1. Summary
This article explores innovative mini hotels located in major airports, providing travelers with a way to find rest and relaxation during layovers. Discover options in London, Bergamo, Munich, and the United States that offer high-tech amenities and convenient access.
Lengthy layovers are typically something to dread; however, with a new range of mini hotels popping up in terminals all over the world, you can now find a place to sleep, work, and freshen up that doesn’t even require you to leave the airport.
These tiny spaces are crammed with high-tech features, keeping you entertained, connected, and refreshed for a few hours at least.
Check out these four options, and if you’re transiting for a few hours in the near future, consider checking the airport’s website as well, as travelers start to see the appeal; consequently, new capsule-style hotels are appearing all the time.
London, United Kingdom
Yotel was one of the first companies on the scene with miniature, high-tech airport hotels in both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Furthermore, they have expanded to airport locations in Amsterdam, Paris, Istanbul, and Singapore.
In a space between seven and ten square meters (75-110 square feet), Yotel manages to cram a monsoon shower, single or double bed, multiple power points, and a flat-screen television. Moreover, there’s a larger, 250 square foot room with a bunk bed option for three adults or two adults and two small kids.
You will also find free Wi-Fi connection and a work desk. Hot drinks are complimentary, and food can be ordered to your room. Rooms are booked by the hour on the company’s site, with the minimum four-hour stay costing between 36 and 65 British pounds ($55-$100) depending on room size.
Bergamo, Italy
Three oddly-named ZzZleepandGo cubicle hotels have been installed at Italy’s Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo and at Malpensa Airport in Milan. These tiny rooms are equipped with plenty of high-tech features, making them a great choice for travelers.
The rooms are self-cleaning and soundproofed, ensuring you don’t have to listen to the endless din of boarding calls and screaming kids. They come complete with free Wi-Fi and mood lighting to help you get some rest.
If you can’t sleep, there’s a video screen with pre-programmed entertainment, along with a work desk for dealing with last-minute emails. You’ll pay nine euros for the first hour at check-in, while the following hours are charged per minute, allowing you to only pay for the actual time that passes between check-in and check-out. Access is via the company’s free app.
Munich, Germany
The napcabs installed in Munich and Berlin airports are hard to miss, with their bright colors and distinctive cube shape. A mere four square meters (45 square feet) houses a single bed, work desk, air conditioning, ambient lighting, Wi-Fi access, and a television.
You can set an alarm to ensure you don’t miss your flight, and charge from the included electrical outlets or USB ports. The pricing is €15 per hour between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and €10 per hour during the night, with a minimum charge of thirty euros. Payment is by credit card at the time.
Minute Suites, United States
The first Minute Suites was introduced in Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. With a daybed sofa rather than a full bed, these mini hotel rooms are more useful for a short nap than a lengthy sleep; however, you do get fresh blankets and pillows.
Moreover, there’s a sound-masking system to keep things nice and quiet, as well as a unique “napware” audio program designed to help you nod off more quickly. If that doesn’t work, there’s also Internet access via the inbuilt entertainment system, airport Wi-Fi, or a network port.
Minute Suites can also be found in Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Dallas-Fort Worth airports. The pricing starts at $42 for the one-hour minimum, with discounts available for longer stays. Showers are available at an extra cost.
