worlds

WHEN you think of beautiful attractions to go to on holiday, toilets are rarely top of the list.

But a shopping centre’s bogs have been called the most beautiful in the world – and they hardly look like the ones in Westfield.

The toilets are on the sixth floor of the Deji Plaza Mall in Nanjing in China.

Dubbed the world’s most beautiful bathroom by Architectural Digest, they opened back in 2022 and were designed by X+Living, a Shanghai-based architecture firm.

Inside, are seven relaxation areas as well as male and female toilets.

Visitors enter through what is known as the ‘Experience Hall’ with dark greens and nods to insects and plant life.

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For example, black and white tiles on the floor mimic butterfly wings with touches of gold meant resemble bees.

There’s even a lounge between the men’s and women’s loos, with plush pink sofas designed to look like a ‘flower blooming’.

Guests can make use of glowing vanities too, as well as wireless charging points, with a dressing room per loo.

For mums there is a nursery room and in case of an incident, there is a medical room as well.

The same shopping mall has more themed toilets on other floors.

For example, on the second floor the toilets have a retro style, on the third floor the theme is futuristic.

The fourth floor has a Japanese theme and on the fifth floor the design is ‘extravagant’ and even features a piano.

The sixth floor toilets have several viral videos on social media with people commenting: “That’s a toilet? It looks so much better than most hotels.”

Another person said: “It’s an experience, so much outfit of the day spots.”

A third person commented: “Never thought toilets would be a public attraction but those toilets are very beautiful.”

While nowhere near as grand, London‘s has new loos as well.

New public toilets were unveiled at the Grade-II listed, Piccadilly Circus Tube Station this week, described as “London’s newest tourist attraction”, according to The Standard.

Inside the loos, visitors are greeted by bold blue, pink and yellow tiles.

Murals have been designed by London-based artist James Lambert, with each tile hand-painted and hand-made.

The design of the toilets is inspired by Anteros, the god of requited love and features winged-figures and an arrow motif, meant to show “energy, spectacle, and connection”.

The motif of different lines and shapes is meant to reflect the Art Deco history of the area.

This includes the redesign of the underground station in the 1920s by Charles Holden.

Other venues nearby that feature an Art Deco design include Brasserie Zedel, which has gilded columns and a lavish American cocktail bar.

To see the toilets (or actually use them) at Piccadilly Circus Tube Station, you’ll need to pay the 80p entrance fee.

The toilets are part of a £12.7million council project to upgrade a total of eight public toilets in London including at Green Park, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.

For more toilet-based tourist destinations, last year a Victorian public toilet was turned into a hotel – in the middle of a historic city.

Plus, Tripadvisor’s top-ranked UK toilet is in Scots seaside town and even has its own visitors’ book.

Nominations are only open from March 5 to 12

A chocolate-filled hotel room that money simply cannot buy is being offered to the “world’s sweetest person” as part of a new campaign launched across Europe. Chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely has teamed up with hospitality group The Social Hub to create a chocolate-drenched pop-up suite at The Social Hub Amsterdam.

The fortunate winner will enjoy an immersive stay in the chocolate-themed rooms, as though they’ve walked straight into the world of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. However, guests won’t be expected to find a golden ticket or be able to book or pay for the room.

Instead, people must nominate the “sweetest person” they know to win a stay. Winners will then be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime chocolate sleepover alongside the friend who nominated them.

Sounds sweet? Here’s what to expect at the hotel

Within the three-room suite, guests will discover chocolate-themed décor, mismatched furniture inspired by Tony’s bars, chocolate room service and a playlist featuring artists from cocoa-producing regions.

The room will also showcase messages of connection, kindness and inspiration in every corner. Guests will also be given a special two-piece chocolate bar, including a limited-edition white and milk chocolate flavour with caramel and sea salt, exclusive to the pop-up in The Social Hub Amsterdam City.

Guests can then keep one bar and give the other away as an act of kindness. The stay also includes a “wake-up call” about exploitation in the West African cocoa supply chain.

Tony’s Chocolonely is showcasing its partnership with approximately 40,000 cocoa farmers to help them achieve a living income.

Sadira E. Furlow, Chief of Global Brand & Communications at Tony’s Chocolonely, said: “As an impact brand that makes chocolate, we’re trying to end exploitation in cocoa by showing chocolate can be made very differently.

