This year's crop of America's best restroom nominees range from a 2,000-square-foot extravaganza inside a Las Vegas casino, to five individually decorated toilet stalls in an Arizona restaurant.


Now in its 11th year, Cintas' America's Best Restoom Contest has become an anticipated competition among those who appreciate over-the-top (or at least out-of-the-ordinary) public facilities. Vote for your favorite loo though Oct. 26.

The contest sponsor, Cintas Corp., supplies services and goods (including restroom supplies) to businesses.
But winners aren't necessarily the most over-the-top, says spokeswoman Sabrina Zimring.

"It's about context. It's not necessarily the most extravagant restroom, but maybe the most unusual or eye-catching bathroom in the least expected place."

Related: Best public restrooms: Help crown a stand-out throne

And the 2012 nominees are …



Liberty Market
Gilbert, Arizona
The owners of this former grocery-store-turned urban bistro sports a five-stall unisex restroom with chic style. Each of the stalls has its own theme décor and playlist. They include Italian countryside with murals of vineyards and Vespas and a "real" men's room with a roadhouse vibe.

Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, Calif.
The 14 restrooms at this 18,000 seat auditorium are now brighter and more efficient, thanks to a recent makeover. The simple, white and black color scheme "evokes the 1920s modern style of the Hollywood Bowl's shell and stage."

Gitane Restaurant
San Francisco

Floral prints and bold, geometric tile, a Victorian chandelier and farmhouse drain-board sink add a touch of "nostalgia and romance" to the restroom.



Mie N Yu Restaurant
Washington, D.C.

Carved, floor-to-ceiling doors enclose each stall in this unisex bathroom. The communal sink area features oversized wood barrel sinks with rock-lined copper basins.



Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
Chicago

Decked out from floor to ceiling in glass mosaic tiles, the room has a flashy disco feel. Ceramic vessel sinks and fresh flowers on the vanity complete the decor.



Walker Art Center
Minneapolis

Black walls and contrasting floor-to-ceiling glossy stall doors give this restroom a sleek, modern look that draws raves from visitors.



Vanity Nightclub

Las Vegas

The men's room sports faux reptile walls and flat-screen TVs over the urinals, but the women's loo is truly over the top with individual vanities with red-velvet seating, gold-plated faucets and a $40,000 hand-blown glass chandelier.



Da Marino Ristorante Italiano
New York

With stone inlay on the walls, statuary, waterfall and candlelight, the women's restroom is a "miniature Italian sanctuary."



Buc-ee's
New Braunfels, Texas

The Texas-based chain of convenience stores provides clean, reliable pit stops for motorists, but with 83 stalls, the facility off I-35 in New Braunfels is a stand-out.



Lane Stadium/Worsham Field at Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va.

Motion sensors set off short school-related messages or ads when a fan approaches the over-sink mirrors. The TV screen then reverts back to mirror status.