud, it can be very crowded, and you could probably wait for your order longer than you usually do. But it has atmosphere, something unique, an intersting public and has food also after midnight.
I tried the Wiener Schnitzel, a typical Austrian meat, and I was quite happy due to the size and my big hungry stomach. A friend went for a Gluehwein, another for a regular white wine. Both acceptable and not overpriced. I paid 7,60 Euro for the Schnitzel, and that's ok (Salad was included).

Rating: Now at the next level of customer care, I entered the restroom. Puh! Dark is too bright to tell, and the smell was one of the fierce mode. When the guy pissing right next to me smoked the full length of his cigarette without touching it, then I said that's a special restroom culture they have right there. Could be a lot better, but it's special, somehow. Try it at 2 of 5 smoky toilets!

Hostel Vi luz y entre, Buenos Aires, Argentina

2006-04-09T17:17:00.000+02:00

Where we are:
In the most beautiful city of the world, Buenos Aires, Constitucion is on of the central quarters of the capital. Through a very shy entrance, 'Vi luz y entre' opens the door to a secret treasure - a small and fine hostel for the budget traveller.
What you get:
This hostel has one of the friendliest management and staff to imagine. Besides that and more help to make your way around the barios of Buenos Aires, the hostel offers you a nice patio, pleasant rooms and a modern designed living room with free internet access.
A double costs 20 US$ the night (per room), breakfast included. This is our favourite hostel in Buenos Aires as it is centrally situated and very quiet.

Rating: the restrooms are shared and have all you need - hot water, soap, toilet paper. Furthermore, there are very clean and smell fresh. The overall-design of the hostel is likely to be found in the restrooms too, that's why we give 3,5 of 5 golden toilets!

On the Rocks, Bloubergstrand, South Africa

2006-04-01T08:29:00.000+02:00

Where we are: Where: North of Cape Town, beach Town Bloubergstrand is a refuge for the downtown sick - endless beaches, endless winds, and a lot of sea food. What you get: The Sea-front restaurant 'on the rocks' offers splendid food on and views to the table. Great tuna steaks, marvellous mussel soup. And all at very affordable prices (the tuna steak for 10 Euro) and beautiful restaurant deco including very friendly staff.

Rating: the restrooms are somewhat awesome - seat desinfection, same design and detail love as in the eating room, great smell, space and feeling. 5 of 5 rocky toilets!

Hotel Preciado, Ascuncion, Paraguay

2006-03-08T18:17:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Hotel Preciado was a cheap but valuable lodging experience in the heart of Paraguay's capital Ascuncion.

What you get:
The good message: there is a pool in the yard, something essential when temperatures go well behind 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The better message: the price for a double (US$ 20), including a breakfast, TV, AirCon and a fridge. The best: it's all but central, everything in close distance. Any wishes?

Rating: The rooms have own baths and toilets, and there are very very clean, and spacious, but without window. The design is a little bit conservative, and it was quite dark as one of the lights didn't work. That's 3,5 of 5 golden toilets!

Chinese Restaurant Panda, Lustenau, Austria

2006-02-15T07:29:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
In the border town of Lustenau, one of the many China restaurants, Panda, attracts many Swiss guests and Austrian folk. Saturdays can be hard to get a parking slot, not to say a table. Call ahead.
What you get:
The food is rich and always far too much. The restaurant itself is spacious, the staff friendly and their german swiss-like. We tried one of the plates for three, but couldn't finish it off (and we were four persons!): soup, spring rolls, different meat, fried rice and dessert. Nice.

Rating: In between I visited the restrooms, had a hard time to find it, but finally I made it into a chinese pop-chanson-folk concert with sweet air and naked women at the wall. Is this the year of the dog? We paid 51 Euro for the plate, and I smelled better when I came out of the restroom than before, where I found all I needed: soap, hot water, enough room to move. Chinese 3 of 5 golden toilets for the Panda.

Hotel Sao Francisco, Chui, Brazil

2006-02-13T18:34:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
The busy border town between Brazil and Uruguay, Chui, is a nice stop-over when traveling between the two countries - buy cheap whisky and other duty-free goods on Avenida Brazil and stay overnight at one of the many hotels in town. One of them, Hotel Sao Francisco, was our choice.

What you get:
Hotel Sao Francisco in Rua Colombia is close to Avenida Brazil (like most of the other hotels), but a quiet place. A double without breakfast but own bathroom costs US$ 20, including TV and a fan.