“In taste and how we work with cocoa farmers. By launching the world’s sweetest hotel room at The Social Hub, we want to invite fans to indulge in our chocolate, connect with each other and celebrate the people who truly care about the impact their actions have on others.”

To kick off the campaign, “Missing: the world’s sweetest person” posters will be displayed throughout Amsterdam, Berlin, and Glasgow, whilst Social Hub staff will reward guests who demonstrate acts of “sweetness” with Tony’s chocolate.

How to enter

For the opportunity to experience the chocolate hotel, residents from the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany can submit nominations via the Instagram accounts of The Social Hub and Tony’s Chocolonely between March 5 and 12.

A judging panel from both companies will choose one winner from each country. The room will be revealed on March 20 and available for 10 days. Enthusiasts in Amsterdam can also visit the space on March 29 from 1pm onwards.

Pre-booking through The Social Hub website will be necessary for visits, though fans won’t be permitted to stay overnight unless they secure victory in the competition. Trix van der Vleuten, Chief Marketing Officer at The Social Hub, commented: “The world feels increasingly divided. We’re more digitally connected than ever, yet loneliness is rising.

“We wanted to come together with Tony’s to showcase that sweetness – simple, human kindness – matters more than ever, and that people can enjoy our products whilst positively impacting society.”

She added: “Doing good makes you feel good. So does eating chocolate that’s produced fairly, and so does spending time in a one-of-a-kind choco hotel room with someone else.

“Like Tony’s chocolate bars, this room is designed to be shared. We can’t wait to reveal it, as there’s truly never been anything else like this before.”

To put forward someone as the world’s sweetest person, visit The Social Hub’s Instagram page for a chance to secure the once-in-a-lifetime sleepover. Click here to discover more.

THE WORLD’S first Hey Duggee themed hotel rooms are launching at a UK theme park next month.

The beloved BBC preschool series, which features a friendly dog and his Squirrel Club, will soon have its own themed rooms at Alton Towers theme park.

Launching March 14, fans of Hey Duggee will be able to stay in rooms that bring the Duggee Clubhouse to life.

There will be one standard room and one suite, with each able to sleep up to five guests.

Each room will feature a double bed with a bespoke headboard, themed TV and furniture and even a dedicated children’s area with bunk beds inspired by the Squirrel Club.

Each space will also be full of familiar faces from the show including Betty, Happy, Norrie, Tag and Roly.

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Kids will even be able to play a sensory game with elements from the series in the room.

For those with beady eyes, you’ll be able to spot characters hidden in corners too.

A one-night stay in March or April, in the Hey Duggee standard room costs from £343 a night and in the Hey Duggee suite, from £450.

Included in the room are tea and coffee making facilities, a bottle warmer, cot, iron and ironing board and toiletries.

You will also get a full-English breakfast, free parking and access to nine-hole golf.

And throughout the day and evening, the hotel hosts activities as well, such as a tots disco, stargazing and live shows.

It is worth noting though, that theme park tickets are not included in this price.

If you want to head into the theme park, standard entry which includes access to CBeebies Land costs £34 when booked in advance online.

You can also grab a £29 toddler and parent pass, with children under 90cm tall visiting for free.

Alton Towers is already home to a Hey Duggee themed interactive sensory play area in CBeebies Land, where kids can meet Duggee and collect a Big Adventure Badge.

There’s also Hey Duggee Live, where fans can help Duggee, Roly, Betty and Happy discover the mystery DJ in Big Fun Showtime.

The CBeebies Land Hotel is designed for young families at Alton Towers and features a number of other themed rooms, such as Bluey, Bing, In the Night Garden, Octonauts and Something Special.

Guests staying in the hotel also get to meet some of their favourite CBeebies characters.

Natasha Spence, Events Director – Live Entertainment at BBC Studios, said: “These world-first Hey Duggee themed hotel rooms bring the Duggee Clubhouse to life in a truly immersive way.

“It’s a wonderful extension of the show that allows fans and families to continue the fun, imagination and adventure beyond the screen and we’re delighted to be working with Alton Towers Resort again to create something so special.”

Howard Ebison, Vice President of Alton Towers Resort said: “What better way for fans to relax and continue the adventures after a fun-filled day at CBeebies Land than with a stay in our world-first Hey Duggee themed rooms.

