Minute Suites DFW: A convenient place to nap in between flights

Have you heard of Minute Suites DFW before? I hadn’t either, until recently. On Mother’s Day, my mom and I flew to Cancun on a whim for a 3-night stay at the Nizuc Resort & Spa. We took a redeye and ended up at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) at 5:30 AM for a six-hour layover.

Normally, a six-hour airport layover wouldn’t be so bad, especially with lounge access. But when it’s early and you’re sleep-deprived, the lounge isn’t ideal if it has no sleeping area.

Checking into a hotel is usually a hassle since it involves a long shuttle ride, waiting in line, checking in, checking out, and making your way back to the terminal in time for the flight. So Minute Suites DFW became the perfect solution for our layover in Dallas.

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What is Minute Suites?

Minute Suites is a mini-hotel inside the airport terminal. Rooms can be rented by the hour. Up to two adults can sleep in a Minute Suite. These window-less spaces are outfitted with a leather trundle bed, desk, and TV. Blankets and pillows ensure a restful sleep.

Minute Suites DFW also has premium rooms with private bathrooms and shower rentals. These will cost extra and may not be necessary. Showers aren’t included in all rates, so be sure to look at your rate carefully if you want access to a shower during your stay at Minutes Suites Dallas.

The location was close to our gate, making it a convenient place to rest before our flight. I actually passed it on my way to the ticketing desk, trying to get us on an earlier flight.

Minute Suites DFW amenities

Minute Suites DFW has limited amenities, but they’re designed to accommodate transiting guests. They include the following:

• Trundle bed that sleeps up to two guests
• Pillows and blankets
• Workstation
• Free Wi-Fi
• Smart TV
• Amazon Alexa
• Sound masking system that reduces noise

About Minutes Suites DFW

Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) Airport now has two Minute Suites, providing ample options for travelers in need of a place to sleep for a few hours.

The Terminal A location has seven suites, while the Terminal D location has ten suites and two showers.

Minutes Suites Dallas hours

Both Minutes Suites DFW locations are open 24 hours a day, which is convenient for travelers who need a place to sleep at all hours of the day (and night).

Since Minutes Suites are located right inside the terminal, you don’t have to leave the airport to catch some z’s. In fact, it’s more convenient than an airport hotel because there’s so massive lobby and elevator to navigate.

You just walk to the desk, check in and your room is maybe 20 feet away at most.

Minutes Suites DFW location

There are two Minutes Suites locations at Dallas International Airport: One in Terminal D near Gate D23 and another in Terminal A near Gate A38. I stayed at the Terminal D location.

DFW’s Terminal D serves as a departure point for American Airlines flights and some international carriers. It’s conveniently located near several gates and walking distance to the DFW Skylink. So even if your departure gate changes or is located at a different gate to begin with, you should be able to get there quickly.

Minute Suite Dallas prices

Minute Suites Dallas prices range depending on your travel dates and the type of room you book. When I visited, I paid $130 for 5 hours, which cost more than the nearby Hyatt Regency DFW. Our rooms didn’t have access to shower facilities – if you want to be able to shower, you’ll have to pay extra for a shower-inclusive rate.

After my stay, I discovered that you can get a much better deal by booking online. The Minute Suites DFW website charges $140 for eight-hour stays, which is in line with airport hotel rates.

It was well worth the higher price because of its convenience. Minute Suites DFW was just a few steps from our departure gate, and check-in took two minutes. Even if we had overslept and woken up with 10 minutes to spare, we would have still made our flight.

Being so close to our departure gate allowed us extra time to sleep – and that’s really what the Minute Suites value proposition comes down to: It’s may lack the luxury and amenities of a hotel, but it’s a place to sleep comfortably with easy access to your departure gate. And that’s well worth the higher rate and slightly pared back amenities.

Checking into Minute Suites DFW

Checking into the Minute Suites DFW in Terminal D was a quick process. I simply walked up to the front desk and asked if they had any availability. When the agent confirmed the rate for our stay, I handed her my credit card and I.D.

She explained the room amenities, confirmed when we’d be checking out and handed me the keys. The whole process took less than two minutes. She pointed us to the hallway behind her. Our room was the second one on the left.

The entire Minute Suites check-in process was super fast and made me appreciate the fact that we could get in and out quickly to catch our next flight.

Minute Suites DFW rooms

When I walked into the Minute Suite for the first time, it looked pretty claustrophobic – especially since it had no window. It was a small room just big enough for the trundle bed. We had to remove the desk chair to make room for the lower mattress.

Despite my initial concerns, the darkness and lack of sound in the Minute Suite created an ideal environment for uninterrupted sleep. In fact, it was probably the best I’ve ever had.

The room had temperature controls which could be easily adjusted, along with the lighting. It was also equipped with “extras” that could be purchased: Bottled water, snacks, energy drinks and toiletries. We didn’t need any of these things, but they were practical options for travelers who might book a Minute Suite on short notice.

The bed itself was very comfortable. It looks like a leather couch, but another leather mattress can be pulled out from below. The attendant brought us each a blanket and pillow, and offered us a wake-up call.

It was probably a combination of sleep deprivation, the complete silence in that room, as well as the comfort of that leather bed but I have never slept better in my life.

Checking out of Minute Suites DFW

After a solid 4.5 hours of sleep, the attendant knocked on the door to let us know it was time to go. We got our things together and simply walked out. There was no need to review our bill or check out, and there was no need to rush to get a ride to the airport.

All we did was walk to the public bathroom next door to freshen up and in another 30 seconds, we were at our gate. We continued the rest of our trip well-rested and recharged.

Save on Minute Suites DFW with Priority Pass Select

You can get the best rates at Minute Suites DFW by booking directly through the Minute Suites website. Additionally, Priority Pass Select members can book a free one-hour stay at Minute Suites DFW, with additional time discounted to $34 per hour.

If you book your Minute Suites DFW stay through Priority Pass, you can bring up to two additional guests with you. Just keep in mind that these suites are equipped for two guests only. So the space might be too small for three people unless one is a child.

Do minutes suites have cameras?

One of the most common questions I’ve received since publishing this review is, “Do Minute Suites have cameras?” A reader reported that they did. However, I have contacted Minutes Suites and they confirmed the rooms do not have cameras. The only cameras are in the public spaces to ensure guest safety.

Here’s a statement from a representative:

“All of our public areas (hallways, lobby, etc.) are being recorded for safety and security of our guests, we do not have cameras or recording inside the suites, as that would be an invasion of privacy.”

Is Minute Suites DFW worth it?

While Minute Suites DFW cost more than a hotel room and stays are limited to five hours, they’re still worth it. I found it to be the perfect solution for a layover that requires a nap but not quite long enough for a hotel stay. They’re essential nap rooms for DFW passengers on a quick layover.

The convenience of being right inside the terminal gives Minute Suites DFW a huge advantage over hotels, even if they are pricier. The lack of windows also makes them perfectly designed for sleep.

For an 8-hour layover, I wouldn’t recommend Minute Suites unless you plan on sleeping the entire time. The space is small and while there is a desk and TV, it can get claustrophobic in there without windows. Really, the ideal use of Minute Suites is for sleep.

Have you ever stayed at a Minute Suites before? Under what conditions would you book one over a regular hotel room?

This review was originally published on June 5, 2017. It has been updated with current information about Minute Suites Dallas (DFW).