What Do I Need to Have in My Hotel’s Kitchens?

The rising popularity of extended stay hotels means that new hotels are often built with a small kitchen attached. Because kitchens can generate mess, odors, and laundry, setting up a clean layout that works well is critical. The tools and appliances in hotel kitchens need to serve a wide population. A kitchen for one person can be as small as 70 square feet.

Coffee Maker

Small coffee makers that produce individual cups of hot beverages and work from pods may be a good investment for a hotel kitchen. However, this will need to be checked and stocked regularly. It’s also a good idea to check with the guest to see if they will need an additional source for hot water if they are tea drinkers. Don’t invest in anything too complicated and be sure to offer detailed instructions for the tool near the coffee maker to avoid confusion. A great option is to provide a coffee maker that brews directly into a carafe to keep coffee hot over time.

Toaster

Travelers can often put together a simple breakfast of toast and fruit before a vacation outing or work meeting. In the kitchen design, try to include a storage area so items like toasters and mixers can be put out of sight when not in use. Convenient storage will provide more counter space for food prep and give a cleaner look.

Hygiene Equipment

Be sure that the kitchen offers a hand soap dispenser and a container of grease-cutting dish soap as well. Sponges can mildew and create unpleasant odors, so provide paper towels instead. Provide guests with a towel bar and multiple towels so guests can change out linens and keep things fresh. If you’re going to offer bleach sprays for cutting boards, make sure everything is carefully labeled. It’s estimated that 73 percent of serious food safety cases go unresolved. Cooking in an unfamiliar kitchen can be worrisome for guests, so give them plenty of options to disinfect the tools and workspace.

Be Logical

You’ll want to make sure that the kitchens are large enough that guests are able to get around and do everything they need to, but you should be logical about the organization. Store a quality cutting board near the knife rack. Make sure there are oven mitts in a drawer or basket beside the stove. Invest in quality knives and store them in a block or on a magnetized board. Finally, make a map of the kitchen, laminate it, and put it on the refrigerator. Make sure that you provide basic kitchen essentials that your guests might need during their stay. Put them in a spot that’s easy to see so that they can find them easily.

Your guests will become repeat customers if they know that the kitchen in their hotel room offers the amenities they need. Provide guests with easy access to help and quickly replace anything that isn’t working. Make sure that all the tools in the space are in good working order and spotlessly clean before the guest moves in.

Liked this article? We recommend reading: How to Exceed the Expectations of Your Hotel Guests.