Rating: Like the main room, the restroom lacks somewhat of a personality - it is. Just that and not more. The restroom is clean, with fresh towels every morning, has hot warm and a own window. That"s fine for us and the rest of the world - we say 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Camping Turis, Cassino, Brazil

2006-02-12T22:00:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
One of the oldest sea ressorts of Brazil, Cassino (south of Rio Grande and Porto Alegre), is a mass tourism destination for summer guests from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. One of the cheaper places in Town is Camping Turis, where small cabanas can be rent.

What you get:
For 20 Bucks the night, you won´t expect too much. You´re right: small, dusty room, a hell of a bed, small breakfast. But: surprisingly you own a fridge and a own restroom...

Rating: The restrooms are combined with shower, but lack a part of the roof; the electric cables are dangerously partly not isolated! Despite the very friendly camping owner, that´s
1 of 5 electric toilets!

Hotel Austria, Ciudad del Este, Paraguay

2006-02-01T15:39:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
At the border between Paraguay and Brazil, the town of Ciudad del Este is a busy place for shoppers and vendors. There lies the Hotel Austria, a symbol of late European immagration.

What you get:
The Hotel is led by an Austrian-German couple and you will find many things, you will also see in Austria. The best: the breakfast buffet. The excellent: the professionalism. The surprise: the price - a double with TV, AirCon, private bath for 19 US$. Thats good value if you walk the streets at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, dust and dirt. You will love the place and their excellent menue card.

Rating: The private bath is no surprise - very clean, hot water, towels, soap, shampoo, even a bidet is there. As the charme of this restroom is just average, it deserves 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Pousada dos Prazeres, Ilha do Mel, Brazil

2006-01-29T22:41:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
East of Brazilian Port Paranagua, the small island of Ilha do Mel, streches out into the Atlantic Ocean with sandy beaches. One of two dozen pousadas on the island is Pousada dos Prazeres, at the northern beach of fortaleza.

What you get:
First, the island is an ecological reserve - therefore, there are no streets, no cars, no noise. Second, the pousadas are small guesthouses with own restaurant and facilities. So the pousada dos prazeres, which offers doubles at 30 US$ per night, breakfast included as well as the free use of sea kayaks, hammocks and TV. Evervything is beautifully arranged by Suzan, the owner, and her crew, with love for the detail.
The beach bar is at your disposal too, as well as an excellent lunch and dinner buffet.

Rating: All rooms have their own restroom, which is combined with showers. It lecks a little bit the love of the other facilities, but is well maintained, clean, supplied with hot water. Maybe soap and towels would be nice to have, that´s why the pousada receives 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Hotel Litoral, Paranaguá, Brazil

2006-01-25T20:24:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Paranaguá is an old, somewhat colonial coast town in southern Brazil. The hotel, a few streets shy of the water, is a recommendation of Lonely Planet: Hotel Litoral.
What you get:
Rooms are very reasonably priced for high season - a double with private bath US$ 17, breakfast included. The room is spacious, clean, bright, with TV (brazilian football!). The court yard is just fine and the overall impression just fine too.

Rating: The restroom is a combined shower-toilet facility, clean, warm water provided, with an interesting style (...). I just worried about those cables coming out at the top of the shower - electricity + water = !!! Ok, that's 2,5 of 5 electric toilets!

Hotel Pauliceia, Sao Paolo, Brazil

2006-01-23T17:19:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
The cheap hotel area of Sao Paolo is also vibrant at night and day. Our hotel is one of many in that area and is named Hotel Pauliceia.
What you get:
Cheap means cheap - 15 US Dollar a double with private bath. Our room provided 3 beds (of questionable quality), a very useful fan, and one window into a tiny courtyard. The hotel and the room seemed old and declining, but clean. And safe, at least the nights we spend there.

Rating: I mentioned a private bath, which is in truth a combined restroom and shower in one place. The water was warm, not hot, but acceptable (35 degrees Celsius in Sao Paolo). The location is somehow to get accustomed with, but bugs-free (we saw only one cucaracha there), a good value for brazilian hotels. But: I had strange feelings to sit down on the toilet, and as you can see on the pic, it's ready to be re-built. 1 of 5 golden toilets!

El Misti, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2006-01-22T22:24:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Today we go for testing to Rio de Janeiro, right into Botofago, one of the many and small quarters around the sugar loaf. El Misti, a hostel of the international type, is our test object.

