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
Hotel Investing Insights from the CEO of One of America’s Top Hotel Brokerage Firms | Suraj Bhakta E28
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 commercial real estate experience, having closed $850 million in hotel deals and facilitated nearly $500 million in capital raises. He’s also Chief Legal Counsel at NewGen Worldwide and a former managing partner of his own law firm.
Together, we dive deep into the real-world playbook for growing a hotel investment business - whether you’re acquiring your first property or trying to exit a $15 million deal.
We cover:
– What makes a hotel market worth investing in
– How to raise capital beyond friends and family
– Why the real pros plan their exit before they even buy
– SBA loans vs CMBS vs local banks: financing pros and cons
– The risks and rewards of boutique hotels vs flagged properties
– Why extended-stay hotels are gaining momentum
– How top investors scale and what separates them from the rest
If you’re serious about building wealth through boutique hotels and experiential hospitality, this episode will help you play the game like a pro.
Connect with Suraj:
Email: suraj.bhakta@newgenadv.com
Website: https://newgenadv.com/
Linkedin: Suraj Bhakta
Instagram: @newgenadvisory
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com
Invest with us: Visit Malama-Capital.com for more information.