The Complete Guide to Hotels with Kitchens

Traveling with a family? It can take a lot to please the kids, especially if they have a particular diet or appetite. And business travelers frequently on the road may like to have more control over their diet and what they eat.

Many hotel brands promote a hotel with kitchen as a brand hallmark. Loyalty programs can also help drive additional business if kitchenette hotels or even hotels with full kitchens are important factors in a successful hotel stay.

Kitchens allow guests to prepare their own food and come with facilities like cooking and cleaning utensils, plates, full-sized refrigerators, ovens or stovetops, and dishwashers. Kitchenettes are more streamlined with only a small fridge, wet bar and microwave. The latter serves the needs of those just reheating something, whereas full kitchen amenities allow more intricate meals.

There are hotels and motels with kitchenettes. Let’s take a look at some of the top brands where you’ll find hotels with kitchen facilities and their affiliated loyalty programs that can help rack up the points.

What many people don’t realize about Best Western is that its range of brands includes extended stay, budget, midscale, upscale and even luxury hotels (under the WorldHotels portfolio). None of its brands has full kitchens uniformly across its network, but there are some for extended stay travelers that have kitchenettes.

• Executive Residency by Best Western. 

Choice Hotels brands have options for travelers across multiple price points. Like with other hospitality companies, not every brand has a kitchen, but several do.

• Suburban Studios (all have a kitchenette; some have a full kitchen).

Among these, Everhome Suites also has small appliances from reception that guests can borrow. Other brands within the self-sufficient portfolio have less to offer but come with a lower price point. For example, cooking supplies and utensils at WoodSpring Suites carry a surcharge.

For Hilton Honors members, there are several brands available for those who want to prepare meals or snacks in their accommodation.

• Embassy Suites by Hilton.

No matter your Hilton elite status, some of the hotel brands offer amenities that one might expect in a larger suite.

Hilton Honors members know that some brands are quite generous with perks.

Despite having in-room kitchenettes, Embassy Suites guests enjoy a full cooked-to-order breakfast each morning plus an evening cocktail hour with wine, beer and cocktails on the house. Light snacks are also included. Other Hilton brands with free hotel breakfast include Home2 Suites and Homewood Suites. Many of these brands are popular with extended stay travelers as well as families.

• Hyatt Place (some properties have microwaves; all have mini-fridges).

If you are an IHG One Rewards fan, the hospitality brand has its own hotel names that make it easy to stay self-sufficient. Whether you want to reheat a meal or bake from scratch, several IHG brands come well-equipped.

• Holiday Inn Club Vacations.

IHG fans may have access to pots and pans when they stay with Staybridge Suites, but the complimentary breakfast and evening social receptions with appetizers, wine and beer on some days make life on the road even easier.

Candlewood Suites properties deserve kudos for the fact that you can add to the appliances that are already in the kitchen with extras like waffle makers and slow cookers.

Marriott and Marriott Bonvoy lead the way when it comes to hotels with full kitchen facilities. There are nearly 8,700 properties in 139 countries and territories where members can earn and burn points. Among these, you will find more than 1,400 hotels in the U.S. with kitchen facilities.

• Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.

• Marriott Executive Apartments.

• Residence Inn by Marriott.

• TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

• SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

For those who do not want to cook, some of these brands offer extra food and beverage perks.

Residence Inn by Marriott offers complimentary breakfast and can coordinate grocery delivery to guest rooms. SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites also include breakfast in the rate. Element by Westin offers an evening refreshment hour with complimentary wine and beer plus complimentary breakfast.

Why would someone want a kitchen in their hotel room?

While many travelers enjoy short stays, there are those who spend a week (if not several) in the same place. That’s why hotels that include complimentary breakfast or come with kitchen facilities are key to those booking travel.

Many professions require that travelers cover their own meals, and in some destinations, the option to find a diverse range of cuisine is not readily available.

Frequent travelers like consultants, insurance inspectors, construction workers, health care workers and business travelers of all types often find themselves needing more control of what and where they eat.

That’s why having hotels with kitchenettes or in-room kitchens is important. Many people like to do it themselves, but there are also several hotels that include breakfast or evening snacks and cocktails in the room rate, too.

Hotels with kitchens take care of travelers who have dining preferences that go beyond what the traditional restaurant can provide.

If you’re staying somewhere for a long period of time or if you have specific dietary requirements, having in-room facilities can be a key component to having a great stay. That’s why it’s helpful to know the hotel brands that come with kitchens so that you can eat well on your next trip.