What you get:
The hostel is 24hrs party zone. Everyone is everywhere, talking, drinking, partying. That's no news, and also the funny part. For a dorm, you pay around 12 bucks, a private double is yours for 25 dollar the night. The double itself is like a cell: one window, one bed, one door. Basta. But, and that`s remarkable: no bugs.

Rating: The toilets are not in the room, and just around the corner. Hey, they have water, it`s warm, and they have toilet paper. the rest: wow and dirty. Despite the international and young and relaxed atmosphere, they could provide better services - 1,5 of 5 dirty toilets!

Flann O'Brien, Graz, Austria

2006-01-19T16:33:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
In the old town of Graz, Austria, I took a seat in a crowded Irish Pub: smoky, dark, relaxed.

What you get:
Traditionally Irish Pubs offer a huge variety of beers and drinks. No difference to this one, and a standard beer (0,5 l) priced at 2,90 Euro - a fair offer. Music, nice tenders, and again: all relaxed despite pre-Christmas time.

Rating: Well, let's go down to the restrooms, where I found a terrible, stinky place: defect toilets, dirty mirrors, dark lights. I didn't want to pass a second right in there, left the pub and never came back. 1 of 5 stinky toilets!

Zamang Seilbahn, Schruns, Austria

2006-01-17T06:19:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
One of the top ski resorts in Vorarlberg, Schruns, is located in a tiny valley in the southern part of this Austrian Province. Overrun with ski enthusiasts, slopes and bars are crowed with a fairly international public.

What you get:
first, kilometers and kilometers of snow secure ski slopes, a dozens of ski lifts and many ski schools for those who need them. Badly, we caught a misty day on the Hochjoch, the mountain that gives the region his name, and skied half blind half brave the steep downhills. Nevertheless, we mastered all dangers without a crash and ended our day after four hours of pure skiing.

Rating:
I was curious what the Zamang Seilbahn, this is one of the major Ski lift operators there, offers behind the hefty 36 Euros day pass and went testing the rest room. For the mass, it was adaquately specious, very clean and clear. I was surprised and never had any bad smell in my nose. I could blame the architect for the cold design, but this is a question of personal preferences. This is good average and therefore 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Urania, Vienna, Austria

2006-01-15T18:19:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
"Die Urania" is a famous building in Vienna's first district. As an former observatory it's now used as (movie)theater and for events (culture & science) and exhibitions. And there's a restaurant...
What you get:
The menu is short and expensive - and great! I really spent some money there - but it was worth every penny/cent. Having breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning (or even afternoon) is also a good and delicious idea. All the people there seemed to be in their twenties (only a few thirtysomethings), the staff is friendly and hard working for your well-being. Great mood and spirit inside!

Rating:
The restrooms are downstairs and not part of the restaurant - at least they've to share them and they're not exclusively used for the guests of the restaurant. Downstairs is also a downside - they are at least two notches below the qualties of the restaurant. But the penalty is only one golden toilet - 'cause the rest is just great.
4 of 5 golden toilets!

Auenfelderhuette, Warth, Austria

2006-01-15T06:35:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Right in the middle of the Saloberkopf ski region in Western Austria, one of the many small cottages there is the Auenfelderhuette, providing hot beverages and food.
What you get:
First, at days like we had (blue sky, a lot of sun) you must sit outside and enjoy the clear air paired with the solar energy. Second, select a hearty meal for your second half of your ski day. Third, feel at home and strech out. When you leave, you paid 4,70 Euro for a Gulasch (meat soup similar to Chili con carne without beans) and 7 Euro for a plate of Tiroler Knödel. That's above average, but if you consider the effort to put all the food up here, it's reasonable.

Rating: I enjoyed not only the food and the sun, but also the very nice designed interieur, a mix of stone plates and wood. The restrooms were downstairs, and I had some difficulties to walk down in my ski boots, but then, I opened a door to a tiny paradise: well-smelling air, easy music, the stone-wood-mix continued and all beautifully arranged - a restroom visitor's dream! Fascinated by the washing facility (metal-wood-construction), but disturbed by the stairs, that's great 4 of 5 golden toilets! Wow!

