If you have 3, 5 or even more hours of layover at O’Hare International Airport, sleep rooms, sleep pods or sleep cabins come in handy. In this article, I have provided a detailed guide on sleep options you can opt for at O’Hare’s different terminals.
What are airport sleep rooms?
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Sleep rooms, sleep pods or sleep cabins are places where you can take a short nap or catch up on some sleep during long layovers. Most of these airport sleep rooms are located in the terminal building and are easily accessible.
Different sleep pod brands have emerged over the past decades with some emerging big names such as GoSleep, YotelAir and Minute Suites. These companies have pods or cabins in different airports across the globe.
Different airports have different models of operating and charging for the nap rooms. You can expect to pay up to $30 per hour and some come with or without shower facilities.
Why use an airport sleep pod/cabin?
Sleeping in an airport can be quite uncomfortable and inconvenient, especially if you have a long layover. Airport sleep rooms provide you with a comfortable place to take a short nap or catch up on some sleep.
These rooms are usually located in the terminal building and are easily accessible. Most of them come with amenities such as Wi-Fi, charging points, reading lights, alarm clock, television, and noise-canceling headphones. Some even have showers so you can freshen up after your nap.
Can I sleep at O’Hare Airport?
Yes, you can sleep at O’Hare Airport as security personnel and staff do not prohibit anyone from taking a nap or sleeping on any of the terminal’s facilities including benches, lounges, and even the floor.
Unfortunately, none of the lounges in Chicago O’Hare Airport have designated sleep rooms or rest areas.
Other sleep options at O’Hare
You can sleep on any of the airport benches at O’Hare. Despite the fact that Chicago O’Hare Airport is open 24 hours, security checkpoints do close down at night, with the exception of Terminal 5. If you’re already inside a Secure area before closing time, it appears you’re allowed to stay Airside. Plan to get there early if you want to pass through Security or stay in the pre-Secure, landside areas for as long as possible.
According to Sleepinginairports.net, below are the key sleep options that passengers can choose from at O’Hare;
- Couches just beyond Security in Concourse K
- Lounge chairs airside in Terminal 3, near Gates H
- Circular couches just inside the security checkpoint in Terminal 5
- Gate C20 has quiet nook for someone prepared to sleep on the floor
Are there sleep pod/sleep rooms at O’Hare?
Minute Suites was the only option for a dedicated sleep room at O’Hare airport as per reports from 2013. Minute Suites had two locations in Terminal 3, one near Gate B6 and another near Gate C11. However, a check in 2022 to ascertain whether Minute Suites is still offering nap rooms at O’Hare revealed that they do not.
The company offers private suites that come with a daybed, workstation, television, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an alarm clock. You can also request for additional amenities such as noise-canceling headphones, neck pillow, and blankets at an extra cost.
Minute Suites charges by the hour with rates starting at $30 for the first hour and $15 for each subsequent 30 minutes. There are also day passes available for $100 which entitles you to unlimited access to the suite for the day.
To book a suite, you can either walk in or book online through their website.
Below is an excerpt from a 2013 report by NBC Chicago that announced that Minute Suites would be opening up sleep rooms at O’Hare;
Minutes Suites will offer their Extended-stay Suites at O’Hare in the rotunda between Terminals 2 and 3. They will not only be equipped with a daybed sofa -complete with fresh linens- but also HDTV and a workstation with an Internet access computer. According to the Minutes Suites web-site, “A sound masking system within each suite helps neutralize noise and a unique Nap26 audio program is available to help deliver a refreshing powernap.”
However, when I checked the Minute Suites website to see which airport they are currently operating in as of October 2022, O’Hare Airport is not listed there. See the snapshot below;
Alternative options to sleep at O’Hare:
Airport-based Hotel:
For about $300 a night, you can sleep at Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport which is located within the airport complex. This is a great option if you have an early morning flight to catch as you can just walk to your gate when it’s time to board.
The hotel has 1,544 guest rooms and suites which are all soundproofed and come with black-out drapes to help you get a good night’s sleep.