“We have an exciting year ahead in 2026 at Alton Towers Resort for families and this themed addition to CBeebies Land Hotel is the latest example of our commitment to unforgettable memories and immersive experiences for families.”

The new Hey Duggee-themed rooms follow the announcement of the world’s first Bluey-themed rollercoaster which will open in CBeebies Land on March 28.

Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! will be based on the episode where Bluey and Bingo dress up as grannies called Janet and Rita, with the two characters causing chaos on the ride.

Ebison said: “Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! is all about celebrating energy, play and those everyday moments families love about the show.

“It’s playful, unexpected and unmistakably Bluey – and we can’t wait to welcome families from March 28 to experience the world’s first Bluey coaster right here at Alton Towers Resort.”

In other theme park news, you can get a year’s free entry to 20 of UK’s top theme parks and attractions for less than cost of one chocolate bar a week.

Plus, there’s a European theme park that feels like the ‘Eden Project meets Disney’ and it is getting two new rides this summer.

POTTERHEADS can get their robes and wands ready as a major Harry Potter store will be opening in the UK this year.

Warner Bros. Global Experiences has announced that it will be opening its first premier flagship shop in London – the first of its kind in Europe.

Harry Potter Oxford Street will open in autumn of this year and will be located at The Ribbon, at 134-140 Oxford Street.

In total, the store will sprawl across just under 2,000sqm (1,950sqm) and be on two floors – making it the joint biggest Harry Potter store in the world alongside New York.

Designs are currently underway to transform the inside of the building on the UK’s most famous street to “a wizarding emporium celebrating the beloved locations featured in the books and films”.

Whether you’re a fan of Hermione or can’t wait to ‘swish-and-flick’ your own wand, there will be plenty of photo opportunities throughout the store.

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There will be a number of activities to complete as well and fans better get saving as there will be exclusive merchandise on sale too.

Little details are known about other features of the store, but if it is anything like the one in New York, fans can expect props from the films and potentially a Honeydukes corner.

The store will join the King’s Cross Shop as the only official Harry Potter retail destinations in the UK.

Karl Durrant, WB’s SVP Worldwide Retail said: “Harry Potter is deeply rooted in British storytelling, and this will give fans an exciting new way to experience this magical world in the city that features so prominently in the stories. 

“Offering a completely new retail experience for Harry Potter fans which will delight and entertain, it’s going to be very special.”

There are a number of other official Harry Potter Shops around the world including in New York, Chicago in the USA and Harajuku and Akasaka in Japan.

Warner Bros Studio Tour London, near Watford, also recently launched a costume-making workshop.

Fans are allowed to go behind the scenes of the movies and explore costumes that were actually used in the films.

Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski recently went to the workshop and said: “Unlike the main tour, where guests just wander freely around the attraction, Mastering The Magic: Costume Creation is a 45-minute workshop that allows muggles to even create their own Potter-themed outfit.

“My small group learns that a school-aged Harry, for example, is first seen by viewers in his battered shirt and threadbare trousers, which conveys how poorly treated he is by his aunt and uncle.

“After learning tricks of the trade, we’re talked through the lengthy process of costume creation, from initial concept, taken from scripts, through to mood boards with fabric samples and right down to the final sketches.

“Then it’s time to get stuck in – sketching our own designs and pinning scraps of fabric left over from the costumes featured in the actual films.

“I choose a ruby red and black patch of fur, pairing it with a gold satin – more Malfoy territory than Potter.

“And for a brief moment, I’ve played my part as a Harry Potter costume designer.”

Just last month, it was also announced that there will be a new experience based on the Hogwarts Express later this year.

Partnering with Rail Events Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery will launch Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure later this year.

The magical experience will be an immersive train journey, where Potterheads can be witches and wizards heading to Hogwarts.

There will be character interactions, themed dining and even a pre-boarding experience that “nods to Platform 9 and three quarters”.

Most of the experience will actually be on a moving train as well.

The route and launch locations are yet to be confirmed.

In other Harry Potter destination news, Legoland is set to open a Harry Potter land with rides and wizard-themed hotel rooms.

Plus, here’s a look inside the real life Hogwarts where Harry Potter fans can stay this summer – and it’s surprisingly cheap.