The Great Garde Arts Center in New London

I say the Great Garde Arts Center not only because the theater is an absolute jewel in the city, hosting wonderful shows, musical acts, ballets, operas, you name it, but they may have one of the best ladies rooms around. The floor and stalls are so clean and bright, they shine. The tile floor is so beautifully polished that it gleams. There are paper toilet seat cover dispensers in every stall and easy-to-use sliding security bolts on the doors. The seat cover dispensers, toilet paper, soap and hand towels are well stocked. The lighting is just right and there are so many stalls that there's not a long wait. In fact, I was there last weekend for George Thorogood and the Destroyers where quite a bit of beer was being consumed and used the ladies room after the opening band finished their set. I expected to have to wait in line, but there was no line at all! From what I observed the crowd was mostly middle-aged men and women so most of the women must have used the ladies room at least once, especially the beer drinkers.

I didn't count the stalls, but I'd estimate there are at least ten. A nice bank of sinks are available near the entrance, set inward so you're not blocking the traffic area while you wash and dry your hands. This is a very inviting and comfortable ladies room.

Digiplex 12: Now Carmike Cinema

I used to really love this ladies room, but conditions had been in decline for some time. One of the Xlerator hand dryers that I had loved so much died. Having only one dryer, even though it was an Xlerator, was kind of inconvenient. Months later, the hand dryer was still out of operation. Also, the soap dispenser on the left of the two sinks was chronically empty and the general cleanliness of the room was disappointing. Like I mentioned in my first review of this ladies room, when one of them is empty you must reach in front of the patron using the other sink to access the dispenser on the right. This also went on for months.

Then I learned that Digiplex was bought by Carmike Cinemas. The dead Xlerator has been replaced with a paper towel dispenser! This helps a lot. It's much better than having to wait your turn for the hand dryer. Apparently, the Xlerators do a fast and thorough job of drying your hands, but the life-span of the machine is pretty short. I've also noticed that the overall cleanliness of the ladies room has improved as well.