Pay to nap at MIA? Hourly sleep centers get initial OK

Sleepy travelers with Miami layovers may soon be able to rent a bed at sleep centers proposed for MIA.

Why it matters: MIA already has a hotel, but it doesn't accept hourly room rentals.

• Airports across the country offer rentable sleep centers as an alternative to dozing off in public with your luggage beside you.

Driving the news: Miami-Dade County is recommending awarding a contract to South Florida-based Wait N Rest to operate two sleep centers at the airport.

• The county projects it could receive $10 million in revenue from room rentals over a 10-year contract, with Miami-Dade receiving 25% of gross revenues from the vendor.

Zoom in: One sleep center would be located on the third floor of the South Terminal and the other on the third floor of the North Terminal.

• The rooms are about 34 square feet, according to a video demo from Wait N Rest. They have free Wi-Fi, noise-canceling technology and power outlets.
• The rooms would only be for ticketed passengers and cost roughly between $30 and $60 per hour, Miami-Dade Aviation Department director and CEO Rafael Cutié said at a committee meeting Wednesday.

The latest: The Miami-Dade Airport and Economic Development Committee approved the contract at the meeting, but the full Board of County Commissioners still needs to approve it.