To get to the hotel, you can either take the Airport Transit System from any of the terminals or walk. If you’re driving, there’s also a free 24-hour shuttle service that runs between the hotel and all airport terminals.
Another option is The Westin O’Hare which is located about 10 minutes away from the airport by shuttle. This hotel also has a free 24-hour shuttle service to and from the airport.
The rooms here start at $229 per night and come with all the standard amenities that you would expect from a Westin property. In addition, the hotel also has an outdoor pool, fitness center, and restaurants if you need to get out of the airport for a bit.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, there’s also the Hyatt Regency O’Hare which is about 5 minutes away from the airport by shuttle. Rooms here start at $149 per night.
This hotel has 1,094 guest rooms and suites which are all equipped with noise-canceling windows. In addition, the hotel also has an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a restaurant.
Does O’Hare have minute suites?
No, Minute Suites is no longer operational at O’Hare Airport. The company used to have two locations in Terminal 3, but they are no longer in operation as of October 2022. However, there are other alternative options available if you’re looking for a place to sleep at the airport. There are several hotels located within the airport complex as well as others that offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. Whichever option you choose, make sure to check the rates and reviews in advance to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money.
FAQs
is there a hotel inside O’hare airport?
Yes, there are several hotels located within the airport complex. Some of the options include the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport, The Westin O’Hare, and the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. Rates for these hotels start at $149 per night. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, there’s also the Hyatt Regency O’Hare which is about 5 minutes away from the airport by shuttle. Rooms here start at $149 per night.
You can also take the Blue Line “L” train from the airport to Downtown area with several hotels.
Does O’Hare have sleeping pods?
No, sleep pods by companies such as GoSleep pod or Minute Suites are not at O’Hare International Airport. In 2013, there were reports of Minute Suites opening sleep spaces at the airport but they are no longer in operation as of October 2022. However, there are other alternative options available if you’re looking for a place to sleep at the airport. There are several hotels located within the airport complex as well as others that offer free shuttle service to and from the airport. Whichever option you choose, make sure to check the rates and reviews in advance to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money.
What can I do at or near O’Hare during a long layover?
If you’re stuck at O’Hare during a long layover, there are still plenty of things that you can do to pass the time. There are several restaurants and cafes located within the airport complex so you can grab a bite to eat. There are also a few shops where you can do some window shopping or pick up some last-minute souvenirs. If you need to kill some time, there’s also an on-site museum called the O’Hare Museum which is free to enter. If you’re looking to get out of the airport for a bit, there are also several hotels located nearby that offer free shuttle service to and from the airport.
Which airports have sleep pods?
JFK, LAX, and San Francisco (SFO) are some of the airports that have sleep pods. Minute Suites has a presence at JFK and SFO, while GoSleep has pods at LAX. These sleep pods usually cost around $30-40 per hour and come with amenities such as a bed, television, Wi-Fi, and electric outlets.
See the full list of airports with sleep pods here.
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
Over the past 7 years, I have designed and planned tour packages for hundreds of clients and have recently focussed on the mission of changing boring layovers to excellent mini-vacations by giving you the best suggestions on must-do activities when flying over different airports.
Next time you or your friend are looking for suggestions on what to do in some airport, remember Airport LLC or Airportllc.com. On this site, you’ll get the best suggestions available on the internet regarding hand-picked activities that will fulfill your airport experience.
I currently reside in New York City and have obtained a license to provide professional tour guidance at Airports in the US and across the world. Why should you listen to my suggestions? I have flown through more than 100 airports in the world and fortunately, I have pictures, stories, and tips to share with you regarding all the fun stuff you can do as you wait for your next flight.
Aside from gaining thousands of flying miles, I am also a travel consultant assisting clients with bookings and specifically advance tour bookings of things to do at airports when the layover is longer than 5 hours.
To make a 15-minute free things-to-do consultation with Alex, use my email, alex@airportllc.com.
This is only recommended for flyers with long layovers of over 5 hours. If your layover is 3+ hours, you can still reach out but we cannot guarantee the ideal package that will change your layovers to mini-vacations. I only support clients flying through US airports and a select number of cities across the world.
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Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
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