Seilbahnen Saloberkopf, Warth, Austria

2006-01-13T06:20:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
One of the most beautiful ski regions in Western Austria, Saloberkopf near the small villages of Schroecken and Warth is the scene of today's restroom-check.
What you get:
The ski region at the Saloberkopf (that's the name of one of the mountains around) is a wide network of lifts and slopes. You can try easy, medium or difficult downhills, hang around at one of the many small cottages and enjoy the sun, or do a lot more winter sport activities like snow walking. Snowboarders as ski enthusiasts will find the Saloberkopf an agreable, selective day or week ski adventure. For 34 Euro per day (that's the ski pass), you can use all of the dozen lifts there. Some of them even have a seat heater!

Rating: During a ski day like this (we had blue-sky weather), you enjoy a coffee or something else - and you have to finish your 'business' somewhere. The restrooms at the main Saloberkopf building (where you can buy the ski pass) also offers sanitaries - excellent sanitaries I think. Very clean, a lot of space, no problem to reach them with your ski boots, and very bright - that bright that they have put a ficus benjamin right in there! That's 4 of 5 green toilets!

Senhor Vinho, Vienna, Austria

2006-01-12T07:27:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
A portugese restaurant in Vienna is a rare food experience in the food-obsessed Austrian Capital. Not far to the vital Naschmarkt - a busy open food market - I walked into a hidden, small portuguese paradise.

What you get:
What you get - this is not only a culinarian perspective at Senhor Vinho. First, it's a place to feel well and to discover all the small and smallest details in this restaurant: portuguese tiles, wine bottles and table decorations. The owner's love for the ever changing arrangements culminates in the personal presentation of the available dishes - in portuguese and german language.
When it comes down to your tongue, you wont be disappointed. Traditional portuguese food at its best. The value: pasteis de bacalao for Euro 5,90 (entries), a main dish (fish or meat) from 12 to 19 Euro. Good!

Rating: The test is the restroom - how would it correspond to the great food-experience I had? Well, one word: fantastic. Beautiful odeur, many little decorations, comfortable light and clean sanitaries. I would have been staying there for longer, but my favourite portuguese beer was waiting - Sagres. This is the very best restroom I saw since blogging about those places.
5 of 5 golden toilets!

Krebsen Keller, Graz, Austria

2006-01-10T05:49:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
In the inner city of Graz, just below the Uhrturm, the town's landmark, the old streets of this mediaval section trail close to the river Mur. That's the place for a hearty dinner at the Krebs Keller, an old restaurant in a cave style.
What you get:
Behind the thick wall you'll discover warm light, delicious dishes and styrian traditions. This is defenitive an Arnold Schwarzenegger's home town favorite. I chose Berner Würstel, a saussage pumped up with fluid cheese and surrounded by ham, added some fries and salad and pepperonis. Yammi! Value: 5,70 Euro.

Rating: Regarding the restroom, I expected some shortcuts because of the age of the building. But it went worse. It was dark, it was small, it was just get out of here. But surprise-surprise: a condom-spender smiled above the washbowl!
Strange: I paid extra for ketchup (0,50 Euro). Overall, 2 of 5 golden toilets!

Pension Rueckert, Graz, Austria

2006-01-09T18:03:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
In the neighbourhood of the University of Graz, Austria, a small family run guesthouse offers two dozen rooms for travellers and business people.
What you get:
I managed to reserve a room for a night but only one with shared restroom. Nevertheless, the room itself was clean, with TV, own shower, a single bad and a window. the breakfast was rich, traditional austrian and nice decorated. And this for 37 Euros per night - not that bad I thought. But: the youghurt was out of date, water was running down the wall (!), and a friend of mine told me that his bed crashed during night (not what you think!).

Rating: The restrooms: single toilets, no luxus, but clean and functional. This is acceptable and for that price a good value. Let's say 2 of 5 golden toilets!

MBC Sport Center Wienerberg, Gutheil-Schoder-Gasse, Vienna, Austria

2005-12-22T11:30:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Located in the city area of Vienna is a place where you can practice golf (9 holes & driving range), badminton, tennis and a view other sports. And there is a restaurant... The atmosphere is very relaxed, not at all a stop-drink-go thing as someone would imagine. The staff is very friendly and helpful and sometimes (as you can imagine) the guests are a little sweaty or coming straight out from the shower :-)
What you get:
Small dishes or a full meal, everything is there, the menu is straightforward, just a little downsized in comparison to a "normal" restaurant and it's affordable. The only surprise on the menu is that there is not so many healthy/vitamin/muscle-building stuff I expected... As you can see, the sport does not end at the door to the restrooms. They are neat & clean enough but nowhere near a Tiger Woods-quality restroom. I leave it to your imagination, what this means for your soccer and aim-and-shoot skills :-)

