Health

Take a seat: 2024’s America’s Best Restroom

Health

Finding a clean public restroom when you’re on the road can be a challenge.

It can be much harder to find a public restroom that is not only clean but also attractive, entertaining, and creatively designed.

That’s why we pay attention to each year’s contest for America’s Best Restroom, which celebrates and rewards businesses that create and maintain innovative public loos.

In 2023, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) took the throne in the contest for its design and for its state-of-the-art smart restroom system, which integrates color-changing LED stall occupancy lights and other helpful amenities.  

This year, Maverik – Adventure’s First Stop, a chain of gas and convenience stores, is the big winner.

Maverik’s restrooms were recognized for their “sparkling fixtures, spacious stalls and fresh amenities that make each pit stop along your adventure a pleasant experience.”

Contest sponsor, Cintas, noted winning loos also have “adventurous décor” and even family-friendly features in over 500 stores across 13 western states.

The list of other restrooms that were in the running for the title of 2024 America’s Best Restroom included:

  • Hop Shops (Florence, Kentucky
  • Indiana Caverns (Corydon, Indiana)
  • Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium (Kansas City, Missouri)
  • Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)
  • MAD (Houston, Texas)
  • Maximilian Motorsports (Chehalis, Washington)
  • Morning Glory (San Diego, California)
  • Natchez Trace State Park Visitor Center (Wildersville, Tennessee)
  • Throne Restrooms (Brentwood, Maryland

Spotted: Mortuary at Schiphol Airport

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This disembodied head sits on a small patch of grass next to the quirky but charming CitizenM hotel at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS).

Behind it: the Schiphol Mortuary.

I was walking to the hotel behind a couple who also stopped to take a photo. And then overheard the man say to the woman: “Well, dear. If I die tonight at the end of this trip you can leave me here and get a refund on the return part of the ticket.”

Not sure if that’s the way it works, but I thought the statement was alarming, romantic and creatively frugal all at the same time.

And maybe even a good travel tip?

Perhaps because it’s the Halloween season. Or maybe it’s the fact that my early morning flight required an even earlier and very dark walk past the disembodied head. But I was really glad that my view out of my tiny hotel room was onto the busy airport street and not out to the … mortuary.

Other airports no doubt have mortuaries as well. And we’ll ask the Stuck at The Airport life and death team to do a roundup. (Let us know if you’ve seen any).

But in the meantime, should we make the Schiphol Mortuary the Airport Amenity of the Week?

Airports with free period products

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May 28 is Menstrual Health Day, designed to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual health education and resources.

Providing travelers with free period products and supplies is an excellent way to support menstrual health. You’ll see baskets, vending machines and some free dispensers with supplies in many airport restrooms.


There are now vending machines that not only dispense free products but also send out an alert when the products need restocking, which is ideal for airports that provide free period products for passengers.

Airports with free period products

We’re working on creating a list of airports that provide free period products.

And we’re glad to see that technology is helping to improve this airport amenity.

In Houston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), now offer complimentary menstrual supplies via smart technology vending machines from Aunt Flow. Both airports supplied free pads and tampons to travelers for over a decade but the supplies were set out in baskets in the restrooms and there was no reliable way to monitor for restocking.

Other airports are switching to these smart period supply vending machines too.

O’Hare International Airport is replacing its fee-based dispensers with smart vending machines from Aunt Flow that dispense pads and tampons for free.

Do you know of an airport that provides free period supplies? Let us know and we’ll add them to the list in progress.

XpresSpa adds a stretching service to its menu

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We all know travel can be stressful.

And XpresSpa, which offers massage, nail care and rejuvenation services in airports around the world, is now offering a stretching service at 15 of its U.S. airport locations.

Sessions range from 15 to 30 minutes and target travelers who deal with long flights and/or extensive delays. To combat those travel woes, the new stretching service focuses on enhanced blood circulation and reduced muscle fatigue.

For this service, XpresSpa is partnering with a company called Hyperice and makes use of that company’s Hypervolts 2 massage gun and a new heated attachment.

“As air travel enthusiasts and jet-setters prepare to embark on their next adventure, they often focus on packing their bags, checking flight itineraries, and ensuring all necessary documents are in order,” said XWELL CEO Scott Milford. “However, they often overlook the benefits of incorporating relaxing stretch into their travel routine to provide additional peace of mind as they make their way through the world.”

The new stretching sessions are offered in increments of 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes. And the sessions cost $45, $55, and $75 respectively.

Or you can try a do-it-yourself stretching and singing session with this vintage Romper Room song:

If you try the modern XpresSpa version, let us know if you recommend the service.

Don’t worry be happy with this Finnish Masterclass in Happiness

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Finland, which ranked as the happiest country by the World Happiness Report for six consecutive years, is happy to share some of their happiness secrets in a new free online course that leads to a “Masterclass of Happiness.”

The masterclass is available now and consists of video lessons from five Finnish happiness coaches under its four core themes: nature and lifestyle; health and balance; design and everyday; food and well-being.

Complete the course and you’ll get a Master of Happiness certificate and will, of course, be happy.

The Stuck at the Airport team visited Finland a while back and, as you suspect, found happiness immediately at Helsinki Airport (HEL), thanks to all the art, calming patches of live plants, and a charming Christmas cabin.

Santa’s home is in Finland, Finns and others will tell you. So it makes sense that Helsinki Airport has a year-round Christmas Cabin right there in the terminal.

Inside is a faux sauna, a storybook, Scandinavian-style furniture and decorations, and a Book of Names so that Santa knows who has been good or bad.

Read more about how to find happiness at Helsinki Airport in “5 Things We Love About Helsinki Airport.”