February 1, 2007

"Sleep is the new bottled water" -- they're selling naps now, and don't you want to buy?

Take something people need and can get for free and transform it into a luxury item they can buy:
Yelo consists of seven private chambers that can be rented for 20- to 40-minute naps. Each hexagonal pod has a beige leather recliner, dimmed lighting, a soporific soundtrack and a blanket of Nepalese cashmere. Clients may also book reflexology treatments, designed to lull the body to sleep, for their hands or feet starting at $65....

Inside the pods, clients can electronically adjust the angle of the leather recliners; [owner Nicolas] Ronco recommended raising the leg rest above the head to slow one’s heart rate. When time runs out, ceiling lights gradually brighten, an awakening prompt meant to mimic dawn.

Mr. Ronco predicted that Yelo would appeal to commuters who want to stay in Manhattan for a late dinner and to club-goers seeking respite before a night out.

“I see 25 Yelo centers in New York, and then in every crazy low-quality-of-life city where people lack space,” Mr. Ronco said. “I see this in airports, malls, corporate offices and train stations.”
I hate to admit it, but I'm completely ready to buy this if it's right there somewhere, some time when I need it.

8 comments:

Invisible Man said...

My girlfriend's brother told me over a year ago about MetroNaps in Manhattan and one of his IB buddy's addiction to it. His buddy would slip out of the office sometimes 2x a day(out of typical 12hour day mind you). I remember considering NY a possible relocation alternative on this fact alone. If anyone wants to consider putting one of these in Atlanta where I can get a nice cozy post-lunch nap, count me in.

Joan said...

I have no problems admitting it all! These little nap-pods sound divine to me, the perfect way to spend a long layover at an airport, or just to recharge your batteries on a stressful day.

Ruth Anne Adams said...

You are so totally their target demographic. Yet again.

TMink said...

I am a shrink. I take naps on my couch.

Trey

Laika's Last Woof said...

Soylent Green had these for free ... except when the time runs out, so does yours ...

vbspurs said...

I'm still waiting for the Orgasmatron.

Cheers,
Victoria

Jinnmabe said...

It seems to me there's a big difference between this and a bottle of water. What happens if you can't get to sleep? Do you get your money back?

Eli Blake said...

To be honest, I've always thought that the Latin American idea of a siesta made a lot of sense. After lunch is a downtime for a lot of people anyway (there is some science there too-- I forget if it is your sympathetic or your parasympathetic nervous system, but the one associated with digestion also tends to relax you whole body). And if everyone is taking a nap between, say, 1-2 in the afternoon then conversely when the siesta is over you will be able to find people easier (just as you can usually find people easier in the morning than in the afternoon). And after work-- well, there is a reason they have great parties in Latin America and why Latin American women have a high fertility rate than other people-- they don't finish every day dead tired.