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 building and selling a 20-hotel management company, then launching Brick Hospitality and managing nearly 1,000 rooms, Bob has seen it all.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to spot hot markets (and avoid the ones that eat your profits)
• The truth about using robots and AI inside hotels
• The 4 core skills Bob believes every investor must master

Bob has 45+ years in the trenches, and he’s sharing real stories, wins, and lessons that can change how you invest.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Bob

Robert A. Rauch, CHA, widely known as “The Hotel Guru,” is a nationally recognized hotelier, consultant, and strategist with over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He is the Chairman of Brick Hospitality, Managing Partner of the Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites San Diego/Del Mar, and founder of Hotel Guru. This consulting firm advises hotel owners and investors on acquisitions, operations, finance, and marketing. A Certified Hotel Administrator, Rauch has also served as a faculty associate at Arizona State University, authored the industry newsletter Hospitality Innsights, and contributed regularly to leading hospitality publications. Through his leadership, market forecasts, and hands-on advisory, he has helped shape the future of hotel investment and management while mentoring the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Bob's Book

The Hotel Guru’s Journey: A Guide to Excellence in the Hotel Industry, launching October 2025, available on Amazon.

Connect with Bob

Website: hotelguru.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robertrauch

X: x.com/truehotelguru

Facebook: facebook.com/hotelguru

Email: rauch.ra@gmail.com

Connect with Mike and Nate:

Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com

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 experience analyzing hotel performance data, Jan is one of the most respected voices in the industry.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to use data and analytics to spot opportunities others overlook
• Why conviction and strong operations can outperform market averages
• How investors can protect margins as costs continue to rise
• Why the sub-$10M space stays active and how to play in it wisely

If you want to understand how smart investors can win even in a challenging market, this is the episode you need.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Jan

Jan Freitag is the National Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar Group, where he provides industry-leading insights on hotel performance, market trends, and investment opportunities. With nearly two decades at STR as Senior Vice President of Lodging Insights, Jan has become one of the most trusted voices in hospitality analytics, frequently cited by outlets like The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, and CNBC. His expertise helps investors, owners, and operators make data-driven decisions across acquisitions, funding, marketing, and operations. Jan is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for translating complex data into actionable strategies for hospitality success.

Connect with Jan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janfreitag/

Podcast: Tell Me More: A Hospitality Data Podcast

Jan's non-CoStar data set: I-92/APIS data https://lnkd.in/g-faxadX

Connect with Mike and Nate:

Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com

The most powerful part of a hotel stay isn’t the design or the amenities, it’s the feeling guests take home.

That’s the philosophy of Bashar Wali, one of the most candid and creative voices in hospitality, who's spent 30+ years building, operating, and reinventing hotels around the world.

In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Bashar shares:

• Why “give-a-shit-ability” beats corporate playbooks
• The power of emotional intelligence in hotel teams
• The biggest mistakes first-time owners make
• The difference between the three types of hotel deals (core, value-add, and opportunistic)

Bashar doesn’t hold back. Whether you’re an operator, investor, or aspiring hotelier, this conversation will reshape how you think about hospitality.

Follow and share the Hotel Investor Playbook so more people can learn how to invest in hospitality assets the right way.

About Bashar

Bashar Wali is a seasoned hotelier, entrepreneur, and the founder of This Assembly and Practice Hospitality, with over 30 years of experience leading and scaling some of the industry’s most innovative hotel brands. In this episode, Bashar shares his playbook across acquisitions, funding, marketing, and operations, revealing how emotional intelligence, design, and culture are just as critical as deal structures and NOI. From building authentic guest loyalty without points, to structuring creative capital stacks, to “making the magic” in operations, his insights are both tactical and timeless. Whether you’re a first-time hotel investor or looking to scale your portfolio, this conversation will give you actionable lessons to apply in your own ventures.

Connect with Bashar

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basharwali

Website: https://www.thisassembly.com

Connect with Mike and Nate:

Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Submit a deal: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com