Rating: In consideration of a fun & sports bonus: very solid and straightforward 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Bieronymus, Thaliastrasse, Vienna, Austria

2005-12-14T23:31:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
A modest priced restaurant in one of Vienna's worker districts with a nice choice of traditional Austrian food and beverage for an excellent price. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the waitor will entertain by his Wiener Schmäh, the kind of Viennese sense of humor.
What you get:
A Wiener Schnitzel is a good choice here. But there are many other dishes - mainly meat. A good piece of a Schnitzel will cost you sensational 9 Euro, which is a very good deal.

Rating: After one or two Kruegerln (this is a half-liter beer) I checked out the restrooms how they correspond to the interieur and overall positive atmosphere. I found them very quickly, they had all soap and hot warm, didn't stink but missed a certain capacity and I felt to be in a dark corner of the restaurant. The paper came out of the trash, but overall, I liked what I saw. Solid 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Kantine im MQ, Vienna, Austria

2005-12-11T11:17:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
In the popular Museumsquartier in Vienna, an area of museums, art exhibitions and stylish cafès, Kantine is a meeting point to have a talk with your friends.
What you get:
Small dishes and coffee in all variations plus a very comfortable atmosphere - this is Kantine. You can walk in through a book store, reading what ever you want. I like that. The price for a cappucino is 2,90 Euro, that's upper average for Vienna.
I liked what I tasted, so I visited the restroom for comparison: the entrance in a corner, the light too weak, the room too small: these are the negatives of an overall clean and not neglected restroom. I wouldn't stay there for ever, but hadn't to hurry up to get out.

Rating: This is average and therefore 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Mill, Vienna, Austria

2005-12-06T11:34:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
A newer type of a restaurant, kind of a daily kantine for the office staffs around the Millergasse very close to the Mariahilferstrasse in Vienna, this is a secret treasure.

What you get:
Mill is the second restaurant the owner operates - the other one just right to the famous Austrian National Library. Both appears in exceptional design and art, composed from different furniture styles and individual, lovely ornaments. The rooms reminds of small living rooms. During summer, the garden is a very popular place.
There are two dishes offered per day and of excellent value: 5 Euro and you have a main meal with a dessert! What can you expect more?

Unfortunately, the restroom is absolutely not okay. The Pissoir was out of function, and the single toilet hidden in a very small, dark room. Nothing for people suffering from claustrophobia! The only positive aspect: you'll find art at the wall which will distract you from the uncomfortable restroom infrastructure.

Rating: Sadly, only 2 of 5 golden toilets for Mill!

Cafè Rest, Vienna, Austria

2005-11-30T21:07:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
One of the finest address in the city of Vienna, the Stock Exchange Building at the Ringstrasse, is host to one (modern) coffee house of the famous Cafè Rest Chain. Starbucks, check this out!
What you get:
This cafè is an open place for everyone - the business guys, students, tourists. It is always crowded, from the morning until the evening - and you guess it, changing it face during the day: a business brunch with partners? a light meal at lunch or a Kleiner Brauner? Soft music, great open design, modern interieur. I love it.
After my capuccino (2.90 Euro is upper average in Vienna), always served with a glass of water, I left my friend behind and went to check the restroom. The entrance doors are discrete, if not hidden. The different restrooms are small, with no windows and old styled. It's a reminder how old this building is. I don't care about the hefty colours due to the nice, slightly too loud music, but the dirty toilet is a no-no!

Rating: The discrepance between the modern and luxury cafè and the old-fashioned, not very clean restroom is frappant. They could do it better. Don't misunderstand me: you could stay for hours in that restroom, read papers, do whatever you have to do. But the toilets don't enjoy the same love as the interieur, and that's an indication. Unfortunately, 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Stylez, Vienna, Austria

2005-11-28T20:25:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Stylez is a popular place close to one of the main shopping streets of Vienna, the Mariahilferstrasse.
What you get:
The always crowded location has a bar, a cafè and a brunch-section and fills up even at a Sunday morning. The interieur is hold in warm colors like orange and sand and offers many details from a design perspective. It is styled from the entrance through the smallest table - and to the restrooms?
Where the style ends, there are the toilets, sadly. At the rear of the hall, a shy door gives me the way to the rooms which seem to be from another time or location: complete different colors, restroom smell, totally different style aspect. I found graffiti at some doors. On the other side, the room offers soap and paper.

