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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
Review Management
Process Implementation
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes60Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
InvestingBusiness

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Artwork for The Hotel Investor Playbook

Latest Episodes

Turning an international hospitality dream into reality sounds exciting, until you’re standing on a swampy patch of land in Belize, wondering how many years it will take to shape it into something guests will love.

That’s where today’s guest, Odis M... more

Most hotel investors struggle to get brokers to take them seriously. The result is the same handful of buyers getting the first look at every good deal while everyone else fights over leftovers.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Hunter Johnson... more

Want to know what it’s like to go from short-term rentals to owning boutique hotels while still maintaining a healthy relationship?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, Michael Russell sits down with Mitch Ehly and Katie Wanzer, the husband-and... more

Looking for hotel technology that can actually increase profit and reduce expenses without hiring an IT department?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, Michael Russell sits down with Sue Graves, founder of Experience Alive, who has spent over ... 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

Hunter Johnson
President of Investment Sales at US Hotel Advisors
US Hotel Advisors
Episode: How to Get Brokers to Send You Deals | Hunter Johnson E58
Mitch Ehly
Co-owner of The Refresh Collection, a boutique hospitality group
The Refresh Collection
Episode: The Husband and Wife Duo that Scaled from 5 Airbnbs to 2 Boutique Hotels (Without Burning Out) | E57
Katie Wanzer
Co-owner of The Refresh Collection, involved in design and operations
The Refresh Collection
Episode: The Husband and Wife Duo that Scaled from 5 Airbnbs to 2 Boutique Hotels (Without Burning Out) | E57
Sue Graves
Expert in hospitality technology with three decades of experience in hotel management and operations.
Experience Alive
Episode: Hotel Technology You Can Install To Boost NOI | Sue Graves E56
Tim Ensmann
Founder of Boutique Hotel Fund
Boutique Hotel Fund
Episode: How to Replace a Six-Figure Job with Boutique Hotel Investing | Tim Ensmann E55
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

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 104 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 States2 months 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 States3 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 States3 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 States3 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 States4 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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Odd LotsBloomberg
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Get Brokers to Send You Deals | Hunter Johnson E58
Q: How can someone who's never bought a hotel make lenders take them seriously?
They should consider hiring a management company or finding a partner with experience.
How to Get Brokers to Send You Deals | Hunter Johnson E58
Q: What types of financing are actually getting done right now?
Financing depends on the deal, with options including SBA loans, conventional loans, and seller financing.
How to Get Brokers to Send You Deals | Hunter Johnson E58
Q: Where are we in the hotel market cycle?
We are past the bottom and moving up; there's cautious optimism among investors.
The Husband and Wife Duo that Scaled from 5 Airbnbs to 2 Boutique Hotels (Without Burning Out) | E57
Q: What were some of the unexpected challenges faced when opening your first hotel?
During the first guest's check-in, the key code didn't work, highlighting the importance of technology reliability.
The Husband and Wife Duo that Scaled from 5 Airbnbs to 2 Boutique Hotels (Without Burning Out) | E57
Q: How does this second hotel build upon what you learned from the first?
The second property was structurally better maintained, allowing for easier renovations while using lessons learned from Fresh Coast.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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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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. Action Academy | Millionaire Mentorship For Your Life & Business
3. Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast
4. On The Market
5. BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast

How many episodes of The Hotel Investor Playbook are there?

The Hotel Investor Playbook launched a year ago and published 60 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. Hunter Johnson
2. Mitch Ehly
3. Katie Wanzer
4. Sue Graves
5. Tim Ensmann
6. Jacobo Hernandez
7. Bill Graf
8. Bob Rauch

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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