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

How do you turn a struggling hotel into a profitable asset?

This week on the Hotel Investor Playbook, we sit down with Naveed Khan, co-founder of London Rock Partners, a hotel management and advisory firm that oversees everything from branded hotels like Holiday Inn to boutique independents and even a 650-bed hostel in London.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the first step in turning around a hotel always starts with people, not P&Ls
• The advantages (and risks) of branded vs. independent hotels for investors
• How management companies can become a true partner in value creation
• Why tech and automation are reshaping hospitality operations
• Tactical advice for first-time hotel investors on keeping it simple

If you want to understand how the right management partnership can transform your hotel investment, this episode is a must-listen.

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

About Naveed

Naveed Khan is the Chief Operating Officer of London Rock Partners, a leading hospitality asset and hotel management firm based in the UK. With a career spanning revenue management, commercial strategy, and full-scale hotel operations, he has led both branded and boutique properties through transformation and growth. Naveed is known for his people-first leadership, tech-driven operational strategies, and ability to maximize asset performance for owners and investors. His journey from revenue manager to COO reflects both resilience and a deep commitment to reshaping the future of hospitality.

Connect with Naveed

Website: https://www.londonrockpartners.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naveed-khan-580ba179/

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

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

Few people have left a mark on hospitality like Richard Kessler.

He started his hospitality career by helping scale Days Inn into a household name as the early CEO

Then he founded the Kessler Collection, one of the leading boutique hotel portfolios in the U.S., which ultimately helped launch Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

In this episode, Richard shares the biggest lessons from his 50-year career, including:

• How to lead through downturns and find opportunity in distress
• Why reputation as an operator attracts financing and partners
• The role of vision, teamwork, and conviction in building lasting brands
• Why his mother’s advice, “Don’t take the elevator, take the stairs”, shaped his approach to success

This is a rare chance to learn directly from one of hospitality’s true icons.

About Richard

Richard C. Kessler is a visionary hotelier and entrepreneur with more than 50 years of experience in hospitality, best known as Chairman and CEO of The Kessler Collection. He previously served as President and Chairman of Days Inns of America and later pioneered the boutique luxury movement, restoring historic properties like Casa Monica Resort, The Mansion on Forsyth Park, and Savannah’s Plant Riverside District. Kessler co-launched Marriott’s Autograph Collection, becoming its largest U.S. franchise operator, and remains deeply involved in the design and development of each property. Beyond hospitality, he is a committed philanthropist, supporting faith-based initiatives, education, and the arts through scholarships, cultural collections, and community projects.

Connect with Richard

LinkedIn: Richard Kessler - Chairman and CEO at The Kessler Collection | LinkedIn

Website: The Kessler Collection

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

What if your first hotel deal could be funded almost entirely through Instagram?

This week’s guest, Soli Cayetano AKA lattes.and.leases on Instagram, went from barista to building a $13M real estate portfolio in just four years. After exiting her residential investing business, she turned to hospitality and now co-owns a 13-key boutique wellness hotel in Palm Springs that’s already been featured in Forbes, Vogue, and Travel & Leisure.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Soli raised $2.5M in 60 days through her Instagram audience
• Why documenting your journey builds trust with investors
• The key differences between residential and hospitality investing
• Why losing money can be the most valuable education

If you want proof that bold moves, social media, and persistence can change your life, this episode will give it to you.

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

About Soli:

Soli Cayetano is a real estate investor, educator, and boutique hotel owner who has scaled from buying her first out-of-state rental at 23 to building a multimillion-dollar portfolio and co-owning Terra Palm Springs, a 13-room wellness boutique hotel featured in Travel + Leisure, Forbes, and Vogue. Through her platform Lattes & Leases, she empowers new and aspiring investors with the tools, courses, and community to confidently analyze deals, raise capital, and manage properties. Soli is passionate about creating design-forward, thoughtful hospitality brands while making real estate investing approachable, fun, and impactful.

Contact Soli:

Instagram: @lattes.and.leases & @terrapalmsprings

Website: https://www.terrapalmsprings.com/

LinkedIn: Soli Cayetano - Wellness Hotel Owner & Marketing Strategist

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

Most hotel investors default to syndication — raising capital from dozens of limited partners and layering in complex waterfalls. But what if there’s a smarter, simpler path?

This week’s guest, Brandon Gore, is building The Outlier Hotel, a 10-cabin luxury retreat in Arkansas designed to last 100 years. Instead of chasing the traditional syndication model, he’s structuring the project as a joint venture — lowering pressure, creating strong cash flow, and unlocking tax advantages that limited partners usually can’t access.

In this episode, we dig into:

• How intuition plus data shaped Brandon’s decision to buy land on a hunch
  
  
• The financial model behind The Outlier (ADR, occupancy, and NOI)
  
  
• Why joint ventures can sometimes outperform syndications
  
  
• How accelerated depreciation makes this deal especially compelling
  
  
• What it takes to build hotels that align with your values and your legacy

This is part business case study, part lesson in trusting your instincts — and a rare look at how different deal structures can change the game for hospitality investors.

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

About Brandon:

Brandon Gore is a designer, builder, and entrepreneur known for blending craftsmanship with innovation. He is the founder of Gore Design Co., Hard Goods, the Concrete Design School, and EarthForm Rammed Earth, where he has pioneered sustainable building with concrete and rammed-earth construction. Today, he is developing The Outlier Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas—a boutique property that reflects his vision for timeless design and lasting architecture. Brandon has also shared his expertise as a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and judge on the design competition show Framework.

Connect with Brandon:

Instagram:@outlierhotel & @hardgoodsco

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

Website: Gore Design Co. & Brandon Gore

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

Think great marketing is only for big hotels with big budgets? Think again.

In this episode, we talk with Steph Weber, a marketing and branding expert who helps boutique hotel and STR owners drive direct bookings. She breaks down how she finds her audience, tells a compelling brand story, and uses limited resources to drive big results.

You’ll learn:

• How to identify your property’s unique selling points
• Simple marketing strategies that work for small hotels and inns
• Why guest experience is your most powerful marketing tool

The mindset shift from “just filling rooms” to building a brand
If you want your property to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation will show you how to do it without wasting money.

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

About Steph

Steph Weber is a branding strategist, marketing expert, and founder of The Weber Co., where she helps short-term rental owners, boutique hotels, and micro-resorts build memorable brands that drive direct bookings. With over a decade of experience and a track record of helping 100+ businesses scale to six and seven figures, Steph blends creative storytelling with data-driven strategies to increase guest loyalty and revenue. She also owns Cabins on the Cumberland, a 12-cabin, 9-acre riverfront micro-resort in Kentucky, giving her a unique, real-world perspective on what it takes to stand out in a competitive hospitality market. Through her agency, podcast, and own hosting experience, Steph empowers property owners to position their brands for higher rates, repeat guests, and long-term success.

Connect with Steph

Instagram: @stephnweber, @cabinsonthecumberland & @theweberco

Websites: www.theweberco.com and www.cabinsonthecumberland.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephweberbrandcoach

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