To mark World Toilet Day on November 19, the Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) has revealed the results of their annual public toilet ranking and, to our surprise, it was the loo in Lan Kwai Fong – round the block from the 7-Eleven and in the alley next to the garden – that got crowned top spot.
Usually, it goes without saying that rowdy, inebriated party people and trying to keep a place spotless don’t really go hand in hand. But the Lan Kwai Fong public toilet has surpassed all expectations by being clean and odourless despite being frequented by nighttime revellers. Of course, this isn’t saying that the party crowds are going out of their way to use the bathroom hygienically and responsibly, but rather a testament to the janitorial staff manning this location.
According to Henry Hung, president of the HKTA, ‘the toilet host was cleaning all the time [...] and kept opening the door to see whether there’s anything left dirty’. While the cleaners of this particular public loo are no doubt doing a fantastic job, we think it’s also worth mentioning that most barhoppers or club-goers in Lan Kwai Fong are probably using the facilities in the different drinking establishments that they’re spending time in. Regardless, this toilet is serviced round the clock during weekends and public holidays and is equipped with air conditioning, automatic sensor water taps, soap dispensers, and a touchless flush system.
Rounding up the top of the best public restrooms list are the Kam Tin Shi public toilet in Yuen Long and the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town, ranked second and third, respectively. The Catchick Street location in particular is interesting, because it was ranked Hong Kong’s worst just two years ago.
And the worst public toilet in Hong Kong this year? That title belongs to the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan, which the HKTA described as being dirty with a foul odour and wet floors. Along with the results of this bathroom cleanliness report, the HKTA is also urging the authorities to refurbish ageing public toilets and maintain Hong Kong’s hygiene facilities better.
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