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The Hotel Investor Playbook

Michael Russell & Nathan St Cyr

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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 rentals, long-term rentals, commercial retail, and hospitality properties, they bring a unique persp ...
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The Unique Hospitality Podcast

Glampitect North America

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The rise of glamping and short-term rentals has created a golden opportunity, but there are a ton of hurdles to navigate. We grill elite operators in the space to arm you with all the knowledge you need ----- “I've been a loyal listener to your podcast, and it’s been a game-changer. The insights have been incredibly valuable" - Remo Kommnick, Owner of Doah House
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Ever wondered how people raise millions to buy real estate without using their own money? In this episode, Desiree Doubrox breaks down the world of syndication and how she built an eight-figure fund while empowering hundreds of others to do the same. Whether you're new to investing or ready to raise capital for your first deal, this conversation si…
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Instead of chasing bookings, the founders behind Bolt Farm Treehouse create an obsession amongst their guests, and they do it with love at the center of everything. Their hospitality business heals relationships, attracts top-tier employees, and doesn't require the use of OTAs In this episode, Seth and Tori Bolt break their iconic hospitality busin…
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Thinking about buying or operating a hotel, but not sure where to start? Sujay Mehta built a $187M hospitality portfolio by betting on himself, starting lean, and learning through execution. In this episode, he breaks down what most people get wrong about hotel investing and how you can start smarter. You’ll learn: How to determine which hotel bran…
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In huge news for the glamping industry, The Fields of Michigan has been acquired by glamping giants, Under Canvas. Irene Wood returns to the pod to give us the lowdown: How it all went down; the advice she'd give to operators looking for a similar exit; and what's next for her. Irene is always a blast. Give it a listen! Open Sky Glampitect North Am…
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What does it take to build a successful hospitality business in a small rural town, with no outside investors? Dave Cook, founder of Barn Door Hostel in Rumney, New Hampshire, walks us through his journey from hostel volunteer to hostel owner. We dive into: How he used sweat equity and personal savings to convert an old chicken coop into a thriving…
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Today’s guest bought a roadside motel in a town of 900 people and turned it into a thriving hospitality brand. In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Austin Phippen, a 26‑year‑old owner of Chama Trails Motel, a portfolio of 12 short-term rentals and a scenic wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico. What you’ll learn …
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In this episode we dive in with Scott Randall who helped launch Paws Up, AutoCamp and Wildhaven over his 25 year career in outdoor hospitality. There is no person on this continent with more experience growing prominent glamping brands. Hear about creating ice wall climbing, dog sledding, and hot air balloon rides in the Montana wilderness. Learn a…
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In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Brian Linton, co-founder of Finding Promised Land, Camp Ferncrest, and The Rex Hotel. Brian shares how he transitioned from building a $20M apparel company to launching one of the fastest-growing outdoor hospitality brands in the U.S. Key Topics: How a rundown motel purchas…
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Not sure if your tax advisor is actually optimizing your returns, or just filing forms? In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we’re joined by Kelly Tate, a CPA with over two decades of experience helping real estate and hospitality investors navigate the tax code with confidence. We dive into key strategies like bonus depreciation, Sectio…
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Familiar favourite Bygnal Dutson from Open Sky in Zion returns to the pod today, but this time he's joined by his General Manager, Wes McCloskey. Today's episode is all about the nitty gritty of running a glamping business as the GM. What roles and responsibilities does a GM carry out? What's the hardest part of the job? What's Wes' advice to prosp…
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We're proving why hostels are one of the most powerful investment models in real estate. In this episode, Mike and Nate break down exactly why they’re going all-in on hostels and how they turn underperforming assets into award-winning hospitality destinations. You’ll learn: Why the U.S. hostel market is ripe for disruption The revenue model that tu…
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You don’t need to be an expert in everything to scale in hospitality, just need to align with the right consultants, operators, and partners who’ve done it before. In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Fish, CEO of Reliance Hospitality, to unpack how third-party operators help investors go from scrappy operators to institutional-level players. Br…
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Hear the story behind Sol Stay, one of America's only glamping resorts ON THE WATER. Find out how Joe Lisa and Bill Nolan built this unique property on the waters of Lake Erie in Ohio. In this episode you will learn how they: Found and reimagined this run down marina Raised the money to renovate into a floating glamping resort Built a floating saun…
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After helping scale a family office real estate portfolio from $3 million to over $320 million, Reilly Brennan walked away from the comfort of a W-2 job to carve his own path in boutique hospitality. In this episode, we sit down with Reilly to unpack how he sourced and acquired two independent hotels in Duluth, Minnesota, one through creative selle…
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In this episode, we dive into an uncommon but powerful financing strategy that could change how boutique hospitality projects get funded. Ian Joseph, founder of Branch, shares how he’s leveraging a USDA Rural Business Development loan to finance a $6M micro resort buildout in West Virginia - with just 3% down. We break down the entire capital stack…
