Yes, you can cook a full holiday dinner in a vacation rental, and in a GoodNight Stay home, it can feel easier than cooking at your own place. Picture it: the turkey resting on the counter, the kids racing around a living room big enough for everyone, the grill going out back while the sun sets, and nobody stuck on a pull-out couch in someone’s spare room.
That’s the kind of holiday a hotel can’t give you. A vacation rental gives your group a real kitchen, a real dining table, and room to spread out. This guide covers what to expect when cooking in a vacation rental, what you can make with the kitchen in our homes, and the local partners who can stock your fridge and decorate before you even arrive.
What to Expect When Cooking in a Vacation Rental
Expect a fully equipped kitchen with the cookware for a big meal, but not your own pantry or your favorite gadgets. Every GoodNight Stay home is stocked from the same kitchen inventory, so you can plan your menu before you pack.
What’s already there: A large roasting pan, three casserole dishes, baking sheets, frying pans, saucepans, a large pot, a colander, a whisk, cutting boards, and a blender. Many of our Arizona homes also have a grill.
What to bring or buy:
- Seasonings & staples – Rentals rarely keep a full spice rack, so bring the spices your recipes depend on, or add them to your grocery delivery order.
- A meat thermometer – It’s the one tool that saves a holiday roast in an oven you’ve never used.
- Foil, parchment & storage containers – Handy for prep, covering dishes and sending leftovers home.
- Specialty tools – A pie dish, turkey baster, stand mixer, or carving knife you love.
Tips for cooking in a kitchen that isn’t yours:
- Check the oven early. Every oven runs a little differently. Bake something simple on day one, like cookies, to get a feel for it.
- Count before you cook. Check place settings, serving dishes, and chairs against your guest list on arrival.
- Plan around one oven. Cook the main dish first, then bake sides while it rests. The stovetop and grill take the overflow.
- Read the house guide. It covers the grill, trash pickup, and dishwasher, so cleanup is easy.
- Ask us. If you’re unsure whether something is in the home, message our team before you arrive!
What You Can Cook for the Holidays in a GoodNight Stay Kitchen
You can make a complete holiday spread, from the roast to breakfast the next morning, with the kitchen in our homes. Here’s a menu matched to the cookware waiting for you.
- The main event: Roast a turkey, glazed ham, prime rib, or roast chicken in the large roasting pan, then whisk the pan drippings into gravy in a saucepan.
- Classic sides: Mashed potatoes come together with the pot, colander, and whisk. Green bean casserole, baked mac and cheese, sweet potato casserole, and stuffing all fit the three casserole dishes.
- Roasted vegetables: Spread Brussels sprouts, carrots, and squash across the baking sheets.
- Stovetop extras: Simmer cranberry sauce, glazed carrots, and creamed corn in the saucepans.
- Drinks for a crowd: A big pot of mulled cider or hot cocoa keeps everyone cozy.
- Holiday breakfast: Make pancakes, eggs, and bacon in the frying pans, or bake an overnight breakfast casserole or French toast bake. The blender handles smoothies and eggnog.
- Appetizers and treats: Build a cheese and charcuterie board on the cutting boards, bake spinach-artichoke dip in a casserole dish, and turn out holiday cookies on the baking sheets.
Arizona Bonus: Take the Holiday Meal Outside
In Arizona, a holiday meal can move outdoors because the weather usually allows it, and many of our Arizona homes have a grill. That frees up the oven for sides and turns cooking into part of the party!
- Smoked or grilled turkey – It frees the oven for every casserole on the menu.
- Grilled steaks or tri-tip – A warm-weather alternative to prime rib that’s easy to slice for a crowd.
- Grilled vegetables – Toss Brussels sprouts, carrots, or squash in a grill basket or on foil.
Pull the patio chairs together, light the outdoor space, and let dinner happen where the view is. It’s a holiday you can’t have at home in a snowy state.
Skip the Grocery Run: Have Your Rental Stocked Before You Arrive
The last thing anyone wants after a long travel day is a crowded grocery store the week of a holiday. GoodNight Stay partners with local services that shop, deliver, and put everything away inside the home before you check in, so the kitchen is ready the moment you arrive.
Let Bellhopt handle the grocery run. If you’re spending the holidays at one of our Scottsdale or Nashville homes, Bellhopt can have your kitchen stocked before you arrive. Order your groceries ahead of time, and their concierge team will deliver and put everything away for you: refrigerated and frozen items in their place, pantry goods on the shelves, and countertop essentials within reach. Walk in to find the turkey or ham ready in the fridge, the potatoes, butter, and cream set for your favorite sides, and your spices waiting on the counter. No unloading the car, no last-minute store trips, just a relaxed start to your holiday, with the cooking beginning whenever you’re ready.
Take the stress out of holiday prep with Music City Weekend Co., a local Nashville company that helps get your rental ready before you arrive. Choose your groceries, drinks, and snacks ahead of time, and their team will fill and arrange the fridge before check-in, including specific brands and family favorites. They also offer more than 60 rental items to help make holiday gatherings easier, from extra tables and chairs to coolers, Bluetooth speakers, a frozen drink maker, cornhole, a putting green, and beer pong. Baby gear, air mattresses, custom cakes, and flower deliveries are available too.
GoodNight Stay guests save 5% on orders with code GOODNIGHT5. For the best selection, especially during busy holiday weekends, book 1 to 4 weeks before your trip.
Set the Scene: Have Your Rental Decorated for the Holiday
Add a festive touch to your rental with holiday decor that helps set the scene for your gathering!
Get your rental party-ready before your guests arrive with AZ Bachelorette Party, a decor and event styling partner serving Scottsdale and Nashville. Choose a theme and their team will handle the setup, making it easy to dress up your space for Friendsgiving, a holiday family reunion, a birthday, or a New Year’s Eve celebration. GoodNight Stay guests receive 10% off a mixology class or can exchange the discount for a bundle of goodie bags. Booking a mimosa bar also comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne, and brunch box orders include free delivery. Just mention GoodNight Stay when booking!
Not in the Mood to Cook?
That’s fine too. A vacation rental still gives you the space to gather, even if someone else makes the meal. Our local guides list where to get a holiday dinner without cooking:
- Thanksgiving Dinners for Non-Cooks: Where to Go in Arizona
- The Non-Cook’s Guide to Thanksgiving in Nashville
Cooking in a vacation rental is about bringing everyone together around a table, sharing a great meal, and spending time with the people who matter most. With fully equipped GoodNight Stay kitchens, groceries stocked before arrival, and festive decor ready for your gathering, the details are taken care of before you walk through the door. All that’s left is the food, the laughter, and the conversations that carry long after dinner. From Arizona to Nashville, find your GoodNight Stay home and start planning your holiday gathering. Be sure to check out our specials page for available discounts to make your stay even better!
