Sleepbox at Dulles International Airport may be the best new space for travelers in desperate need of some rest.
Airports may not seem like the best places to get some rest, but what can you do when you just need that nap while traveling? Many of us can attest to sleep deprivation during long-haul travel, and there aren’t always many options for tired, stranded travelers waiting for their flights.
Frequent flyers know all too well that napping isn’t just for cranky toddlers. It’s essential for health and happiness for exhausted passengers too.
Nearly half of Americans say that insufficient sleep affects their daily activities, according to research from the National Sleep Foundation.
Experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep per night. One alternative that is key for those who travel frequently or have busy schedules is to take a nap during the day. 20 to 30 minutes is usually enough to feel refreshed.
“Our mission at Sleepbox is to provide an oasis of ease and simplicity in an otherwise tiring journey,” Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Peter Chambers, told us.
I recently spotted some MetroNaps napping chairs (“EnergyPods”) at Jet Blu Terminal 5 at JFK airport. Clearly airports are starting to take notice of their weary travelers, and we’re excited to watch this trend grow.
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Best features of the Sleepbox lounge at Dulles International Airport
Soon to open this summer in June, the Sleepbox napping lounge at Dulles International Airport is the first of its kind to open at an airport in the United States. The lounge will be located in Terminal A between A6 and A14 on the Mezzanine level near the AeroTrain.
What is a Sleepbox?
The aptly named Sleepbox is a modular solution for quiet and relaxing sleep. It’s a private space that encourages tired passengers to drop in and take a break. Sleepboxes are secure, standalone, sound-insulated sleeping compartments.
Here are some of the things we love best about the Sleepboxes:
1. Lighting. The Sleepbox is illuminated with mood-setting LED lights. Adjustable LED lighting can directly improve your mood and physical health.
2. Quiet. Despite its location in a noisy airport, you’ll find that the Sleepbox lounge is noise-free, thanks to the entirely soundproof design.
3. Tech-enabled. You can plug into Sleepbox’s separate, secure Wifi network inside your box. They also feature a recharging port, controls for temperature, and a hookup to play your music.
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The 1,200-square-foot space will offer 16 suite boxes. Each box is meant for a single occupant. The boxes come in two sizes: the compact size is 30 square feet, while the standard size is 45 square feet.
Hourly rates start at $30, with discounts for more extended stays or overnight rentals.
One thing to keep in mind is there are no shower or bathroom services at the lounge. Sleepboxes are purely meant for sleeping, napping, working, or just getting some much-needed quiet and privacy.
Sleepbox at Dulles International Airport will be open 24 hours a day, every day of the week. It’s limited to guests 18 years of age or older, and Sleepboxes are strictly single-occupancy, so you’ll have to make other arrangements for your romantic rendezvous.
Then there’s the convenience of being able to check in on your phone using the company’s website or its smartphone app.
“We believe that the opportunity to relax and recharge in the midst of our busy lives is a valuable asset,” said Mikhail Krymov, Sleepbox CEO and founder. Agreed!
We can’t wait to try out the new Sleepbox lounge! What about you?
