Hospitality Supplies & Equipment Guide
From continental breakfast stations in hotel lobbies to rooms in bed and breakfasts, hospitality supplies help streamline your staff's duties while creating comfortable environments and memorable guest experiences. Hospitality supplies cover items from laundry carts and bags and ironing boards to food warmers and ice machines suitable for any accommodation.
Below, we'll go over essential hospitality supplies and equipment that meet your hotel's needs as well as the needs of banquet halls and event spaces, restaurants, and bars.
Ice Machines & Supplies
Operators buying commercial ice machines can place them in hotel hallways for guest access and in hotel restaurants and bars. Hotel ice machines can make and hold as much as 1,000 pounds of ice, depending on the machine. Ice buckets can also be placed in hotel rooms for guests to gather ice from your hotel's ice machine or for your room service staff to chill beverages. Business owners can purchase four types of ice machine:
Undercounter ice machines are typically placed underneath the bar counter for bartenders to easily access ice without running back and forth to the kitchen. These machines have a smaller footprint than full-size machines and can produce as much as 599 pounds of ice a day—suitable for high-volume establishments.
When purchasing an ice maker head, it's important to note these machines must be paired with a storage bin or dispenser. The size of the ice maker head you need depends on how much ice you want to supply to your staff and guests. Ice maker heads are rated by pounds, which means if you have an ice maker head rated at 200 pounds it will produce 200 pounds of ice over a 24-hour-period.
Purchasing an ice machine with a bin can provide your establishment with over 1,000 pounds of ice a day. Large venues experiencing high-volume traffic could benefit from one of these ice machines. Ice machines with bins can store as much as 800 pounds depending on the model and size.
Hotel ice dispensers are commonly found in hotel hallways, lobbies, and vending areas for guest use. These dispensers can store as much as 200 pounds of ice depending on the unit. While some are countertop units that can be placed in breakfast buffets, most hotel ice dispensers are available in full-size models.
Hotel Breakfast Supplies
If your hotel serves breakfast, you may want to consider investing in continental breakfast supplies. Cereal, bagels, oats, muffins, and other dry foods can be stored in dry food dispensers and display cases on countertops in serving areas. Eggs, sausage, and bacon can be placed in a countertop food warmer after cooking to keep the food at an appetizing temperature. Cutlery bins and dish caddies are important for organizing utensils and dishes so guests can easily identify and grab what they need.
For more information on opening a breakfast bar in your hotel, check out our article on starting a continental breakfast service.
Hotel Room Appliances
Adding appliances to your hotel's rooms can help your guests feel more comfortable during their stay. Appliances made for hotel rooms often have smaller footprints than full-size refrigerators, freezers, and coffee makers.
Hair dryers, scales, and irons are available to place in the hotel room's vanity for guests to get ready, and if your establishment doesn't offer breakfast, operators should consider adding toasters and blenders to their rooms so guests can prepare their own bagels, bread, and smoothies.
Hotel Banquet Equipment
Hotel banquet halls, event spaces, and conference centers can benefit from investing in banquet equipment. Adding items such as silver trays, plate covers, and cocktail tables can add an upscale vibe to your space, letting guests enjoy food and beverages at their event. If you plan to cater events or conferences, banquet tables and chairs are perfect for seating groups of all sizes.
Incorporating portable bars, ice caddies, bus and beverage carts, and dish caddies can streamline your staff's duties during busy times. Rather than running between the kitchen and event space, your staff would have the supplies needed to serve patrons and perform other designated tasks.
Room Service Equipment
Accommodations offering room service should invest in room service equipment. These supplies equip your staff with the tools to provide meal service to your guests in their rooms. Trays, room service carts, and delivery carts are ideal for transporting food from the kitchen to the room.
Housekeeping Supplies
Equipping your housekeeper with housekeeping supplies to clean and store items streamlines duties and helps your staff stay organized. Housekeeping, janitor, and laundry carts let staff clean, gather laundry, and move supplies from guest rooms to designated cleaning areas or trash bins with ease. Floor maintenance supplies are also available to help your staff keep floors clean and free of debris and spills.
Hotel Bathroom Fixtures
Hotel bathroom fixtures and supplies give your guests a place to wash their hands, hang towels, and throw away trash. These simple additions to your accommodation also prevent accidents from happening, as grab bars and bathmats can keep people from falling in your washrooms. Adding fixtures in washrooms can provide your guests with a comfortable experience and memorable impression.
Hotel Luggage & Closet Equipment
Hotel luggage equipment ensures your guests have a way to transport their belongings and store them safely in their rooms. Adding coat and luggage racks to your hotel's rooms gives people a place to put their travel bags and hang their clothes. Investing in hotel safes also lets guests safely store important items if they so choose.
Hotel Coffee Machines
Hotel coffee makers provide guests with coffee and can be placed in guest rooms, lobbies, and breakfast areas. For more information to choose the best coffee maker for your business, check out our commercial coffee maker buyers' guide.
Water Dispensers
Water dispensers are a great way to provide refreshing water to your guests in a quick, convenient fashion. KaTom offers countertop units equipped with ice makers and even units capable of dispensing hot or cold water depending on the needs of your guests. Check out our water dispenser guide to view all the available options and determine which model is right for your operation.
Miscellaneous Hotel Room Supplies
From ironing boards and mattress protectors to TV mounts and cord locks, hotel room amenities can help provide a comfortable guest experience. Hair dryer bags, organizers, and ironing board hangers all offer storage options for miscellaneous items accessible in your rooms, while items like mattress protectors and ironing board covers can help guests feel like they're staying in a sanitary location.
Operators should consider offering nail trimmers and other grooming supplies to their guests. Whether these supplies are placed in rooms or available upon request at the front desk, providing nail and hair care supplies could help your hotel stand out among competitors.
