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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
Emotional Needs In Hospitality
Influencer Marketing
Self-Management
Process Implementation
Review Management
Marketing
PMS (property Management System)
Investment Strategies
Real Estate Investments

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes54Foundeda year ago
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BusinessInvesting

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Artwork for The Hotel Investor Playbook

Latest Episodes

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

Where is the hotel market headed in 2026, and how can investors succeed in a challenging environment?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sat down with Jan Freitag, National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar. With over 30 years of... more

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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 a host with extensive experience in boutique hotel investments and operations. He brings practical insights and strategies for aspiring investors looking to enter the hospitality space.
Nathan St Cyr
Co-founder of Malama Capital and a host skilled in hospitality management and investment strategies, sharing his insights on operational excellence and financial success in the hotel sector.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 96 ratings
  • 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
  • Best Podcast for Start Ups

    Mike and Nate have really put together an amazing program with great interviews. Tons of insights for startups and lots of inspiration. These guys have really helped demystify the game for me and helped me start to form my own acquisition strategy. Could not recommend more for anyone interested in jumping into hotel acquisition and operation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MNY Hosp.
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the actionable advice and real-world insights provided, emphasizing the depth of knowledge the hosts share.
Reviews mention the podcast's unique blend of education and entertainment, making complex topics accessible.
Many listeners express gratitude for the practical strategies presented, which have positively impacted their investment decisions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

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

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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 journey of transforming real estate investments into successful boutique hotel ventures, aiming to educate and inspire aspiring hospitality investors. Hosted by two experienced real estate investors, it features discussions on various aspects of the hotel and hospitality industry, including property management, financial strategies, and operational insights. Episodes often showcase case studies, interviews with industry leaders, and actionable tips based on the hosts' real-world experiences, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the hospitality investment space.

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How many listeners does The Hotel Investor Playbook get?

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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. The Short Term Show
4. BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast
5. Action Academy | Millionaire Mentorship For Your Life & Business

How many episodes of The Hotel Investor Playbook are there?

The Hotel Investor Playbook launched a year ago and published 54 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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