Last minute make up touch ups, deep conversations, drunken texts with an ex-situationship – toilets act as an important backdrop for modern life.
So, it feels only fitting to take a great amount of care and consideration when it comes to ranking the UK’s premier loos.
Thankfully, we have an expert on-side who knows exactly what she’s doing.
Introducing Gemma Wardle, the mysterious figure behind TikTok account @loos_of_london, a page dedicated to reviewing and experiencing some of the most luxurious toilet seats this country has to offer.
Gearing up to tackle another year of bathroom shenanigans, Gemma spoke with Metro about the recent competition she held crowning ‘Loo of the Year’ – an awards ceremony that’ll likely rival the Oscars come 2026.
Gemma’s honourable mentions
Gemma started @loos_of_london shortly after Covid, having always had an affinity with decadent bathroom decor.
Now, five years later, the creator is a bona fide toilet-connoisseur, with almost 80,000 followers and a voice so perfect for the role you’d think she’d been trained by Dame Judi Dench herself.
Not only does Gemma provide comprehensive reviews of the loos she visits – giving her follower’s the lowdown on everything from vibes to toilet paper durability – she has also curated an extremely helpful and thorough map of them.
A Google pin from Gemma is a surefire way of ensuring a happy and enjoyable squatting experience. Go piss girls!
Gemma nominates five thrones to take this year’s loo of the year throne, with all nominees having previously received a 5/5 rating from the creator – and interestingly, two of the loos featured are from outside the capital.
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But, before we get into the nitty gritty of which WC was voted MVP, let’s hear about the top contenders who just missed the mark.
Reviewed by Gemma back in October, The Ivy Marylebone performed exceedingly well – described by our resident bathroom expert as ‘loo Nirvana.’
‘Inside the loo, you’ll find the most beautiful white and pink toilet, a loo brush, a sanitary bin, and of course a coat hook!,’ said Gemma, who also complimented the restaurant for its ‘star embossed quilted loo roll.’
Another 5/5 option, the Great Scotland Yard Hotel’s lavatory was described by Gemma as ‘the most regal in London,’ with ‘the most fabulous flush [she’s] ever seen.’
‘This old Victorian loo is exquisite, with a vintage wooden toilet seat and gold hardware,’ she added.
Next up is Coco Asia, Essex – the first on the list to venture outside of London.
‘If you’re looking for over the top glamour, sometimes the only way is Essex,’ Gemma explained, giving points for the ‘black, mock crocodile wallpaper’ adorning the walls and a ‘magnificent glowing marble sink.’
And finally, it’s Barbara’s Bier Haus in Birmingham. A bierkeller fan’s ultimate fantasy, the loo in this party spot was so exciting Gemma travelled over two hours just to get a glimpse.
A dunny with its very own disco, she described it as her ‘very own personal party.’
A final shout out must be given to Brightside Roadside Dining, a spot that Gemma shared is ‘definitely in my top 10.’
‘A motorway cafe that’s a vintage 70s chic in every way with an avocado toilet and sink… If only every motorway loo was as glamorous as that one,’ she continued.
What makes for a top-tier loo?
According to Gemma, it’s all about design.
‘I love a nice hand wash and hand lotion, a good hand dryer along with hand towels, and a coat hook is non-negotiable,’ she says. ‘We also award high points to those spaces that include free sanitary products.’
While free period products and hygiene basics should be a given, a lot of places are lacking. There’s been a pretty intense online movement around this as of late, criticising certain establishments for prioritising fancy designs over real functionality – and in a number of cases, the complete lack of a proper toilet door.
‘People are wanting to push boundaries and win awards,’ interiors expert, Deirdre McGettrick, founder of ufurnish.com, told Metro. ‘They want to do something different and sometimes that means doing something that doesn’t work.’
She added: ‘It’s about design over function. They’re trying to be funky, and trendy — they want to stand out.’
In terms of her personal favourite city squat spot, Gemma struggles to give just one answer, but says, ‘The Ritz is a hard one to beat.’
‘The Peninsula comes in at a very close second as it’s a newer hotel, so it’s clear they took their time to think about how to make such a beautiful loo,’ she tells Metro. ‘Claridges also has such glamorous vintage loos too, and an attendant that turns on the taps for you – a luxury I never knew I needed!’
And the winner goes to…
We won’t leave you waiting any longer. In partnership with Wickes, Gemma gave the crown for the winning loo in London for 2025 to Jacuzzi in Kensington.
An Italian restaurant in West London known for its lavish interiors and Neapolitan pizzas, Jacuzzi has become a bit of an internet phenomenon since its opening in 2023.
With over 12,000 views and 50 comments, its loo was ultimately chosen ‘due to its incredible mirrored sparkle and disco-tinged glow – a genuine social media magnet.’
And it’s true. Visitors have become truly obsessed with the city hotspot, with countless videos showing off the toilets rather than the dining room.
Gemma herself described the vibe in Jacuzzi’s loos as an ’80s erotica extravaganza,’ going on to add: ‘Once you’re inside, you’ll feel as though you’ve been teleported to an Italian disco.’
Tim Richards, Senior Bathrooms Category Manager at Wickes, tells Metro: ‘What makes the Jacuzzi loo resonate is its joyful design. Loos are becoming backdrops for self-expression, and through layered lighting, tactile surfaces and a few heritage cues, homeowners can achieve the same look and feel of these viral spaces in their own home.’
However, if you happen to be a part of the growing #bringbackdoors movement, this restaurant might not be for you, as the loos have two-way mirrors, meaning while you’re doing your business, you’ll have the pleasure (or pain) of watching a total stranger wash their hands. Talk about intimate.
Described as ‘slightly scary’ by customers, could this be a designer taking things a step too far?
The only way to know for sure is to take a trip to Jacuzzi and see it for yourself. And while you’re there, order the truffle pasta – you’ll thank me later.
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