We chose The Portland Loo for Reno because it’s sturdy and safe, incorporates several features to discourage undesirable use, and has significantly lower installation and...
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March 4, 2025
Public restrooms may not usually be high on a traveler’s “must-see” list — but around the world, a handful of loos have defied expectations. From golden thrones to cliffside commodes, there’s an underground (and sometimes very public) movement to elevate the humble toilet into an art installation, an eco-wonder, or even a tourist destination.
So buckle up — or unbuckle, as it were — and join us for a tour of the world’s most unusual public restrooms. You may never look at a bathroom break the same way again.
- The Golden Public Toilet, Hong Kong
Let’s start with some sparkle. At the Hang Fung Gold Toilet in Hong Kong, everything — and we mean everything — is made of solid 24K gold. Originally a promotional display by a jewelry company, this extravagant washroom even had golden toilet paper. You can’t actually use the toilet, but hey, it still gives new meaning to “flushing money down the drain.”
- The “Toilet with a View,” Switzerland
Perched in the Swiss Alps at nearly 10,000 feet, this unassuming wooden cabin houses a single toilet with the kind of panoramic view usually reserved for mountaintop proposals. The walls open outward, revealing snow-capped peaks and the deep valleys below. Yes, it’s functional. No, it’s not for the faint of heart.
- The Transparent Toilets, Tokyo
In a move that screams “trust the process,” Japan’s high-tech parks in Tokyo feature transparent restroom stalls that become opaque when you lock the door. Not only do they offer a sleek, futuristic vibe, but they also serve a practical purpose: letting users see how clean the toilet is before they step inside.
- The POP-UP Loos, London
London has developed a solution to nightlife bathroom needs that literally rises to the occasion. Their pop-up urinals emerge from the ground at night and disappear during the day, blending seamlessly into the cityscape. It’s practical, it’s clever, and it’s basically Batman-level infrastructure.
- The Music-Themed Toilet, Austria
Vienna takes Mozart very seriously — even in the restroom. The Opera Toilet at the Karlsplatz Metro Station plays classical music as you go about your business, and the walls are decked with famous composers. It’s the one place you can claim to have heard a live performance while… seated.
Why The Portland Loo® Deserves a Spot on the List
Of course, we couldn’t write about the world’s most interesting public restrooms without highlighting one of the most useful and purpose-built — The Portland Loo®. While it doesn’t sparkle like gold or levitate from sidewalks, it does something arguably more valuable: it solves real urban problems.
The Portland Loo® was designed by the City of Portland for the city itself — and has since become a proven model for public sanitation in hundreds of other communities. With its sleek, vandal-resistant design, minimal maintenance needs, and round-the-clock accessibility, the Loo is what happens when cities prioritize both form and function. You can read about our approach to crime prevention to see how thoughtful design can lead to safer public spaces.
And unlike gold-plated toilets or mountain cabins with glacier views, The Portland Loo® isn’t built to impress. It’s built to last. With solar-powered capabilities and other features and pre-assembled delivery, this unit is made to fit into real communities — whether that’s downtown, at transit stops, in parks, or public trails.
Want to bring something just as cool — and a lot more practical — to your community? Check out our Petition to Bring a Loo tool and start the conversation in your city.
Because let’s be honest: the most impressive restroom is the one that’s clean, safe, and actually there when you need it.
Curious about how cities are using The Portland Loo® to create cleaner, safer, more equitable public spaces? Check out what others are saying or get in touch with our team via our Contact Page.
