I Bought a Hotel With No Hospitality Experience | Jordan Malars

Jordan Malara is doing something most people would never attempt: buying and repositioning boutique hotels with zero traditional hospitality background. And honestly? He's crushing it.

After serving in the military and cutting his teeth in short-term rentals, Jordan and his business partner took a leap and purchased the Adventure Inn in Durango, Colorado. The 27-room property had been sitting on the market for over a year, but Jordan saw what others missed: a chance to create something that truly reflects Durango's world-class outdoor culture.

The Adventure Inn now caters to mountain bikers, fly fishermen, rock climbers, and anyone drawn to Southwest Colorado's stunning landscape. Jordan added bike racks in the rooms, ski storage, a cedar hot tub for post-adventure soaks, and thoughtful touches that make guests feel like the hotel gets why they came to Durango in the first place.

In this conversation, Jordan shares his philosophy on hotels as ecosystems where culture, operations, and guest experience are completely interconnected. He talks about why he reaches out to local tourism boards to align on target markets, how he built team culture at smaller properties, and why he believes the future of hospitality is about fostering genuine human connection as the world goes increasingly digital.

His approach is refreshingly honest. He admits to making material choices he'd do differently, shares stories about hiring challenges (yes, including an employee who got arrested), and explains why he's willing to jump in and clean rooms even though he's terrible at folding linens.

Jordan's building something special in Colorado, and his willingness to learn, adapt, and stay true to creating authentic destination-driven experiences makes him someone worth watching in the boutique hotel space.