When our 6:15 p.m. flight to NYC was pushed back the first time, an unsettling sensation in my gut told me that my travel day wasn’t going to be so easy after all.
Before I knew it, it was 11 p.m., our flight was pushed to 5 a.m., and my partner and I were faced with a few options:
The first was to find somewhere in the Charlotte airport to try to crash for a few hours — maybe on the floor, near an outlet, where we could stretch out and charge our phones.
The second, and somehow less appealing option, was to return to my apartment (a mere 15 minutes away) and try to get some sleep before dragging ourselves back to the departures hall before sunrise.
The third option — booking a Minute Suites room to nap in — felt like the most logical way to get some rest before a busy trip.
It wasn’t the most economical choice, but compared to the alternatives, my sleep-deprived brain convinced me that it was the best way to handle the frustrating delay.
Our five-hour stay felt pricey, even after a discount.
Minute Suites, which are located after security in major airports across the US, aren’t exactly for budget travelers.
Each hour costs about $65, though longer stays receive slight discounts (for example, eight hours cost around $460). Either way, this can add up quickly if you need a place to stay for a long layover or delay.
Travelers can also pay about $30 extra to take a shower at the facilities (or book only a shower), but we chose not to.
Luckily, through my Priority Pass membership, I got an hour free and a discounted rate of about $40 per additional hour. Still, the total cost for my five-hour stay was $171.60.
Although travelers can reserve these private “nap rooms” in advance, those using a Priority Pass discount can only do so in person. Unfortunately, this meant crossing our fingers and hoping for availability upon arrival.
Luckily, we were able to secure one of just six or so suites: The Gold Rush Room.
The room was simple, and its trundle bed felt spacious.
After we checked in, a staff member took my partner on a quick tour of the restroom facilities while I headed to our room.
It was simply furnished with a desk, a chair, a couch that converts to a trundle bed, a television, and a small nightstand. The trundle bed meant my partner and I had plenty of room to stretch out.
We were also given pillows and thin blankets akin to those you might expect on a long-haul flight. The pillows were surprisingly soft.
The room felt so warm that we also requested a fan from the receptionist.
We used the TV to help us fall asleep to some background noise.
The smart TV, affixed to the wall directly above the room’s small desk, had full streaming capabilities. There was also free WiFi and plenty of outlets to charge our phones and other devices.
Rather than trying to fall asleep in the terminal surrounded by loud announcements, custodians, and bright overhead lights, we put on one of our favorite shows and dozed off in the private room.
The privacy, peace, and convenience made the sleeping room worth every penny.
Compared to airport lounges like The Club or Amex’s Centurion Lounge, Minute Suites have far fewer included amenities. You should not, for example, expect complimentary snacks, soda, or alcoholic beverages — though they’re available for an extra cost.
Instead, the biggest perk is having a secluded retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal.
Although we could have easily returned home for the night, staying in the Minute Suites room meant we didn’t have to worry about making it back in time for our early-morning departure or dealing with the hassle of going through security again.
We set our alarm for 3:50 a.m. and woke up just a short walk from our gate in Concourse B, which made the wake-up call somewhat more manageable.
The pricey experience felt worth the cost in this situation, but I don’t think I’d splurge on a private room regularly — especially during the day when I have access to other lounges.
However, when dealing with unexpected overnight delays, it’s a convenience I’d definitely pay for again.
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