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Artwork for The Hotel Investor Playbook

The Hotel Investor Playbook

Michael Russell & Nathan St Cyr
Boutique Hotels
Hospitality Management
Real Estate Investment
Direct Bookings
Operational Excellence
Guest Satisfaction
Guest Experience
Short-Term Rentals
Hotel Management
Property Management
Google Business Profile
Real Estate Investments
Emotional Needs In Hospitality
Influencer Marketing
Self-Management
Process Implementation
Marketing
Review Management
PMS (property Management System)
Investment Strategies

Welcome to The Hotel Investor Playbook, hosted by real estate investors and hospitality experts Michael Russell and Nathan St Cyr. As the founders of Malama Capital and Howzit Hostels, Michael and Nathan have a wealth of experience in owning and operating boutique hotels, hostels, and other experiential lodging properties. With over $30 million in real estate investments, including short-term rent... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes55Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
InvestingBusiness

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Artwork for The Hotel Investor Playbook

Latest Episodes

Ever wonder where the money actually goes in a hotel deal?

In this episode, Michael Russell breaks down real estate syndications in plain English. How investors and operators really get paid, what fees are fair, and how to structure deals that build ... more

When most people say they want to buy a hotel, it’s just talk.

Jacobo Hernandez sold his entire $10M short-term rental portfolio, packed his car, and hit the road for 90 days to find one.

He toured 35 hotels, underwrote 2,000 deals, and slept in ra... more

We’ve all dreamt of quitting our bland corporate jobs to buy a hotel in Costa Rica… well, today’s guest did that.

After leaving a private equity career in San Francisco, Bill Graf traded suits for surf towns and founded Onda, a hospitality brand in ... more

The hotel industry is changing: costs are rising, AI is here, and investors are getting more selective.

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sat down with Bob Rauch, better known as The Hotel Guru. From starting out as a dishwasher to buildi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jacobo Hernandez
An entrepreneur with a successful background in short-term rentals and hospitality investments
Episode: What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Hotel in 90 Days | Jacobo Hernandez E53
Bill Graf
Founder of Onda, a lifestyle hotel brand in Costa Rica
Onda
Episode: Building a Lifestyle Hotel Brand in Costa Rica | Bill Graf E52
Bob Rauch
Founder of Brick Hospitality
Brick Hospitality
Episode: The “Hotel Guru” on Where to Invest Next & How to Fund Deals | Bob Rauch E51
Jan Freitag
National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group
CoStar Group
Episode: Why 2026 Looks Rocky for U.S. Hotels And Where Smart Investors Can Hit Big | Jan Freitag E50
Bashar Wali
Hospitality executive with over 30 years of experience in hotel management and operations.
This Assembly and Practice Hospitality
Episode: How to Craft a Hotel People Will Actually Remember | Bashar Wali E49
Naveed Khan
Co-founder of London Rock Partners
London Rock Partners
Episode: What Makes a Hotel Succeed or Fail? | Naveed Khan E48
Richard Kessler
Hospitality icon with a 50-year career, co-founder of Days Inn, and creator of the Kessler Collection.
Episode: From CEO of Days Inn to Launching Marriott’s Autograph Collection | Richard Kessler E47
Soli Cayetano
Co-owner of Terra Palm, a boutique wellness hotel
Terra Palm
Episode: How To Use Social Media To Raise Capital And Find Deals | Soli Cayetano E46
Steph Weber
Branding and marketing expert, owner of a micro-resort in Kentucky
Cabins on the Cumberland
Episode: The Marketing Playbook Every Small Hotel Owner Needs | Steph Weber E44

Hosts

Michael Russell
Co-founder of Malama Capital and host with extensive experience in hospitality investments.
Nathan St Cyr
Co-host with a strong background in hotel management and real estate investment.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 96 ratings
  • Awesome for Hotel Investors

    Great podcast for hotel investors. I’m actively trying to transition from STRs to hotel investments and feel this podcasts give tons of great knowledge on breaking into hotel investing. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JakeT4336
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Hotel Podcast

