The Hotel Investor Playbook
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 perspective on how to turn passion-driven investments into financial freedom.
In this podcast, they share their roadmap for transitioning from traditional real estate investments to boutique hotels, offering listeners the insights and strategies needed to succeed in this niche market. Whether you're looking to learn about identifying the right property, managing operations, or understanding the financial complexities of boutique hotel ownership, The Hotel Investor Playbook has you covered.
Join Michael and Nathan each week as they document their journey towards building a $400 million real estate-based business and bring you along for the ride. Subscribe now and start turning your real estate investment dreams into reality.
The Hotel Investor Playbook
Ground-Up Boutique Hotel Development in San Francisco - High Risk, Higher Reward? | Mike Demson E22
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 construction costs, and creating Instagram-worthy experiences with lean operations and smart design.
We challenge the assumptions, dig into the numbers, and talk about what it actually takes to pull off a project like this.
You’ll also hear about his second hotel project in Sonoma wine country—including a planned 67-unit expansion and brand partnership with IHG’s Vignette Collection.
If you’re thinking about hotel development—or you just want a behind-the-scenes look at a real-world deal—this one’s for you.
Connect with Mike:
Website: https://www.demsonconsulting.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedemson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.demson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.demaria.1987
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Website: www.hotelinvestorplaybook.com
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com
Interested in investing with Mike and Nate? Visit Malama-Capital.com for more information.