Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.
One trip to Rome's airport and I'm convinced it has the most beautiful restrooms I've seen in my 30 years of travel
One trip to Rome's airport and I'm convinced it has the most beautiful restrooms I've seen in my 30 years of travel
Jul 7, 2018, 01:43 IST
Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino is the city's biggest airport, gateway to tens of millions of passengers annually. I left from Terminal 3 at FCO for an early evening flight back to the New York area.
Advertisement
At the end of the luxury mall — Rolex, Diesel, Montblanc — I found a clearly marked location for the men's and women's restrooms. OK, some gender stereotypes as far as the identifiers go. But they got the job done.
Advertisement
The facilities for the wheelchair-bound were to the right ...
... and the facilities for families were to the left.
Advertisement
My choice.
Walking farther to my right, I quickly realized that I wasn't in my father's airport restroom.
Advertisement
A sort of mellow, green mossy plant thrived beneath a curtain of glass.
The restroom was completely vacant, save for yours truly. The striated walls of brown and tan marble contrasted nicely with the white urinals. I didn't think I was in an airport — I thought I was in a high-end sushi restaurant.
Advertisement
I'll be honest: even though airport restrooms are frequently cleaned, the scene can sometimes be repulsive. Trash cans are typically overflowing. There's you-know-what splattered everywhere. You race to do your business and escape. But not here, in this grotto of Italian tranquility and tidiness.
I did what I had to do and them discovered the best part of the whole place. You know how men's room wash basins are usually a flooded mess?
Advertisement
Well, not in Rome. Ingenious design has consolidated water, soap, and the hand drier in a recessed, cantilevered section above the basin. Three stages, no slosh. And no paper towels needed. I washed my hands three times, so thrilled was I by the arrangement.
Oh, and it gets better. The same setup, just lower and with easier access, was in place for the children.
Advertisement
The delightful graphics continue. Even a kid could figure it out!
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen: the finest airport restroom I've experienced in my over three decades of travel! Bravo, FCO!