I tried a private airport sleeping room that's $65 an hour — it had perks, but I think lounges offer a way better value
Yet even the nicest lounges aren't without fault. Some face overcrowding, and they're not always as quiet as you'd expect.
Plus, if you don't receive complimentary lounge access through your airline status or credit card, single-use lounge passes can be pricey — typically around $60 to $80 per person.
So, on a recent layover in the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, I looked for an alternative and found Minute Suites, a company that rents out private sleeping rooms in airport terminals across the US.
By the time I arrived in Dallas for my layover after an early morning flight, I was already exhausted. I couldn't wait to wind down in a private room and take a break during my busy travel day.So, I reserved one hour in a private suite. The reservation normally costs $65, but I received the first hour free of charge through my Priority Pass membership.
I used the desk and daybed. The room's daybed was ideal for a brief rest — albeit not as plush as a standard hotel bed — and the desk was a useful space where I could get some work done before my flight.
I appreciated the space's special touches, such as the sound-masking device, which blocked enough noise to make me forget I was in an airport.The room also came with several varieties of snacks and drinks that were available for purchase.I could've paid an extra $20 to use the space's showers, but the cost seemed a bit too high to justify during my short reservation.
I felt relaxed after my stay, but the price felt a little hard to justify. My hourlong rental passed by quickly, and I left the suite feeling refreshed and ready for my next flight. The private room gave me a much-needed break from the busy terminal outside.However, I found the price somewhat high since I was alone, and Minute Suites are priced by the room and not per personAt $65 for the first hour, I'm not sure a short reservation was worth the cost as a solo traveler. If I were with friends or family, this rental's cost would be easier to justify. Nonetheless, I see the appeal of renting a suite on an overnight layover. An eight-hour rental, for instance, runs $215. Given that the suite is directly in the airport and post-security, there's no doubt it's convenient for an overnight stay.In addition, booking a Minute Suites space could be the ultimate travel hack for families with young children. There's no need to chase kids around a crowded terminal — the private room provides space for them to nap, watch a movie, and wind down before a flight.
I find that airport lounges offer a better value for my travel style. I appreciated the privacy of Minute Suites, but ultimately missed the amenities offered in an airport lounge.When I fly, I love stopping by a lounge for a complimentary meal and pre-flight drink, whether an espresso martini, gelato, or made-to-order pasta.Minute Suites only has snacks and drinks that can be purchased. The lack of an included shower was a downside, too. Not all airport lounges offer free-to-use showers, but it's an amenity I frequently seek out when flying internationally.Lastly, I prefer the pricing structure of airport lounges over the hourly rates at Minute Suites. For example, United Airlines' United Club offers single-use passes for $59 that provide lounge access for three hours before your first flight or your entire layover during a connection.I can spend a lot more time in an airport lounge for roughly the same price as an hour at Minute Suites. Even so, I'm not opposed to trying Minute Suites again. If I ever found myself stuck in an airport overnight, a private room would almost certainly be priceless.Nine times out of 10, though, I'd probably choose an airport lounge instead for the best value.
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