- I paid to sleep in an airport in a private sleep’n fly pod while in Dubai International Airport.
- The pod was comfortable enough, and I ended up sleeping for a few hours.
- Next time, I’d just get a nearby hotel for not much more money and fly in earlier.
I don’t sleep on planes — not even in a cushy lie-flat seat in business class.
So, during my 16-hour-plus journey from Chicago to the Maldives, I was most worried about how exhausted I’d be during my seven-hour layover in Dubai.
After those seven hours, I’d still have to board a five-hour flight to Male in the Maldives, chill out in that airport for several more hours, then hop a seaplane to the resort. This was adding up to 30-some hours of travel.
I realized the only way I’d make it through this journey was if I had some way to get a good night’s sleep.
Since I was traveling solo, I didn’t want to try to nap in the Dubai International Airport without anyone to watch my luggage for seven hours in the middle of the night.
While searching online for hotels in or near the airport, I realized I could rent a sleeping pod.
It had the potential to be the hero of my layover: I could sleep without worrying about my belongings, and I wouldn’t have to leave the airport.
I was skeptical about the size of the pod, but I did get some sleep
A few days before my flight, I went online and paid $123 to reserve a pod for five hours at sleep ‘n fly in the airport.
After my plane landed, it took me about 20 minutes to walk from my arrival gate to the sleep ‘n fly. Fortunately, it was located just a 10-minute walk from the departure gate for my next flight.
Checking in was easy and only took about three minutes. Once the attendant found my pre-paid reservation, she led me down a short hallway to my pod.
When they slid open the door to my pod, my heart stopped. It looked very small.
I’m not claustrophobic — and I’m only 5-foot-3 — but I worried that turning over or relaxing in that tiny compartment was going to be difficult.
After all, I’m a side sleeper who likes to stretch out.
Luckily, I was able to fully stretch out my legs on the reclined bed.
The bed’s angled back kind of reminded me of a La-Z-Boy recliner. The cushions weren’t quite as thick as a mattress but felt close in terms of comfort.
Although it didn’t feel quite like a bed, the pod felt better than economy seats on an airplane or rows of seats in an airport boarding area.
I also appreciated that the pod had smart storage areas that allowed me to take my belongings in with me instead of leaving them unattended or in a locker.
The pod and the area around it were also nice and quiet. Staff spoke in low voices and, with the exception of one group noisily settling in, I wasn’t disturbed by sounds or conversations.
I ended up spending just under five hours in the pod and getting about two and a half hours of sleep.
Next time, I’d plan for a longer layover and pay a little more for a hotel
I wouldn’t choose this nap pod again, but I don’t regret doing so for such a short layover.
My seven-hour layover felt even shorter than I expected — especially once I factored in how long it would take me to get off the plane, walk to and from my gates, use the restroom, and grab an overpriced airport breakfast (a $4 banana and $8 muffin).
Although I did get some sleep, I’d prefer to get a full night’s rest in a bed and maybe even do some sightseeing in this new-to-me country.
So, next time I transit through Dubai, I plan to fly in a day early and book a night at a hotel near the airport.
Looking back, it would’ve only cost me about $153 ($30 more) to stay one night at an Element hotel less than a mile from the airport. Even better, the hotel stay comes with access to an outdoor pool, plus a complimentary airport shuttle and continental breakfast. (I wouldn’t have had to spend $12 extra on breakfast at the airport!)
Although the sleep pod worked in a pinch, a hotel stay would mean I could arrive at my final destination more fully rested and ready to start my vacation.
