In Search of Toto Toilets
#93
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: New England and NYC
Programs: Am Ex Platinum, American, Jet Blue, Marriott, Hotels.com, Relais & Chateaux, American, Delta, United
Posts: 1
Toto toilet smell
I have seen posts on how great these toilets are, and perhaps that is for home use. I have encountered a few - at a Four Seasons hotel in Japan and a Ritz Carlton in Montreal. Both toilets have a disgusting smell before they are even used, and I am wondering if it is how they are cleaned or self clean. I add that it is not a "bathroom" smell like urine or feces, but a stale dirty smell that pervades the area. The noise, the automatic opening, auto flush and suprises that come from operation (I pushed the "dryer" button and got a butt shower instead) are all annoying but manageable, but the smell is nauseating and makes me wonder how dirty these toilets and the water they use actually are.
#94
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
Programs: Accor Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 31
I have seen posts on how great these toilets are, and perhaps that is for home use. I have encountered a few - at a Four Seasons hotel in Japan and a Ritz Carlton in Montreal. Both toilets have a disgusting smell before they are even used, and I am wondering if it is how they are cleaned or self clean. I add that it is not a "bathroom" smell like urine or feces, but a stale dirty smell that pervades the area. The noise, the automatic opening, auto flush and suprises that come from operation (I pushed the "dryer" button and got a butt shower instead) are all annoying but manageable, but the smell is nauseating and makes me wonder how dirty these toilets and the water they use actually are.
I have decided to try a cheaper brand for the 3 toilets in my new house, Ecoway, and I am very happy with them even if they are 8x cheaper than the Toto and no smell at all so far (after 1 year)
#95
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 882
I have seen posts on how great these toilets are, and perhaps that is for home use. I have encountered a few - at a Four Seasons hotel in Japan and a Ritz Carlton in Montreal. Both toilets have a disgusting smell before they are even used, and I am wondering if it is how they are cleaned or self clean. I add that it is not a "bathroom" smell like urine or feces, but a stale dirty smell that pervades the area. The noise, the automatic opening, auto flush and suprises that come from operation (I pushed the "dryer" button and got a butt shower instead) are all annoying but manageable, but the smell is nauseating and makes me wonder how dirty these toilets and the water they use actually are.
I had two Neorest 700h at home and that smell is starting to be there after 3 years. I believe it comes from the odor filter (ironically) which is not replaceable. I recently sold my condo so it doesn't bother me anymore but it is really an issue. The ones at the Ritz Montreal which are 12 years old really have a strong smell which is very unfortunate.
I have decided to try a cheaper brand for the 3 toilets in my new house, Ecoway, and I am very happy with them even if they are 8x cheaper than the Toto and no smell at all so far (after 1 year)
I have decided to try a cheaper brand for the 3 toilets in my new house, Ecoway, and I am very happy with them even if they are 8x cheaper than the Toto and no smell at all so far (after 1 year)
With Washlet+ , it's 5x cheaper and can be easily detached for an easy clean. Recently saw them in the public toilets at Changi T4, however didn't managed to take a picture.
#96
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NGS
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To add another data point, I've had two Toto Neorest Washlet self-flushing toilets with a "Hybrid Ecology System" (marketing speak no doubt) in our house in Japan since 2008 and they have never needed to be serviced nor have they ever emitted the foul odor mentioned above.
#97
To add another data point, I've had two Toto Neorest Washlet self-flushing toilets with a "Hybrid Ecology System" (marketing speak no doubt) in our house in Japan since 2008 and they have never needed to be serviced nor have they ever emitted the foul odor mentioned above.
Furthermore, I've yet to come across Totos in hotels/ryokans that have emitted strange odor. Moldy smell from shower/vanity area/carpet, yes. Toilets, no.
#98
Ditto. We've had two Toto washlet toilets in our Japan home since 2009, and only recently replaced them with a new Toto model. We've never had any mechanical problems with either of them, nor have we experienced any odor problems whatsoever.
Furthermore, I've yet to come across Totos in hotels/ryokans that have emitted strange odor. Moldy smell from shower/vanity area/carpet, yes. Toilets, no.
Furthermore, I've yet to come across Totos in hotels/ryokans that have emitted strange odor. Moldy smell from shower/vanity area/carpet, yes. Toilets, no.
#99
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: USA
Posts: 58
![Talking](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif)
We did somehow manage to get a new filter, after much harrassment of both the Toto rep., and the local plumbing supply house who FINALLY was able to locate and order a new filter, pre-covid.
In the main house we have Toto Neorest NX2 for the last 3 years in the bathrooms, and none of them have a smell problem at all.
I have to admit, when we go on vacation, it always baffles me now in the bathrooms that the lid doesn't open by itself, the seat isn't heated, and the toilets don't flush by themselves. Except the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills had a Toto lid lifting/heated seat/automatic flush in one of their suites last month - heaven
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#100
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,130
#101
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 515
The Skyline category of room or higher, and all suites at the Capella Sydney are outfitted with Toto washlets. Last year I was in a Tower Room, which didn't have a washlet, and the hotel staff on a recent stay, after I mentioned I was pleasantly surprised that my Skyline room had a Toto, explained that only certain rooms have them. BTW, another very nice stay at that property.
#103
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: nyc/l.a.
Programs: all of 'em.
Posts: 331
Pretty soon we'll be programming these toilets on a hologram, waving our arms around, like Tom Cruise in Minority Report.
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,735
Funny thread. First report:
The Chatwal Lodge, Upstate NY.
The seat was very, VERY warm though. I could for the life of me not figure out if there was a way to adjust the temperature of the seat down. Is there? I nearly burned my bum every time I had to sit down!![Big Grin](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
The Chatwal Lodge, Upstate NY.
The seat was very, VERY warm though. I could for the life of me not figure out if there was a way to adjust the temperature of the seat down. Is there? I nearly burned my bum every time I had to sit down!
![Big Grin](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#105
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 21,335
Yes, there is. There are settings on the LCD screen on back of the remote control, which is not accessible if the remote is screwed into the wall mount (as it often is at hotels).