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Learn the critical items you need to think about before your grand opening. Hear about pre-marketing, selecting a property management system, opening your booking calendar, OTA integrations, OS&E purchasing and more. Quentin Incao is the founder of Q Hospitality and has consulted on a dozen prominent glamping sites, landscape hotels, independent bo…
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In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Suraj Desai, a hospitality finance expert who has helped close hundreds of hotel deals, to unpack everything you need to know about financing your next acquisition, renovation, or ground-up development. Suraj breaks down the full capital stack, from SBA 7a and 504 loans to bridge, CMB…
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In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Keir Weimer, founder of Weekender Hotels, to unpack how he’s building a boutique hospitality brand designed for the long haul. Keir shares how he aligned his business with his personal lifestyle, his on-the-road strategy for sourcing deals, and the frameworks he’s using to scale Weeke…
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Some of you have been listening to him for more than 4 years, but you don't know his story. Nick got to where he is today through hard work, tenacity, and a whole lotta dreaming. As he prepares to open his first mirror cabins at Skyridge Glamping, we go all the way back to his childhood and explore his journey to the present day. It's a doozy. Posh…
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What does it really take to scale from your first hotel acquisition to managing a hospitality portfolio worth tens or even hundreds of millions? In this episode, Michael and Nate sit down with Suraj Bhakta, CEO of NewGen Advisory, a leading hospitality brokerage with offices across 12 states and transactions in 44. Suraj brings over two decades of …
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In this special Saturday edition, we’re flipping the script. No guest today — just Mike and Nate giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on inside Malama Capital. After a listener reached out asking to hear more about our journey, we decided to hit record and share where we’re at, what we’re focused on, and how we’re thinking about the …
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We explored beyond the world of glamping this week and interviewed Nathan St Cyr of Howzit Hostels. He broke down the hostel business model; how Howzit obsesses over the guest experience; and how to create a sense of community at your resort. Nathan's Links: Howzit Hostels The Hotel Investor Playbook Posh Outdoors Links: WeFunder page Schedule a ca…
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What do you do when you get fired from your job and get escorted out with a cardboard box? If you’re Sky McLean, you build one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in Canada. In this episode, we sit down with Sky McLean, founder and CEO of Basecamp Resorts, owner of 14+ resorts, and operator of over half a billion in real estate. From bootstra…
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What if you could double your money in one season with glamping tents? Zac Willms is pulling it off — and building a profitable outdoor brand in the process. In this episode, Mike and Nate talk with Zac Willms, co-owner of a thriving glamping resort in Tobermory, Ontario. Zac shares how he turned a neglected trailer park into a profitable outdoor h…
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Hal Feinberg is the founder of Clear Sky Resorts. Clear Sky is the largest dome operation in the US, with resorts in Utah and Arizona. Hal joins us to discuss his journey to this point, his special interior designs, how he scaled to a second location, and much more. Posh Outdoors Links WeFunder page Schedule a call Nick's email: nick@posh-outdoors.…
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From Olympic Trials to Losing Millions—And Bouncing Back With a Boutique Hotel Empire In this episode of Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate are joined by Adam Dailey, a former 5x All-American athlete turned hospitality investor. Adam shares his wild journey—from building a multimillion-dollar business, losing it all in a matter of weeks, to bou…
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What happens when two young investors decide to buy a rundown motel, renovate it themselves, and document the entire journey online? For Brett and Casey McManus—creators of the viral Instagram account Innvestors—it led to a booming boutique hotel business and a wildly loyal following. In this episode, Brett joins us to share how they went from indu…
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Learn what your outdoor hospitality business is worth and how you can maximize your value in a sale. In this episode Connor interviews experts Bob Kaplan of NAI Outdoor Hospitality Brokers and Shari Heilala of Sage Outdoor Advisory. Find out how your business is valued by appraisers and brokers in the current market. Learn the strategies about maxi…
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Could you really buy a hotel development site in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco—at a fire-sale price—and turn it into a boutique hotel with a projected value over $11 million? That’s the plan today’s guest, Mike Demson, is working on. In this episode, Mike breaks down how he’s finding undervalued hotel opportunities, increasing density, reducing …
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What if your next hospitality investment didn’t sit on land? In this episode, Mike and Nate sit down with Brian Meyer, founder and CEO of Flow Home—a luxury floating home rental business redefining waterfront living. We explore how Brian turned a niche concept into a scalable brand, how he raised capital, overcame regulatory barriers, built vertica…
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Jacob Halverson joins Connor and Nick to discuss all things recruitment. How do you find staff for your hospitality operation? What questions should you ask them in interviews? How does the process change according to job role? Links: Posh Outdoors Schedule a call re Posh Outdoors Glampitect North America The Glamping Insider (Nick's newsletter) Sa…
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“Do you enjoy paying taxes? Would you like to learn how to keep more of your hard earned money? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Brian Bigham, Vice President at Madison Specs and also known as the Cost Seg Cowboy. Brian breaks down the powerful strategy of cost segregation, showing you how to legally keep …
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Ever dreamt of creating your luxury resort from scratch? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of ground-up hospitality development with Andrew Owlett, a visionary building a boutique wellness resort in Virginia— with plans to expand into three other states! Here’s what you’ll learn: 🔥 The freedom and challenges of developing from scrat…