    I’ve been looking for a hotel podcast for a long time—one that posts regularly and has relevant information—and then I finally found The Hotel Investor Playbook. They have such a genuine and knowledgeable approach to how they choose locations and then execute their vision. If you’re looking into investing into hospitality, I highly recommend this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amanda Weaver CRE
    United States2 months ago
  • Knowledge Gained w/ Every Episode

    Michael and Nathan always have secondary and tertiary questions that get into the true nitty gritty of their guests’ deals - making for deeper learning and knowledge gain.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MSJAllDay
    United States2 months ago
  • These guys talk about what matters

    Mike and Nate talk about the aspects of hotel investing that matter. If you own a hotel or are wanting to purchase or build one, the insights gained from these two are invaluable.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hard Goods
    United States2 months ago
  • Best Hotel Investing Podcast!

    Best podcast for anyone looking to get into hotel investing. I love that you guys pause and dig into any interesting nuggets of wisdom, and that you don’t just drink the koolaid and accept statements at face value, but rather question them from your context, which becomes context that we will share as well. Also the fact that you guys are also located in Hawaii means you ask about long distance management and things that are relevant to me, which i really appreciate.

    I have listened to almost ev... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fawn B
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the podcast for its actionable insights and engaging content tailored to aspiring hotel investors.
Many appreciate the hosts' genuine approach and deep industry knowledge, providing real-world examples that resonate with their experiences.
The focus on niche topics within hospitality investing has been noted as a strong point, with episodes effectively breaking down complex ideas into understandable strategies.

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NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet's Smart Money PodcastNerdWallet Personal Finance
The Ramsey Show
The Ramsey ShowRamsey Network
The Science of Flipping
The Science of FlippingJustin Colby, Bleav
Prof G Markets
Prof G MarketsVox Media Podcast Network
Financial Audit
Financial AuditCaleb Hammer
Wake Up to Wealth
Wake Up to WealthBrandon Brittingham
Odd Lots
Odd LotsBloomberg

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Hotel in 90 Days | Jacobo Hernandez E53
Q: What was the most effective way for you to raise this capital?
I documented my journey on social media and built relationships before raising funds, leading to significant interest and investment when the opportunity arose.
What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Hotel in 90 Days | Jacobo Hernandez E53
Q: How did you come across it?
I stumbled upon it through YouTube and found one of Blake's videos, which piqued my interest in hotels. I took his course and learned crucial concepts about hotel investment.
What It Really Takes to Buy Your First Hotel in 90 Days | Jacobo Hernandez E53
Q: Can you walk us through this journey? So what triggered that decision to get off of the computer and boots on the ground?
After selling my short-term rental portfolio, I looked for what to do next and realized I wanted to invest in boutique hotels, which led to my 90-day journey on the road.
The “Hotel Guru” on Where to Invest Next & How to Fund Deals | Bob Rauch E51
Q: How do you navigate the current hotel investment landscape?
By identifying good locations and building a strong team.
The “Hotel Guru” on Where to Invest Next & How to Fund Deals | Bob Rauch E51
Q: What advice would you give someone starting out in hospitality today?
Focus on improving communication, technology, finance, and sales skills.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Hotel Investor Playbook

What is The Hotel Investor Playbook about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast focuses on the world of hotel investment and hospitality, offering valuable insights for both novice and experienced investors. With hosts experienced in real estate and hospitality, the discussions revolve around practical strategies for purchasing and managing boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and other types of lodging. Key topics include identifying lucrative investment opportunities, navigating the complexities of property management, and understanding market dynamics that influence hotel success. Unique features include interviews with industry leaders who share their insights, making it an essential resource for those looking to build wealth through hospitality investments.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Hotel Investor Playbook?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hotel Investor Playbook:

1. The Rich Somers Report
2. Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast
3. Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast
4. Action Academy | Millionaire Mentorship For Your Life & Business
5. The Walker Webcast

How many episodes of The Hotel Investor Playbook are there?

The Hotel Investor Playbook launched a year ago and published 55 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Hotel Investor Playbook?

Recent guests on The Hotel Investor Playbook include:

1. Jacobo Hernandez
2. Bill Graf
3. Bob Rauch
4. Jan Freitag
5. Bashar Wali
6. Naveed Khan
7. Richard Kessler
8. Soli Cayetano

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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