Sam's Shows Faucet's Future, Soap's Present

Sam's Club
4255 W. NEW HAVEN AVE.
MELBOURNE , FL USA 32904

www.samsclub.com

Where is it?

About 50 feet to the left of the snack bar, but just before the cigarette department.

What's it like?

Teutonic and clean, as expected from this faceless warehouse club. Though having said that, this location does try to step up the innovation level -- namely in the sink here, which look more like a long-plastic piss trough than a sink. (see picture)

Step up to the sink, place your hand in front of the sensor there, and a triple-jet of water spurts out at you and then runs down a long drain towards a centrally located drain. Pretty neat, in a cold if I do say so myself, and with warm water -- unlike other locations.

Having said that, though, the water pressure could be stronger, and I found it very odd that the soap dispenser turned out to be just a standard pump bottle of soft soap you can buy at any supermarket (or at any Sam's, in bulk quantity, of course), sitting on the counter. I guess you can't have everything.

Marks out of 10:

7. The sinks almost made it an 8, save for that bottle of hand soap.

Comments to the Management:

Don't stop there! We want more automatic features! NOW! I suggest starting with an automatic soap dispenser.

May Sum: Sign of the Times

May Sum Chinese Restaurant
4542 S Semoran Blvd
Orlando, FL USA 32822

Where is it?

A large buffet table for the lunch crowds sits across the main part of the dining room. To the right of the buffet table is the opening of a lonely looking hallway, curtained only by a few loosely draped sheets of cloth. Go down that hallway (about 30 feet long and poorly lit) to get to the bathroom.

What's it like?

No, it's not as scary as it sounds, but it's not as clean as you'd like it to be either. The drywall here is chipped and banged up. The floor tile is clean but weathered, as are the toilets and sinks.

Of course, this is a family run place that's been around for more than a decade, and while you don't expect the bathroom to be in perfect condition after all those years, you also wish it didn't show its age as much.

Also worth pointing out: The back wall of the men's room has a very droopy fake orchid hanging on it. I know it's supposed to brighten the place up a bit but for some reason it only makes the environment seem sadder and older than it is.

Marks out of 10:

4. I wouldn't want to stay here longer than I have to, if you know what I mean.

Comments to the Management:

Time to revamp, even modernize.

Bennigan's: Traditional Irish Pub with Gadgets

Bennigan's Grill and Tavern
6324 International Dr
Orlando, FL USA 32819

www.bennigans.com

Where is it?

Kiss the Blarney, to get to ye loo,
head ye out from thy front entrance,
straight and 'round the bar,
staying to the left on ye way,
then keep going straight
until you reach the back wall.
Once there, look left
for the 1920s-inspired sign reading "Restrooms."
Yonder stands your goal.

What's it like?

If you can't tell, or if you don't know, this is a chain trying to capture the feel of the Americanized Irish Pub. Given that, it seemed fitting to review the potty in poetry.

Ode to a Bennigan's Bathroom

'Tis one of seven Bennigan's in the Orlando area
one of two set in the city's tourism center,
the other's by the Florida Mall,
on Orange Blossom Trial,
Yet I seem to like this one better.

Like its brethren, it tries to be Irish,
a decor filled with woods, mirrors and beer signs
plus 1920s Americana-inspired touches,
and plenty of plasma TVs and hi-tech flourishes
and a sound system thats too loud to allow you to unwind.

The food is standard chain fair
With a few Irish specialties thrown in
Like the Turkey O'Toole sandy
(a specialty from Cork County?)
and the very "authentic" wings of Buffalo chicken..

The bathrooms carry on the conceit,
same woods and wrought-iron touches and clean.
But just like outside, you'll find
some high-tech surprises
like automatic faucets, soap and paper towel machines.

Marks out of 10:

8. As Yates said, "'Tis as fine a chain-restaurant bathroom as I've ever seen."

Comments to the Management:

Keep up the good work, kind sir

I visited during lunch
before the day's rush came through the door
and found a good clean bathroom
(warm and welcoming)
without trash or water on the floor.

Though early it may have been
the place still looked untouched,
well-kept and well-maintained
(and through the rest of the day)
I believed it would stay as such.

Speedy Pit Stop

M1 Motorway
Junction 21/21a
Leicester Forest East
Leicester
LE3 3GB
United Kingdom

http://www.welcomebreak.co.uk/FindMotorwayService/LeicesterForestEast.htm


Where is it?

For the north bound services – Go through the main entrance and head right. The toilets signs are well marked by the signs above. The men’s are to the right.


What’s it like?

I was heading North in a hurry (strictly at the speed limit mind -- ahhem) and with 180 miles still to go on the trip only stopped out of desperation. This was only ever going to be the speediest of pit stops. Given that this is what many people who use these facilities are looking for, accessibility and capacity have to play a big part in my evaluation.

Pulling off the Motorway and parking was quick – none of the faffing around you get at some services. Given I used to stop here every other week many years ago I was surprised that I’d forgotten the layout. It took me a bit to see the signage. The key is to look up – the biggest sign tells you exactly where to go!

Inside the toilets are of the fairly basic variety. They are not spotless by any means, but given the number of people who go through them (lets say 20 every five minutes equals 120 per hour) they are surprisingly clean. There were plenty of urinals – certainly no queuing – and the sinks had hot water right away. The mirrors were large and functional too.

Unlike many service stops though I think they fall down on the shower front. Not one, but two truckers were to be seen tops off soaping up and getting clean. I didn’t find it offensive, but I'm sure they’d rather not have everyone gawping.

So what’s the final verdict. Well they were not as terrible as service stations can be, and given the throughput I was actually quite impressed. But did they perform on the real test? Well the GPS showed that I only added 4 minutes to my trip by having to stop. That sounds pretty good to me.


Marks out of 10:

6 for cleanliness and utility.


Comments to the management:

OK, but give the truckers some more facilities.

4 Stars for Marriott York

Marriott York Hotel
Tadcaster Road
York
YO24 1QQ
United Kingdom

http://marriott.co.uk/Channels/hotels-uk/hotels/travel/qqyyk-york-marriott-hotel/


Where is it?

From the main entrance go off to the right. Go past the bar and fork right by the restaurant. The toilets are ahead on the right.

Whats it like

This is a 4 star hotel with a view of the York racecourse from the dining room and the historic centre of York in the distance. I guess this and the swimming pool, tiny as it is, gets this place its four stars. It’s a pity that facilities like this don’t do it for me and, although spacious, better cleaner rooms and more inventive and tasty menu would have to be a top priority if I was going to give this hotel 4 stars.

Still, the distinctly 3 star experience doesn’t run to the toilets. Bright and extremely smart the toilets are actually the best thing about the place. Very modern, the white tile half way up the wall gives it a clean feel. The subdued brown and white stripe of the wallpaper complements this well. The beach effect surround for the sinks with black marble top and modern lighting carries through the modern feel.

The only thing that is out of place is the god awful grey plastic towel dispenser. Who could go to the trouble of picking a top of the line bin and then do that. What intrigued me here was the dispenser for a ‘chewable toothbrush’. I’ve not noticed these before, but they're a cool life saver for anyone who needs to freshen up and hasn’t bought their own toothbrush with them. I wonder if anyone actually uses them?

Marks out of 10:

Clean and cool gets an 8.

Comments to the management:

Pity the toilets are the best thing about your hotel. Flowers would add the personal touch needed for a 10.