Miami Airport: Nap Pods For Weary Travelers?

Miami International Airport is a large hub for international travel and one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States. While the airport is open 24 hours, good sleep options are relatively limited. The terminals tend to be cold and noisy, with little armrest-free seating. However, Miami-Dade officials have recently approved plans for new sleep pods at the airport. Wait N' Rest has received approval to operate two sleep centres, one in the south terminal and one in the north terminal. Each sleep centre will have a mini-lobby, with rooms of roughly 34 square feet, beds or sofas, soundproof walls, air conditioning, charging ports, and Wi-Fi.

Sleep pods are coming to Miami Airport

Sleep pods are coming to Miami International Airport (MIA), providing travellers with a private and quiet space to relax and recharge before continuing their journey. The airport currently offers limited sleep options, with cold and noisy terminals and minimal armrest-free seating.

Wait N' Rest has received approval to operate two sleep centres at Miami Airport, with one located on the third floor of the south terminal and the other on the third floor of the north terminal. Each sleep centre will feature a mini-lobby, with rooms spanning just over three square metres. The rooms will be equipped with beds or sofas, soundproof walls, air conditioning, charging ports, and Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable and convenient resting experience for travellers.

The addition of sleep pods addresses the demand for short-term rest options at the airport, complementing the existing Miami International Airport Hotel, which offers day-use rooms from 10 am to 6 pm. The sleep pods will be ideal for travellers seeking a quick nap or a brief respite during layovers, providing enhanced privacy, security, and comfort.

While the exact opening date of the sleep pods is unclear, travellers flying out in March 2025 are curious if they will be operational by then. The introduction of these sleep pods is a welcome development, enhancing the airport's amenities and providing travellers with a much-needed resting space.

Sleep options at Miami Airport are limited

In June 2024, it was announced that two sleep centres on the airside would offer private rooms equipped with beds, Wi-Fi, noise-cancelling technology, and power outlets. Rates range from $30 to $60 per hour. The sleep centres, operated by Wait N' Rest, will be located on the third floor of the North and South terminals.

Miami Airport is open 24 hours, but security checkpoints close depending on the night's flight schedule, so be sure to ask for this schedule before entering or exiting the airside area at night. Airport staff seem to tolerate sleepers, but they may wake you in the middle of the night to check IDs and tickets. If you have a delayed or cancelled flight, some airlines have provided pillows and blankets to other travellers, so be sure to inquire with your airline.

If you are looking for a more comfortable option, there is a hotel connected directly to the airport, the Miami International Airport Hotel, located inside the Central Terminal, Concourse E, Level 2 (Departures). Day-use rooms are offered from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with rates varying.

Miami Airport is open 24 hours

Miami International Airport (MIA) is open 24 hours. However, security checkpoints close depending on the night's flight schedule, so be sure to ask for this schedule before entering or exiting the airside area at night. If you are in the terminal's public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal's secure area (airside) until the morning.

While the airport is open 24 hours, good sleep options are relatively limited. The terminals tend to be cold and noisy, with little armrest-free seating. That said, there are a few spots where you might be able to get some rest. The International Arrivals area, near baggage carousels 1-6 and the Besame Mucho flower artwork, has some slim red couches that are comfortable enough for sleep. The North Terminal has a quieter, carpeted area just outside the Auditorium. In Terminal D, there is a small, carpeted nook located above Gate D15, near the Admiral's Club. You can also find connected padded benches near TGIF Fridays (after gate D34). In Terminal H, there is a yoga room in the baggage claim area where a reader reported getting a good nap.

Miami-Dade officials have recently approved plans for new sleep pods at the airport. Wait N' Rest will operate two sleep centres, one on the third floor of the south terminal and one on the third floor of the north terminal. Each sleep centre will have a mini-lobby, and rooms will be roughly 34 square feet. They will feature beds or sofas, soundproof walls, air conditioning, charging ports, and Wi-Fi.

In the meantime, if you have a delayed or cancelled flight, some airlines have provided pillows and blankets to travellers. You can inquire with your airline to see if this is available. Miami Airport also has one landside hotel that's connected directly to the airport, the Miami International Airport Hotel. A new Westin Miami Airport hotel is also supposed to open in 2026, which will be on airport premises and connected to the terminal.

Miami Airport has an in-terminal hotel

Miami International Airport Hotel is the only hotel situated inside the Miami International Airport terminal (Concourse E) in the departures area. The hotel provides immediate access to airline ticketing counters, departure concourses, airport concession shops, and restaurants. The hotel offers day-use rooms from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., subject to availability.

The hotel features 259 rooms ranging from studios with a single twin or queen bed to larger rooms with two queen beds, king standard rooms, and deluxe queen or king rooms. All rooms are equipped with the premium Sealy Posturepedic sleep system beds, soundproof windows, blackout curtains, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, private bathrooms, and modern in-room amenities. The hotel also offers complimentary breakfast and spacious accommodations.

While the hotel provides convenient access to airport facilities, some guests have reported that the service and amenities are outdated. Reviews mention unhelpful and rude staff, cramped rooms, and a lack of good value for the cost.

In addition to the in-terminal hotel, Miami Airport also has various other services and amenities. The airport offers free basic Wi-Fi, with the option to purchase commercial Wi-Fi without advertisements for a fee. There are first-class lounges, some with showers, that economy-class passengers can pay to access. Although good sleep options are limited within the terminal, there are a few quieter spots with comfortable seating. These include the International Arrivals area near baggage carousels 1-6, the North Terminal outside the Auditorium, a small nook in Terminal D above Gate D15, and connected padded benches near TGIF Fridays after gate D34.

Miami Airport is also taking steps to improve accessibility and inclusivity. They offer a dress rehearsal program called MIAair, which allows passengers with cognitive or developmental disabilities to practice the travel experience in a safe and controlled environment. The airport also provides a Multi-Sensory Room for passengers with different disabilities to relax and enjoy a quiet environment before their flight.

Sleep pods vs sleep suites

Sleep pods are private, enclosed spaces designed for napping. They are usually soundproofed and come with a privacy curtain. Some sleep pods also have a comfortable bed, a desk or workspace, a TV, and a private bathroom. Sleep pods vary in size, with some being as small as 34 square feet and others ranging from 75 to 150 square feet. The cost of renting a sleep pod depends on the company, airport, and length of time you want to rent it for.

Sleep suites, on the other hand, are larger than sleep pods and provide more room to stretch out and get comfortable. They may also offer additional features such as a private bathroom, a workspace, and soundproofing. Sleep suites can accommodate up to four guests, making them ideal for families or groups travelling together.

Both sleep pods and sleep suites offer travellers a comfortable and private space to rest and relax. Sleep pods are more compact and may be more affordable for shorter rentals, while sleep suites offer more space and amenities but may be more expensive.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is set to open sleep pods in two locations in the terminal. One sleep centre will be located on the third floor of the south terminal, while the other will be on the third floor of the north terminal. Each sleep centre will have a mini-lobby and rooms with beds or sofas, soundproof walls, air conditioning, charging ports, and Wi-Fi.

While Miami Airport does not currently have any sleep suites, there is one landside hotel connected directly to the airport, the Miami International Airport Hotel. A new Westin Miami Airport hotel is also set to open in 2026, providing another option for travellers seeking a comfortable place to rest.

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