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Airport Amenities
Turning Airport Time to Renewal Time
So you've got a lengthy connection--or worse yet, an unexpected delay. If you're like most business travelers, you pull out your laptop and get down to work. Or stop by the newsstand to bulk up on reading material. But sometimes (maybe when you've had one of those weeks) the time may be better spent taking care of yourself. A little pampering can be a superb time investment, restoring your spirit and energy level. More and more airports today offer ways to take care of yourself during your layover.
Get a massage
Nothing rejuvenates faster than a massage, so what better venue than the airport? An increasing number of airports offer massage concessions. Cary Cruea, president of Massage Bar Inc. of Seattle, told The Washington Post that her clientele surveys show that more than 60 percent of Massage Bar customers are business travelers, and almost 90 percent have experienced professional massage before.
Services in airport locations generally range from chair massages to full-body massages for 15 to 30 minutes, or even an hour. Prices can be by-the-minute or flat fees for various time-lengths. Check out these airports with massage concessions (and enquire too at salons because some offer massages):
Anchorage ANC Touch 'N Go Massage (main level of terminal between A and B concourses)
Boston BOS A Relaxed Attitude (upper level of terminal A)
Chicago ORD Back Rub Hub (terminal 3 west hall)
Denver DEN A Massage Parlor, inc. (main terminal west, 6th level near U.S. Post Office)
Orlando MCO Profiles Express Salon/Massage (south walk)
Nashville BNA Massage Bar (at A/B security point)
Pittsburgh PIT Touch 'N Go Massage (concourse C)
San Diego SAN Express Bodicare (terminal 2)
Seattle/Tacoma SEA Massage Bar (concourse C and north satellite)
Primp and pamper
Why not treat yourself to some personal grooming while en route? You'll feel taken care of, and save yourself the time you'd spend doing it at home. Have a haircut, manicure or even a facial. Some salons offer massages, too. These hubs offer the opportunity for some restorative grooming:
Boston BOS The Classique Salon (terminal C)
Chicago ORD Francolynn Hair Salon (lower level of O'Hare Hilton)
Dallas/Ft. Worth DFW Jet Cuts Barber Shop (B24), DFW Barber Shop (C17), Texas Hairline Barber Shop (E17)
San Francisco SFO Hair Salon/Showers (between north and international terminals)
St. Louis STL First Flight Out (B/C connector)
Seattle/Tacoma SEA Hairlines (main terminal)
Vancouver YVR Airport Hair Salon
Get pumped
Those endorphins will be flowing after a layover workout. A few airports feature clubs on-site. But most in-airport hotel fitness clubs offer day passes. And don't overlook the nearby hotels that are just a free shuttle-ride away. They may require a little more research and legwork, but if you have the time, why not? Here are some airport fitness clubs for relieving stress:
Chicago ORD O'Hare Hilton (lower level)
Las Vegas LAS 24 Hour Fitness (level "0" beneath the north baggage claim area)
Miami MIA Miami International Airport Hotel (8th floor)
Orlando MCO Hyatt Regency
Pittsburgh PIT Airport Fitness (next to International arrivals)
Go to the movies
Find a popcorn vendor, then lose yourself in a movie while you wait. InMotion Pictures (877-DVD-TO-GO or www.inmotionpictures.com) is setting up shop in many airports. The company will rent you a DVD, player, batteries and headsets. Or if your laptop has a DVD player, just opt for the movie (or be prepared by renting from your local video store before your trip). While most people watch these movies during a flight--nothing says this can't be a great way to pass the time during a delay at the airport. Return everything on your way home, or at your destination (if it has an In Motion outlet). InMotion stores are currently in these airports:
Denver DEN
Minneapolis MSP
Philadelphia PHL
Portland PDX
San Diego SAN
San Jose SJC
Seattle/Tacoma SEA
Locations scheduled to open late in 2000 include:
Atlanta ATL
Cincinnati CVG
Jacksonville JAX
New York LGA
Orlando MCO
San Francisco SFO
Vancouver YVR
Get a check-up
Have a nagging medical or dental situation? In some airports you can take care of it, while never leaving the terminal. You may even be able to get a flu shot, check your blood pressure, or be immunized. This, of course, doesn't exactly qualifying as "pampering," but it is taking good care of yourself:
Boston BOS Logan Dental Center (terminal B)
Chicago ORD University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center clinic (terminal 2)
San Francisco SFO SFO Medical Services (international terminal)
Toronto Pearson Airport Medical Clinic (terminal 2)
Meditate or enjoy quiet time
Whatever your religious inclination, sometimes a spot for soul-searching can create a peaceful layover. Visit any of these in-airport sanctuaries for the spiritual:
Boston BOS Our Lady of the Airways Chapel (between terminals B and C)
Chicago ORD Chapel (second-floor mezzanine above TWA counter terminal 2)
Denver DEN Islamic Prayer Hall and Interfaith Chapel (Jeppesen terminal)
Houston IAH Chapel (terminal C near gate C-30)
Miami MIA Meditation Room (between concourses C and D)
New York JFK Our Lady of the Skies (second floor of International Air Terminal 4)
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