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💡 AI is revolutionizing hospitality, but not how you think. The big hotel chains? They’re struggling to adapt. The real advantage? It belongs to small, independent operators who know how to leverage AI the right way. On this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Ari Smith, an AI scientist and futurist, to unpack: ✔️ How AI is mak…
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In Connor's first solo-hosted episode, he speaks to Ken Barber of Wildhaven Glamping in California. Ken has pulled off the notoriously difficult task of starting and scaling a Californian glamping operation, and he dives into his initial capital raise, Wildhaven's mid-marketing positioning, and the art of scaling a glamping business. Links mentione…
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🏨 How do you turn a seasonal boutique hotel into a $2M value-add opportunity? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Ryan Edwards, owner of a 17-unit boutique hotel in Maine, to break down the real strategies that make a seasonal hotel thrive. We cover: ✅ How he financed his $3.6M hotel deal with 75% bank financing ✅ The $…
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Luxury glamping—game-changing investment or overhyped trend? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Edward Haynes, a specialist in unique stays and experiential lodging, to unpack the massive growth in luxury outdoor hospitality. We cover: ✅ Why glamping demand is skyrocketing (and if it’s sustainable) ✅ How unique stays c…
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We're back! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Nick and Connor are excited to return with the first episode of the new year, and boy is it a good'un. We're joined by Michel Girardin and (rejoined by) Andrew Murphy to talk all things African glamping. This industry traces its roots back to that amazing continent, and there's a ton we c…
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Do you feel like you’re always busy but never really making progress? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we explore how to transform your vision into reality by cutting through the noise and focusing on what truly matters. Join Mike and Nate as they share their proven four-step process for executing your 2025 goals: from crafting a cle…
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What happens when a hotel investment doesn't go as planned? In this candid episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, we chat with Tanya Rooney about the ups and downs of buying and operating a roadside motel. From discovering hidden challenges in partnerships and revenue projections to navigating the nuances of small-town hospitality, Tanya's story i…
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What does it take to transform $400,000 into $10 million in hospitality assets while building a brand that wins awards in just a few years? In this special crossover episode, we’re featuring a conversation we had as guests on Direct Bookings Simplified, hosted by Gil Chan. In this episode, we reveal: •How we tackled fear and failure to seize opport…
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Join us as we sit down with Bryan Tubaugh, a seasoned hotel management expert, to explore the common pitfalls of self-management, the benefits of bringing in a pro, and how to evaluate whether outsourcing management is right for you. Whether you’re buying or managing your first—or fiftieth—hotel, this conversation is packed with insights to help yo…
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Are you ready to take your short-term rental success to the next level? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Kim Herrlein, an accomplished STR investor who transformed her success into hotel ownership. Kim’s story isn’t about leaving short-term rentals behind—it’s about using her knowledge to scale into an exciting new c…
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Jacob Halverson joins Nick and Connor for a bumper Christmas special! We discuss our favorite glamping resorts, glamping naughty and nice lists, and our favorite Christmas movies. The podcast also begins with an update on our plans for the podcast in 2025. Thanks to all the listeners, and have a very merry Christmas! Links mentioned: The Glamping I…
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Are you tired of paying high fees to online travel agencies (OTAs)? Imagine driving 70% of your bookings directly—and keeping more of your revenue. In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Kerri Gibson, founder of Chalets Hygge, who has built an incredible hospitality brand with six short-term rentals and a boutique motel. H…
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Sorry for the delay on this week's episode - my laptop is broken! Everybody thinks of glamping as a summer activity, with the sun shining and the leaves in bloom. But have you ever considered glamping in minus 40 temperatures? The good people of Saskatchewan, Canada do, and we think winter glamping will become more and more common as the industry m…
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Join Mike and Nate, founders of Malama Capital, as they explore the critical role of a well-defined investment thesis in the hospitality industry. With $30 million in current real estate assets and a goal to build a $400 million business, they share detailed insights on creating and refining an investment strategy. From understanding guest avatars …
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Today's guest is the opposite of every previous operator we've had on the show. And his counter-intuitive strategy may give you your next great idea. Introducing Travis Chambers, Founder of Outpost X. Travis isn't trying to create luxury at Outpost X. He's comfortable with 20% of his guests not enjoying their experience. To him, the goal is to tran…
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Ever wondered what it takes to transform an empty building or raw land into a thriving hotel? In this episode of The Hotel Investor Playbook, we’re diving deep into the real estate development process with architect and developer Zeke Freeman. With over 20 years of experience and a current ground-up hotel project near the iconic Red Rocks Amphithea…
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In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Alex Kang, who purchased his first boutique hotel with no prior experience while maintaining a full-time W2 job. Alex shares his step-by-step process, from leveraging his skills from his MBA and software tech job, to joining a mastermind group that accelerated his learning. He emphasizes t…
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