Tiny airport sleeping rooms — similar to the cubicles that Asian travelers use to catch a snooze in between flights — have arrived in America.

Atlanta, the world’s largest airport, opened five Minute Suites this month where tired passengers can doze for $30 an hour. The rooms — 7 feet by 8 feet, or about the size of two office cubicles put together — are equipped with a daybed sofa, pillows (with disposable covers), fresh blankets, a small desk, Internet access and a flat-screen 32-inch monitor with DirecTV and flight information. They have systems to mask noise.

San Francisco International plans to follow suit. It’s hired a California company to design 14 rooms of about 90 square feet for its international terminal. The rooms will have similar amenities.

“We view amenities and services as the new frontier,” says Cheryl Nashir, associate deputy director at San Francisco International.

It’s a frontier long settled in Asia and parts of Europe. Tiny nap rooms bundled with shower, spa and other freshen-up services have been available for international travelers for years.

They haven’t caught on in the USA until now because layovers are shorter and Americans view airports as a point of transit to hurry through.

Some companies see the U.S. market as now ready for similar rooms. Among them:

•Minute Suites. Its rooms at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta’s B Concourse have drawn 160 customers in the first two weeks, exceeding expectations, says Daniel Solomon of Minute Suites. Customers who stay beyond the first hour pay $7.50 for each additional 15 minutes.

Solomon says Atlanta wants to possibly add more at its E Concourse, and the company has had discussions with Philadelphia, Denver, New York JFK and Dallas/Fort Worth.

•Unique Retreat. The company won the San Francisco International contract in October and is designing rooms that will open next year at the airport’s International Terminal Boarding Area G. Its 14 rooms will have curved walls and no corners, “which gives you a sense of more space,” say Ron Baltruzak of the company based in Irvine, Calif. Each room will be equipped with a day bed, desk, a 32-inch TV and Wi-Fi. The company will offer movie rentals and business center services.

•Edo Traveler Suites. A Canadian company is launching next year and seeks to develop rooms at Canadian and U.S. airports, says spokeswoman Thamarah Mathurin. Edo plans rooms that also would have a private toilet and shower.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-12-10-travelminirooms10_ST_N.htm