Rating: The toilets are clean, but not stylez. Where is the design? Where is the feel & look of this nice cafè? After my restroom-visit, the capuccino didn't taste good for some reason, and for 3 Euro (which is upper-average price for a cup of coffee in Vienna), I think the owners hope for cheap quick money. Regarding my theory, I'm curious how long this cafè will keep its customers. Stylez can do a lot more in their restrooms to show me that I'm a welcomed customer. For this reason, let's give them basic 2 of 5 golden toilets!

Museumsquartier, Vienna, Austria

2005-11-25T13:40:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
One of the more popular places with younger folks in Vienna is the re-established Museumsquartier, a collection of museums, small restaurants and bars. It's beautiful architectual setting is supported by many events and activities within the quarter.
What you get:
Last weekend, we went for some Glühwein, an Austrian special drink similar to a grog: hot wine with spices and fruits. Yummy! There are many Glühwein stands within the city, but this one is an accumulation of dozen stands and djs. Outside you can even do curling...
After a few Glühwein, I took my way to the restrooms, few steps away from the stands in one of the main buildings of the MQ (MuseumsQuartier, ah!). Happy people all around, even in front of the restrooms. I suppose this was due to the Glühwein. The toilets were clean, alltough several hundred people frequent this place during their visit of the MQ. All washbowls were very clean too, soap and paper available. Good job!

Rating: We must bear in mind that this is a public restroom! It's beautiful clean, no dark place, with neutral odeur. You can't have it better except you offer more single toilets you can lock up: 4 of 5 golden toilets!

Vienna International Center, Vienna, Austria

2005-11-22T13:28:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Once a year, one of the biggest fair for family games in Europe is held in the Vienna International Center, right next to the UN-Building in Vienna. The center itself is a typical convention center, providing the necessary infrastructure for several thousand visitors.
What you get:
At the game fair, you pay 9 Euro per day and you can test all games you can imagine. Thousands of people occupy tables, seats and floor ground to pass the day playing and having fun. This is a must see!
Ok, now we have to walk down the halls to find a restroom. There are many of them and easily to find despite dozens stands and hundreds of people. That's a veritable plus. But the interieur of the first restroom is a colourful fiasko - a brown yellow on strange materials. The positive: it's clean and supplied with toilet paper. The toilet doesn't stink but the room could fill up quickly as they're small in size and capacity.

Rating: We liked the cleanliness of the restroom and the standard functionalities like warm water running were all functioning. Due to the colors and the style, let's give them 3 of 5 golden toilets!

Asia Nouvelle Cuisine, Vienna, Austria

2005-11-20T13:11:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
Our next stop is a small asian restaurant in the inner city of Vienna, Austria: Asia Nouvelle Cuisine is all but a typical chinese restaurant.

What you get:
You can choose between different daily dishes, ranging from Korean, Japanese and Chinese kitchen traditions. The price varies between 7 to 11 Euro, which is average in Vienna. The quality is surprisingly good (for my taste), and the owners are very friendly.
Let's check the back: the are two restrooms, one for woman, one for men. Bigger than expected you close the door behind you and find yourself in a place with citrus odeur, silent chinese music and very clean toilets. Fine, fine.

Rating: This restroom was such enjoyable you could past more than the necessary 30 secs there. Great 4 of 5 golden toilets!

Hotel Mozart, Innsbruck, Austria

2005-11-18T13:39:00.000+01:00

Where we are:
We start our research with a traditional, austrian hotel in the tyrolian capital of Innsbruck. The Hotel Mozart is situated very central close to the University, the mediaval old town and the river Inn.
What you get:
The price per night is quite modest: 40 Euro is a good value for a single, traditional breakfast included. You have TV and Internet connection in your room. This is all very promising, so let's see if this corresponds with the restroom:
The singles have all tiny, box-like restrooms: toilet and shower offer not even 2 square meter of place, the larger rooms have also larger restrooms. The pics below are from a 4-bed room. What you can expect is a very clean place with no stinking toilets and sanitary products like soap and toilet paper.

Rating:
The friendliness of the hotel staff matches well how they present you the restroom. It's not a luxury where you sit down for a while, but acceptable for the room price. Solid 3 of 5 golden toilets!