What is the most costly toilet in the world?

It is often said that the path to wisdom is paved with indulgence. The team at Hang Fung Gold Technology Group in Hong Kong must certainly possess great wisdom. Their showroom in Hong Kong features the 'Hall of Gold,' a collection of exquisite handcrafted treasures, with the highlight being 'The World's Most Expensive Gold and Jewelry Sparkling Environmental Friendly Washroom' [source: Hang Fung]. The centerpiece is the 24-carat solid gold toilet, which stands out as the star of the gold-plated restroom.

In early 2008, there were concerns that the renowned golden toilet might be melted down. The jewelers reassured the public by confirming that the toilet would remain untouched. However, they also mentioned that some of the other golden fixtures in the bathroom might not be so fortunate [source: AFP].

The company's owners declared that if the price of gold rises to $1,000 per ounce, they would melt down one ton (32,000 ounces) of the tourist attraction into bullion and sell it [source: AFP]. This move would generate $32 million in revenue, with the owners taking home about $17.6 million.

The unique luxury toilet will be preserved and remain in Hang Fung's showroom – it's not for sale. However, if you're looking to add some sparkle to your bathroom, there are other high-end fixtures available that might suit your lavish tastes. Check them out on the next page.

Luxe Bathroom Fixtures

While you can't purchase the Hang Fung gold toilet for your own bathroom, there are plenty of extravagant fixtures you can invest in to upgrade your space. However, be prepared to pay a hefty price.

The Neorest 600 is definitely a top contender in this category. As the priciest toilet you can buy for your home, it’s manufactured by Toto, and boasts a tankless, one-piece design. While it may not be made of gold, it's eco-friendly: this low-flow toilet uses only 1.6 gallons of water per flush. You'll be too impressed by its features to miss the water-wasting days of older toilets. It's also a powerhouse, doing all the work that traditional toilets used to make you handle.

As the Neorest detects your presence, it automatically lifts its lid, inviting you to sit. After you're finished, a gentle stream of warm water cleanses you, followed by an air-dry function. Once you rise, the toilet flushes the self-cleaning, ionized bowl and deodorizes the air [source: Toto]. With all these features, the $5,800 price tag for the Neorest 600 may not seem too unreasonable after all [source: Forbes]. In fact, you can find it for as low as $3,159 [source: Buy Plumbing]. Of course, a regular toilet in the U.S. costs around $150, but it doesn’t offer the same high-tech features as the Neorest.

If you're planning a remodel, why not go all out? Consider adding gold leaf inlays to your backsplash and Italian marble tiles to the bathroom floor.

Be sure to start with the major fixtures. The Idrolux "L" shower, priced around $24,000, features UV panels that give you a healthy, tanned glow as you shower [source: Idrolux]. If you prefer lounging while cleaning, the Kohler Kallista Archeo bathtub allows you to relax in 21 inches of warm water. But check the price first: this freestanding copper tub costs over $66,000 [source: Forbes].

Looking for a luxurious sink? The Italbrass Mezz'aria dual basin sink would look stunning reflecting the blue UV glow from your tanning shower. This floating, wall-mounted sink is made of stainless steel, and the $7,500 price tag doesn’t include the matching mirror above. However, you'll probably want a mirror from another brand. Seura offers mirrors that mount over your sink, some up to 45 inches wide, with an embedded LCD television. Watch the news while getting ready! When turned off, the TV disappears, and the fixture looks like a regular mirror [source: Seura]. These mirrors are customizable and cost about $5,000 for the 45-inch version [source: Home Annex].

Starting your day in a bathroom with all these high-end features would surely put a positive spin on things. But can you really put a price on that experience?

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