What to eat during hotel stay

[LoopyLucyLou10]

Not aibu just posting for traffic.

Our kitchen had a leak and the entire kitchen needs to be ripped out and replaced. Landlord has put us in a hotel for 4 days so the workmen can replace the kitchen including all units and flooring.

The only problem we have is that the hotels restaurant is closed due to covid, they aren't even operating room service. No cooking facilities whatsoever. My daughter has food allergies: all dairy, potato, tomato, kiwi, peanuts, MSG, oranges, shellfish, peaches, aubergine, peppers and cocoa. I have no idea what to feed her with absolutely no cooking facilities. Takeaways aren't an option due to the long list of ingredients and she can't have and the MSG.

Any ideas what to do for food while we are stuck in a hotel for a few days? No family nearby so no way to have meals with them. We won't have a fridge or any cooking facilities. Staying at home isn't an option either, we have to be out of the property whilst the work takes place.

Thank you in advance!

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I lived for a year without a fridge. This time of year, you can hang your food outside the window as has been mentioned. Perhaps if you say where you are a mumsnetter could drop a microwave off to you?

[mswales]

There's a recipe book called Made in the Office with loads of nice meals you can make with just a kettle toaster and a microwave, if that's useful - would it be possible to take those devices? www.waterstones.com/book/made-in-the-office/rachel-maylor/9780711238213

[QuestionableMouse]

I'd say be careful taking any hot items into a hotel room (hot plates, gas stoves, toasters) because the hotel may consider them a fire risk and ask you to leave.

Might be easier to stay at home and move your fridge/microwave into the living room?

[CheetasOnFajitas]

Take a slow cooker. If you can’t carry one on the way there with your cases, they sell them in most big supermarkets so take a taxi to the nearest Tesco Extra and buy one with your shopping.

[PricklesAndSpikes]

If you don't want to manage on just cold food (which should be fine for four days, but still) just ring the nearest takeaway and explain the problem. I'll bet you anything they can sort you out something she can eat. Most of the ones round our way tell you to ring them and speak to them if you have allergies or dietary requirements and are happy to whip you up something appropriate.

[emmathedilemma]

If you're going to eat "picnic" food then pack a couple of plates, bowls, cutlery, washing up liquid and a tea towel! If you've got a plastic washing up bowl I'd take that too.

[MyAnacondaMight]

A bag of ice every day from the supermarket should fulfil the job of a fridge. Try to take a cool bag, or something you can seal up, and put it in the bath in case of any leaks.

Take a chopping board, plates, bowls, a knife, cutlery, washing up liquid etc - and sandwich bags, cling film etc. This will all make life easier.

Fresh pasta can be cooked using boiling water (just refresh it a few times). Same with rice noodles. You can also heat sauces/pretty much anything in a kettle by putting them in a sealed freezer bag inside the kettle, using the lid to grip the bag. Just don’t let the plastic touch the heating element at the bottom.

[Sparklingbrook]

@QuestionableMouse

I'd say be careful taking any hot items into a hotel room (hot plates, gas stoves, toasters) because the hotel may consider them a fire risk and ask you to leave.

Might be easier to stay at home and move your fridge/microwave into the living room?

I would agree with this. Plus any smoke/steam for a length of time might set off the fire alarm/sprinklers.

[im5050]

Omelette maker £12 in Asda or Amazon you can make amazing 😻omelettes in 5 mins No cooking skills needed

[im5050]

Tell the hotel your diabetic and you need a fridge for your insulin 😂
That always works for me when I stay in hotel and need a fridge

[CheetasOnFajitas]

I would agree with this. Plus any smoke/steam for a length of time might set off the fire alarm/sprinklers.

That’s why a slow cooker is the solution, it gives a hot meal but the cooking is very gentle and will not cause a lot of steam or excessive heat.

Still would recommend smuggling it in though.

[Mindymomo]

I am sure the hotel will have a microwave that you can use. Good luck.

[Sparklingbrook]

@CheetasOnFajitas

I would agree with this. Plus any smoke/steam for a length of time might set off the fire alarm/sprinklers.

That’s why a slow cooker is the solution, it gives a hot meal but the cooking is very gentle and will not cause a lot of steam or excessive heat.

Still would recommend smuggling it in though.

I would be too chicken to risk it. You have to take the lid off to dish it up after all. Or check how it's doing.

(disclaimer I have no knowledge of the internal workings of hotel fire alarms or sprinkler systems so it could be ok)

[MaryBerrysChutney]

Buy an instant pot or something similar?

[CheetasOnFajitas]

No more steam than a kettle, surely?

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@MaryBerrysChutney

Buy an instant pot or something similar?

I would agree with that but they are £70 minimum, maybe £50 for a pressure King Pro.

Slow cookers can be had for £12.

[AwaAnBileYerHeid]

Meal deal type meals from the supermarket - pastas, sandwiches etc. You'll survive lol.

[MessAllOver]

Tell the hotel about your situation. They may be able to supply a kettle, fridge and microwave and perhaps a toaster.

Try posting on your local neighbourhood site like Nextdoor. You might find that some families living nearby are able to provide you with some hot meals.

[QuestionableMouse]

@CheetasOnFajitas

No more steam than a kettle, surely?

Not exactly the same but I lived in student accommodation where the smoke alarms used to go off if you used a toaster in your room. Some of the systems are really sensitive.

[CheetasOnFajitas]

@QuestionableMouse the clue is that fires create smoke, not steam! Also, hotel rooms have kettles in them so obviously their systems are designed not to be triggered by kettle-level steam.

[Sparklingbrook]

[quote CheetasOnFajitas]@QuestionableMouse the clue is that fires create smoke, not steam! Also, hotel rooms have kettles in them so obviously their systems are designed not to be triggered by kettle-level steam.[/quote]
I based my thoughts on the steam thing on a hotel stay where there was a notice saying to shut the bathroom door when showering as the steam could set the fire alarm off. It was a huge room too. So it must have been something that's possible.

[Bakeachocolatecake2day]

A rotisserie chicken (warm) salad and bread?

[Notsoaccidentproneanymore]

Deliveroo do some grocery deliveries. I can get Aldi, Morrisons and the co-op, so you could maybe get bread, peanut butter, soya milk (or alternative), fruit, cooked meat or fish, or plain couscous cooked with a stock cube (just add boiling water and leave for 5 mins).

What a rubbish situation for you to be in.

[ScottishDiblet]

I have similar allergies and would recommend pret porridge (they do a coconut one so non dairy), vegan sandwich from pret too (so no dairy) ?? Good luck. If at all possible would try to switch to air B and B so you can cook yourself.

[Eckhart]

Argos often deliver same/next day. A microwave and a kettle will be ok, just for a few days, won't they?