Chinese movie theater's nap subscription service wins over office workers

A movie theater in northwestern China has launched a subscription service letting customers nap in recliner seats during the lunch hour, drawing an enthusiastic response from nearby office workers.

The nap service, offered by Lumiai Cinema in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, has gone viral on social media after local press coverage, according to the South China Morning Post on Friday. The theater has been running the service since April last year.

The theater designed the service to boost weekday attendance and improve screen occupancy rates.

The service uses two screens with a combined 76 recliner seats, where customers can rest from noon to 2:30 p.m. A monthly subscription costs 39.9 yuan ($6) per person or 59.9 yuan for two. Subscribers can visit either screen on any weekday during the lunch window. Shoes must remain on to maintain a comfortable environment for all users.

Blankets, coffee and other beverages are provided free of charge. Disposable earplugs and eye masks are available for a small fee of 5.9 yuan each.

Phones must be set to silent mode, and anyone needing to take a call must step outside the screen.

Staff may guide heavy snorers to a massage-seat hall, which sees relatively lighter use because of its narrower seat spacing.

Customer satisfaction has been high. A 33-year-old office worker nearby, who has been using the service for four months, said he used to nap at his work desk but could never get proper rest. "Now I come here every day to recharge," he said. "The space is dark and clean, so I can lie down comfortably and fall asleep easily."

A theater representative said more than half the seats are filled by nap service users on most weekdays.

Online commenters reacted warmly to the news. "This is exactly what office workers need — the price is affordable, and I hope it expands nationwide," one user wrote. Another called it a creative idea, adding that the theater could generate extra income from the service.