7 Tips for Cooking in Your Extended Stay Hotel Kitchenette

7 Tips for Cooking in Your Extended Stay Hotels with Kitchenette

Dec 04, 2025

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Staying at an extended stay hotel like Welcome Suites Extended Stay Hotel offers you the comforts of home, including a handy kitchenette. Whether you’re a traveling professional, a student on the move, or just someone taking a long vacation, cooking your own meals can save money, be healthier, and yes, impress your Instagram followers (because who doesn’t love a homemade hotel meal?). Here are some tips for cooking in your extended stay hotels with kitchenette to help you whip up delicious dishes while keeping things fun and efficient.

Tips for Cooking in Your Extended Stay Hotel

1. Plan Your Meals Like a Pro

Before you step into the kitchen, step back and make a plan. Think about what you want to cook and jot down the ingredients you’ll need. Bonus points if you can pick recipes that use minimal pots and pans (because let’s face it—nobody loves doing dishes).

Meal Planning Checklist:

Recipe Idea	Ingredients Needed	Estimated Cooking Time
Pasta Night	Pasta, sauce, veggies, cheese	20-30 minutes
Stir Fry	Rice, soy sauce, chicken, veggies	25 minutes
Breakfast for Dinner	Eggs, toast, bacon, avocado	15-20 minutes

Having a plan ensures you’re not staring blankly at your ingredients wondering, “How did I end up with instant noodles and a can of beans?”

2. Make the Most of Limited Space

Let’s be real—hotel kitchenettes are not sprawling chef’s kitchens, but they’ve got everything you need if you’re resourceful. 2nd Tips for Cooking in Your Extended Stay Hotel

Small-Space Cooking Tips:

Organize like a boss: Keep utensils, pots, and ingredients you’ll need close at hand.
Think vertically: Stack ingredients or use shelf risers to save counter space.
Double-duty tools: Use a cutting board over the sink to create more prep space.

Pro tip: If your counter is feeling cramped, the hotel desk can double as a prep station—just throw down a towel for easy cleanup. (Just don’t tell the housekeeping staff I suggested this!)

3. Get Creative with Limited Equipment

Your extended stay hotel kitchenette comes equipped with basics: a microwave, stovetop, mini-fridge, and perhaps a toaster or coffee maker. You may not have a sous-vide machine, but who needs fancy gadgets to make magic happen?

Hotel Kitchen Gadgets to Pack:

A small non-stick pan (perfect for eggs or sautéing veggies)
Collapsible measuring cups (they’re space savers!)
A sharp knife (hotel knives can sometimes be dull—pun intended)

Using just these, you can cook almost anything. Remember, necessity is the mother of invention. Can’t find a strainer? Use the hotel coffee pot—just make sure it’s clean first!

4. Shop Smart and Local

Skip the temptation to buy a month’s worth of groceries. Focus on small quantities and fresh ingredients. Most Welcome Suites Extended Stay Hotel locations are conveniently near grocery stores. Take advantage of local markets to pick up fresh produce and support local businesses.

Pro Tips for Grocery Shopping:

Stick to staples: Rice, pasta, eggs, and canned goods are versatile and don’t take up much space.
Buy pre-chopped veggies: These are great for quick meals and save you prep time.
Don’t forget condiments: A little soy sauce or olive oil goes a long way in adding flavor.

You’ll feel like a local foodie and keep your pantry manageable.

5. Easy Recipes to Try

Cooking in a kitchenette doesn’t have to mean boring meals. Here are three simple yet delicious dishes you can whip up in no time.

Microwave Mug Omelet

Ingredients: 2 eggs, diced veggies, cheese, salt, and pepper
Instructions:
1. Crack eggs into a microwave-safe mug and whisk.
2. Add veggies and cheese.
3. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until cooked through. Enjoy with toast!

Stovetop Stir-Fry

Ingredients: Pre-cooked rice, veggies, protein of choice, soy sauce
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a pan and sauté veggies.
2. Add protein and cooked rice.
3. Drizzle with soy sauce and stir until heated.

Hotel-Style Pasta Night

Ingredients: Pasta, jarred sauce, and your choice of veggies or meat
Instructions:
1. Cook pasta in a pot.
2. Heat sauce in a separate pan and mix in veggies/meat.
3. Combine and serve with a smile.

6. Clean-Up Made Simple

Cooking is the fun part; cleaning up? Not so much. Keep it easy with these tips:

Wash as you go: Clean utensils and dishes while your food cooks.
Use disposables: If you’re in a rush, paper plates and plastic cutlery can be lifesavers.
Wipe surfaces: A quick wipe-down of counters and stovetops after cooking keeps things fresh.

Housekeeping won’t have to deal with a food explosion, and you’ll feel accomplished. No 6 Tips for Cooking in Your Extended Stay Hotel

7. Make It Fun

Cooking doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Put on some music, try a new recipe, or even get the kids involved. Turn cooking into an adventure instead of just a necessity.

Fun Ideas:

Host your own “Chopped” competition with limited ingredients.
Experiment with dishes inspired by local cuisines.
Make it a social event if you’re traveling with friends or family.

Why Cook at Welcome Suites Extended Stay Hotel?

Cooking in your extended stay hotel kitchenette allows you to eat better and save money, and it’s one of the ways Welcome Suites Extended Stay Hotel makes your stay feel like home. With convenient locations in O’Fallon, IL, Hazelwood, MO, Springdale, OH, and Pensacola, FL, you’re never far from great grocery options and local eats to inspire your meals.

So, grab that spatula, roll up your sleeves, and let your inner chef shine. Happy cooking!