ashley in the airport and an interior shot of the nap room at freshen up
I rented a nap room for two hours.Ashley Probst
  • I rented a private nap room at the airport.

  • The facility had private shower rooms for 30 minutes and a room for 2 hours.

  • I wasn't sure if the room was worth it.

I always look for special amenities to enhance my travel experience.

ashely posing for a selfie at the airport in san francisco
I flew out of San Francisco International Airport.Ashley Probst

I saw a TikTok post about renting an airport sleeping Pod and decided to try it on my trips to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

At San Francisco International Airport, there is a storefront called Freshen Up, which provides nap rooms, showers, travel-sized toiletries, and more.

My experience was summarized here.

After arriving three and a half hours before my flight, I was going to rent a nap room.

international terminal at san francisco international airport
I was flying out of San Francisco International Airport.Ashley Probst

I usually get to the airport two hours early, but I wanted to spend more time in the nap room.

Since I used the Marin Airporter bus to get to the airport, I had to adhere to the company's schedule and catch the 5:30 a.m. shuttle which took me to the airport just before 6:30 a.m.

I inquired about the nap rooms when I arrived at the airport, so I knew they were in the international terminal. I was going to fly out of that terminal as well.

It was difficult to locate the nap rooms. Maps of the airport can be used to locate the location.

information map and escalator at san francisco international airport
Look out for maps that list the facility.Ashley Probst

I waited in line for 20 minutes to drop off my luggage after I checked in.

I was trying to figure out where Freshen Up was.

The information desk at the airport was empty. I found a map that said the facility was on the other side of the terminal, but I didn't know it.

There are nap rooms near the checkpoint.

Freshen Up was before security.Ashley Probst

If I had gone through the checkpoint, I might have missed the nap rooms because they were located before security.

When I arrived at Freshen Up, the attendant was not at the front desk, so I had to wait for them to come back from the back.

I used the storefront to buy other travel necessities.

There were plenty of travel necessities for sale.Ashley Probst

The front space had a lot of last-minute travel essentials, like sleeping masks and wipes.

There were a few computers that could be rented for $5 per 15 minutes.

The prices at the airport were not in line with what was advertised online.

The rates didn't match up.Ashley Probst

The official airport website didn't give much information about the nap rooms.

A minimum of one hour in the nap room and $25 for a shower were listed on the website for Airport Travel Agency, which is owned by Freshen Up.

An employee at the location told me that rooms are first-come, first-served and can't be booked in advance.

The attendant told me that I needed to book a two-hour minimum nap for $70 or get three hours for $100 with a discounted shower. Airport Travel Agency and Freshen Up did not respond to questions about the pricing discrepancy.

I didn't have time to spare so I went for a shower and a two hour minimum.

I received a discounted shower even though I didn't get the three-hour deal. I don't work at Freshen Up nor am I in the military, so I don't know why my receipt says "employee/ military"

The final total was $85.

The nap room was small and noisy.

I wished the space was quieter.Ashley Probst

The quietest room I was shown was room two.

Every time someone walks in or out of the lobby, a doorbell-like chime goes off. I was able to hear it from inside my room.

The company needs to have a bell in the lobby in case the attendant is in the back.

Some travelers came in to use the computers and I could hear them talking while I was there.

I turned on the fan to drown out some noise because Earplugs weren't included with my stay. I would bring a pair of earplugs if I did stay again.

A spokesman for Freshen Up denied that they marketed themselves as having hotel-type accommodations with soundproof rooms. We try to get the most out of the space we were given.

I did not use most of the amenities.

I didn't have time to use the desk or TV the room came with.Ashley Probst

There was a bed, a full-length mirror, a TV, a computer desk, a trash can, and an alarm clock in my room.

The bed, mirror, and fan were used by me. I drank the water because of my mistake.

It was easy to sleep in the bed.

The author testing the Freshen Up bed.Ashley Probst

I slept in a normal bed for the first time in almost two weeks when I was lying down.

The mattress was soft on top but firm on the bottom.

I thought the leather cushions were more for aesthetic reasons than for comfort.

The only fuzzy blanket on the bed was enough for me, but those who run cold would probably want an additional layer.

I think the bed was a twin.

The view from my bed.Ashley Probst

When I called to inquire about the size of the bed, the attendant I spoke to didn't know what I was talking about.

I was able to determine through my research that it was probably a twin.

I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the night before, so it was nice to nap for an hour.

Another shot of my room.Ashley Probst

After setting the alarm, I turned off the lights. The room was very dark.

I used the room for about an hour and a half after snoozing my alarm. I had to pay for two hours.

There was a shower room and two all- gender restrooms.

I opted to take a shower.Ashley Probst

I took a shower in a private room after using the toilet.

It was spacious and well-equipped. I got in the shower early this morning.

I was given 30 minutes in the shower room, but wanted to only use half of it so I could head to security at 9 a.m. It was close to 9:00 by the time I left.

The shower had all of the things I needed.

Freshen Up gave me shower shoes and a few toiletries.Ashley Probst

Everything I needed in the shower room was provided.

The room can be slippery.

The floor got quite slippery.Ashley Probst

The shower design caused the water to pool on the floor.

If the shower shoes had more grip, I would have liked it. Travelers might want to own their own.

I should've waited until I got home since I was about to go on the plane anyways.

I didn't like the price at Freshen Up and decided not to come back.

Freshen Up was enjoyable, but I'm not sure I'd do it again.Ashley Probst

I was thankful for the chance to rest in a nap room before I left. I would like to see more airports offer this for travelers who have a delayed flight.

I didn't like the price discrepancies from the website to what the attendant told me in person.

I had to pay $70 for the nap room, even though I was expecting to spend only $40. I paid $20 more than I thought I would.

I wouldn't stay in a nap room again, but I would love to see them at more airports.

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