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
Bootstrapped Hospitality: Scaling Your Hotel Portfolio Without Major Capital | Austin Phippen E37
Today’s guest bought a roadside motel in a town of 900 people and turned it into a thriving hospitality brand.
In this episode of the Hotel Investor Playbook, Mike and Nate sit down with Austin Phippen, a 26‑year‑old owner of Chama Trails Motel, a portfolio of 12 short-term rentals and a scenic wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- The “Motel Hack” mindset: How Austin got in with seller financing and turned the motel into both home and business
- Scaling without overbuilding: Why he ran it “as-is” in year one and focused on reviews before renovations
- Bundling to build a team: How combining the motel, STRs, and a venue created enough revenue for full staffing
- Remote operations, done right: What you must know before investing in a rural town you don’t live in
- Marketing that works: Why Google reviews and great operations now drive over 85% of bookings directly
If you’re serious about hospitality investing, especially in rural or seasonal markets, this episode is a must-listen masterclass in bootstrapping, brand-building, and sustainable growth.
About Austin
Austin and Karlee Phippen are the powerhouse couple behind Turquoise Antler Hospitality, a growing portfolio of boutique rentals, a 16-room motel, and a stunning wedding venue in Chama, New Mexico. Since launching in 2019, they've transformed a small-town motel into a thriving hospitality brand with a team of 20 and over a dozen co-hosted properties. With Austin’s background in construction and Karlee’s roots in hospitality, they’ve created unique stays that blend rustic charm with modern comfort. In this episode, they share how they scaled their business, built community partnerships, and navigated the wild world of rural hospitality.
Connect with Austin
Email: austin@turquoiseantler.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-phippen-730569124/
Instagram: @chamavacationrentals and @phippenout
Website: https://chamavacationrentals.com/
Have a deal? Send it to us here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/28iLM67xiWWNkekg8ONt
Have a deal?
Send it to us: https://www.malama-capital.com/deal-submission
Connect with Mike and Nate:
Invest with Mike & Nate: malama-capital.com/invest
Instagram: @the_hotel_investor_playbook
Contact Us: info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com